tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34109827740620660152024-03-19T08:12:43.408+00:00Hackney cyclistCycling in the London borough of Hackney and beyondUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger88125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-37925739445183181322024-01-12T01:22:00.003+00:002024-01-12T10:06:56.562+00:00Downham Road<p>Downham Road in the London borough of Hackney runs between the A10, close to Haggerston Overground station, through to the junction of Southgate Road at the Hackney / Islington borough border. It does also continue west into Islington, however, since 2020 has had a filter placed west of the Southgate Road junction as part of the <a href="https://www.islington.gov.uk/roads/people-friendly-streets/canonbury-east" target="_blank">Canonbury East Low Traffic Neighbourhood</a>. However the section within Hackney is most certainly not a low traffic street with nearly 8,000 motor vehicles a day using it, making it a very unpleasant road to cycle on, one which I avoid and go out of my way not to use, wherever possible.</p><p>
</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Somebody should do a series of videos called A Dutch Road Engineer Reacts to Videos of UK Road Design<br /><br /> <a href="https://t.co/eqoB79NRJy">pic.twitter.com/eqoB79NRJy</a></p>— cul-de-sac-ney (@iambrianjones) <a href="https://twitter.com/iambrianjones/status/1520315221738500096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><div>It really does feel like a road that has not changed since the 1960s/1970s. In fact, as far back as the early 1970s local children stood on Downham Road and campaigned for this road to be closed to though traffic, following the successful closure of Northchurch road, the next road to the north from Downham Road, to through traffic. </div><div><br /></div>
<div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJZ7TI8fEzoHA92S_OZql9YaI59d1t5fR0aikbmlG-iIhieYUJ48NQJ5-sNTNdWOHV6f4lynUJffZSDV2voot2PWM-wurIVwSfvrBN8NvNlb2yS5rw0dL_L-9w6q0Anfr2UpAcnun1WBiHnU9Mksq6FrPq0_gZt1pDbx_werXKtb5quKLOB58kOacX-3a/s1125/ff.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1125" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHJZ7TI8fEzoHA92S_OZql9YaI59d1t5fR0aikbmlG-iIhieYUJ48NQJ5-sNTNdWOHV6f4lynUJffZSDV2voot2PWM-wurIVwSfvrBN8NvNlb2yS5rw0dL_L-9w6q0Anfr2UpAcnun1WBiHnU9Mksq6FrPq0_gZt1pDbx_werXKtb5quKLOB58kOacX-3a/w640-h426/ff.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Local children campaigning to make Downham Road safer in the 1970s, it remains almost exactly the same now as it did then. Image taken by <a href="https://neilmartinson.photoshelter.com/about" target="_blank">Neil Martinson.</a> </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>In typical 1960s fashion it is also a very wide road, which results in many motor vehicles travelling at high speed. I happened to be walking along Downham Road at school pick up time a few years ago and witnessesed the aftermath of an overturned car that couldn't possibly have been driving within the legal 20MPH speed limit. </div><div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Crash on Downham Road in Hackney with an overturned vehicle. This is such a terrible road, very wide so drivers often fly down here at high speed <a href="https://t.co/XxO9DVMV0p">pic.twitter.com/XxO9DVMV0p</a></p>— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1202264391854559232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 4, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
The only benefit of Downham Road being very wide is that this would allow for a considerable redesign of the road and there is very clearly ample space for protected cycle tracks, something I pointed out 7 years ago using a comparison with a road I had also cycled on before and after a redesign in Nijmegen, the Netherlands:<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cycle tracks on Downham Road in De Beauvoir Town would be fantastic. Could look like these cycle tracks recently built in Nijmegen <a href="https://t.co/8lHvF8NZ3D">pic.twitter.com/8lHvF8NZ3D</a></p>— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/883253342608269312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2017</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JJ1TihrC66fvN4LfvT3qIQgIMsNovR9Vyhu5OGyF14_46WZUHLWi20tUrXrfqdCzLVDJOU4cNGV9Ro2t6g7ePpt9VdOSDReJBegfTtwDVKm0TnODDFKEaUfMBlHbAWW24nf1SW-zPjDAamxm4zdM5zyfoR_JhNa3IIZ4ZGW9M6RaO1W5Bl-Dagi9q-dB/s1046/1.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="758" data-original-width="1046" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JJ1TihrC66fvN4LfvT3qIQgIMsNovR9Vyhu5OGyF14_46WZUHLWi20tUrXrfqdCzLVDJOU4cNGV9Ro2t6g7ePpt9VdOSDReJBegfTtwDVKm0TnODDFKEaUfMBlHbAWW24nf1SW-zPjDAamxm4zdM5zyfoR_JhNa3IIZ4ZGW9M6RaO1W5Bl-Dagi9q-dB/w640-h464/1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Google Streeview of the street in Nijmegen in 2016, before improvement works to this wide street began</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HyYXKSVPZOB2xkE-1rG9VBtcKxfX5MUdhheePyl67U36MuTFWw-RqNSS292fRtpTh7jcc8SGUICSq-EZaEA4dV6iXG_P9iPpWabZdl14Hogp4-P05j_ibvEROESt6Hc9g9ZVFzy2RF07w5g7pWMtJ3zcJ3ZJXLPRSIOVxwrHfj01GcBMnOHy8TC529ME/s1176/2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="769" data-original-width="1176" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4HyYXKSVPZOB2xkE-1rG9VBtcKxfX5MUdhheePyl67U36MuTFWw-RqNSS292fRtpTh7jcc8SGUICSq-EZaEA4dV6iXG_P9iPpWabZdl14Hogp4-P05j_ibvEROESt6Hc9g9ZVFzy2RF07w5g7pWMtJ3zcJ3ZJXLPRSIOVxwrHfj01GcBMnOHy8TC529ME/w640-h418/2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The same location in 2017, after improvement works. A street that now prioritises people, who no longer have to cycle in the door zone of parked cars inches away from speeding cars. A good example of how to upgrade your streets and a ideal solution to Downham Road.</span></span></h4></td></tr></tbody></table><div>A new Primary school opened on Downham Road in 2015 and has been situated at three different locations since then; initially just 50 pupils <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/883255482533675008" target="_blank">taking up a couple of floors of what was then Hackney New School</a> (now known as Waterside Academy), opposite where its current home is. </div><div><div> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>After two years and growing to 150 pupils it then moved into a temporary new space using portable cabins at the other end of Downham Road, opposite Ufton road, where it remained until it moved into its now permanent location on the site of the former fire station on the corner of the A10 and Downham Road. This does mean that some of the pupils who were the first to enter this new primary school fresh from Nursery back in 2015 are now teenagers, and unfortunately had to put up with 7 years of a school run along a hostile, busy road with many of them forced to cycle on the pavement every day throughout their primary school years, often alongside their parents. </p><p>Both the school and local parents pushed the council for changes to a safer road layout, the demands increasing as the number of pupils attending the school grew each year. In 2021 officers from the Hackney Council streets department had a walk around with parent representatives from the schools <a href="https://twitter.com/AirRoadsHnps" target="_blank">Air Quality and Road Safety Group</a>. A list of not very impressive "improvements" were put forward including bike stop boxes at the traffic signals and pavement build outs. Council Highways officers also <a href="https://twitter.com/AirRoadsHnps/status/1408068038318952452" target="_blank">"discussed the difficulties with including separate cycle lanes"</a> to which the parents obviously expressed their clear objections to the ridiculous suggestion that primary school children cycling to school should be expected to navigate new pinch points in primary position amongst thousands of cars and lorries when there is ample space for protected cycle lanes as part of a new layout. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOl5oybEeary7obfN30p0U7OCGTvRYiFfwQT1GaSfeIFY6daeJTrOw_UxwOTQdtZoa5uUYKtuvPsNC9rW8QPFrGAFP_VypT5RsoBjDEAar2Oy3zUG6ss22_KYydIoT-ZImkRIhTQ7DvcfdyW2YzyXIqscrqD4HO0LXT_gO4Nzd8uULbMAbEzYI3_i7bfXv/s4632/2019-11-26%2016.06.38-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3474" data-original-width="4632" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOl5oybEeary7obfN30p0U7OCGTvRYiFfwQT1GaSfeIFY6daeJTrOw_UxwOTQdtZoa5uUYKtuvPsNC9rW8QPFrGAFP_VypT5RsoBjDEAar2Oy3zUG6ss22_KYydIoT-ZImkRIhTQ7DvcfdyW2YzyXIqscrqD4HO0LXT_gO4Nzd8uULbMAbEzYI3_i7bfXv/w640-h480/2019-11-26%2016.06.38-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Downham Road outside Hackney New Primary School at afternoon pick up time. It would be preposterous to suggest primary school children are safe cycling among motor traffic here.</span></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Following these objections, despite repeatedly suggesting that introducing cycle lanes on Downham Road was "not suitable", without ever giving any reasoning for this, the council then announced they had designed two options; an unsafe option 1 with a narrowed carriageway and no safe space for children to cycle, and a safe option 2 which considered the needs of all road users and included footways, cycleways, a roadway and greenery / pedestrian crossing points. </p><p>I attended the drop in public engagement session on Downham Road in November 2022 where the unsafe and safe proposals were presented. Perhaps naively I was expecting this to be an actual fair and reasoned engagement and figured that surely everyone would agree that the correct conclusion was that option 1 was a ridiculous concept to even consider on a road with a primary school that carries 8,000 motor vehicles a day. </p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Below: Option 2 on display at the public engagement. Not a bad design, only negative would be the loading bay in the cycle track (easily solved by moving it around the corner into Hertford Road) and ideally swap the greenery so it is in between the cycle track and roadway but generally a decent design.</span><span style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEcUD_UM3aGuSdt4J9S1GbKZqiGNul6YdwDx_oyJ3l6BncUFBWMGo9SXluenYEQ-f1l7L7bKx3_eqp3RTS5WUCBDeqxhFDk6nfqU4LDAwtYPcN-XMZX6eNzh6SH7quouZaWOiOGcEe7cFCchJzU0siOpYl-pLjVpCygbhvYBTlpvoslsjaxJtYLAnyj8C/s4075/2022-11-16%2017.40.35.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1873" data-original-width="4075" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEcUD_UM3aGuSdt4J9S1GbKZqiGNul6YdwDx_oyJ3l6BncUFBWMGo9SXluenYEQ-f1l7L7bKx3_eqp3RTS5WUCBDeqxhFDk6nfqU4LDAwtYPcN-XMZX6eNzh6SH7quouZaWOiOGcEe7cFCchJzU0siOpYl-pLjVpCygbhvYBTlpvoslsjaxJtYLAnyj8C/w640-h294/2022-11-16%2017.40.35.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p><br /></p></td></tr></tbody></table>Below: A before and after of the same location on Queensbridge Road in Hackney, less than a kilometre from Downham Road, which was upgraded with cycle tracks outside Haggerston School in 2020 by removing car parking.</div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42ejjAyInatkA32kR6wglzlU9YUZxb4Gb3M7bxogFMo3aFOdybWX8rCVO9c0bo-Nb390-llZJKpLY8GwtiCZe6vtlSnM6hMFujFXWZPpc6fl5zh_2OSfIl_2Se-c58iGzJkbcOy4EvEpxUzJriDaMy9mah6IJe4oEzQjviHzphoOcWzh4KTFrYa4zuQID/s4096/34.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4096" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg42ejjAyInatkA32kR6wglzlU9YUZxb4Gb3M7bxogFMo3aFOdybWX8rCVO9c0bo-Nb390-llZJKpLY8GwtiCZe6vtlSnM6hMFujFXWZPpc6fl5zh_2OSfIl_2Se-c58iGzJkbcOy4EvEpxUzJriDaMy9mah6IJe4oEzQjviHzphoOcWzh4KTFrYa4zuQID/w640-h480/34.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNcdnFCO0GfhRSYM1jkHOQEUmIcvzCj7oB-3suez3bk0gBr1uNFWrz5NpTe_4MyRS6kVDTaA6yBCVBOp3HKnBFsFp_IhQ9JtAHdmlT6JxF1tBv8QtsEcs6GK6MPavotBXVSBKqRqjsKy0jNMUqIWCRHbtQZ4auvujCGRTbU3Uab7Y2MYAUnk0WIsMMJWV/s4096/35.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2300" data-original-width="4096" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNcdnFCO0GfhRSYM1jkHOQEUmIcvzCj7oB-3suez3bk0gBr1uNFWrz5NpTe_4MyRS6kVDTaA6yBCVBOp3HKnBFsFp_IhQ9JtAHdmlT6JxF1tBv8QtsEcs6GK6MPavotBXVSBKqRqjsKy0jNMUqIWCRHbtQZ4auvujCGRTbU3Uab7Y2MYAUnk0WIsMMJWV/w640-h360/35.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Any preconceptions I had that this "public engagement" was a genuine exercise to explore and discuss the two options were dashed as soon as I walked through the door, where I was approached by Hackney Council middle aged man number one who showed me the "beautiful" option 1 on a large A1 piece of paper, where the greenery and planting was endlessly highlighted. He then proceeded to tell me that "some cyclists" want cycle lanes here and "we would have to remove all of the car parking for these people". He then stared at me, clearly desperately hoping I would be a local car driver ready to object in writing. When I informed him that it was utterly ridiculous to suggest that option 1 was safe for children to cycle to school he lost all interest in the conversation and turned away, approaching other new arrivals, clearly hoping they were local car drivers. </p><p>I examined the two proposals further and then became engaged in conversation with Hackney Council middle aged man number two and Hackney Council middle aged man number three who proceeded to "explain" to me the issues that cycle lanes cause for disabled people, both completely unaware of the great advantages cycle lanes can have for people with mobility issues.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">One thing that is very noticeable in the Netherlands is the huge amount of elderly or people with mobility issues you see everywhere, all the time. The network of protected cycle tracks and low traffic neighbourhoods gives these people so much freedom <a href="https://t.co/cmWC5mttNq">pic.twitter.com/cmWC5mttNq</a></p>— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1672898513766678528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>The conversation then turned to pedestrians where middle aged man number two informed me that at the proposed informal crossings where "cyclists don't stop for pedestrians" pedestrians would "have to wait four times" to cross the road and proceeded to act out a ridiculous impression of someone crossing a four lane high speed motorway.</p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Below: Wick Road in Hackney where pedestrians do not have to wait four times to cross the road at this informal crossing, they simply wait until there is a gap in traffic in both directions, same as they would without the cycle lanes.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TyhaN6HCVrqVvvMhoXXoRH2ir6LIhOy-8wnxPOyEOH2E0o2vibOQHHTS5BhSdMW7Sqlk-jM8Vn2ltrhWramiGJ5CW40AHLm7HJi3vHAslVMrAj4ahdDFPPARkWhrGnXQIWZsHnmXv2AO8O-Y73x-tCpqmZx4ipAnDid39mArxm9Kx3SmZdzediWIRuhs/s5184/2020-05-27%2015.08.28.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="5184" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TyhaN6HCVrqVvvMhoXXoRH2ir6LIhOy-8wnxPOyEOH2E0o2vibOQHHTS5BhSdMW7Sqlk-jM8Vn2ltrhWramiGJ5CW40AHLm7HJi3vHAslVMrAj4ahdDFPPARkWhrGnXQIWZsHnmXv2AO8O-Y73x-tCpqmZx4ipAnDid39mArxm9Kx3SmZdzediWIRuhs/w640-h360/2020-05-27%2015.08.28.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>As depressing and ill informed as these views were they were not surprising. Hackney Councils highways team have long been a band of middle aged men with a seriously unhealthy dislike of protected cycle tracks and absolutely no empathy for children or families cycling on their road network. Clearly this has been influenced from years of leading figures within the council such as former councillor Vincent Stops, who now spends his days obsessively campaigning against safe cycle infrastructure all day long on twitter, only getting attention for London cab drivers and anti LTN conspiracy theorists, along with former Hackney Council principal transport planner Roger Blake: </p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Do more in London"? Given your record that should be quite enough to send shivers down the spines of everyone who values an inclusive accessible public realm, rather than your hallmark silo-centric exclusive segregationist dogma-driven zealotry worsening travel for the majority.</p>— Roger (@Roger89835988) <a href="https://twitter.com/Roger89835988/status/1579821232052400131?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<p>Hackney Councils middle aged men have form for this kind of design, <a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2015/07/wick-road-consultation.html" target="_blank">back in 2015 they proposed a redesign of Wick Road</a> from a busy one way road to a busier two way road but without protected cycle tracks. In the consultation only 32% of local residents supported the designs with 68% of local residents voicing their opposition to the unsafe plans. Fast forward two years and an improved design with protected cycle tracks (with the loss of 110 car parking spaces to accommodate them) was presented. This gained 71% support and 26% disapproval from local residents and the scheme went ahead successfully. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGFoXLuG6KO9qt17-t8v5IEKoclfcjylVy3DpJhWrnjA3xT99Cm0YX_rocdoj1mU2zk5ZhPifqZceFUN5FCXTYlx752Oqjn5kEbppxcCH8wC5C7B-v8OvrsmCrHYVw1W3s5ELTbn3RJfnDF8sTztrvtQpmSjNJYs3GfbPKj2vU_Wv5G_jOaC64OvQFszi/s4000/1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2248" data-original-width="4000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGFoXLuG6KO9qt17-t8v5IEKoclfcjylVy3DpJhWrnjA3xT99Cm0YX_rocdoj1mU2zk5ZhPifqZceFUN5FCXTYlx752Oqjn5kEbppxcCH8wC5C7B-v8OvrsmCrHYVw1W3s5ELTbn3RJfnDF8sTztrvtQpmSjNJYs3GfbPKj2vU_Wv5G_jOaC64OvQFszi/w640-h360/1.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIW2p-P3flnsyjmfeWMJFFU1le2U-OhoyTI7rgen_c6RrIaSZ_eR8Botz99cxKE6AqJ-buLO4JboPFYze96H0KG1WNzlE9aBVuitHa7nwwXNX-w4a1bAl6sDoyThvLo9JbWFXYY9-OgD8vIk4-VD-ydhpQl2VJYYtQKjYHZa5USuwh-Nak86rQNXSvrRB/s4096/2.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2300" data-original-width="4096" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIW2p-P3flnsyjmfeWMJFFU1le2U-OhoyTI7rgen_c6RrIaSZ_eR8Botz99cxKE6AqJ-buLO4JboPFYze96H0KG1WNzlE9aBVuitHa7nwwXNX-w4a1bAl6sDoyThvLo9JbWFXYY9-OgD8vIk4-VD-ydhpQl2VJYYtQKjYHZa5USuwh-Nak86rQNXSvrRB/w640-h360/2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before and after on Wick Road. The original rejected consultation was to keep all the car parking and have no safe cycle tracks, exactly as is being proposed on Downham Road. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Steer Group were commissioned to analyse the public engagement results and also the proposed design options from a technical point of view. They concluded that "option 1 would not be safe for children to cycle on the traffic lane, especially during peak hours as current traffic is greater than 6,000 pcus/day" (The London cycling campaign currently state that streets with motor traffic levels above 2,000 PCUs/day cycling should be physically separated from motor traffic to allow people of all ages and abilities to cycle). The Steer report states that "Option 2 (one-way 2m-wide segregated cycle lanes on either side of Downham Road) comfortably meets LTN1/20 standards for with-flow cycle tracks and would be suitable for ages 8-80". </p><p>A large part of the assessment was on the impact to motor traffic, with a Hackney Council "target" to retain car parking and the school pick up / drop off by car. The report concluded that "under Option 2, school pick-up/ drop-off from private motor vehicles won't be permitted along Downham Road. It is therefore expected that pick-up/ drop-off will be displaced to surrounding streets (i.e. Hertford Road, Enfield Road). On the other hand, the proposals will encourage active travel (walking, cycling and scooting) for getting to and from the school which should mitigate the adverse impact to the surrounding road network."</p><div>A further ambition of Hackney Council to retain car dependency in the borough was "the future delivery of kerb side electric charging for motor vehicles". The report stated that "future kerbside usage is limited with Option 2. The addition of a segregated cycle track along Downham road inhibits available space for any future electric vehicle charging infrastructure along this route, the removal of parking bays makes the creation of electric vehicle parking bays unlikely, though this is not necessarily a negative feature given aspirations to reduce motor vehicle usage across the borough."</div><div><br /></div><div>With regards air quality the report concluded "The proposals are more likely than Option 1 to create a mode shift from motorised traffic to active travel modes, particularly cycling, therefore in the long-run, air quality could improve along the route, as fewer people choose to drive."</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Another target for the council was alignment with the Draft Climate Action Plan, Hackney's Transport Strategy, Hackney's Child Friendly Borough policy, and the Mayor's Transport Strategy. The conclusion regarding the unsafe option was: "Option 1 Plan outlines ambitions to convert road space to public realm, SuDs and other uses. This option would achieve this aim, and likely make it more pleasant and enjoyable to walk, however it would do little-to-nothing to improve the cycling environment, which would not assist Hackney with achieving its aims of increasing journeys by bike and is unlikely to attract new users."</div></div><div><br /></div><div>In the public engagements 101 people attended. 11 people felt option 1 was unsafe for cyclists, with 7 concerned that no cycle lane was provided. 