I have just cycled down Sydney Place ( now blocked off to four wheel traffic – and up Great Pulteney Street and onto the High Street to lock up the bike alongside the Abbey.
Maybe it’s my age but l have to say l am getting quite nervous about cyclng on inner city roads because they are so pitted with sunken trenches, potholes and crumbling road surfaces.
Both Sydney Place and Great Pulteney Street are now extremely hazardous for two-wheelers.
The same can be said for Westgate Street, which l have often said is the ugliest street in the city. I feel for the traders as footfall has to cope with tarmac-filled pavements and tarmac kerbs.
There is also no real attempt to ‘educate’ pedestrians regarding the roads dual use. The cycle symbols on the road surface are almost worn away and the traffic signs almost obliterated with stickers.
Maybe the idea is to dissuade cyclists from using that route. I know there are plans around the city centre to install cyclepaths elsewhere.
Who on the Council is able to talk to me about this confusing situation?
Elsewhere l know there are efforts to construct new loading bays to help prevent lorries and vans from obstructing roads – especially when it comes to stopping buses getting through.
Thank you to some of my blog followers for pointing out the Council’s plans for the city centre.
Looks like Phase 1 will enable us cyclists to bypass Westgate Street. Bring it on!
I totally agree with you Richard.
If the council are so keen to get us all as active travellers, (cyclists, pedestrians) they need to improve the state of the roads. , and the pavements.
As a driver, I worry that if I am anywhere near a cyclist, what happens if they come across a pothole and have to swerve quickly or God forbid fall off their bikes .?
As a pedestrian, walking is not the pleasure it was as you have to watch where you’re putting your feet so you don’t twist your ankle or fall over. As for walking some of our streets and pavements at night it is a double hazard.
Totally agree re the hazardous and painful road surfaces of Great Pulteney St and Westgate St with the latter being very poorly lit at night..especially for a street that sees so much ‘action’ at night with some of the and Komedia along there.
Take a walk along there after dark and you’ll see what I mean!
As for pedestrian awareness regarding bikes and indeed, electric cars…there is virtually none!!!
I frequently get shouted at for ‘going the wrong way’ on streets that are two way for cyclists…I even get abused for using my bell to alert pedestrians to my presence!!!!!
This is not a new thing I hasten to add….but years old now!!!
It has meant I avoid taking my bike into city centre streets during even mildly busy times.
Signage needs to be ‘in your face’ for the public to notice and since many of them have their faces in their phones….thats an even trickier one to fix!!!!!!!
I am still working out the etiquette with bell use…
Upcoming work seeks to move east-west axis cycle movements onto Upper Borough Walls. See: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/bath-city-centre-active-travel-plans. Hopefully that will resolve some of the tension on Westgate St.
If you want to see a truly scary ‘shared space’ stand at Seven Dials for half an hour. The speed and behaviour of drivers in their interactions with everyone else is alarming to say the least.
The council had an opportunity to remove through traffic from the Pultney Estate via the Liveable Neighbourhoods programme. That would have helped the road surface, as it is largely motor vehicles that damage it. Unfortunately (certainly for pot holes), that plan has stalled.