Some of you may know that I have strong views on what could possibly make cycling safer, which is slightly ironic when I reflect on what happened to me. For those who may not be aware I do not think that cycling lanes (white line painted on the road) make me feel safer and cycling routes that separate cyclists from other road users (dedicated cycling paths), whilst they have their place do not promote safer cycling. These dedicated cycle paths are wonderful in encouraging nervous possibly new cyclists or family cycling but the downside is that some motorists feel that cyclists should be on these paths rather than the road even though the route may not be going directly to where you want to go as they take the safer route to avoid traffic. Imagine my surprise when I read in the Times this week that Leeds and Bolton University have completed studies that show cycle lanes can make roads more dangerous for cyclists as they encourage motorists to drive closer when overtaking bicycles. Drivers give cyclists a wider berth on roads where there is no lane because they assume that they should share the road and make more allowances for the risk of wobbles.
 For the study researchers mounted a camcorder on the rear rack of a bike and rode on three roads that each had sections with and without cycle lanes. On all three drivers gave cyclists less room where there was a lane. The greatest difference was recorded on the A6 near Garstang where cars passed 7 inches closer when the cyclist was in a cycle lane. All the cycle lanes were slightly narrower than the minimum 5 feet recommended by the Department of Transport.
It’s nice to know that a study agrees with my views but it fails to highlight some of the other problems that I feel can make cycling more dangerous than it needs to be. A white line painted on the road does not make me feel safe as I work on the basis that the motorist behind me could be on a mobile phone, lighting a cigarette, changing a CD, eating a sandwich, admiring themselves in the mirror and generally not concentrating on the road and the white line offers no protection under these circumstances. Road users whether they are cyclists or drivers need to be aware of what is going on around them at all times and motorists need to understand that they are in control of a machine that can cause serious damage to vulnerable road users. Another problem with cycle lanes is they are closest to the kerb where not only does all the rubbish on the road accumulate but this is where all the drains and drain covers are situated. These become dangerous and slippy in wet weather and drains are sinking leaving the gutters dangerous to cyclist who then have to move out of the cycle lane annoying passing motorists who think that cyclist should remain in the cycle lane. My view is that the more cyclists mingle with the general traffic the more they will become accepted as a fellow road user, motorists will accept cyclists and cycling will not be marginalised as it is when the two are separated.
Cyclists can also do a lot to make the roads safer for themselves, I cringe when I see cyclists squeezing down the side of traffic past buses and wagons who will not see cyclists on their blind side. When I am cycling I always assume that the car stopped along side me at a road junction is going to turn left across me without indicating and I take appropriate action either stopping so that the driver can see me which is where I think Advanced Stop Lines at junctions are a good idea or I stop at the rear of the car assuming they are turning left without signalling. I am surprised at the number of times I am proved right and they are turning without signalling. I also treat vehicles approaching me from the right with caution assuming that they may be thinking “I saw you coming but as you were on a bike I pulled out anyway”. This does not always work and it certainly didn’t at Hampson  Green roundabout but at least I can’t remember what happened. Simple measures such as obeying the Highway code E.G. stop at red lights, use lights when it is dark, don’t cycle on the pavement and ride in single file when on narrow roads will also help make cycling safer.
There are good cyclists as well as good motorists, unfortunately there are also bad examples of both and that is what causes the problem. The roads should be able to accommodate both safely and there is a lot we can do to make it happen, cycle lanes as stated in the article have a part to play in improving road conditions for cyclists but they are not always the best solution and may make cycling more unpleasant. They act as a visual reminder that cycling is being encouraged but they can cause cyclists to hug the kerb which may not be the safest place to be.
You may of course wish to disagree with my views and have your own thoughts which I am more than happy to listen to as anything we can do to make cycling safer for everyone has to be encouraged. We are after all a club for cyclists of all abilities and some feel safer on dedicated cycle paths but we still need a presence on the road to remind motorists that we can all co-exist, it just needs bit of give and take from both parties.