15 people supported cycle lanes in option 2, however 16 people did not support the reduction in car parking as a result of cycle lanes, 8 raised concerns about anti-social cycling behaviour, 7 "objected to cycle lanes" with 7 also stating that cycle lanes were unsafe for pedestrians. The report concluded the most negative concern regarding option 2 was the loss of car parking. The report concluded that "in general more negative themes emerged form option 2 than from option 1" and on that basis the council are now only proposing the unsafe option 1 for public consultation. They fail to state how many of the 101 participants were, like in my experience, subjected to council officers voicing nonsense scare tactics regarding protected cycle lanes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Opposition to cycle lanes in consultations are nothing new. Look in detail into any cycling consultation improvement scheme from the last few years and you'll find plenty of objections regarding red light jumping, not paying road tax and all sorts of other nonsense. These views are obviously disregarded in most consultations but were actively encouraged and are being used here as a reason for the council not to provide a safe environment for 300 primary school children. Just imagine a local authority in the Netherlands publishing such nonsense about anti-social cycling behaviour!</div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="nl">Primary school run, Eindhoven 2020 <a href="https://t.co/HNYRWzobMe">pic.twitter.com/HNYRWzobMe</a></p>— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1742282144494272670?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<div><br /></div><div>Similar responses were received in the Wick Road consultation in 2017 where comments received included "some cyclists are endangering pedestrians, "cyclists ride anywhere they please", "everyone cannot be riding bicycles to everywhere", "will the council be enforcing the law about lights on cycles at night", "cyclists don't give much thought for anyone", "I am worried that fast cyclists on Wick Road will be dangerous" and "the arseholes pay nothing towards the roads and you fuss over them". </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oUlzoWXWadrRWCuXz7noEAP0OyzSD67H-yqlibr6PEk4QJ-RWzgJOzsip0TbelE0vYUN8VgyRdhdO611XiEWzLc3ppQ7E5yDmRwWQLvS8-xaMniAv1cZiKVogM-vNBy7aKOlc7WTsyvENV3hiqpqrGSkjD8xnOVS6GEGaeOBdI5dfAc9qSinMX7xm_Nm/s4000/3%20.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5oUlzoWXWadrRWCuXz7noEAP0OyzSD67H-yqlibr6PEk4QJ-RWzgJOzsip0TbelE0vYUN8VgyRdhdO611XiEWzLc3ppQ7E5yDmRwWQLvS8-xaMniAv1cZiKVogM-vNBy7aKOlc7WTsyvENV3hiqpqrGSkjD8xnOVS6GEGaeOBdI5dfAc9qSinMX7xm_Nm/w640-h480/3%20.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfDIEk1Flp5mlGFStbBVNq7JKHwL051SX1Bmw26O5nmgblCO5OA6A-mTbxwEajC3EwPNUWGty5N_QSmED3BMtYq9IntmHstFW2CLZy4izW-Bh20VKmB9yG8cavcAqBENoU3M5o3Vtk1x67ZmRAvZTR2QdlD3h1AkV9XRyyT1ssakhguIUGra0aFrEA-Or/s1714/4.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="1714" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfDIEk1Flp5mlGFStbBVNq7JKHwL051SX1Bmw26O5nmgblCO5OA6A-mTbxwEajC3EwPNUWGty5N_QSmED3BMtYq9IntmHstFW2CLZy4izW-Bh20VKmB9yG8cavcAqBENoU3M5o3Vtk1x67ZmRAvZTR2QdlD3h1AkV9XRyyT1ssakhguIUGra0aFrEA-Or/w640-h458/4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Before and after on Wick Road where the council reasonably rejected the small number of anti cycling comments and provided a safer layout for children. However similar anti cycling comments are now being used to justify an unsafe layout for children on Downham Road.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Back in 2016 Hackney Council proposed some cosmetic changes to Whiston Road to create a "cycleway" and I <a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/10/whiston-road.html" target="_blank">wrote about the consultation in 2016</a> and then also <a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-improved-central-london-cycle-grid.html" target="_blank">wrote about the changes once they were implemented in 2017</a>. The end result was similar to what is being proposed on Downham Road, lots of car parking and cyclists expected to "man up" and cycle in primary position in the roadway. A Hackney council middle aged man even responded to concerns regarding he pinch point build outs by stating in the consultation report that "cyclists will be in the primary position when approaching these build outs reducing any risk of conflict with traffic following behind". </div><div><br /></div><div><span style="text-align: center;">Below: before and after "improvements" to Whiston Road. No, the young child and her mother are not cycling in primary position in front of lorries on Whiston Road; they are cycling on the pavement as that is the only safe option for them. The exact same option that school children on Downham Road will have to use if this unsafe scheme goes ahead. This is as a direct result of the way these roads are designed by the middle aged men at the council by not providing safe cycling conditions for all residents.</span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ6OUeHXhhub3N7UgycBbPnhIGnnooA0MHMy5128xrJzax6CgT7W2MSAURzTr6JEPykU6qOg05wlqndVDnGwIK1Hkk3T2xjr0byxsqgaDRM6d86s5ioi-o0gyOafehuD1cf8-8fQWVLkYCVSRyFqWrUUoSOUe0sks8sHWJ7xpGtgojxIN_z1Ny-ZxelK_/s1039/36.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="935" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ6OUeHXhhub3N7UgycBbPnhIGnnooA0MHMy5128xrJzax6CgT7W2MSAURzTr6JEPykU6qOg05wlqndVDnGwIK1Hkk3T2xjr0byxsqgaDRM6d86s5ioi-o0gyOafehuD1cf8-8fQWVLkYCVSRyFqWrUUoSOUe0sks8sHWJ7xpGtgojxIN_z1Ny-ZxelK_/w576-h640/36.jpeg" width="576" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Despite £640,000 being spent on upgrading Whiston Road, and despite the "Q" signs still displayed on the roadway this road is no longer a cycleway as TfL have now stated that it <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/woman-cyclist-dies-hospital-car-crash-hackney-hit-and-run-b1108759.html" target="_blank">fails to meet their safety standards.</a> Tragically a young mother was recently killed cycling here, the third cycling death in less than a month in the borough. <br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">On Whiston Road there now stands a white memorial bike.<br />This is where Gao Gao, 36, suffered critical injuries causing her death after being hit by a car driven by Martin Reilly.<br />A bike to remember Gao Gao & to remind <a href="https://twitter.com/hackneycouncil?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hackneycouncil</a> that Whiston Rd must be filtered.<a href="https://twitter.com/metecoban92?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@metecoban92</a> <a href="https://t.co/7QPICZrDLh">pic.twitter.com/7QPICZrDLh</a></p>— Kylie 🚲 (@netwench) <a href="https://twitter.com/netwench/status/1726578004229566683?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 20, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<div>I find it absolutely astonishing that just a few months on from this preventable death the council are now proposing a similar lethal design for Downham Road, on the back of 16 people objecting to the loss of car parking and 7 people commenting on anti-social cycling. Incredible. </div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">This morning your cycle safety team have been at Whiston Road E2 carrying out a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/closepass?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#closepass</a> initiative due to concerns expressed by our followers.<br />3 close passes<br />Several other offences also dealt with <a href="https://t.co/50Lpl7jdJh">pic.twitter.com/50Lpl7jdJh</a></p>— Cycle Safety Team (@MetCycleCops) <a href="https://twitter.com/MetCycleCops/status/991274979470831616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2018</a></blockquote><div>Meanwhile, in the Netherlands....</div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">A century of male dominated planning has resulted in streets shaped for one purpose: the commute to work.<br /><br />Only when cities start taking into account the many other “care trips” residents take in the day do they become more inclusive and gender equitable.<a href="https://t.co/Z0gn9MnEnu">https://t.co/Z0gn9MnEnu</a> <a href="https://t.co/rOJ0BKjpvN">pic.twitter.com/rOJ0BKjpvN</a></p>— Melissa & Chris Bruntlett (@modacitylife) <a href="https://twitter.com/modacitylife/status/1640700963353755655?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 28, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<div>Back in 2019 I saw on the municipality of Amsterdam website that a new school, for both primary and secondary school children, was being built in the South of the city and, as a result, a new road layout would be designed and that it would coincide with the school opening. I had no idea how the redesign would look but I was intrigued and headed down to the location whilst I was visiting the city a short while later. I came across a road that didn't look too dissimilar to Downham Road, and just like Downham Road, had probably not been upgraded for decades:</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4GWsimvBaSDcNWjyEo4hSkB-x8kgSsmiMPRESf12gdqeXVY3AUnIZyUIan49WefUqHYy8BMZTFGU7l83Hlw5ELI7tSwWUmcpssOXyVLYeWmK29sRERr-CJxCsY1ANaOThNjhL6P99koMbxDFhlmywsA7A5dRoKMGx9-rfbyR0GU1gFZRoOcfsn3kLryK/s5184/1%202019.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="5184" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz4GWsimvBaSDcNWjyEo4hSkB-x8kgSsmiMPRESf12gdqeXVY3AUnIZyUIan49WefUqHYy8BMZTFGU7l83Hlw5ELI7tSwWUmcpssOXyVLYeWmK29sRERr-CJxCsY1ANaOThNjhL6P99koMbxDFhlmywsA7A5dRoKMGx9-rfbyR0GU1gFZRoOcfsn3kLryK/w640-h360/1%202019.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The road as pictured in 2019, car parking on both sides of the road (the parking on the left is suspended as building work had just started on the school). Quite a similar layout to Downham Road. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I then went back to the same location once the new school had opened in 2022, here is the exact same location as above, three years apart:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4ErQxyOB56fatxugYHcHsbP6ZSgMEgiHrwc11XcfvFRrUeVMYS8iSNaIRvNq_DLh_QdSbcxUE7UTmymGhIDWhhn_bZo-stoNNAUXa7ozN0FrFzTYOMOahpADr8y4tI4FYNStx00vhip8AzJNhQTIjQPrCd4K4n-rpOz7Fl5PvUUOFGKpjSP9vUbsg087/s5184/1%202022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4ErQxyOB56fatxugYHcHsbP6ZSgMEgiHrwc11XcfvFRrUeVMYS8iSNaIRvNq_DLh_QdSbcxUE7UTmymGhIDWhhn_bZo-stoNNAUXa7ozN0FrFzTYOMOahpADr8y4tI4FYNStx00vhip8AzJNhQTIjQPrCd4K4n-rpOz7Fl5PvUUOFGKpjSP9vUbsg087/w640-h480/1%202022.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>In order to create safe space for children and parents to socially cycle in large numbers side by side the road has been transformed from a wide two way road, into a narrow one way road for cars to accommodate a wide bidirectional cycle track. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJDRzv4TuAhpY-gjaXzv3XHN84bhYntJ9seyXxXGqIcZVx5Tx_6K8fTltrgm8DGWL4R42lqTgfN4dfXHc7MOxtz6QOEY4MQd3AXFC6TyLm5R99u2V57umLt-xhIeMgXLTzKqaEYiZlBnEtJhzygDW2E-Iphj1MDUV6aqm03sJ_k7P0MzT4BC0L9BEbFu_/s5184/3%202019.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="5184" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJDRzv4TuAhpY-gjaXzv3XHN84bhYntJ9seyXxXGqIcZVx5Tx_6K8fTltrgm8DGWL4R42lqTgfN4dfXHc7MOxtz6QOEY4MQd3AXFC6TyLm5R99u2V57umLt-xhIeMgXLTzKqaEYiZlBnEtJhzygDW2E-Iphj1MDUV6aqm03sJ_k7P0MzT4BC0L9BEbFu_/w640-h360/3%202019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF6eYnc5J-fvRJLbOjzJTtEV1T-7HDmMIosYPrMTncQnuIso0xQ2Jxju6GT5W6at-oTWn6aat2JGQiDAp2ImIrkjsNRYj-9Ko4iTiajA9P85DOXItSyp1n2YhMihIljiSJ1BqZVjHjfliixCENfEDiRsr1_xB57BXuyAAqldvgrzk-Dw2DZhmALzrYiEF/s5184/3%202023.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgF6eYnc5J-fvRJLbOjzJTtEV1T-7HDmMIosYPrMTncQnuIso0xQ2Jxju6GT5W6at-oTWn6aat2JGQiDAp2ImIrkjsNRYj-9Ko4iTiajA9P85DOXItSyp1n2YhMihIljiSJ1BqZVjHjfliixCENfEDiRsr1_xB57BXuyAAqldvgrzk-Dw2DZhmALzrYiEF/w640-h480/3%202023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Above: Before and after in the same location in 2019 and February 2023 (ahead of the greenery returning in spring!) This shows the new road layout with continuous cycleway and footways past the side road, ensuring that pedestrians and cyclists have priority. Arrows have been installed on the cycleway to warn drivers coming in and out of the side road that this is a bidirectional cycle track. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMUumHGkdbqOyV_ktrbW70pdCj6CSTv8hytecTCHAbypCh7dNcXB2nBn_-7LLuwdtM1QLchl-a-nHiVYzaa759DHwT4m6WpkgWdiXiAKH8nj2bPrXtitfqQ3Pxogfvu_gJjXHH8xUZ4BPKABOlMyi9qxl3vrDHkunsEA0vX7vp2e6s2_Rv9-UYd2XKDCF/s5184/brick.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3888" data-original-width="5184" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCMUumHGkdbqOyV_ktrbW70pdCj6CSTv8hytecTCHAbypCh7dNcXB2nBn_-7LLuwdtM1QLchl-a-nHiVYzaa759DHwT4m6WpkgWdiXiAKH8nj2bPrXtitfqQ3Pxogfvu_gJjXHH8xUZ4BPKABOlMyi9qxl3vrDHkunsEA0vX7vp2e6s2_Rv9-UYd2XKDCF/w640-h480/brick.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">On the much narrowed roadway a brick surface has been used to ensure slower motor traffic </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Here is a video of the school run in action on this upgraded road:</div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Safe cycling for school children and parents at a recently upgraded street outside a new school in Amsterdam <a href="https://t.co/EQgzoZbsF4">pic.twitter.com/EQgzoZbsF4</a></p>— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1745602992923939160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<div><br /></div><div>When I was here in 2023 one thing I noticed was that a very large number of children cycling to and from the school were speaking English. Not that unusual in itself but most of them were doing so in clear English accents. It was then that I realised that this new school is an International school and most of the children attending this school are British kids, born and raised in the UK but are now living in Amsterdam but going to this school to take their lessons in English.</div><div><br /></div><div>I often get responses to these kind of videos on social media along the lines of "well move to Amsterdam then" but why should British school children have to move to Amsterdam to be provided with safe conditions to travel to school? </div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Streets designed to encourage physical and social activity are a right all children should be able to enjoy; not just the Dutch.<br /><br />It requires prioritizing the safety of the most vulnerable; allowing them to experience the outside world on their own terms. <a href="https://t.co/jIE0OkUgMU">pic.twitter.com/jIE0OkUgMU</a></p>— Dutch Cycling Embassy (@Cycling_Embassy) <a href="https://twitter.com/Cycling_Embassy/status/1710309208673980443?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 6, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<div><br /></div><div>Just imagine if Downham Road was redesigned in this way, rather than the unsafe car prioritised design that is being proposed. What a statement that would give and support the councils climate change emergency announcements, or their cycling plan which promises <span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222;">"</span><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><i>safe and comfortable routes for experienced and less experienced cyclists alike". </i>Instead, Hackney Council <a href="https://twitter.com/Labourstone/status/1744394863896924237" target="_blank">continues to fall far, far behind other boroughs</a> in London when it comes to providing safe and pleasant streets for their residents.</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">Hackney Labour <a href="https://twitter.com/BritainElects/status/1545331498202578944" target="_blank">very nearly lost a seat in this ward to the greens i</a>n a recent byelection, you'd think they would want to reach out to these local voters however the new mayor <a href="https://twitter.com/hackney_cycling/status/1720505616592953599" target="_blank">can't even be bothered to turn up and discuss cycle safety </a>just weeks after three local residents were killed on roads in the borough.</span></span></div></div></div></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">If this proposal is allowed to go ahead then the children of Hackney New Primary School will spend years growing up cycling on pavements every day whilst car drivers are prioritised alongside. If this is the vision of the future design of Hackney Borough roads then I fear more cycling fatalities in the borough on these unsafe roads are surely inevitable.</span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif">The Downham Road consultation closes in just a couple of days time, on Sunday 14 January. </span></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"><span face="arial, helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="https://consultation.hackney.gov.uk/streetscene/downham-road/" target="_blank">Have your say here.</a></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-63329688140738754012020-09-22T19:22:00.001+01:002020-09-22T19:22:17.903+01:00A couple of road changes in Eindhoven - Part Two <p> A few weeks ago <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2020/08/a-couple-of-road-upgrades-in-eindhoven.html" target="_blank">I wrote about changes to a street in the centre of Eindhoven</a>, where a lane for private motor traffic had been removed to create greenery and more space for people walking and cycling and vowed to post again about changes to a main road leading out of the city.</p><p>Eindhoven suffered <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eindhoven#20th_century" target="_blank">heavy damage in the Second World War</a> from air raids with large parts of the city destroyed, with the city planners then destroying even more of it later on. It has a very 1960s feel to some parts of it, especially the area around the train station with brutalist architecture and people walking and cycling often having to do so via long underpasses beneath main roads and railway lines. </p><p></p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Cycling through the underpasses of Eindhoven and then along a fietsstraat <a href="https://t.co/oJlNToeY1b">pic.twitter.com/oJlNToeY1b</a></p>— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1308367680907489284?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script><p></p><p>To the north of the city centre in the district of Woensel Zuid the old buildings and roads that remained after the war were swept away for new housing estates and very wide roads, such as Veldmaarschalk Montgomerylaan (the translation of which is Field Marshall Montgomery Avenue, named after the British army officer who led the operation to <a href="https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205189062" target="_blank">liberate Eindhoven</a>), which is the road I used as I left the city to <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_86.html" target="_blank">cycle to Den Bosch back in 2016</a></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORE9tRlTOr1BILclleaLEIOm_q38JJ-_s3LNgZMWp1g9NKUASUg9fuF7Vgi571MZWBWu6zbWizaYhyphenhyphendUlyVOnfmf7s3OweA01n20na2RPDha5AMvKhHvtFyMXzfAbNvmmsGLbiwX8RfSB/s1869/2a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="1869" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORE9tRlTOr1BILclleaLEIOm_q38JJ-_s3LNgZMWp1g9NKUASUg9fuF7Vgi571MZWBWu6zbWizaYhyphenhyphendUlyVOnfmf7s3OweA01n20na2RPDha5AMvKhHvtFyMXzfAbNvmmsGLbiwX8RfSB/w640-h466/2a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Veldmaarschalk Montgomerylaan in 2016. It had a very dated look, with a tiled cycle track that was barely distinguishable from the footway alongside and an odd hedge in the centre as the dividing line between the northbound cycle track and southbound track</span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbs4CwEuiA2XxuCA_Quu3WtHO3A6SqGgxiNsyuLme4AGSTaAokPw71NqAQDJF1W2GYs2ZNn4kiFn3WZkCjD_jm9s2TYRH_XyU0X2eGou8GDYb9-zPyURy1nD2i-br11o-s5132Dr1EuKw-/s2321/2b.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="2321" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbs4CwEuiA2XxuCA_Quu3WtHO3A6SqGgxiNsyuLme4AGSTaAokPw71NqAQDJF1W2GYs2ZNn4kiFn3WZkCjD_jm9s2TYRH_XyU0X2eGou8GDYb9-zPyURy1nD2i-br11o-s5132Dr1EuKw-/w640-h352/2b.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The same spot in 2020 with a modern upgrade. The cycleway now has smooth asphalt and has centre markings, meaning the full width of the track can be used. The footway has also been repaved and is much brighter, with forgiving kerbs at the edge of the cycle track.</span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnbHKl1SR2pqFFGapFz-543CtIR5558axamhKuO3qovneyvspQ0_HjUOs1YH8yRfA4vEowT4z3lKw7vZjXWDxMh_pFnyMdespxqd9goWRM_Nndzhv8ZnoVe41tEQOtnHOI2ex_ytzEHmt/s2000/3a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYnbHKl1SR2pqFFGapFz-543CtIR5558axamhKuO3qovneyvspQ0_HjUOs1YH8yRfA4vEowT4z3lKw7vZjXWDxMh_pFnyMdespxqd9goWRM_Nndzhv8ZnoVe41tEQOtnHOI2ex_ytzEHmt/w640-h480/3a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Slightly further north along the same road in 2016</span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUAwc8bEKFjqD5Z28wYcB3dNYMOm0vxw9g7qr0tipmbGNbOaTwTITeXnWfvVUCnczB6y2Qj0K0V-7v-1kqxMaK8XjzkAZBaTQbn9iKHQada_AF2spMV015EuBxI1Mh8shPOMm_8psD2wC/s2323/3b.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1371" data-original-width="2323" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUAwc8bEKFjqD5Z28wYcB3dNYMOm0vxw9g7qr0tipmbGNbOaTwTITeXnWfvVUCnczB6y2Qj0K0V-7v-1kqxMaK8XjzkAZBaTQbn9iKHQada_AF2spMV015EuBxI1Mh8shPOMm_8psD2wC/w640-h378/3b.