Should Chippenham encourage cycling to work?

Johnboy · Should Chippenham encourage cycling to work?

For various reasons I have been cycling to work when I can from about May this year. (fuel costs being one of them). I go from Pewsham to Corsham usually 3 times per week. I have found back road routes to avoid the main traffic but at some points I have to use the dreaded A4. This road is not cycle friendly (nor is a percentage of dopey drivers!) with pot holes, bad junctions, traffic lights that can't tell theres a cyclist there...etc. It just makes me laugh at the pathetic efforts of the council to provide cycle lanes ended up being about a quarter mile of half a pavement between Currys and The Pheasant!

Shouldn't there be more of an effort on this front from the council? We all should be thinking about alternative ways to commute in the current and future climate. Surely less car traffic around Ave La Fleche roundabout would be a good thing? Shouldn't it be encouraged nationally to councils to provide routes? At the very least please fill in the pot holes where the cyclists have to ride! Rant over......

Jouster

MOst definately.

I cycle to wrok 3 times a week, its making me fit, saving me money and helping the environment, but the more people that Cycle the greater the ned to educate cyclists and Car drivers... 99% are aware of cyclists buts its the idiotic 1% that cause the damage.

Kizzy

I have a better awareness of cyclists since being with my fiance. I always take longer to look for them when at junctions.

He cycles between Melksham and Devizes, several times a week for work. and some of the horror stories he tells me are quite shocking. He sometimes uses the canal tow path, but because it is left in a state by other users, i.e dog walkers and fishermen, its not quite as enjoyable as he would like. Other times he actually cycles on the main road, but has encountered too many idiots who think they can pass a cyclist whilst another car is coming the other way.

I also work with someone who cycles between Chippenham and Calne several times a week, and once he was knocked off by someone in a 4x4 because they were dazzled by the sun and couldn't see him (apparently) - He normally uses the cycle route but that was closed at the time.