Currently awaiting a cyclist seen on the M25 between 12 & 13. CCTV watching him on the hard shoulder. Should be with me very soon
— Surrey Roads Police (@SurreyRoadCops) February 25, 2014
Shortest route home by bike? Don't rely on the Sat-Nav! Cyclist stopped on M25...yes really: http://t.co/CaX5CoJXfz http://t.co/rE4DrIJklM
— Surrey Roads Police (@SurreyRoadCops) February 25, 2014
Apparently this was all after following the navigation app on his phone. Now a quick check on google maps offers as a cycling route along the A19 to my nearest town centre. Here it is. 70mph, same as an M-way with no hard shoulder or cycling facility. There is a footpath along the southbound carriageway but that's not even shared use
View Larger Map
Which is the safer road?
About a mile south of this, this very road is the shortest road route for me to use a trailer to get to the shops, as the safe option is barriered up preventing a bike trailer from using it.
View Larger Map
WHY?
My commute to work is alongside a similar stretch, although it has a shared use path. In icy or snowy weather when the path is uncleared, the route is unusable as cycling at 10-12mph (3-4% uphill grade) on a 70mph DC in rush hour is like russian roulette.
View Larger Map
WHY?
And in case you think the real problem was the guy crossing the slip road, here is the A1231 though Washington, which is another 70mph road, with a road sign instructing cyclists to pull exactly the same manoeuvre
View Larger Map
WHY?
The problem is not an odd guy on a bike getting lost.
The problem is not that he relied on his phone's navigation app.
The problem is that the Highways agency, and Local and national Government have steadily turned direct though roads into virtual motorways, with no regard for anyone but motorists.
These roads are often the only usable, visible and direct route between point A and point B.
Often these roads have NO safe or legal alternative for cycling on, and certainly if you do not have local knowledge or have a local map and the skill to read it, you are stuffed.
View Larger Map
Which is the safer road?
About a mile south of this, this very road is the shortest road route for me to use a trailer to get to the shops, as the safe option is barriered up preventing a bike trailer from using it.
View Larger Map
WHY?
My commute to work is alongside a similar stretch, although it has a shared use path. In icy or snowy weather when the path is uncleared, the route is unusable as cycling at 10-12mph (3-4% uphill grade) on a 70mph DC in rush hour is like russian roulette.
View Larger Map
WHY?
And in case you think the real problem was the guy crossing the slip road, here is the A1231 though Washington, which is another 70mph road, with a road sign instructing cyclists to pull exactly the same manoeuvre
View Larger Map
WHY?
The problem is not an odd guy on a bike getting lost.
The problem is not that he relied on his phone's navigation app.
The problem is that the Highways agency, and Local and national Government have steadily turned direct though roads into virtual motorways, with no regard for anyone but motorists.
These roads are often the only usable, visible and direct route between point A and point B.
Often these roads have NO safe or legal alternative for cycling on, and certainly if you do not have local knowledge or have a local map and the skill to read it, you are stuffed.