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The same location in 2020. The tree in the middle of the cycle track has been cut down to allow a bidirectional cycle track with no barrier, but many new trees have been planted between the cycle track and the road, which will grow to provide shelter from rain, sun and also from the noise of the roadway alongside.</span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table><p>However, this was not just an upgrade of the cycle track, this was a major transformation of a road built in the second half of the 20th Century from one designed to carry a large amount of private motor vehicles into the city centre, into one which instead prioritises public transport. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMj3fDADNoPZR3IjGJcjLFZCUyjmtfuzWWQhTzxFo4dQPZmINqVM1WXg5bB8Ule1DE13PUIyZWbxwRfXcWf2SGZb31eiovq8k9NDjJiUdiFfFuWpF895LPi2h3D2ISdZ1HO7hPmr_OdH3/s1623/61.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="1623" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMj3fDADNoPZR3IjGJcjLFZCUyjmtfuzWWQhTzxFo4dQPZmINqVM1WXg5bB8Ule1DE13PUIyZWbxwRfXcWf2SGZb31eiovq8k9NDjJiUdiFfFuWpF895LPi2h3D2ISdZ1HO7hPmr_OdH3/w640-h360/61.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the southbound carriageway of the road taken from Google streetview a decade ago. It shows the post war layout that had been here for decades; a very wide road with multiple lanes for motor traffic in both directions and a very wide central reservation between them </span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9MtJpX04MwcM3yHT4ODBwU91YBzlKg2up_tw61nKmUdjPUg48IMB8KMfMYR8cHGsiMwBCmxIX7pw6-7NL5N0zCDBBAd7TeMxzqIaao1opgxJahBRS9krEweTE0SU806XLxcX61jDKQ45/s1595/62.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1595" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9MtJpX04MwcM3yHT4ODBwU91YBzlKg2up_tw61nKmUdjPUg48IMB8KMfMYR8cHGsiMwBCmxIX7pw6-7NL5N0zCDBBAd7TeMxzqIaao1opgxJahBRS9krEweTE0SU806XLxcX61jDKQ45/w640-h370/62.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">The same spot on the most recent streetview capture. What was the southbound carriageway has now been reconfigured to carry traffic in both directions. Along most of this road motor traffic now just has a single lane in each direction; it is only at the junctions that additional lanes appear for motor traffic to turn off the road </span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElVNkQaDJH8P0UcbJdwHNKlbUFWBZYGHd1CElxArdtCoYijzgkqj9j0W_-S38xqHjc9GFXbV2MwWnVGZ2xcqPOO_jnTjpEvGTlcAs2InBldWpMjSplkZ6j8IeCKHGaS6Mv6NSPPEnVo3w/s1549/63.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1549" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElVNkQaDJH8P0UcbJdwHNKlbUFWBZYGHd1CElxArdtCoYijzgkqj9j0W_-S38xqHjc9GFXbV2MwWnVGZ2xcqPOO_jnTjpEvGTlcAs2InBldWpMjSplkZ6j8IeCKHGaS6Mv6NSPPEnVo3w/w640-h380/63.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was the northbound carriageway a decade ago, a minimum of two lanes for motor traffic at all times, gaining up to five lanes at the junctions, now motor traffic just has a single lane on the other side of the central reservation</span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NbWYKfwJEukJc7bJQWnrsw24Zqt3cfMialZDmhmVWTJroO-h08k0pYdkNYCdevp9HyAiFu8r8_GUypYGMCZ_JweEJI1e8l-namCu-iep0OsgpYbu-4nlHD-FTgkHWHGMkN-HfSk6aDoR/s2592/64.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1456" data-original-width="2592" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NbWYKfwJEukJc7bJQWnrsw24Zqt3cfMialZDmhmVWTJroO-h08k0pYdkNYCdevp9HyAiFu8r8_GUypYGMCZ_JweEJI1e8l-namCu-iep0OsgpYbu-4nlHD-FTgkHWHGMkN-HfSk6aDoR/w640-h360/64.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">The same location as above in 2020. What was the northbound carriageway is now a dedicated bus only expressway, giving buses a clear route into the city centre and no longer being delayed by motor traffic, along with the added bonus of an upgraded cycleway alongside</span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table>The new bus expressway only allows buses to use it, so unlike in London there is no sharing with taxi's or motorbikes (who use the adjacent roadway) or bicycles (who have a dedicated cycleway alongside) so the bus drivers can drive here with no interactions with other traffic or any delays. Although of course this bus expressway can also be used by emergency services giving them a clear route to quickly attended any incidents and improving response times. Here is a video of the bus expressway in use:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xyts22H5y4U" width="320" youtube-src-id="Xyts22H5y4U"></iframe></div><br /><div>There are regular crossing points for people walking and cycling and these are placed on the desire lines, usually alongside the bus stops, which are also located next to junctions giving pedestrians who have either alighted or are going to catch a bus a crossing right alongside the bus stop, and people cycling east to west across the road, or turning off the cycleway to turn left, a crossing where they need it to be. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwAys5pgNSm-zN81p6hDXQx5JI-3wMLJPpkinVdL2D8DCj4vVHKzqpc7-9tUP52LO9pG3eVzh83DA1ApJClB-aOyhyJYEo3rAq1c0LfCqDG9nF2X0003I4V24Q-gPmS2fVnRVZM6TfDeP/s2175/crossing.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1349" data-original-width="2175" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwAys5pgNSm-zN81p6hDXQx5JI-3wMLJPpkinVdL2D8DCj4vVHKzqpc7-9tUP52LO9pG3eVzh83DA1ApJClB-aOyhyJYEo3rAq1c0LfCqDG9nF2X0003I4V24Q-gPmS2fVnRVZM6TfDeP/w640-h396/crossing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">One thing I noticed is that these crossings were quite often default green but when a bus approached they always remained red and an audio warning sounded, along with a flashing bus icon to warn people not to cross. This results in buses not being delayed at crossings and reduces the possibility of a collision between a bus and anyone walking or cycling </span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table>At each bus stop there was always plenty of cycle parking, allowing people to cycle to the bus stop to catch the bus, and then cycle home afterwards when they return<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DLuxGS2brH3Fr12rBcuUTmeij_9qpu08kxPtIr5Fdm2eY0tFNOdpoaLBhpbysMWXAhauJFxYUP-drCXUUg7PEmfl0GlOzYBKRTwRzG37mIAVv6jmMa48RV1PON-gQ-ClUfanTkdiMdct/s1915/bus+stop+parking.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1915" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7DLuxGS2brH3Fr12rBcuUTmeij_9qpu08kxPtIr5Fdm2eY0tFNOdpoaLBhpbysMWXAhauJFxYUP-drCXUUg7PEmfl0GlOzYBKRTwRzG37mIAVv6jmMa48RV1PON-gQ-ClUfanTkdiMdct/w640-h422/bus+stop+parking.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Back in 2016 as I cycled along here the road expanded out to four lanes as it approached the ring road </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAMFZrHoHA_2lC27h7XMCtMSNoCowVUN2SBTBP3yYgOaWFmMSogiQ8gAaSZif8rSwl5MB0iXJlebvgMaehh6bCmNQwnwVo8enySULBqYM8XzO6x23PuDSzya2jDP4kFep8hW37LTuV1OJ/s4000/5a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAMFZrHoHA_2lC27h7XMCtMSNoCowVUN2SBTBP3yYgOaWFmMSogiQ8gAaSZif8rSwl5MB0iXJlebvgMaehh6bCmNQwnwVo8enySULBqYM8XzO6x23PuDSzya2jDP4kFep8hW37LTuV1OJ/w640-h480/5a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Now, it is just a two lane bus expressway with new trees between the upgraded cycle track and the bus lanes</span></div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGt4DM-wtot95fbiogkvp0CAPgpJs_irFxghrpijB_9yfQUbKHr05SFLu6MlCwdAhmRKSThfTzjGDGh1CSIIvfftay6Skc9AksEfxAKR9k9h9pA9BEoH5Q_0YTDG7YUmb6IVvMpeCMfcTh/s5184/5b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2912" data-original-width="5184" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGt4DM-wtot95fbiogkvp0CAPgpJs_irFxghrpijB_9yfQUbKHr05SFLu6MlCwdAhmRKSThfTzjGDGh1CSIIvfftay6Skc9AksEfxAKR9k9h9pA9BEoH5Q_0YTDG7YUmb6IVvMpeCMfcTh/w640-h360/5b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Although I didn't notice this as I cycled through here last month, the ring road has also been buried in an underpass under the road, with additional bidirectional cycle tracks created on all sides of the junction. The image below shows the changes from Google Earth satellite imagery (with the new layout still not fully complete)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMGQk114gilcow4VGqNG1_oeb-GzSacfev35L9HTdi0WOwduPvIGSCFKP7x1tpnsSEDsyF-HbHOzWHKa1gHcAcEYNVJcyFCLlpqFp3EXwfDyVyd0CGk02fi7pNbeR31wFRMNMf1k4Mgx4/s1597/1.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1115" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMGQk114gilcow4VGqNG1_oeb-GzSacfev35L9HTdi0WOwduPvIGSCFKP7x1tpnsSEDsyF-HbHOzWHKa1gHcAcEYNVJcyFCLlpqFp3EXwfDyVyd0CGk02fi7pNbeR31wFRMNMf1k4Mgx4/w446-h640/1.PNG" width="446" /></a></div><br /><div>Once again I couldn't help notice as I approached the junctions that the buses always seemed to have a green light as they approached, with all cars and cycles receiving a red light. The new layout really does put people on public transport first and creates a fast bus expressway that is not being delayed on its journey in any way, except when passengers board or alight.</div><div><br /></div><div>This new layout continued all the way up Veldmaarschalk Montgomerylaan for another two miles, giving me a comfortable safe cycle route alongside the buses which sped past me every few minutes. I then came to a road named Winston Churchilllaan (I told you these were post war roads!). Once again the same layout continued along here east out through the suburbs, with a check of google streetview showing that the same upgrade had been implemented; a wide multi lane dual carriageway for motor traffic replaced by a bus expressway with just a single lane for motors </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4CZylOnPDTJ_YA_sOszWzXiAF9LShDC_mwVVV-gJ-y6puGuQqdmeAQOurb8w-sdVonTmk2lUx2yNT57Pb-InYeVsf1IP95ajJc9DgQzwkn3sShszlvAA5PG7hjmlpcd_KP2Teql4EPNG/s1557/3.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="1386" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4CZylOnPDTJ_YA_sOszWzXiAF9LShDC_mwVVV-gJ-y6puGuQqdmeAQOurb8w-sdVonTmk2lUx2yNT57Pb-InYeVsf1IP95ajJc9DgQzwkn3sShszlvAA5PG7hjmlpcd_KP2Teql4EPNG/w570-h640/3.PNG" width="570" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">The same road two decades apart from streetview; a dual carriageway with cycleways either side to a single lane for motor traffic, a bus only road, along with upgraded cycle tracks</span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table><div>After another couple of miles the residential buidings alongisde gave way to fields as I exited Eindhoven but the bus expressway continued (although the bus lanes split and crossed over here to run either side of the road). Again I was surprised to check goggle streetview to see that what was a rural dual carriageway had also been reconfigured and reduced to a single lane to allow a fast bus route from Eindhoven out to neighbouring towns. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sHLGIguwUAnKKV-QgNtoNr3rnFBTRa-nY1pMp9Hr2J2Wq8kltd_iC3dlOfFFrLODClZNdM3U64bsBNs2BWOI7lNZFjtaydUM5hr1auoGD-OLvLXvxGWu_03I9H5et2aY4NU2bN8JWq9u/s1267/3.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="857" data-original-width="1267" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sHLGIguwUAnKKV-QgNtoNr3rnFBTRa-nY1pMp9Hr2J2Wq8kltd_iC3dlOfFFrLODClZNdM3U64bsBNs2BWOI7lNZFjtaydUM5hr1auoGD-OLvLXvxGWu_03I9H5et2aY4NU2bN8JWq9u/w640-h432/3.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">Google Earth satellite imagary shows the road leading east out of Eindhoven through fields to the town of Nuenen in 2009, a dual carriageway with cycle paths either side of it </span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZA6df0A5CFRiqaUrpMe2tCTE3Vnof44LIV0oyczoY8QosSCIDY9N4V5UF-tHIT-0lACfyIyIIg5yUutFwk_ce9M6RtR4adg9F3aPXQnrNWWrU_Fe1x5dcNPY8h1ZLX89o6BGYNqXTXnJ/s1251/4.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1251" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZA6df0A5CFRiqaUrpMe2tCTE3Vnof44LIV0oyczoY8QosSCIDY9N4V5UF-tHIT-0lACfyIyIIg5yUutFwk_ce9M6RtR4adg9F3aPXQnrNWWrU_Fe1x5dcNPY8h1ZLX89o6BGYNqXTXnJ/w640-h412/4.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The same road a decade later. There is now just a single lane for motor traffic in either direction. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">Separate</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> from that road are bus lanes either side, allowing buses to get from Nuenen directly to the centre of Eindhoven without any delays. The cycle tracks either side have also been upgraded and widened - now with red asphalt and centre markings to show they are both </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">bidirectional</span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table>As I cycled between Eindhoven and Nuenen I did so behind a family; a mum with her young daughter of primary school age alongside and her not much older son up ahead of them, safely cycling alongside a rural main road in perfect safety </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/noqdiTclnFw" width="320" youtube-src-id="noqdiTclnFw"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>I cycled behind them for a couple of miles; obviously I don't where they had been cycling from but assuming they were cycling from the centre of Eindhoven to Nuenen then they would have cycled just over seven kilometres or nearly five miles, which is perfectly normal for Dutch families. Now nobody is forcing them to do this of course but the safe and direct cycleway gives them this option. They could have taken the bus, which probably would have been quicker and would have not been delayed at any junction or by any other motor traffic due to the new fast expressway. They would have used an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OV-chipkaart" target="_blank">OV-chipkaart</a> for this journey, which is a travel card that allows entry onto any bus, tram or train in the entire country. It also allows access to underground bike parking facilities at train stations and use of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OV-fiets" target="_blank">OV-fiets bicycle hire</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Eindhoven has a population of roughly 220,000 so about the same as a British city such as Reading, Luton or Wolverhampton. Imagine a mother and her two young children making a journey to and from a town five miles away from those cities. The bus <a href="https://twitter.com/bikesandbabies/status/1299104102392254465" target="_blank">would be expensive</a>, have an irregular timetable and almost certainly held up by other motor traffic. I can't envisage any of these cities getting rid of a dual carriageway anytime soon! As for a family like this cycling on a main A road or dual carriageway in the UK? Well, it might be legal but it would almost certainly not happen as it would be incredibly dangerous thing to do with no separate cycling infrastructure and motor traffic moving at very high speeds. The default option in the UK would be to drive, with little incentive to use any alternative mode of transport.</div><div><br /></div><div>Whilst I mostly concentrate on writing about Dutch cycling schemes on here it is worth remembering that the Dutch are also vastly improving their bus, metro and train services, whilst also improving cycling and walking conditions. Many councils have declared a climate emergency but I don't see any reallocating space on their roads like the Dutch are to help achieve this. </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-70811502389399075862020-08-31T19:58:00.002+01:002020-08-31T20:14:18.290+01:00A couple of road upgrades in Eindhoven - Part one<p> Every year when I visit the Netherlands I encounter changes to their road layouts and often remain surprised at how they change and upgrade their roads constantly. This year it happened within seconds of arriving, as the ferry terminal has <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1289448761958125571" target="_blank">been completely reconfigured</a> with the previous road removed and replaced with a cycle track that now leads directly into the ferry terminal. I <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1294699852761370624" target="_blank">also wrote a thread on twitter</a> about some of the many changes to the road layouts in Amsterdam I saw this year, compared to only last year. I have visited Eindhoven just once before, back in 2016 (only a few days after the UK voted to leave the European Union). I knew that there was bound to be changes to some of the road layouts in the city in that time and so will document two of them I encountered here. </p><p>Eindhoven has a rare layout for a Dutch city but something which is very common for a UK city - a one way system surrounding the city centre for motor traffic</p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz-QgzF1PCpsyR8_rVnSraQEZ-mxSAnLFUe50x02hfeNJdg5V51lzpxH6iNx1-FU2-e4V2TOkb-IAWs5Z3BTqK-632qrYVoUydo5lNB9bhUVslIA2betqu2XhpoCe6YYl0ZYg_Z18qycn/s1111/Capture.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidz-QgzF1PCpsyR8_rVnSraQEZ-mxSAnLFUe50x02hfeNJdg5V51lzpxH6iNx1-FU2-e4V2TOkb-IAWs5Z3BTqK-632qrYVoUydo5lNB9bhUVslIA2betqu2XhpoCe6YYl0ZYg_Z18qycn/s640/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">The one way system for cars that surrounds the city centre of Eindhoven. Within this ring are mostly pedestrianised or cycling and walking only streets. Mostly shops to the north and many bars and restaurants with outdoor seating to the centre and south. There are also a few busy east / west routes through here for people cycling but driving is largely not possible, or for access only</span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table></h3><p>When I visited Eindhoven four years ago the section of road to the east of the city centre that formed this ring had two lanes for motor traffic in one direction with a contraflow bus lane in the opposite direction, then uni-directional cycle tracks (or in a few places painted cycle lanes) on both sides of the road, allowing cycling in both directions anywhere on the ring road. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><h3><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSYcC6yrz2yPU82EX50XzcU8ICCkEixPJ8t66U7lCNCKzdhM6EmoJnUrbZ6I-2VQFwQibIJspYZ0YsbmcqZGW7f-qLAKxqp6MGGepqdpNGVxsmoc14BqIcqzskLxZQOiAVv2woBkzTU2W/s1500/7a.JPG" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSYcC6yrz2yPU82EX50XzcU8ICCkEixPJ8t66U7lCNCKzdhM6EmoJnUrbZ6I-2VQFwQibIJspYZ0YsbmcqZGW7f-qLAKxqp6MGGepqdpNGVxsmoc14BqIcqzskLxZQOiAVv2woBkzTU2W/s640/7a.JPG" width="640" /></a></h3></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">The eastern section of the inner ring road in Eindhoven in 2016. A contraflow bus lane and two lanes for motor traffic in one direction, with pavements and cycle tracks on both sides </span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The local authorities took the decision to improve this road, not by removing the one way system, but by keeping it but removing one lane of motor traffic to create more space for people walking and cycling. </p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga94lhCAX8m9n3WTiz-ExO1wKNVthEz45BUjsclj8jh_4nZqvEp9rtF0FmOywg4f3_wTJ40HAEQjyNvZ2y0qFwg1ku4uAhPQ4V97SPBTW_QQ05HLdphL_xjBGsaHGq9rXEhIKEO4iPasAH/s1651/7b.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1651" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga94lhCAX8m9n3WTiz-ExO1wKNVthEz45BUjsclj8jh_4nZqvEp9rtF0FmOywg4f3_wTJ40HAEQjyNvZ2y0qFwg1ku4uAhPQ4V97SPBTW_QQ05HLdphL_xjBGsaHGq9rXEhIKEO4iPasAH/s640/7b.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">The same location as the photo above, four years later. By removing a lane for motor traffic it has allowed space for a wide bidirectional cycle track with greenery and cycle parking on both sides of it</span></span></h3></td></tr></tbody></table></h3><p>The new road layout is brilliant, the greenery between the cycle track and bus lane is lovely</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObdPfOxaqD9JUipv-DqVb1BatmpBWPJWUXpQvT5XYbIVB1ZxLjQjMGfTjsyuRlaJ9t3tcLx-DccjklT5OGV57ayHJ5lxxoR-VYtGwa3zcMlvBUoCEBwY4d_x0mRHQhNCUi47-O0cFXYoA/s1558/301.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObdPfOxaqD9JUipv-DqVb1BatmpBWPJWUXpQvT5XYbIVB1ZxLjQjMGfTjsyuRlaJ9t3tcLx-DccjklT5OGV57ayHJ5lxxoR-VYtGwa3zcMlvBUoCEBwY4d_x0mRHQhNCUi47-O0cFXYoA/s640/301.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The greenery also breaks up at regular intervals for cycle parking, which is plentiful </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qMgZNpY1w4SH2DDIE5eM8Jmyeo7smRinJGRO0b13hr2dQDBe-6G-7FaxhgE8P55ggpYnDFD_5wv3ZxqQUjHW-2DkzFF5qElj0TviMAgCsCqKpXOR-73nwh_aNK_WCi0nxpM1C9SmlJp-/s1503/302.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="957" data-original-width="1503" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qMgZNpY1w4SH2DDIE5eM8Jmyeo7smRinJGRO0b13hr2dQDBe-6G-7FaxhgE8P55ggpYnDFD_5wv3ZxqQUjHW-2DkzFF5qElj0TviMAgCsCqKpXOR-73nwh_aNK_WCi0nxpM1C9SmlJp-/s640/302.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>The new cycle track is very smooth, with drainage located along the kerbs at the side of the track </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgD6uRHu_EEndS45mh7OzZAC628QODaJ5SoiStzD-yMowmYuH_Kakp3oKAaFv-rpV7SABe1-E4YsosSDZ_EKo_isZh47jQ54WihzMAPhLZYf1JKx4SeaClX96kKlDb17Am_VmXeR1pLbD/s1261/kerb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpgD6uRHu_EEndS45mh7OzZAC628QODaJ5SoiStzD-yMowmYuH_Kakp3oKAaFv-rpV7SABe1-E4YsosSDZ_EKo_isZh47jQ54WihzMAPhLZYf1JKx4SeaClX96kKlDb17Am_VmXeR1pLbD/s640/kerb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Although I had no idea back in 2016 that these changes would occur I took quite a few photos of this road from the cycle track so can manage a few before and after comparisons but google streetview does a good job of showing how much road space has been taken here </p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqX9kwICr83NHcubAcN1YWKRYBO0NQv4TDneT1IGLkP2m6ogpJXH2HTBB7hKJ31XJY7nbIOuMTV9c45qHfMjarDVgfcQA_ChQdhcBHTsV4ed2aSxuBC1x3I5ekdHTDVbAuDKahDgU22X0/s1508/153.