Information Sheets from Joppa

Redway Safety

by George Boston

It has been increasingly apparent to those who study the accident statistics that the Milton Keynes Redway network is not as safe as the authorities frequently state. Anyone who regularly uses the network to cycle around the City will also be aware that the standards of maintenance and the regularity of cleaning have been steadily decreasing for a number of years. An article published in the planning journal Traffic Engineering and Control reinforces our doubts about the Redway network.

The author, John Franklin, the Secretary of MKCUG for a number of years and now living in Cheltenham, has analysed the figures and has come to the conclusion that a cyclist is twice as likely to have an accident when using the Redways than on the road network. The reasons that he quotes are ones that we are all familiar with: poor visibility at junctions; sharp bends; steep gradients; bollards; slippery surfaces; loose gravel and mud.

Some might say that this is a story that we have heard many times before from John Franklin. This time, however, his views are backed by the RAC. The article was also favourably reviewed in the Motoring Supplement of the Daily Telegraph. Neither organisation is well-known for its support of cycling.

Kevin Delaney, the Road Safety Advisor for the RAC Foundation, says that the problem of poorly designed and built cycle paths is not restricted to Milton Keynes. Across the country, Government support for alternative forms of transport has led to a rapid growth in the number of paths and other facilities for cyclists being built. Many of these are inherently unsafe and, as they entice new cyclists to them, the accident rate will soar. The types of facility disliked by Delaney include cycle paths on pavements shared by pedestrians, those on the edge of existing roads and shared bus lanes. He also considers routes that take a long detour through back streets are often a waste of effort because they are not used.

The basic problem often comes from the "We must do something" attitude to solving problems. This is followed by a cheap, poorly thought out plan that "Shows that the council is working to encourage alternative forms of transport". These sentiments are often coupled with "You ought to be grateful that we care so much".

If cycling is to be successfully and safely promoted, the day of the quick, cheap scheme based on a pot of paint and little thought must come to an end. MKCUG has since its founding tried to advise the various authorities about the design of cycle facilities. Its advice has rarely been listened to and we now have the largest, sub standard cycle network in the UK if not in the world.