Cycling from Tim Ward

My heart sank further when reading John Norman’s description* of SCC’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan – a so-called plan to get more folks on bikes.

As both a motorist and cyclist in the town, the arbitrary and counter-productive schemes so far introduced help neither group. 

The Bridge Street closure sums it all up. Cars cannot use the left turn towards Stoke Bridge and traffic backs up even at quiet times. Cyclists won’t weave between the scruffy and ugly flower pots because the road is littered with debris ideal for creating punctures. In any event cyclists will use the docks. 

Westbury and Leopold Road flower pots are equally an eyesore and the ‘sticks’ that appeared on Valley Road etc. again help no one other than inner-tube manufacturers, because the cordoned-off area is full of glass and stones.

These were all introduced as the pandemic started with money from the Government to supposedly help stop a virus spreading. The idea that sedentary folk would suddenly leap onto two wheels to avoid Covid and use that bit of Bridge Street or similar areas, is for the birds. No doubt it was dreamt up by people that never have ridden a bike around Ipswich, or anywhere else for that matter. The planned schemes offer more of the same. It isn’t a strategy – it is tokenism.  

No doubt someone will say cycling has increased as a result of these token road closures, but I don’t see it at all. Folk are either inclined to keep fit and cycle or they are not. Erecting wooden flower pots and closing a few junctions won’t make a blind bit of difference. 

[*Ipswich expansion, October 2022 Newsletter, Issue 231.]

 

Re: cycling from Andrew Pink

I read with interest the article in October’s Newsletter about the possibility of car drivers becoming cyclists, an interesting idea.

I cycle as well as drive and I must say that Ipswich, in my opinion, is not a good place to cycle around. For a start, we have those ridiculous bollards along some cycle lanes. They are restrictive to a cyclist because they offer no leeway when trying to avoid rubbish that is blown into the cycle lane and another consideration is that they cannot be swept. 

Any shared path/cycle routes are restrictive because of the side roads and poor maintenance: the stop-start effect is very frustrating.

I haven’t mentioned the state of our roads. Cyclists cannot ride in a straight line; it’s not possible because of the potholes and gutter grates. Also, in general our roads are in a very poor state; Suffolk County Council has only ever paid lip service to cycling, unless an event comes through the county.

I like to think that I have good road sense and have good control of my bike, but I don’t feel overly safe cycling in Ipswich. Other vehicles, at times, are very close and there are bad drivers as well as bad and unsafe cyclists who don’t think that a red light applies to them (a pet hate) which just fuels bad feelings, so education for both cyclists and drivers is a must.

I just hope that the powers that be take the time to ask cyclists for feedback.

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