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqX9kwICr83NHcubAcN1YWKRYBO0NQv4TDneT1IGLkP2m6ogpJXH2HTBB7hKJ31XJY7nbIOuMTV9c45qHfMjarDVgfcQA_ChQdhcBHTsV4ed2aSxuBC1x3I5ekdHTDVbAuDKahDgU22X0/s640/153.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">2016</span></h2></td></tr></tbody></table></h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><h2><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6aEqqIfl7Gnf8egd5yaie9cWZrKSe3JKJf7zks3Vi1EvCMt5wKg0R2T6GT0j4QlZSb666b7UmkVIihlj9KP6TpV_t61bvmNEsIOIKXN1OpLP1EWpWofzCHY_GYbWoKI05YmzXdnMOJ0v/s1815/153b.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1815" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6aEqqIfl7Gnf8egd5yaie9cWZrKSe3JKJf7zks3Vi1EvCMt5wKg0R2T6GT0j4QlZSb666b7UmkVIihlj9KP6TpV_t61bvmNEsIOIKXN1OpLP1EWpWofzCHY_GYbWoKI05YmzXdnMOJ0v/s640/153b.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></h2></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">The same location in 2020. By removing a vehicle lane and one of the cycle tracks there is room for a wide bidirectional cycle track and greenery along both sides of the road to shield people walking and cycling from the noise of motor traffic. </span></span></h2></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsA5FNbe72fOktoUU3sM7K8IqYY1Y9JdjKAMseY2QMLHg1tg2t0oE43glvbV94ayufaDwB7xRWc0z3mhKir90px1fmiPTaAUEBcXcRHGRtfacAoPrSeRJ9SENiSLYArn4CfwG4VEMSPLRG/s1523/156.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1523" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsA5FNbe72fOktoUU3sM7K8IqYY1Y9JdjKAMseY2QMLHg1tg2t0oE43glvbV94ayufaDwB7xRWc0z3mhKir90px1fmiPTaAUEBcXcRHGRtfacAoPrSeRJ9SENiSLYArn4CfwG4VEMSPLRG/s640/156.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">2016</span></span></h2></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID6VzcZhPqgvso5oKva_tDNUSqE_lOz_FysJrOftDLdguSoUGYmKBIwUsOb0_GvzGAIlbasmEQRSBW8SzCgSSzYwLm4kf4oLIlhxjiHB3PU2fl2O9_xwL3JvEVUqpLET4RrA6pXfLzr3M/s1815/156b.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1815" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjID6VzcZhPqgvso5oKva_tDNUSqE_lOz_FysJrOftDLdguSoUGYmKBIwUsOb0_GvzGAIlbasmEQRSBW8SzCgSSzYwLm4kf4oLIlhxjiHB3PU2fl2O9_xwL3JvEVUqpLET4RrA6pXfLzr3M/s640/156b.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Plenty of new trees and plants have been added</span></h2></td></tr></tbody></table>It's difficult to work out exactly what space has been taken from where and reallocated as the entire road has been reconstructed from building to building. The footway, cycle tracks and roadway have all been dug up, all the trees that were there have been cut down and even the drainage has been moved so the only real reference point to compare the two are the buildings alongside the road. <div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHk-rZuifr5ibjAuL17D0abzEE51O4Xa1uwcI8b7Z89uSAYNmtdYJOjgpb00_sdCKXz3-PchZzN3IwOEzMGzdqeY9mhBVYmEM6tCyqfV0viPLD2LY8YasHiBX3WgcVNEvUPL9AXu-BjY4/s1288/4a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="1288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHk-rZuifr5ibjAuL17D0abzEE51O4Xa1uwcI8b7Z89uSAYNmtdYJOjgpb00_sdCKXz3-PchZzN3IwOEzMGzdqeY9mhBVYmEM6tCyqfV0viPLD2LY8YasHiBX3WgcVNEvUPL9AXu-BjY4/s640/4a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2016<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72-4WIgfrQQ2-yL-muYqEpaFEf0S3W669keFdXqZzMfn-4O53M4tUDiH3j4PTVGGZxBIHmpcjTRwWR9p_Xur-y-j7WzSDCBwAm5Mlf-50AucjOHPx1afew3fpc1f4Dbnpby07VH2lgGaV/s1815/4b.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1815" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72-4WIgfrQQ2-yL-muYqEpaFEf0S3W669keFdXqZzMfn-4O53M4tUDiH3j4PTVGGZxBIHmpcjTRwWR9p_Xur-y-j7WzSDCBwAm5Mlf-50AucjOHPx1afew3fpc1f4Dbnpby07VH2lgGaV/s640/4b.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2020<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>In the photos below the manhole cover at the edge of the cycle track is the only marker to show the footway space stays roughly the same, trees have replaced the cycle track, the new cycle track is where the bus lane was and more trees where the roadway was. I assume part of the old cycle track on the other side has become roadway but it is difficult to tell </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUOmu5huwyy1qdUAWf3IqcRS1tIUtY9YOcOYUEnr8xA3vR7NjQXqLGNIbVZE7l782ZzGy_MxSgnKgPg3-SS5KKDj8fxSJMkl2aCRutQvG8lSOhX77lPL3Z8m89-WTIJMr84zl3oJ0O37B/s1400/3a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUOmu5huwyy1qdUAWf3IqcRS1tIUtY9YOcOYUEnr8xA3vR7NjQXqLGNIbVZE7l782ZzGy_MxSgnKgPg3-SS5KKDj8fxSJMkl2aCRutQvG8lSOhX77lPL3Z8m89-WTIJMr84zl3oJ0O37B/s640/3a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac6hT_w_YioJKoyYCD9y07wfrOrzJLbJMABCWUY7X_rI2J58fr-QdydWkASOL9IPoTPs0PV36aBXwjeOGTD01k7h4nQuXNmF_ZcFc_JKrOc81QrZlOCzvi93k5-DMzWtPrZPSq5szHV5f/s1815/3b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1815" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac6hT_w_YioJKoyYCD9y07wfrOrzJLbJMABCWUY7X_rI2J58fr-QdydWkASOL9IPoTPs0PV36aBXwjeOGTD01k7h4nQuXNmF_ZcFc_JKrOc81QrZlOCzvi93k5-DMzWtPrZPSq5szHV5f/s640/3b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>One of the few photos I took whilst cycling on the other side of the road back in 2016</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5Bf6tVy-1g78NHodpxVVmjWvdvsr1HjS-NS0W521y-6yRUfoAu8umvPeV7UjvluRpP687NEMLrY2yQNtLbXGcrUT_59A2X6DR_sPaeaThAQU9lUwAjvuVbb6PJt5atJxOeZ36-GOqgh1/s1400/10a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5Bf6tVy-1g78NHodpxVVmjWvdvsr1HjS-NS0W521y-6yRUfoAu8umvPeV7UjvluRpP687NEMLrY2yQNtLbXGcrUT_59A2X6DR_sPaeaThAQU9lUwAjvuVbb6PJt5atJxOeZ36-GOqgh1/s640/10a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The cycle track here has been replaced by trees and greenery. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tFXa1HFF08wyTVeQFFzL7xC3xUCe5wzkseeRQp0zjPtYgaNlpbglqd-JstATHgLNwlVMYv0uO9enqTdooB0DHZEPHA2aS-QN8v8zSeSV1IXoyIq0-5WYpyHtaW4MYANDY3ZkYCPOU61v/s1505/10b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="1505" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tFXa1HFF08wyTVeQFFzL7xC3xUCe5wzkseeRQp0zjPtYgaNlpbglqd-JstATHgLNwlVMYv0uO9enqTdooB0DHZEPHA2aS-QN8v8zSeSV1IXoyIq0-5WYpyHtaW4MYANDY3ZkYCPOU61v/s640/10b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>and in some places there was only a painted cycle lane meaning anyone overtaking had to use the lane for motor traffic, but now they have a wide bidirectional cycle track on the other side instead </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlc4WmYQRnIfhFA4ozCria2te6RSo0c2h435RAYvX0rXmqdhaYT7PBKdAT6QKiYPVgLWvrE1IYcb7Z15OCEYWi3TTktrExu8qnb9iV0kf3Phax4FVaUK_dp9vuGg9kuFPGzKXIbKt1vYKi/s1815/13b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1815" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlc4WmYQRnIfhFA4ozCria2te6RSo0c2h435RAYvX0rXmqdhaYT7PBKdAT6QKiYPVgLWvrE1IYcb7Z15OCEYWi3TTktrExu8qnb9iV0kf3Phax4FVaUK_dp9vuGg9kuFPGzKXIbKt1vYKi/s640/13b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNMhu-XYg2OQYh5Pnp-rXjJ3fhWTmFvxj-1UvODfZpQJGJTAzeFRJBG5H0kWGjUBy6fQB_mYq0nrtny8EizaqUlA8awNUnGh0_mq0QeVbSMxe2fmvy0mTAQabKAfSlO7OnWRtcW9FPAcU/s1224/13a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNMhu-XYg2OQYh5Pnp-rXjJ3fhWTmFvxj-1UvODfZpQJGJTAzeFRJBG5H0kWGjUBy6fQB_mYq0nrtny8EizaqUlA8awNUnGh0_mq0QeVbSMxe2fmvy0mTAQabKAfSlO7OnWRtcW9FPAcU/s640/13a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>In some areas the footway has been increased </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc6aGYt1hd7-CyxowlJRwxyB-NHbaN6K1DKpiKG-0GxVN7OdncOMFCk5hTiOpsnxrKJzYulgrT1yeClSDz9VTtQ-oQGBBJQvy7zoKJ0YG_XrMnGUe_s-MvcWlvO9Q7AFvLYpXpsfOO1o4/s1400/14a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXc6aGYt1hd7-CyxowlJRwxyB-NHbaN6K1DKpiKG-0GxVN7OdncOMFCk5hTiOpsnxrKJzYulgrT1yeClSDz9VTtQ-oQGBBJQvy7zoKJ0YG_XrMnGUe_s-MvcWlvO9Q7AFvLYpXpsfOO1o4/s640/14a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4KlBHGOS-I3vddKYZeh03B8ZGO62ss7I_oh73yQTYF2MSnoM-W6wn2uWQMzDyKeWVJ0_plHLhgVynPm0RBK88NK6-QFsCJi7s6oP7HAE5hw9zEmPesydP0nuHamdPLrSLKskyJjWEfwB/s1413/14b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="1413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg4KlBHGOS-I3vddKYZeh03B8ZGO62ss7I_oh73yQTYF2MSnoM-W6wn2uWQMzDyKeWVJ0_plHLhgVynPm0RBK88NK6-QFsCJi7s6oP7HAE5hw9zEmPesydP0nuHamdPLrSLKskyJjWEfwB/s640/14b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The new bidirectional cycle track is very wide </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJUnWGRawr3MB8BhB_GWQAV7_RaTFX4RqWZmmKx1xfjbiCNAEDEH8r8ykhaAkdXFAoleIVgHtHHSEHSeIT1ak1Yc6BTvtAtn-IMFHS8nqamnMcpDC6HbDc7aGjfFUVmH_FQS8bnYZ8omK/s1400/5a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJUnWGRawr3MB8BhB_GWQAV7_RaTFX4RqWZmmKx1xfjbiCNAEDEH8r8ykhaAkdXFAoleIVgHtHHSEHSeIT1ak1Yc6BTvtAtn-IMFHS8nqamnMcpDC6HbDc7aGjfFUVmH_FQS8bnYZ8omK/s640/5a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2016<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyJoqWZx8bYLjY4KF8WU6shEm0nkb5RVoXOS4jNwcmzQiPF2mpPc7F-VMen8DHFcCxtWVXXuPSp1Cc1HCUpBzdJaJ7Vlnzc1pYfFol6mNT7FD8SsGpryPUF9ni38-zYoup01Jl0J_6WZh/s1619/5c.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1619" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyJoqWZx8bYLjY4KF8WU6shEm0nkb5RVoXOS4jNwcmzQiPF2mpPc7F-VMen8DHFcCxtWVXXuPSp1Cc1HCUpBzdJaJ7Vlnzc1pYfFol6mNT7FD8SsGpryPUF9ni38-zYoup01Jl0J_6WZh/s640/5c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2020<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The lorry driver here decided to change his route and so turned round and drove up the cycle track. He's not supposed to do that of course, but it does help illustrate just how wide the new cycle track is </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkCqeND0BJb3C0Za79OcDxT14uA-NmOu982ZchBFoE_4zpvxq6ryz-A4p8DtAeyIk1FQzOBYb_N3lf4X4fxTJSCe_Icav-G61loOOi8x9rQuOnyHu-bRzfRyXhUdmoxGCCuJH1NZdZl3Y/s1498/x.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1019" data-original-width="1498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtkCqeND0BJb3C0Za79OcDxT14uA-NmOu982ZchBFoE_4zpvxq6ryz-A4p8DtAeyIk1FQzOBYb_N3lf4X4fxTJSCe_Icav-G61loOOi8x9rQuOnyHu-bRzfRyXhUdmoxGCCuJH1NZdZl3Y/s640/x.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I remember stopping to take the photo below back in 2016 as I thought it was a good example of a continuous footway and continuous cycle track passing the vehicle entrance to a service area of an office complex </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX-0Zhxj7WrJVudDEBy94LQm4r5T1fQ-hPwEsKfN7J1epa3IhoptUDpaedFPRJSJ2AoZy6n0bPIIrA8yv0kzy-HVopHE-Om918aeNbsiuU9KBgzInv1hm9YDFV6bzCC-LuRmtneqJkP0R/s1400/9a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX-0Zhxj7WrJVudDEBy94LQm4r5T1fQ-hPwEsKfN7J1epa3IhoptUDpaedFPRJSJ2AoZy6n0bPIIrA8yv0kzy-HVopHE-Om918aeNbsiuU9KBgzInv1hm9YDFV6bzCC-LuRmtneqJkP0R/s640/9a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>It still is a continous footway and cycle track passing it, just that now it is a bidirectional cycle track. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvXgnUjtBCDA1IVg7AELAT-6veZgdaXDkueD44246hdZTpwuaZQ3HqOx2ltvc5CagtSiW6IUMAgCVq_diyiPDCcYoiRD-FsDOShckz7Oz1MT6Q0NJeKmru8fD4Vc1h8PSfpIxtJM1GE_D/s1815/9b.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1815" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvXgnUjtBCDA1IVg7AELAT-6veZgdaXDkueD44246hdZTpwuaZQ3HqOx2ltvc5CagtSiW6IUMAgCVq_diyiPDCcYoiRD-FsDOShckz7Oz1MT6Q0NJeKmru8fD4Vc1h8PSfpIxtJM1GE_D/s640/9b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>That border between the cycle track and roadway normally filled with greenery or cycle stands also acts here as space for the driver to stop and wait for any passing cyclists before crossing the cycle track to gain entrance to the service area, as happened shortly after I took this photograph</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY2T4nvyq0W1p7LhsU_UYJZ1BY8JC6YaJZgYkIrUTm0j31HwQ6cO6EWDZa_l9WEtiEeXvi8N06BKsIO0dhDYUjpz3YR8N53h3geRkP1fH7tPq83sGpHu0h9cNAEzlrmSWF5dPDkGfzsd_/s1545/lorry.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1545" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfY2T4nvyq0W1p7LhsU_UYJZ1BY8JC6YaJZgYkIrUTm0j31HwQ6cO6EWDZa_l9WEtiEeXvi8N06BKsIO0dhDYUjpz3YR8N53h3geRkP1fH7tPq83sGpHu0h9cNAEzlrmSWF5dPDkGfzsd_/s640/lorry.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>There are some improvements to the busy cycle routes running east / west across here too. Previously Ten Hagestraat had a poorly marked "cycle area" as it exited the shared pedestrian and cycle zone, which has now been removed </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxZxhS7XTqbWBqVtOw2rYPKQaQuu7l-VPCdAuOXTKdGSSPJI13KEUesD5Dxbh07WApcLNMSiPtBQYSbqKLKtAjX69ckId40-q5R0aJLJR8bbe1ohc3nGOJ4hGshLAGorHO-GJiEFh9-5J/s1400/11a.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirxZxhS7XTqbWBqVtOw2rYPKQaQuu7l-VPCdAuOXTKdGSSPJI13KEUesD5Dxbh07WApcLNMSiPtBQYSbqKLKtAjX69ckId40-q5R0aJLJR8bbe1ohc3nGOJ4hGshLAGorHO-GJiEFh9-5J/s640/11a.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2016<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGMXpq9XaMCpkBIWspQ1hwyBPnag4cIF4lzR0Nt9O_OLAbh5VXRToXulGK80VMYMi1zfZQUkZBnDpucDfyjEz4Q_fU6H9Yhrn816xUZUamh3qQQLoOcJcM6j927pvCDAKFZxIHDeV4mKQ/s1700/11b.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="902" data-original-width="1700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGMXpq9XaMCpkBIWspQ1hwyBPnag4cIF4lzR0Nt9O_OLAbh5VXRToXulGK80VMYMi1zfZQUkZBnDpucDfyjEz4Q_fU6H9Yhrn816xUZUamh3qQQLoOcJcM6j927pvCDAKFZxIHDeV4mKQ/s640/11b.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2020</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Replaced with a bidirectional cycle track on the opposite side of the road <div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC2FssSfkhVzsAJA458HeEhpZ56MgToGvpDy6KO4RTcETj0Ss0Ge50tKvUM7E1Q2CLfrY1U2IT0zyUbas8B7UK1OxBHYMvVi_KjJZzqkfLrTGj31loNluqM6l8XHzcBd7HXzmhHkaTUPe/s1815/kanaalstraat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1815" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmC2FssSfkhVzsAJA458HeEhpZ56MgToGvpDy6KO4RTcETj0Ss0Ge50tKvUM7E1Q2CLfrY1U2IT0zyUbas8B7UK1OxBHYMvVi_KjJZzqkfLrTGj31loNluqM6l8XHzcBd7HXzmhHkaTUPe/s640/kanaalstraat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>This continues along Kanaalstraat, which is a very busy route for people cycling east out of Eindhoven. Previously this road had a narrow painted cycle lane on either side, with not enough room to even cycle two abreast </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLQDEH1UNdurP2c1JXZrS2QpaTqy0QbCQHfd5qE3ZUdDXWyBM3SXm4VLnO5Y43GTrLnCqrpK2BqDwBeaKICLo9t52TyTlIX8KlWUhU1CF7HrK_9c6RoEa2I55udpywXCqJO2P0vzgD-NK/s1400/12a.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLQDEH1UNdurP2c1JXZrS2QpaTqy0QbCQHfd5qE3ZUdDXWyBM3SXm4VLnO5Y43GTrLnCqrpK2BqDwBeaKICLo9t52TyTlIX8KlWUhU1CF7HrK_9c6RoEa2I55udpywXCqJO2P0vzgD-NK/s640/12a.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>The entire roadway has now been shifted to the right, with the cycle lanes and an approach slip road to car parking removed. That has allowed space for the wide bidirectional cycle track on the other side of the road, with greenery alongside </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTMQecERTqzXh7sE7_dybtEgLvpE_jNgmuwJ_92uAiJP042KSyQpOu1MXuCEaVnD4k_m52b4_HAlVREboqVldT5hFRNlkXXjMHBjqaTBWg-aBWls50k1O75NiQp8uTOM2CDGU7TQEu8-Y/s1613/12c.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1613" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTMQecERTqzXh7sE7_dybtEgLvpE_jNgmuwJ_92uAiJP042KSyQpOu1MXuCEaVnD4k_m52b4_HAlVREboqVldT5hFRNlkXXjMHBjqaTBWg-aBWls50k1O75NiQp8uTOM2CDGU7TQEu8-Y/s640/12c.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I didn't manage to get a "before" photo of the other side back in 2016 but the improvement is clear I think! </div><div><br /></div><div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="nl">Cycling along an upgraded cycle track on Kanaalstraat in Eindhoven <a href="https://t.co/GKQAR8AI4I">pic.twitter.com/GKQAR8AI4I</a></p>— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1300500655698849796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></div><div><br /></div><div>This has been a really wonderful upgrade to the city centre but the changes are only halfway complete. The western section of the ring road (northbound for cars) has not yet been altered and remains exactly the same as it was in 2016. It's only when you cycle here that you truly can appreciate what a great upgrade this is. The old layout with three remaining lanes is noisy, with too much motor traffic, often quite close to you. The cycle track is narrow so whilst you can cycle two abreast that does not leave much room for others to overtake</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSmbenzWQp5zJmofra0K67P6zvYJ91q5kdrHv84ZDS4KIQgtq4LeQFxTTKUl7y3bs-5PflVJ9dCJhO9A3Neu13D8XHOnguMGVmEktBXF2GlxbrP7Xb73Lz21R3WM1-tqgBQ4HY-C9Cits/s1197/Screenshot+2020-08-31+19.35.17.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="917" data-original-width="1197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzSmbenzWQp5zJmofra0K67P6zvYJ91q5kdrHv84ZDS4KIQgtq4LeQFxTTKUl7y3bs-5PflVJ9dCJhO9A3Neu13D8XHOnguMGVmEktBXF2GlxbrP7Xb73Lz21R3WM1-tqgBQ4HY-C9Cits/s640/Screenshot+2020-08-31+19.35.17.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>and with a narrow footway there are places where pedestrians are forced to step out into the cycle track </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOE4h1maAZYq3lZv6DgGYk_BRe6NvS0ZpHaOxBaKS8a9eI3HXbI3Kpx8uS-Y19Nt2-hXY1rkbQ7dUdo39UzCi_LWVN0bPxNvBaeJlbMlufgj0aHChNkdRUdg-wRs0J3fRNNnB0g_J8eLA/s1533/99.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1533" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYOE4h1maAZYq3lZv6DgGYk_BRe6NvS0ZpHaOxBaKS8a9eI3HXbI3Kpx8uS-Y19Nt2-hXY1rkbQ7dUdo39UzCi_LWVN0bPxNvBaeJlbMlufgj0aHChNkdRUdg-wRs0J3fRNNnB0g_J8eLA/s640/99.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>I look forward to returning to Eindhoven again one day to see this project omplete. Next week I will write about a different upgrade I encountered to a main road heading out of the city. For now here is a five minute long video of me cycling the entire length of the new layout, from North to South. This was filmed on a Monday evening with schools and universities closed and many people still working from home so was very quiet. It was much busier the night before on Sunday as people made their way home from bars and restaurants in the City Centre:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JOfv-zlwK-0" width="320" youtube-src-id="JOfv-zlwK-0"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Note: I have added a donate button to the top right of this blog, as I have recently been made redundant. Whilst there is of course absolutely no obligation to do so, if you do enjoy my videos on twitter or rare posts on here then any donation would be greatly received and will be used to fund this 2020 trip to the Netherlands </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0London Borough of Hackney, London, UK51.573445 -0.07243759999999999123.263211163821154 -35.2286876 79.883678836178845 35.0838124tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-23855190490228462612020-02-02T12:20:00.000+00:002020-02-02T12:20:15.000+00:00Cycling between cities in the Netherlands part 23: Amersfoort to Amsterdam via HilversumI'd enjoyed my time in Amersfoort, it has a lovely almost car free city centre, filled with narrow streets leading to <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1217895988683247621">large squares</a>. Beyond the city centre it is dominated by 1970s housing which may not always be the prettiest but it does have a huge network of <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1101512694040064000">cycle</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1016358011454058496">tracks</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1144190444311650304">roundabouts</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1148886537813278720">bicycle streets</a>, making it safe and easy for people <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1179068120264302593">of all ages</a> to cycle anywhere. I hope to come back one day.<br />
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I crossed over the road outside my hotel onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/APeuG8K.jpg">a bidirectional cycle track</a> running along the other side of the road, and then crossed a road to turn right onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/GCv4SHO.jpg">another bidirectional cycle track</a>. Almost immediately I came to a large supermarket so stopped to pick up some supplies for the day, and briefly causing mild panic for myself by leaving my bike keys at the checkout. After attempting to thank some fellow customers in Dutch for helping to retrieve my keys I cycled away from the supermarket <a href="https://i.imgur.com/jGg9kkV.jpg">on a cycle track alongside the road</a> and then continued directly on as the road ended, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/MYtCM1m.jpg">cycling up</a> and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/DWCmDr6.jpg">over a bridge</a> that went over a road underneath, and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/an2g4zn.jpg">down the other side again</a>. At the end I turned left at a roundabout onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/jyAxCcW.jpg">a cycle lane on a road</a> and then soon turned off onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AeFloo5.jpg">a cycling bridge over a waterway</a>. At the end of the residential street this lead me onto, I turned left at <a href="https://i.imgur.com/pblqfYh.jpg">a roundabout via a bidirectional cycle track</a> which then lead me <a href="https://i.imgur.com/RGpQXyp.jpg">under the N199 road</a>, and then right onto a cycle track running alongside the road<br />
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I cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/oVkDOQN.jpg">under the A1 motorway </a>and then almost immediately turned left <a href="https://i.imgur.com/dCU7t7F.jpg">into a narrow lane</a> signposted as a through route for bicycles only. This <a href="https://i.imgur.com/yQOnQAf.jpg">went through fields</a>, where the smell of manure was very strong, and then past where a barrier should have been to keep out motor traffic, but had been removed.<br />
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I soon came to the end of this lane and then turned left <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ijWKJkc.jpg">onto a road</a> where I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0l3T9m8.jpg">met the A1 motorway again</a>, although I turned right just before it to run on a very wide cycle track alongside the motorway, over the river Eem.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0g6zRMN8LaFPFn8xoVWkWc2ltIIQlq2KJ5-eFHNx1_TfmJ0PiSkbTo775MI2NywCSpiX2BnROjzziir4E60vl7HDjgGWsuxksyn2-G_5IqFF3q3KqIGvqHzRnktHmTNIerq8MHFA-4lRC/s1600/zy6cypX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1423" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0g6zRMN8LaFPFn8xoVWkWc2ltIIQlq2KJ5-eFHNx1_TfmJ0PiSkbTo775MI2NywCSpiX2BnROjzziir4E60vl7HDjgGWsuxksyn2-G_5IqFF3q3KqIGvqHzRnktHmTNIerq8MHFA-4lRC/s640/zy6cypX.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/IJ3uKfa.jpg">cycled over here</a> I couldn't help but think how well engineered this cycle only bridge was, just as good as the motorway alongside. Of course this is nothing exceptional to the Dutch who do build cycle routes to the same quality as the roads alongside, but I guess I'm used to the UK where cycle routes are often bolted on at the end of a project, perhaps with a couple of shared footway signs, if you're lucky. <a href="https://i.imgur.com/rTLDYsu.jpg">The cycle track bent round</a> and the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/oYkANRl.jpg">swung down</a> to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/iQmETKA.jpg">a crossing of the exit and entry slip roads to and from the motorway.</a> I then cycled along a road which quickly bent to the right away from the motorway as <a href="https://i.imgur.com/rLY76jQ.jpg">painted cycle lanes appeared</a>. After a short while I turned left onto another country lane, signposted as a route for bicycles or tractors only, and cycled along here through fields for the next couple of kilometres<br />
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At the end of this lane there was a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/NqE89K8.jpg">cycle crossing over a main road </a>to a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/X2lmv6g.jpg">service road running alongside</a>, which took me <a href="https://i.imgur.com/eTRkA8Z.jpg">under the motorway again</a> and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/iZjIgDF.jpg">became a cycle track round the corner</a>, which lead to a couple of parallel "horse and bike" crossings<br />
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I was briefly <a href="https://i.imgur.com/CPYneey.jpg">on a service road</a> alongside the main road leading from Baarn to Hilversum, but this then quickly <a href="https://i.imgur.com/JdIalIR.jpg">became a cycle track</a>. I cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/pmky6rT.jpg">along here</a> for the next couple of miles, a pleasant route mostly setback a fair distance from the road, and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Nrec64r.jpg">mainly through woodland</a>. I briefly rested and ate <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Nrec64r.jpg">alongside a lake</a> before I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AMGOIkX.jpg">entered Hilversum</a>. The bidirectional cycle track became unidirectional, and so I was directed onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/NwvOzt9.jpg">a tiled cycle track</a> on the opposite side of the road. This <a href="https://i.imgur.com/XGrbn3W.jpg">continued on through the suburbs</a>, until I turned off onto a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/remXy2r.jpg">block paved residential street </a>which lead directly to a cycle track passing underneath Hilversum station<br />
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Cycling under Hilversum Station <a href="https://t.co/2uhu6siX2q">pic.twitter.com/2uhu6siX2q</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist 🇪🇺 (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1223937130730328069?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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From the station I cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/EFQPsXl.jpg">around the ring road</a> which circled the centre of the city - <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mS6zuAF.jpg">one way for motor traffic but with cycle tracks in both directions</a>. Originally I had planned to spend a little time in the city and explore it on foot but, perhaps unfairly, I decided there was little for me to see in Hilversum and carried on, heading west out of the city via <a href="https://i.imgur.com/fJJhENS.jpg">a cycle track alongside a main road</a>. This <a href="https://i.imgur.com/fW8aoKn.jpg">continued on</a> to the edge of the city where I crossed over and cycled south <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Cvuj9Cd.jpg">alongside another road</a>, turned right to bypass a roundabout and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ThdLKp6.jpg">continued on</a> to cross over the road shortly after <a href="https://i.imgur.com/IAPrv3w.jpg">another roundabout</a>.<br />
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I was now cycling on a bidirectional cycle track alongside the N201 road heading west <a href="https://i.imgur.com/dcwDMDT.jpg">away from Hilversum</a> and just happened to be <a href="https://i.imgur.com/6LXI2kY.jpg">cycling behind three young women</a>, cycling three abreast at a relaxed pace as they all chatted to each other. Occasionally they would have to break that formation, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mihAf4f.jpg">such as when overtaking this man on his mobility scooter</a>, but on the whole <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ph1bDfY.jpg">they cycled three abreast</a> in a relaxed manner in front of me for the next 15 minutes, way out of Hilversum deep into the countryside whilst motor traffic zoomed past at a high speed on the road alongside<br />
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Protected cycle lanes are needed so young women can have a chat whilst they slowly cycle to the beach three abreast, alongside a busy main road <a href="https://t.co/5waCwSMtsm">pic.twitter.com/5waCwSMtsm</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1149582926780067840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;">This isn't a particularly unusual sight for the Netherlands, often when I'm cycling in rural areas miles from a town or city I see groups of people cycling in their normal, everyday clothes and I often wonder where are these people going? My question was answered after a long cycle as the three girls all stopped to lean their bikes up against a tree, alongside many other parked bicycles alongside the cycle track</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HrejClRl3QUUyspCLee2ZmyWSmQBgM_NrkRXC3XkWtLwGUJ-EDi_O-RjcenwTaEJPPYuY0Ve4U_DZ8a1PkPuo_qh31f2i6GRelybBZgNvcrcTptW6JN0iD97NoBXI-cNfg9P9XegqNnr/s1600/651uhTN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HrejClRl3QUUyspCLee2ZmyWSmQBgM_NrkRXC3XkWtLwGUJ-EDi_O-RjcenwTaEJPPYuY0Ve4U_DZ8a1PkPuo_qh31f2i6GRelybBZgNvcrcTptW6JN0iD97NoBXI-cNfg9P9XegqNnr/s640/651uhTN.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;">This was a local <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/9X1hMVUQNUU3jEJbA">beach</a>, if you can all a long section of grass by a lake that, and there were a lot of people swimming in the water, or sunbathing alongside and most had clearly cycled from miles away to get here. I sat on the grass myself for around 30 minutes for some food and rest, and as I did so a group of four teenage boys all stopped on their bikes alongside me. I was expecting to hear them speak Dutch but they all started to speak English to each other in British accents. I then noticed one of them had a "International school Hilversum" jersey on; these were all British children living and going to school in the Netherlands. Almost certainly they would have just cycled the six miles from their school along the same road I had just used, probably cycling four abreast most of the way. Would they have done this if they were still living back in the UK, on a typical British A road mixing with vehicles travelling at 60mph or more? I doubt it. </span><br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;">I continued on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/r0ibsZx.jpg">along the same cycle track</a> alongside the N201, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/DnRdGvO.jpg">bypassing a turbo roundabout altogether</a>, and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mHVX9gD.jpg">crossing the Vecht river</a>. At <a href="https://i.imgur.com/MNPI9Rf.jpg">a set of traffic lights</a> I turned right and briefly <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mm6rey3.jpg">cycled along the road</a> into the village of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vreeland">Vreeland</a> and then very quickly turned left <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mx7D2lG.jpg">into a narrow lane</a> signposted for cycles only, meaning I was only in Vreeland for about ten seconds. I cycled along here for about the next mile through the polders</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-XRukmtEukJw0OE2vWevGS1OFl-x3I6xWEAnKl8ik0EaRhLYD7ylk40z9LLTkGWnPs2kNoKGOrokRAmW6Sp6xYxFIj4PA7FixhtQ-oIGpDUK0NTUXzecmT0QZi7IG1-D0gzRhA4Sb_6K/s1600/mNT61yQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1095" data-original-width="1355" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE-XRukmtEukJw0OE2vWevGS1OFl-x3I6xWEAnKl8ik0EaRhLYD7ylk40z9LLTkGWnPs2kNoKGOrokRAmW6Sp6xYxFIj4PA7FixhtQ-oIGpDUK0NTUXzecmT0QZi7IG1-D0gzRhA4Sb_6K/s640/mNT61yQ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;">with the road <a href="https://i.imgur.com/94TWmGd.jpg">filtered halfway along</a>. I then came to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdam%E2%80%93Rhine_Canal">Amsterdam-Rhine canal</a> and turned right to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/7KpKjgl.jpg">cycle alongside it</a>. </span>I had last cycled alongside the canal <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">back in 2015</a>, cycling from Utrecht to Amsterdam, however back then I was on the other side, using a bicycle priority road. Along this side of the canal I just had a narrow bidirectional cycle track. After cycling along here for a few miles I came to the reason I had purposefully diverted this way - the Nigtevecht cycle bridge<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfmdVFFvQpUSXVQRR5uXmyBV2xhzi_duEJn3gEq3x2ZxI-MqxFteebV-HRnpSVgPBc4GJ55BuIm1JhklKvCSJkKv8RmHiel1qjJ0eEGNd0Ps23N3BA91IdQzlu4W8m11GMTy1O1UujWzu/s1600/sNbyNou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglfmdVFFvQpUSXVQRR5uXmyBV2xhzi_duEJn3gEq3x2ZxI-MqxFteebV-HRnpSVgPBc4GJ55BuIm1JhklKvCSJkKv8RmHiel1qjJ0eEGNd0Ps23N3BA91IdQzlu4W8m11GMTy1O1UujWzu/s640/sNbyNou.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;">This had opened the previous summer and I had followed its construction with interest, and also <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2018/08/21/new-cycle-bridge-at-nigtevecht/">read about it</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/BicycleDutch">Mark Wagenbuur</a>'s blog. It certainly was very impressive up close as it <a href="https://i.imgur.com/qjyvbVS.jpg">towered high above me</a>. I cycled over it to the other side of the canal </span><br />
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Cycling over the Amsterdam Rhine canal via the Nigtevecht bridge at X2 the speed. An outstanding piece of architecture and a great view from the top <a href="https://t.co/d4Pu5aME3P">pic.twitter.com/d4Pu5aME3P</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist 🇪🇺 (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1150439962619383818?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">14 July 2019</a></blockquote>
<span style="vertical-align: baseline;">and then cycled back again, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/MmS6K2A.jpg">behind two kids</a> cycling home from school who seemed amused I was <a href="https://i.imgur.com/pJv42L8.jpg">taking pictures</a> - for them this was just a bridge to get home and nothing out of the ordinary whatsoever </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQVhoy50yqzFkre80Jxtsw09i5ehIcWz8YbfB3fqtv8yIUciLkfKg0TQhphyphenhyphencVRTQ0FAqih4id42vbBgUziQyVbs8NO2tsynnQ8o40jAdzlIiHJZ9LZPuMdcveACroKYp8gZukBNEDTiI/s1600/DOmqIeH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1600" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQVhoy50yqzFkre80Jxtsw09i5ehIcWz8YbfB3fqtv8yIUciLkfKg0TQhphyphenhyphencVRTQ0FAqih4id42vbBgUziQyVbs8NO2tsynnQ8o40jAdzlIiHJZ9LZPuMdcveACroKYp8gZukBNEDTiI/s640/DOmqIeH.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the top of the Nigtevecht Bridge </td></tr>
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Once back over the otter side again I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/8Qn45eT.jpg">continued along the canal</a> for another couple of miles until I reached the village of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driemond">Driemond</a> where the path came to an end and I was directed onto the road through the village. As I did so a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/BWYNeNS.jpg">whole class of schoolchildren</a> passed me in the opposite direction and I was surprised to see they were all wearing helmets and high viz for some silly reason; probably none of them had done so on the cycle into school that day! I then met the N236 road and cycled alongside it <a href="https://i.imgur.com/BN1HLCD.jpg">on a bidirectional cycle track</a> until I reached Gaasperpark a short distance on. I then cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZWHQ2u0.jpg">through the woodland</a> on some narrow twisting paths and then through parkland on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/TBvQ7MF.jpg">some very wide straight paths</a>.<br />
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;">I cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/3j3Kpx1.jpg">under the A9 motorway</a> and then up and over a gigantic tunnel under construction. This is a huge project where the motorway is being buried underground to make the surrounding environment more pleasant for residents living alongside by eliminating the noise of the traffic. The space above the tunnel, as well as the former motorway alongside, will eventually become a public park</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYodXx45AGqPFEeJU5PQxf0wHWp5vhyphenhyphennf4TGEHP38Xf8dWI64pRSm3G4-gokmnvd26cOrdVmzt4Kt82LQroiJvk6zEO6pslJBTIJ1SdcIGu0wWaZUz8_3pVm5B7BCfr_GYYBUCqa8Bjq8/s1600/YbgKJb4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeYodXx45AGqPFEeJU5PQxf0wHWp5vhyphenhyphennf4TGEHP38Xf8dWI64pRSm3G4-gokmnvd26cOrdVmzt4Kt82LQroiJvk6zEO6pslJBTIJ1SdcIGu0wWaZUz8_3pVm5B7BCfr_GYYBUCqa8Bjq8/s640/YbgKJb4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The A9 motorway running along the left and the roof of the new tunnel it will run in alongside </span></td></tr>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;">I cycled back down the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/CCpCQOC.jpg">temporary cycle track</a> above the tunnel and then </span>cycled through <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bijlmermeer">Bijlmer</a> for the next few miles on direct and wide <a href="https://i.imgur.com/DqHK9Qo.jpg">cycle</a> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/6TPJF3F.jpg">tracks</a>, all separated from the road network.<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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Cycling through Bijlmer, in the suburbs of Amsterdam <a href="https://t.co/FzO0H0pHBn">pic.twitter.com/FzO0H0pHBn</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1223940234691465216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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<span style="vertical-align: baseline;">I then cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/20cPwax.jpg">alongside the canal</a> on a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/lxkUm7I.jpg">very wide path</a> which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AOVVFzd.jpg">came to an end</a> at the base of skyscrapers and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/vk7Ee9D.jpg">became a cycle track</a> leading me <a href="https://i.imgur.com/HwgLgvu.jpg">directly through the business district</a> and into the Centre of Amsterdam </span><br />
<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span>
Distance: Approx 55km / 35 miles<br />
Time: approx six-and-a-half hours<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tvft6l9vI4KkkJzTJY1q_GLFu7xWU8Zw&usp=sharing">Map of the route</a><br />
Photos taken: 635<br />
Gallery: <a href="https://imgur.com/a/JnPvwez">80 photos here</a><br />
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An analysis of this trip by <a href="https://twitter.com/jitensha_oni">Jitensha Oni</a>:<br />
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-822732f5-7fff-1a3f-57ac-aa1f3567b569"></span><b>Previous Posts in this series:</b><br />
<b><br /></b><b>2015:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_11.html">Part 1 - Hook of Holland to Rotterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/il3bu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 2 - Rotterdam to Gouda via Delft</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/uJixr">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_13.html">Part 3 - Gouda to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/0bcjF">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 4 - Utrecht to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/huvBy">Photo Gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_19.html">Part 5 - Amsterdam to Hook of Holland via The Hague</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/RJ1MD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2016:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_17.html">Part 6 - Hook of Holland to Breda</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/TFkWX">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 7 - Breda to Eindhoven via Tilburg</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/Yepnl">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_86.html">Part 8: Eindhoven to 's-Hertogenbosch</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/V6UQD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_3.html">Part 9: 's-Hertogenbosch to Nijmegen</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/ixnI0">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_22.html">Part 10: Nijmegen to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/WiGPR">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2017:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 11: Hook of Holland to Gouda a via Delft and Zoetermeer</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/bBq5m">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_10.html">Part 12: Gouda to Utrecht, via a different route </a>/ <a href="https://imgur.com/a/3Rio8">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 13: Utrecht to Nijmegen via Veenendaal, Ede and Arnhem</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/gBEA9">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2018:</b><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 14: Hook of Holland to Leiden</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/9u5bYAv">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_6.html">Part 15: Leiden to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/exV1xXS">Photo gallery of this journey</a> </div>
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<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_26.html">Part 16: Amsterdam to Alkmaar</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/sGeayS3">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
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<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_76.html">Part 17: Alkmaar to Lelystad via the Houtribdijk</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/yalFj4t">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
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<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_28.html">Part 18: Lelystad to Zwolle</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/VieKOc5">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/03/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 19 :Zwolle to Utrecht via Amersfoort</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/kSWNKEu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2019:</b><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2020/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 20: Groningen to Hoogeveen via Assen</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/vmsU2pE">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2020/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_17.html">Part 21: Hoogeveen to Zwolle via Meppel</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/GnIrkMl">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2020/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_29.html">Part 22: Zwolle to Amersfoort via The Veluwe and Harderwijk</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/XATG4Uk">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
<span style="vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-29541497507311632082020-01-29T22:00:00.000+00:002020-01-29T22:00:44.611+00:00Cycling between cities in the Netherlands part 22: Zwolle to Amersfoort via The Veluwe and HarderwijkI had cycled from Zwolle to Amersfoort a year earlier, on my way <a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/03/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">from Zwolle to Utrecht</a>, and the hour that I spent in Amersfoort on that trip was enough to persuade me to return. The <a href="https://en.routeplanner.fietsersbond.nl/">Fietserbond Routeplanner</a> suggested the exact same route I had taken the previous year between the two cities. However, wanting a different route I stuck a "via" pin in a random place in the forests of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veluwe">The Veluwe</a> south of the city, and another in the city of Harderwijk to bring me back north and then set off along a defined route via two random points, as an experiment to see what kind of infrastructure I would come across.<br />
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I started my journey through the centre of Zwolle on the exact same route I had the previous year. However back then it was early on a Sunday morning and so I didn't see another person at all; this time it was mid-morning on a Wednesday, so the city was very busy with people getting about. After following <a href="https://i.imgur.com/YB8DlPQ.jpg">the same bidirectional cycle track</a> I had used last year I turned left to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ewd5SpL.jpg">cross the road</a> to use a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/VlkdCWf.jpg">service road on the other side</a>, which is used as an access road for businesses alongside, although surfaced with red asphalt to emphasis this is a through route for people cycling. I then turned left to cycle under the railway line via a wide underpass<br />
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and then quickly looped back to join <a href="https://i.imgur.com/s3LRsTb.jpg">the fast Zwolle to Hattem cycle route</a> alongside the railway line, which <a href="https://twitter.com/BicycleDutch">Mark Wagenbuur</a> has written about previously <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2014/05/01/high-speed-cycle-route-hattem-zwolle/">here.</a> This route was almost exclusively being used by young students making their way to or from lessons, continuously passing me in small groups from <a href="https://i.imgur.com/zpHD6in.jpg">a few</a> to 8 people.<br />
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As I approached the IJssel river I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/UVEkkFY.jpg">joined a cycling bridge attached to a railway bridge</a>, which was busy and being used by many <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Z9kT7GX.jpg">people</a> of all <a href="https://i.imgur.com/kNweWYr.jpg">ages</a>. There was a great view of the river from the top, as well as a road running underneath on the other side of the river, with a cycle track alongside it.<br />
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I continued <a href="https://i.imgur.com/7E0Rm1T.jpg">alongside the railway line</a> for a short while, the path <a href="https://i.imgur.com/p60ibcf.jpg">then turned left</a> and at the end I turned right <a href="https://i.imgur.com/em3btsD.jpg">onto a road out of Hattem</a>. I then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mFWoFt1.jpg">joined another road</a> and entered the forests of The Veluwe, with trees along both sides of the road. I then turned <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mj1i9xH.jpg">onto a road with cycle tracks along both sides of it</a>, before I turned left <a href="https://i.imgur.com/GPJe26v.jpg">onto a cycle path</a> which led me <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ELExQbs.jpg">through the forest</a> for the next couple of miles<br />
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I crossed over a road to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/PPLGAYg.jpg">use a cycle path</a> running along the other side of the road and then turned left onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/bn08aei.jpg">another cycle path</a> alongside a different road and continued along here for another couple of miles. I then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/EMWt5jb.jpg">turned onto a road</a> where, by now deep in the forest, there were only trees along both sides of me as far as I could see. It was here that the road also became a bit hilly, nothing by UK standards but it did allow me to freewheel for quite some distance<br />
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Passing a picnic area I briefly stopped off for some food and then continued for about half a kilometre before <a href="https://i.imgur.com/F3soXXL.jpg">a cycle path appeared</a> to the left of the road, so I left the road to join it. I was thankful it appeared - for the last few miles I had been cycling on the road with cars. Whilst I'd had perhaps only one or two cars per minute coming up behind me it did leave me anxious every time I heard the sound of a motor engine as to whether it would be a close pass or not. Whilst there were no close passes on the road, here on the cycle track I didn't have to worry and could simply ignore the sound of car engines alongside and just enjoy the ride. And what a delightful ride it was! <a href="https://i.imgur.com/snEKvzS.jpg">Initially cycling alongside the road</a> but the path then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AH2zZi6.jpg">moved away from it</a>, fairly deep into the forest alongside, a really lovely ride cycling through the trees listening to the birds singing<br />
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Cycling through the woods between Hattem and Nunspeet <a href="https://t.co/XXT9a6U3xq">pic.twitter.com/XXT9a6U3xq</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1222631959219884036?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/elHdWsG.jpg">crossed over the N309 main road</a> and continued <a href="https://i.imgur.com/3JX4FPc.jpg">along a smooth cycle path</a> through the forest, which had a rough road for service vehicles alongside it. As I approached the N795 main road <a href="https://i.imgur.com/QxoB9Dm.jpg">I turned right</a> to cycle <a href="https://i.imgur.com/EUgH4tF.jpg">on a cycle path alongside.</a> It was a fairly busy road with a near constant stream of motor vehicles using it but I enjoyed a lovely ride alongside at a relaxed pace<br />
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quite a contrast to what a horrible ride this would be were it on an equivalent busy A road in the UK!<br />
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The US has an abysmal road safety record, but do they have roads with 60-70mph limits and not even a shoulder, let alone a footway or a cycleway? <a href="https://t.co/dfnW8BNuGw">pic.twitter.com/dfnW8BNuGw</a></div>
— Mark Treasure (@AsEasyAsRiding) <a href="https://twitter.com/AsEasyAsRiding/status/1216744466704486402?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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After a short while <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mKJTGVb.jpg">the cycle track ended</a> and I was now cycling <a href="https://i.imgur.com/TxZ09jq.jpg">along a service road alongside the main road</a>, although all motor traffic kept to the main road alongside. The service road soon ended to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/qgawVsO.jpg">become a cycle track again</a> which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/bkiBnO3.jpg">continued on</a> via a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/J928DHE.jpg">level crossing</a> and a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/v5VflPi.jpg">roundabout decorated with large bicycle statues,</a> for some reason. I was now cycling into the town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunspeet">Nunspeet</a>, initially <a href="https://i.imgur.com/7zSnRbt.jpg">on a cycle track</a>, which became <a href="https://i.imgur.com/nnhKgFx.jpg">a service road</a> for residents access alongside, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/L5JX17m.jpg">filtered at the end</a> to then become <a href="https://i.imgur.com/rD0PD4I.jpg">a cycle track again</a>. I turned <a href="https://i.imgur.com/4gA4fRK.jpg">onto a residential street</a>, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/K4sxCMA.jpg">filtered to through motor traffic halfway along</a> and then cycled up a street that was one way for motor traffic but allowed cycling in both directions with cycle lanes on both sides of the road, leaving a very narrow space in the centre of the road.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdx2M0OiHtbdc8eX-j0htuUXnUlPTwikZeCYnx6CXLNMXDkR8dYu4HdsE5ZpO1qdTx9nO_5xVkECZkywPMwyhvqrgEpL84vpydQifG41dYROkG1-HUMzMErEryxe_U9CoTWZIKaAYafdP/s1600/7LaTuyf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1571" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmdx2M0OiHtbdc8eX-j0htuUXnUlPTwikZeCYnx6CXLNMXDkR8dYu4HdsE5ZpO1qdTx9nO_5xVkECZkywPMwyhvqrgEpL84vpydQifG41dYROkG1-HUMzMErEryxe_U9CoTWZIKaAYafdP/s640/7LaTuyf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I came to a roundabout and turned left onto the main road through the town. It <a href="https://i.imgur.com/fy5vNt5.jpg">had cycle tracks along both sides of the road</a> with pedestrian and cyclists having priority at <a href="https://i.imgur.com/aY8NxvA.jpg">each roundabout</a>. As I approached the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ilgPAun.jpg">outskirts of the town</a> two young boys were cycling side-by-side in front of me, chatting away, perfectly safe from the motor traffic on the road alongside<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Protected cycle tracks are needed so children can safely cycle side by side on main roads in rural areas <a href="https://t.co/fdPucAHmsL">pic.twitter.com/fdPucAHmsL</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1151430220152487937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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I continued on for the next six kilometres <a href="https://i.imgur.com/HUuRiw2.jpg">along this road</a> through Hulshort with cycle paths either side of it, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/zfFLwIx.jpg">mostly rural</a> but still a steady stream of businesses and properties alongside, as well as a constant stream of all kinds of people cycling.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5cGN7nLG4s93U0LYy4IEKc0Xd9ILlQR4OeRPNx9Tx5li9uhBXNpj7bjC8H0sugD6Ig58kfL52PnGA2UU5pAoU7emcoRr5GgYFXrV_8tGwAu0HWWMsyVBxHgMsKVIgUP5hwLq_io9jmGg/s1600/iKEWh0i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5cGN7nLG4s93U0LYy4IEKc0Xd9ILlQR4OeRPNx9Tx5li9uhBXNpj7bjC8H0sugD6Ig58kfL52PnGA2UU5pAoU7emcoRr5GgYFXrV_8tGwAu0HWWMsyVBxHgMsKVIgUP5hwLq_io9jmGg/s640/iKEWh0i.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The woman on the other side of the road has stopped to have a chat with the gentleman in the wheelchair ahead of me</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I passed <a href="https://i.imgur.com/k6XquHB.jpg">another roundabout</a> and then the cycle path I was using <a href="https://i.imgur.com/DDvftR6.jpg">became a bidirectional cycle track</a>. This continued, separated from the road by a hedge, with also a wide cycle path on the other side, wide enough for people to cycle three abreast on, also separated from the road by an identical hedge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEN3KtscWX-nNXKGkPX7oyoitzJZSpjVOBvgv4JTNqMK0QStBvjmBKyuRqo3MFPezf6YGOHbuV3UKUfrur0g3GvwJlb8o29z9Z1xswRm3PtmTqRsBJYxBT_oek0nI_HaMhP3-jydbuCR0/s1600/LWTx0nR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1377" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEN3KtscWX-nNXKGkPX7oyoitzJZSpjVOBvgv4JTNqMK0QStBvjmBKyuRqo3MFPezf6YGOHbuV3UKUfrur0g3GvwJlb8o29z9Z1xswRm3PtmTqRsBJYxBT_oek0nI_HaMhP3-jydbuCR0/s640/LWTx0nR.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just before the next roundabout I crossed over the road to cycle <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ihXO3sk.jpg">on a bidirectional cycle track</a> on the opposite side of the road. Whilst the road came to a T junction at the end, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/V42dmBz.jpg">the cycle track continued on</a> along the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/8RKgVaq.jpg">side of a residential block </a>to a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/UfuRdiB.jpg">residential road behind it</a>, which was filtered at the end with <a href="https://i.imgur.com/SuJxa2Y.jpg">another cycle track</a>. This then lead to an underpass beneath the ring road.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQiKTZwADxg3kiz9pNUUBa-52kZK4oYgC8Fs_xTepGyFXUbGKbYLsdkb2OSfCnx9bWtR2W2GGmMJJTDu8PosR1T5JmGL5cMYVM0zbQSuWtW-l0eNAMWi05j8DDeR1uWsNMgmtt9919TYj/s1600/qONS2pq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQiKTZwADxg3kiz9pNUUBa-52kZK4oYgC8Fs_xTepGyFXUbGKbYLsdkb2OSfCnx9bWtR2W2GGmMJJTDu8PosR1T5JmGL5cMYVM0zbQSuWtW-l0eNAMWi05j8DDeR1uWsNMgmtt9919TYj/s640/qONS2pq.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the other side, despite it only being a short access road to an industrial estate, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/a8L0yKp.jpg">there was another bidirectional cycle track</a>. I had cycled on an almost straight line from the fields on the outskirts, right into the centre of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harderwijk">Harderwijk</a>. I suspect this was the main road for many years, but had over time been filtered and downgraded to become the main route in for bicycles, with motor traffic sent on bigger, faster roads on the edge of the city instead. The route planner had advised bypassing Harderwijk altogether, but as usual I wanted to spend the opportunity to explore part of it. I initially considered cycling on the cycle track under <a href="https://twitter.com/KlatuBaradaNiko/status/1161379012028985344">the Veluwemeer Aquaduct</a>, but decided against it. I then looked at the map and considered two options; cycle to 'Markt" which is likely where the medieval historic centre of the city would be, with the usual bars and restaurants to relax in, or head to the main train station. I decided to head to the train station, although at the time I was unaware that the entire area around it had been rebuilt, with the main road leading to the station moved from a level crossing to the east of the station into an underpass underneath it, with the former road now filtered to through traffic. The new cycle infrastructure built here was certainly very impressive but so was the whole landscaping of the area, compare it to many upgraded train stations in the UK, designed for drivers only!<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="de">
Cycling next to and under Harderwijk train station <a href="https://t.co/rUxRvw4mYp">pic.twitter.com/rUxRvw4mYp</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1143906198640635905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2019</a></blockquote>
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From the train station I cycled in a direct line <a href="https://i.imgur.com/zr2yaWx.jpg">through</a> a housing <a href="https://i.imgur.com/6PbfbGe.jpg">development</a> and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/sr1scFz.jpg">under a railway</a> and a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/iTRnMLs.jpg">couple</a> of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/rJXvDfQ.jpg">roads</a> to what was once the shoreline of the Zuiderzee but was now <a href="https://i.imgur.com/C2wsc0m.jpg">the edge</a> of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolderwijd">Wolderwijd Lake</a>, following the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuiderzee_Works">Zuiderzee Works</a> in the 1960s. I turned left to cycle on a path alongside the lake<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMywaDlBcEZlmkCWdFqHPguRDN793rDk0wkKcSWgIh0Z-XoOYVOYz4Kju5XTDCrVMwU8gqqV3tg3EO8lhWFA6j12byxfrl4SzA4atgCSCOhl8hMdLugd3uXRftgsx5GEPfyJ7L-vPY7nZ/s1600/axst6bG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="1565" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwMywaDlBcEZlmkCWdFqHPguRDN793rDk0wkKcSWgIh0Z-XoOYVOYz4Kju5XTDCrVMwU8gqqV3tg3EO8lhWFA6j12byxfrl4SzA4atgCSCOhl8hMdLugd3uXRftgsx5GEPfyJ7L-vPY7nZ/s640/axst6bG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I then decided to take a detour to cycle over a bridge crossing the motorway to the neighbourhood of Drielanden on the other side. Impressed with what I saw, I then filmed myself cycling back to the other side<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
A cycling and walking bridge over a motorway linking a new housing development with the city of Harderwijk, the Netherlands <a href="https://t.co/tI0hrgzleN">pic.twitter.com/tI0hrgzleN</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1151053271508934656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
I looped back round to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/KvbBjfD.jpg">the cycle path alongside the lake</a>, although was by now some distance from it. The path soon <a href="https://i.imgur.com/MQR9Vbh.jpg">ended</a> and I was then cycling on the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/zFdosbn.jpg">access road</a> to a man made <a href="https://i.imgur.com/N6c2Ye7.jpg">beach</a>, where many people were partaking in water sports, so I briefly sat on the sand to rest and watch. I cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ygc4wEM.jpg">away from the beach</a> and back along the access road exiting it via a bypass around the barriers, where car drivers <a href="https://i.imgur.com/V3fI6BK.jpg">had to pay</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpP9iNnhvucr8_jjNj7jN-mTlVYVc0L9SXxKVKOuspLtLHCBUXTTUtX7825Z9a_bOtJYBy4L29K8GJdo9K3GhXmbgHoPKCs-zhCwOf_1lNdX_MxoSS2D1B8DzIpDIWfmpafl347fNM4x4/s1600/8OYI1at.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1255" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcpP9iNnhvucr8_jjNj7jN-mTlVYVc0L9SXxKVKOuspLtLHCBUXTTUtX7825Z9a_bOtJYBy4L29K8GJdo9K3GhXmbgHoPKCs-zhCwOf_1lNdX_MxoSS2D1B8DzIpDIWfmpafl347fNM4x4/s640/8OYI1at.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I passed by a Mcdonalds, which as is typical in the Netherlands, had <a href="https://i.imgur.com/cco3lPQ.jpg">a huge amount of cycle parking</a>. I briefly <a href="https://i.imgur.com/YirfO6X.jpg">joined a cycle track</a>, alongside the access road from the motorway, before rejoining <a href="https://i.imgur.com/morB1cb.jpg">another access road to another beach</a>. Once I passed the car park <a href="https://i.imgur.com/emjyBy3.jpg">a cycle track appeared</a> and I was cycling <a href="https://i.imgur.com/g7ys1cr.jpg">alongside the motorway</a> for a short while before the cycle path bent away from it by quite a distance<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cXeE4C45i7EiMhAQcxqxZOYH3FAlavMnX27i8asoiH-zwXSLyILVlesB-GyzkkLVz0XtZd8CJby_NkrbcW4PJcwoIflP2t2PN6fmtJ-zdMj8NXNeNEuqUNALrIHDOc3aCaBLv03tdXQK/s1600/Od11anE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cXeE4C45i7EiMhAQcxqxZOYH3FAlavMnX27i8asoiH-zwXSLyILVlesB-GyzkkLVz0XtZd8CJby_NkrbcW4PJcwoIflP2t2PN6fmtJ-zdMj8NXNeNEuqUNALrIHDOc3aCaBLv03tdXQK/s640/Od11anE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It then bent back round to the motorway again as I passed <a href="https://i.imgur.com/JMFHn2i.jpg">a large bicycle statue,</a> and then I joined <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Cj603f8.jpg">another access road to another beach</a>, and again I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/awLaF3h.jpg">bypassed the payment booths</a> for the car park. After cycling along the road it eventually <a href="https://i.imgur.com/gmMwANi.jpg">bent away from the motorway</a> again and then became a cycle path, with a sign I'd never seen in the Netherlands before<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
This Dutch sign was a new one for me. The cycle path is narrow so "racers are guests". Fast road bikes are allowed but as considerate guests to slower cyclists <a href="https://t.co/qApcwNPQUQ">pic.twitter.com/qApcwNPQUQ</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1155412833347280898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">28 July 2019</a></blockquote>
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There were some great views from this <a href="https://i.imgur.com/6uIB8oe.jpg">high cycle path</a> but it was very narrow. I passed a couple of other people on touring bikes and we both had to slow down and move to the very edge to the path to be able to pass each other, and our luggage still brushed each other.<br />
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After a coupel of miles I cam to the N301 road and had been here before - this was the point where I had crossed from Flevoland into Gelderland the previous year. Had I carried on staright ahead I would have cycled on the exact same route onto Amersfoort as last year. So, to make it a completely different route altogether I turned left and cycled on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/YFzJ1lq.jpg">a cycle path alongside the N301</a>. I crossed <a href="https://i.imgur.com/yJRagdR.jpg">over the A28 motorway</a> and was now on the outskirts of Nijkerk, on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/C6qCuIR.jpg">a smooth and very new looking cycle path</a>. I soon turned right and ended up on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/60AjFc0.jpg">the main shopping street in the centre,</a> accessible for people walking and cycling only. I then made my way back out of the town again via <a href="https://i.imgur.com/2PF7rUF.jpg">a cycle path</a>, an <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZF1nnYM.jpg">under-reconstruction cycle track</a> and then another very smooth and new looking cycle track<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FKw4HmqGYMPF5quuhp3leMgmh-yIQQ_grf3IFYHVgVxuiHFke1DIePV6Qe6-XFYNbQwpxHYaNyrZy_O5nZNi125Trz_cjOr1N11PhjLJuEhUAFJABgUER6nbBEWCyDFPXe-T2X0CaSxx/s1600/mdsBOs0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FKw4HmqGYMPF5quuhp3leMgmh-yIQQ_grf3IFYHVgVxuiHFke1DIePV6Qe6-XFYNbQwpxHYaNyrZy_O5nZNi125Trz_cjOr1N11PhjLJuEhUAFJABgUER6nbBEWCyDFPXe-T2X0CaSxx/s640/mdsBOs0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had already spotted what looked like the perfect example of a new development, Coelaer, on <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@52.216051,5.458902,15z/data=!5m1!1e3">my map</a> with a network of cycle routes through and around access only residential areas. It was exactly what I expected - a choice of numerous direct cycle routes <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Z1ovH0d.jpg">through parks</a>, directly <a href="https://i.imgur.com/5qzWJFY.jpg">past houses</a> and with <a href="https://i.imgur.com/588gOyl.jpg">priority over the roads</a>. I came to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Me8Hai1.jpg">a roundabout with bidirectional cycle tracks around it</a> at the edge of the development and then turned off here onto a fietstraat<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-_V7tTpkWsugr0G_29NlDt2GYEIcT2SP7SnNWQTNIkJfL7o44pcyUc5SIecdR3xXThxdgW1M5EMpNQxTDl_HTgq7EvzlL1He_af8GT8sCOMNeizN2STq13yLCAnlj6cuE9fkZww98QYx/s1600/jveUSgp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ-_V7tTpkWsugr0G_29NlDt2GYEIcT2SP7SnNWQTNIkJfL7o44pcyUc5SIecdR3xXThxdgW1M5EMpNQxTDl_HTgq7EvzlL1He_af8GT8sCOMNeizN2STq13yLCAnlj6cuE9fkZww98QYx/s640/jveUSgp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was essentially just <a href="https://i.imgur.com/efodHza.jpg">a country road through farmland</a>, but with red asphalt. I didn't come across a single motor vehicle along this road but there were plenty of people cycling, I was surprised how busy it was for somewhere <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0AdAIbr.jpg">so rural</a>. Although I guess this is the most direct route to cycle between Amersfoort and Nijkerk. After a couple of kilometres I came to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/WmNG6Aw.jpg">another new development</a> on the outskirts of Amersfoort; I had again joined the exact route I had taken the previous year and so now it was a familiar cycle round the corner <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AbbsEci.jpg">past Amersfoort Vathorst train station</a> and then a familiar ride into Amersfoort.<br />
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Distance: Approx 78km / 50 miles<br />
Time: six and a half hours<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LgvgoIx1H2kHxGjQ11-1prE-iUNPu0q2&usp=sharing">Map of the route</a><br />
Photos taken: 695<br />
Gallery: <a href="https://imgur.com/a/XATG4Uk">98 photos here</a><br />
<br />
An analysis of this trip by <a href="https://twitter.com/jitensha_oni">Jitensha Oni</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYdYY11-g_yFp25dgZC7sM2BhzuY-2eNDMQDwD0l4upK5zy7LBgKbx0fb4oPJ3haAqbyAnhavlVCSNEssZiV5LsCol3yVqUWO5HwQm8WEmGsn4tyKZHIqRLiHbgMAYbATihEKYBVTnYvF/s1600/P-04EbeE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="1500" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYdYY11-g_yFp25dgZC7sM2BhzuY-2eNDMQDwD0l4upK5zy7LBgKbx0fb4oPJ3haAqbyAnhavlVCSNEssZiV5LsCol3yVqUWO5HwQm8WEmGsn4tyKZHIqRLiHbgMAYbATihEKYBVTnYvF/s640/P-04EbeE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-822732f5-7fff-1a3f-57ac-aa1f3567b569"></span>
<b>Previous Posts in this series:</b><br />
<b><br /></b><b>2015:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_11.html">Part 1 - Hook of Holland to Rotterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/il3bu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 2 - Rotterdam to Gouda via Delft</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/uJixr">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_13.html">Part 3 - Gouda to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/0bcjF">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 4 - Utrecht to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/huvBy">Photo Gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_19.html">Part 5 - Amsterdam to Hook of Holland via The Hague</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/RJ1MD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2016:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_17.html">Part 6 - Hook of Holland to Breda</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/TFkWX">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 7 - Breda to Eindhoven via Tilburg</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/Yepnl">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_86.html">Part 8: Eindhoven to 's-Hertogenbosch</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/V6UQD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_3.html">Part 9: 's-Hertogenbosch to Nijmegen</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/ixnI0">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_22.html">Part 10: Nijmegen to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/WiGPR">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2017:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 11: Hook of Holland to Gouda a via Delft and Zoetermeer</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/bBq5m">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_10.html">Part 12: Gouda to Utrecht, via a different route </a>/ <a href="https://imgur.com/a/3Rio8">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 13: Utrecht to Nijmegen via Veenendaal, Ede and Arnhem</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/gBEA9">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2018:</b><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 14: Hook of Holland to Leiden</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/9u5bYAv">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
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<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_6.html">Part 15: Leiden to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/exV1xXS">Photo gallery of this journey</a> </div>
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<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_26.html">Part 16: Amsterdam to Alkmaar</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/sGeayS3">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
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<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_76.html">Part 17: Alkmaar to Lelystad via the Houtribdijk</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/yalFj4t">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
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<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_28.html">Part 18: Lelystad to Zwolle</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/VieKOc5">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/03/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 19 :Zwolle to Utrecht via Amersfoort</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/kSWNKEu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2019:</b><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2020/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 20: Groningen to Hoogeveen via Assen</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/vmsU2pE">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2020/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_17.html">Part 21: Hoogeveen to Zwolle via Meppel</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/GnIrkMl">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-79878356657017939592020-01-28T21:49:00.000+00:002020-01-28T21:49:52.707+00:00Cycling between cities in the Netherlands part 21: Hoogeveen to Zwolle via MeppelAs I sat eating breakfast on the terrace of my hotel at 7am, wearing shorts and T-shirt, it came as no surprise to check the weather forecast to see it was going to be a hot day, although even I was a little stunned to see it predicting a temperature of 36c. As is my usual routine when stopping over in towns on these trips I spent the morning between breakfast and check out time exploring the town as people made their way to work or school. In the very north of the town I watched a wave of adults <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1222272978064433153">cycling to the train station</a> to lock their bike and get the train to their workplace elsewhere. In the east of the town several large schools were all located in the same area, so children cycled into the town from neighbouring villages in all directions continuously, the empty parking spots in the school grounds quickly filling up with thousands of bicycles. Hoogeveen is not a typical tourist destination, however I often prefer observing the everyday, unremarkable routines of the residents in these kind of places.<br />
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After I checked out of my hotel I made my way out of the town on the main road heading west, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/XUUg9hb.jpg">on a cycle track</a> that is shared with the small number of pedestrians who may need to use this road, with the same treatment on the opposite side of the road. As the main road swung to the left I was forced to cross the road to use <a href="https://i.imgur.com/KAarlnS.jpg">a bidirectional cycle track</a> on the opposite side of the road, then quickly turned right across the road to use <a href="https://i.imgur.com/5FeSLnn.jpg">a road alongside the canal</a>. I crossed over a road which ran over the canal to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/JutrzKn.jpg">continue along the road</a> alongside the canal where <a href="https://i.imgur.com/bqgAtdb.jpg">barriers soon appeared</a> to transform the road into a cycle path, which continued on for the next few kilometres.<br />
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At the next main road I briefly joined the road to cross over the canal and then turned left <a href="https://i.imgur.com/twI5IJY.jpg">onto a road alongside the other side of the canal</a>, which soon bent to the right, allowing me to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/CPdAq3X.jpg">continue on via a cycle path</a>. This cycle path went <a href="https://i.imgur.com/hob65ad.jpg">underneath another road</a> and then the two merged together.<br />
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I cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/cE8IyYZ.jpg">along this road</a> for the next few kilometres until another canal appeared to my right, so I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZLj0zWm.jpg">crossed over a bridge</a> to the other side <a href="https://i.imgur.com/tRIUS4u.jpg">of the water</a> and then along <a href="https://i.imgur.com/LEgUKk8.jpg">the edge of some fields</a>. I was now on the outskirts of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meppel">Meppel</a> and the <a href="https://en.routeplanner.fietsersbond.nl/">route planner</a> had given me a course to bypass the city altogether, but I chose this opportunity to head into the centre of the city in need if some shade and exploration. I headed into the city <a href="https://i.imgur.com/12fS98s.jpg">on a service road alongside N851 road</a>, which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/zKO426F.jpg">turned into a cycle track</a> before the next interchange. I crossed over to the other side of the canal again to use <a href="https://i.imgur.com/jlOsbjt.jpg">a cycle track</a> through the a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/A47CdQ8.jpg">wooded area</a>, an <a href="https://i.imgur.com/dSnuOYF.jpg">industrial estate</a> and then through an underpass below a railway line and road.<br />
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I soon found myself in a bustling square, so I sat outside a bar under a huge umbrella, enjoying a cold beer as I watched people navigate the square on foot and on bike, mixing harmoniously together. After my beer I spent a short while exploring the centre of the city on some charming little streets, with many of these streets <a href="https://i.imgur.com/56H6du8.jpg">filtered to through traffic</a> with the use of a simple barrier or two. As I crossed over a canal just south of the city centre a whole school class passed by on their bikes, not one child decked out in high viz or helmets<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="nl">
School outing in Meppel <a href="https://t.co/8Tl90tEfTL">pic.twitter.com/8Tl90tEfTL</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1143498182351040512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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It made me briefly think of the school outings I sometimes take part in back in Hackney, with my daughter and her classmates all decked out in high viz often to walk a very short distance from the school, as us parents stop at each side road to block cars. I stopped in a park to eat some lunch and then began to make my way out of the city. As I passed a school and playground I couldn't help notice the huge amount of children there were out and about either on bikes or playing. 'Do they not have lessons?' I wondered to myself, and also on twitter - '<a href="https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rijksoverheid.nl%2Fonderwerpen%2Fschooltijden-en-onderwijstijd%2Fvraag-en-antwoord%2Fwanneer-krijgen-scholen-een-tropenrooster">tropenrooster</a>' came the reply; in many schools in the Netherlands classes will finish early if the temperature climbs above a certain point.<br />
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I then cycled down <a href="https://i.imgur.com/I2JZTWW.jpg">the entrance road to the local swimming pool</a>, which was <a href="https://i.imgur.com/10py6NC.jpg">filtered at the end</a> to become <a href="https://i.imgur.com/9gE6aAH.jpg">a nice cycle route through a park</a>. As I came to a main road I crossed over to cycle on a road that <a href="https://i.imgur.com/UuQWvpi.jpg">lead me out of Meppel</a> and over a wide canal on a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/PY4KmaJ.jpg">lifting bridge</a>. Several teenage boys were enjoying tropenrooster and performing somersaults off the top of the bridge into the water below, whilst teenage girls lay sunbathing at the edge of the water, surrounded by parked bicycles. I turned away from the canal to cycle on a series of quiet roads leading through farmland for about the next five miles<br />
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the surface of which kept changing between <a href="https://i.imgur.com/q5NQarW.jpg">asphalt</a> and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Gwy3ZH9.jpg">concrete</a>, but was beautifully smooth all the way. I turned off onto what was just <a href="https://i.imgur.com/US5QSQo.jpg">an access road to a single house</a> but then continued on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AmPdjId.jpg">as a cycle path</a>, alongside the edge of fields.<br />
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I turned right <a href="https://i.imgur.com/xb50zux.jpg">onto a road</a> which then swung to the left as it approached the N331 road to run as <a href="https://i.imgur.com/CgaYEaG.jpg">a service road alongside</a>, which took me directly into the centre of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasselt,_Overijssel">Hasselt</a>. I had been really struggling with the heat for the past few miles and was very thankful to be able to escape into a Jumbo supermarket in the town. It was only really when I came back out of the air conditioned supermarket into what felt like an oven that I realised just how hot it was. After taking shelter from the heat alongside a canal at the back of the supermarket I set off towards the main road again, admiring the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mVIHFYA.jpg">huge amount of cycle parking at a bus stop</a> on the way. I crossed over the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/an4odoN.jpg">Zwarte Water via a bridge</a> and as I cycled down the other side I passed an industrial building which had a digital thermometer display attached to it, showing the temperature was 34c.<br />
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I continued away from the bridge on a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/x2bUY2U.jpg">cycle path running alongside the main road</a> until I met the N331 road again, at which point I was on a cycle track alongside the N331 road, which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/CU2Vx7O.jpg">lead me out of Hasselt</a> and continued on for the next couple of miles.<br />
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There were plenty of other people cycling along this service road but I didn't come across a single motor vehicle - they were all driving at speed on the main road alongside. I turned south away from the N331 on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ERZVUB3.jpg">a cycle path alongside a road</a> and then came to a beautiful access only road alongside the IJssel river.<br />
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This road can only be used by a small number of residential properties as an access road and so once again I saw no motor vehicles at all for the next couple of miles, just people cycling or sunbathing by the river. Zwolle soon <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Bz6MbFw.jpg">appeared in the skyline in the distance</a> as I entered Stadshagen, a residential development just outside of the city which I have written about before. I crossed over the river on a cycle and bus only bridge, which had physical lifting barriers at either end to ensure only buses could use it<br />
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From the other side of the bridge it was a short cycle via <a href="https://i.imgur.com/3EwjSui.jpg">access only roads,</a> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/n4PCY5l.jpg">cycle paths</a> and an <a href="https://i.imgur.com/njG2d3y.jpg">underpass</a> into the centre of Zwolle<br />
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Distance: Approx 50km / 30 miles<br />
Time: Approx five and a half hours<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1664719023"></span>Map of the route<span id="goog_1664719024"></span></a><br />
Photos taken: 548<br />
Gallery: 46 photos <a href="https://imgur.com/a/GnIrkMl">here</a><br />
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An analysis of this trip by <a href="https://twitter.com/jitensha_oni">Jitensha Oni</a>:<br />
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<b>Previous Posts in this series:</b><br />
<b><br /></b><b>2015:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_11.html">Part 1 - Hook of Holland to Rotterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/il3bu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 2 - Rotterdam to Gouda via Delft</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/uJixr">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_13.html">Part 3 - Gouda to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/0bcjF">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 4 - Utrecht to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/huvBy">Photo Gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_19.html">Part 5 - Amsterdam to Hook of Holland via The Hague</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/RJ1MD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2016:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_17.html">Part 6 - Hook of Holland to Breda</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/TFkWX">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 7 - Breda to Eindhoven via Tilburg</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/Yepnl">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_86.html">Part 8: Eindhoven to 's-Hertogenbosch</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/V6UQD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_3.html">Part 9: 's-Hertogenbosch to Nijmegen</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/ixnI0">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_22.html">Part 10: Nijmegen to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/WiGPR">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2017:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 11: Hook of Holland to Gouda via Delft and Zoetermeer</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/bBq5m">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_10.html">Part 12: Gouda to Utrecht, via a different route </a>/ <a href="https://imgur.com/a/3Rio8">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 13: Utrecht to Nijmegen via Veenendaal, Ede and Arnhem</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/gBEA9">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2018:</b><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 14: Hook of Holland to Leiden</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/9u5bYAv">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
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<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_6.html">Part 15: Leiden to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/exV1xXS">Photo gallery of this journey</a> </div>
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<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_26.html">Part 16: Amsterdam to Alkmaar</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/sGeayS3">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_76.html">Part 17: Alkmaar to Lelystad via the Houtribdijk</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/yalFj4t">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_28.html">Part 18: Lelystad to Zwolle</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/VieKOc5">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/03/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 19 :Zwolle to Utrecht via Amersfoort</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/kSWNKEu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2019:</b><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2020/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 20: Groningen to Hoogeveen via Assen</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/vmsU2pE">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-34451482860581742492020-01-27T19:29:00.000+00:002020-01-27T19:29:15.260+00:00Cycling between cities in the Netherlands part 20: Groningen to Hoogeveen via AssenLast summer I returned to the Netherlands <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1142182465395744769">with my bicycle</a> for the fifth year in a row. Following some very wet days on previous visits, my last trip in 2018 had seen no rain and had been particularly hot for most of the time I was there. As the days ticked down to my departure date the weather forecast looked increasingly like it was going to be another very warm holiday. In fact, on the day I was due to leave I heard a report on the radio saying that the Netherlands might see the hottest temperatures ever recorded whilst I was there. Whilst that wasn't the case (that would eventually happen <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2019/07/31/cycling-in-the-hottest-evening-rush-hour-on-record/">nearly two months later</a>) it was still exceptionally hot, probably the hottest weather I've ever experienced whilst cycling long distances. I was conscious that I hadn't yet visited the north of the country on any of my previous visits and decided this was the year to put that right. I had two choices; start cycling from Hoek Van Holland all the way up to the north, and then get the train back, or get the train up first and slowly make my way back again by bike. I opted for the latter and so after cycling to Rotterdam to spend the day exploring the city, as well as Vlaardingen and <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1192814821248524289">Schiedam</a> on the outskirts, I caught the train up to Groningen on Saturday afternoon and spent the weekend exploring the city.<br />
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On Monday morning, after <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1143057370798600192">witnessing the Groningen school run</a>, I checked out of my hotel on the edge of the city and made my way up and over a canal <a href="https://i.imgur.com/l8fMZaY.jpg">on a cycle track</a>. I turned left and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/xwRPy7s.jpg">crossed over another canal using painted cycle lanes</a>, which turned back into cycle tracks before the next junction and allowed me to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AffFSZd.jpg">cross onto a bidirectional cycle track</a> under the railway lines<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUqJkfG6mN2NyMftcyQzheBlyr3yIaxD5qut52KUcCS2aHyEqvyfC0YuyXG0LFp3rUK15TKS51eqNAsOIhI4vkviHGmLaimW8YtuOVAl3E-l85NlxSZm_AvkeNSgvMyR54zTrXi1mgKmo/s1600/4hoeX6E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1515" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHUqJkfG6mN2NyMftcyQzheBlyr3yIaxD5qut52KUcCS2aHyEqvyfC0YuyXG0LFp3rUK15TKS51eqNAsOIhI4vkviHGmLaimW8YtuOVAl3E-l85NlxSZm_AvkeNSgvMyR54zTrXi1mgKmo/s640/4hoeX6E.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These lead me <a href="https://i.imgur.com/U0yEDg8.jpg">past a playground</a> and then onto a couple of residential streets, before turning left onto a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Og1JhmC.jpg">wide bidirectional cycle track</a> constructed out of concrete. This ran alongside a road, although was separated from it by some distance and, using the Google maps historical streetview feature, had been constructed within the past few years to replace painted cycle lanes on the road<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7xDBVwyalqQVpMU2iGMfJ3K3z7GK4n6-idnFC7hEMeBwdWfTbMtsMcXNi1Uz0iolBtkVfwj6aD_zGLYar8B7QpAFwHE_qUy3eKjOue0hcoDDYxne8c74vf42PAXwF_J5A8GwIRcY_Q2r/s1600/Groningen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1241" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7xDBVwyalqQVpMU2iGMfJ3K3z7GK4n6-idnFC7hEMeBwdWfTbMtsMcXNi1Uz0iolBtkVfwj6aD_zGLYar8B7QpAFwHE_qUy3eKjOue0hcoDDYxne8c74vf42PAXwF_J5A8GwIRcY_Q2r/s640/Groningen.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before and after </td></tr>
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There <a href="https://i.imgur.com/sMRBTfs.jpg">was a wide mix of people using this cycle track</a>; children going to college, sport cyclists in lycra and people in mobility scooters. As the main road alongside swung to the right the cycle track <a href="https://i.imgur.com/BvCrmz7.jpg">continued on ahead seamlessly</a>, before bending round to eventually continue alongside a main road as I entered the town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haren,_Groningen">Haren</a>. This section was very busy with <a href="https://i.imgur.com/p9WtBB5.jpg">young people</a> heading to or from lessons, in little groups of two or three abreast.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXoKJmsMX-s7STnhAby9NMsZx37V_a3K4Le-EmCimyfhSgxLnXRwL_p0Oc8xVZe_veAgw4WqQkCvZfFcXFtfDC_7zFmP3X7qysyYexOhJ3Sy-jH08MhXabmxF2Lv0OGOZfjDv8cu63ELv/s1600/YEktoEv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1341" data-original-width="1567" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXoKJmsMX-s7STnhAby9NMsZx37V_a3K4Le-EmCimyfhSgxLnXRwL_p0Oc8xVZe_veAgw4WqQkCvZfFcXFtfDC_7zFmP3X7qysyYexOhJ3Sy-jH08MhXabmxF2Lv0OGOZfjDv8cu63ELv/s640/YEktoEv.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I entered the town the cycle track ended and I was directed onto the road, which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/anA2yGU.jpg">became a bicycle street</a>. I soon turned right, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/iF8div9.jpg">past a supermarket and a church</a> and then turned onto what appeared to be the main high street through the town, with no dedicated infrastructure for people cycling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCWOG4gntE401nGRB9ZDw2LJw8pK0Y30a8yC6NgqaaPD1X7j5xOg-2meckjFj3RtyGJh1ucFkc6i7Ui4o_5GHRZ6oLNVmGeQnMnnycJFQs9a3147Xo3NHcAzAwnu2xbVzRnS9bfoDm35f/s1600/foIgmAq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1600" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCWOG4gntE401nGRB9ZDw2LJw8pK0Y30a8yC6NgqaaPD1X7j5xOg-2meckjFj3RtyGJh1ucFkc6i7Ui4o_5GHRZ6oLNVmGeQnMnnycJFQs9a3147Xo3NHcAzAwnu2xbVzRnS9bfoDm35f/s640/foIgmAq.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/DavidHembrow">David Hembrow</a> has <a href="http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2008/11/shared-space.html">written about the situation here</a> for over a decade. I must admit I encountered no issues here but I was just passing through during late morning on a Monday, I can imagine that the situation may be very different at peak times or when lorries are making deliveries to the shops along this street. I didn't have to use this road for very long at all as I soon turned right onto a series of what appeared by design to be residential streets but <a href="https://i.imgur.com/oW7Zqo5.jpg">were actually very busy streets</a>; despite some traffic calming features on them they seemed far too busy to me. <a href="https://i.imgur.com/wxCgTrJ.jpg">A bidirectional cycle track appeared</a> as I approached the edge of the town, where I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Qru3YmX.jpg">crossed over a couple of junctions</a> and under the motorway in order to use what looked on a map like a pleasant cycling route alongside a canal. I was disappointed to discover that as I approached the canal the path alongside it was closed for resurfacing works. Although slightly annoying that I then had to turn back and cross back over to the other side of the motorway, I should really be thankful that this is the Netherlands and so of course there was a safe and convenient alternative about only 100 metres away, running right alongside the other side of the motorway<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkMNcRWE58iaPwzUcRSb89jwdeKdOZqTqXO5kWCmgQGx-QQD55Q-ajYKDNZRtpsA5WzKlfmLFNvGO1De2IkVUg7BgtGi1xkT2jxS0ZWEEtHzdu-Sv40xkA_ksY1OXKLlNCZ4-YEd1Mb2V/s1600/zBy57KF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1177" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGkMNcRWE58iaPwzUcRSb89jwdeKdOZqTqXO5kWCmgQGx-QQD55Q-ajYKDNZRtpsA5WzKlfmLFNvGO1De2IkVUg7BgtGi1xkT2jxS0ZWEEtHzdu-Sv40xkA_ksY1OXKLlNCZ4-YEd1Mb2V/s640/zBy57KF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Whilst it may not have been as pleasant as riding alongside a canal, it was still a perfectly suitable alternative and only lasted for around three kilometres before I turned right to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/QwvBuPG.jpg">cycle under the motorway</a>, over <a href="https://i.imgur.com/E66PIFL.jpg">the canal</a> and then turned left for a really lovely cycle alongside the canal on a silent filtered access only lane for the next couple of kilometres<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnto2Ejqxf3kjxhDe0O2HPw_JCQhXiU-keEK7aqgAybcT_ddWjrhEXlXvCBWczoiJrG0Pg9lmLUJja8ke0pTMe4SPy2mxjHOpTvJe3XeK-AAde7z-5jy_IlTdY5d8VtdURSncB92qTS0hc/s1600/z7Cm8sU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnto2Ejqxf3kjxhDe0O2HPw_JCQhXiU-keEK7aqgAybcT_ddWjrhEXlXvCBWczoiJrG0Pg9lmLUJja8ke0pTMe4SPy2mxjHOpTvJe3XeK-AAde7z-5jy_IlTdY5d8VtdURSncB92qTS0hc/s640/z7Cm8sU.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the next half-an-hour or so I cycled alongside a main road on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Jl2WGBK.jpg">a path alongside the road</a>, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/k3Ama8d.jpg">through</a> the small town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vries,_Drenthe">Vries</a>, where several families were cycling through together on bikes, and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/RUeO6Xj.jpg">continued on</a> until the path became a birdirectional cycle track as it passed under a motorway and into Assen<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDybjiqO3Gof83KPA2D1QA0qP3rBHyTbOGLN_R9uc1yul6kpt4_ArBZlKp33717nE7g-_ZfH_o_4XFjccCi6vQ62iEppMoezPoJhocKS8PFvvvG6pMKpeswyMozaeRWhpVb1f-ibVLLSj/s1600/77nnUgO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1563" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDybjiqO3Gof83KPA2D1QA0qP3rBHyTbOGLN_R9uc1yul6kpt4_ArBZlKp33717nE7g-_ZfH_o_4XFjccCi6vQ62iEppMoezPoJhocKS8PFvvvG6pMKpeswyMozaeRWhpVb1f-ibVLLSj/s640/77nnUgO.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For around the next hour I explored the city, first heading out to Marsdijk cycling <a href="https://i.imgur.com/n0i4NwA.jpg">past families</a> and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/CCtZXPg.jpg">teenagers cycling togethe</a>r, and then along the main road that lead directly into the centre of the city, behind a young child who was able to cycle several kilometres from the suburbs into the centre, safely accommodated on cycle tracks.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Wonderful to see so many young people safely cycling today, both in towns and in the countryside, cycling for miles either alone or with friends <a href="https://t.co/VLM3di0Vec">pic.twitter.com/VLM3di0Vec</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1143193058298781697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
I just happened to follow this child all the way into and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/6zj2pkL.jpg">through the centre of the city</a>, on almost motor traffic free streets, where people of all ages were cycling. From here I then cycled west out of the city on a road alongside a canal which was filtered to through motor traffic in several places, so I saw no cars using it, only people on bikes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUXLwozktg-5U-Gnp4ZaGhPDt1xpSR1Y8q2_-2t58cD2HBb52ePEX8x2mbjVfSBO1vbWRYN04yzwANrF4l268O5vb4SuPiWOXMRxMnqAU1NUKVlMm6_QfYjRUJyEBW7T_tNR7Ck1QiMZQ/s1600/J7zRo2l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUXLwozktg-5U-Gnp4ZaGhPDt1xpSR1Y8q2_-2t58cD2HBb52ePEX8x2mbjVfSBO1vbWRYN04yzwANrF4l268O5vb4SuPiWOXMRxMnqAU1NUKVlMm6_QfYjRUJyEBW7T_tNR7Ck1QiMZQ/s640/J7zRo2l.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This lead me out to the new development of Kloosterveen; I've written about modern Dutch housing developments before and here was no different. A dense grid of direct cycle routes away from motor traffic linking access only (for cars) residential streets together. Main roads that were not the most direct way to travel within the neighbourhood but still allowed residents to drive, with <a href="https://i.imgur.com/niKqhs8.jpg">protected cycle tracks running alongside</a>. Primary schools with <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0OLQJul.jpg">dozens of bikes parked outside</a>, parents aware that these streets are perfectly safe for very young children to cycle to and from school to home. I then cycled back into the centre of the city for lunch, not along the canal but instead via main roads, safely accommodated on cycle tracks.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4d7KUdLjTPJaQBXy0Bdc6Zc0tnotDWmJIkcSU5eKF-Vl2TaW5RXvP9yTKMlE1rNMRrcjDA9SazjGg-kr6eZ8DrJLesvfmAqNev690BGP6P08ddm6pRpxe6J9GMxW83McsiJuzeUltSIW2/s1600/Hb5jtMd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1583" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4d7KUdLjTPJaQBXy0Bdc6Zc0tnotDWmJIkcSU5eKF-Vl2TaW5RXvP9yTKMlE1rNMRrcjDA9SazjGg-kr6eZ8DrJLesvfmAqNev690BGP6P08ddm6pRpxe6J9GMxW83McsiJuzeUltSIW2/s640/Hb5jtMd.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After lunch I cycled away from Assen on the main road heading south from the railway station, this road had bidirectional cycle tracks on both sides of the road, having recently been upgraded<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bGMQoxH7hUHobuDiCIl5osiyMl4SwL15mPqglNSMo1yLPrtFymQsMP9L7sG5UKgW-IIPQWeVqKPGlfph1eHKjLFZWU0hRGxk_dzM3uJBibGtc0uQTzs8rm00LRHWJcYK-BhGtqPPPfhb/s1600/assen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="1226" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bGMQoxH7hUHobuDiCIl5osiyMl4SwL15mPqglNSMo1yLPrtFymQsMP9L7sG5UKgW-IIPQWeVqKPGlfph1eHKjLFZWU0hRGxk_dzM3uJBibGtc0uQTzs8rm00LRHWJcYK-BhGtqPPPfhb/s640/assen.jpg" width="604" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Google streetview at the top and my photo shows the upgrade of this street. Before a painted cycle lane in one direction, with a narrow cycle track constructed out of tiles in the other, replaced by wide bidirectional cycle tracks on both sides of the road. The road is still one lane in each direction but separated by trees to prevent overtaking </span></td></tr>
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I soon turned off this cycle track onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/GEisETR.jpg">a gravel path through the woods</a>, then left onto a road with <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Z0fSovW.jpg">block paving and cycle lanes</a>. A cycle track <a href="https://i.imgur.com/2RoH4F7.jpg">soon appeared</a> which lead me <a href="https://i.imgur.com/UCbTFrX.jpg">out of Assen and under the motorway</a>. I was then cycling along <a href="https://i.imgur.com/eVoaPro.jpg">a service road directly alongside a busy main road</a>. At every roundabout or main junction <a href="https://i.imgur.com/2rAl8Th.jpg">the service road would become a cycle track</a> and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/SrttLw7.jpg">become a service road again</a> on the other side, ensuring it was only used by people cycling or those driving short distances to properties or farms alongside, with all through traffic kept to the main road. As I approached the village of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hooghalen">Hooghalen</a> the main road bent away to my left and the service road I was on became the main access road into the village, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/zslfnVv.jpg">with cycle lanes appearing</a>. The road then became a block paving surface as I entered the centre of the village<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0yA1axCke1H2C9tJNiHpv4ubIvL8Rwvouis5AHQY1SLd5wNzN4PPttqxYnrX7EYDxVjmg0lo59AAU1MiHrVjGdXKS9x3nhM0YGvH5tG7fVbaVsmG2IgxFTwHRjCn259skzZRNUujQyrp/s1600/ISLKnKp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0yA1axCke1H2C9tJNiHpv4ubIvL8Rwvouis5AHQY1SLd5wNzN4PPttqxYnrX7EYDxVjmg0lo59AAU1MiHrVjGdXKS9x3nhM0YGvH5tG7fVbaVsmG2IgxFTwHRjCn259skzZRNUujQyrp/s640/ISLKnKp.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The service road appeared again <a href="https://i.imgur.com/7IS8h8O.jpg">as I exited the village</a>, and continued on for the next couple of kilometres <a href="https://i.imgur.com/t6RBS7N.jpg">until it became a cycle track</a>, which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/pGgNZ3Y.jpg">continued on</a> until I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/KDHIkqR.jpg">entered</a> the village of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beilen">Beilen</a>. For the first part of my journey through the village I used a service road alongside the main road, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/PIjlgeb.jpg">filtered halfway along</a> to ensure it couldn't be used as a through route. This then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/A2sFYxq.jpg">became a cycle track with tiles</a>, which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/aeu5CE8.jpg">quickly deteriorated</a>, with broken uneven tiles making for a very uncomfortable journey, I hope this is rebuilt with smooth asphalt soon! Thankfully this didn't last too long as I turned left onto a former through road, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/N0jRmqe.jpg">now filtered as a cycle route</a>, and then back <a href="https://i.imgur.com/9HUJZVq.jpg">onto a smooth cycle track along the main roa</a>d leading south away from the village.<br />
<br />
This was a really nice route for the next six kilometres<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbig-oZPVu_g8MxPeRGdzkM0LosgtSEWhhlGXXJX58vzIG1F1ZWljzsfg5Du70w04slZXOiZQDzBA35bGtYpX0myJl2ugEHyL6aCnUJawboZH2CYwgye8g0Ba2sGq7hI20cEHVgUtztmF/s1600/qLsdWbI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmbig-oZPVu_g8MxPeRGdzkM0LosgtSEWhhlGXXJX58vzIG1F1ZWljzsfg5Du70w04slZXOiZQDzBA35bGtYpX0myJl2ugEHyL6aCnUJawboZH2CYwgye8g0Ba2sGq7hI20cEHVgUtztmF/s640/qLsdWbI.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cycling alongside fields </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK3-um8R2vvq5_Z3q4xUBW4HnvhxgQIvbvAXfgJ1JyOgudGh6pupFmSH3N_BGHuhaEx97c5dAwnXIovMuOdL1xj_7aNfMXhICh8wA52A20kxuODqbr-CtGd54nQeHb8z-a6K-ZgbNjwdM/s1600/TWb7sX2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUK3-um8R2vvq5_Z3q4xUBW4HnvhxgQIvbvAXfgJ1JyOgudGh6pupFmSH3N_BGHuhaEx97c5dAwnXIovMuOdL1xj_7aNfMXhICh8wA52A20kxuODqbr-CtGd54nQeHb8z-a6K-ZgbNjwdM/s640/TWb7sX2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Through woods</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr7TRVhLvWyVgPz5IAWesHUjiGnJ_G76eqC9O4oJC1B9OzMLWiXSQEDeomt7KAtvfCQVjkYXLVBOfBqNCYFlO_KeGmw-_OiqxPyXIrM2H1N2M7QM_KmQP-E2_9q8T7o8ne_FmaFsPyQpN/s1600/PyQw7Rt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr7TRVhLvWyVgPz5IAWesHUjiGnJ_G76eqC9O4oJC1B9OzMLWiXSQEDeomt7KAtvfCQVjkYXLVBOfBqNCYFlO_KeGmw-_OiqxPyXIrM2H1N2M7QM_KmQP-E2_9q8T7o8ne_FmaFsPyQpN/s640/PyQw7Rt.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under a bridge which allows wildlife to cross the road and motorway alongside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I then turned right onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/6yPdaXA.jpg">another cycle path beside a road</a>, then under a motorway and then turned off <a href="https://i.imgur.com/FbHz3Ns.jpg">onto a cycle track</a> that lead to a service station, which looked like the tellytubbies house<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkfl22_EGl7BdBDkIvip2diLOSI1eFQCODwQ_rPJ3Bld768CJohZBEaAbuiWBI7VuiLaZ3UvcM1yEa9ISiu5RHzWvVsUR_AQs0_Gb8g_NjcL4V_LWebZFZLPq_T1uXCZc8Cr2QrcTYa7o/s1600/MxJc0Rm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1189" data-original-width="1600" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkfl22_EGl7BdBDkIvip2diLOSI1eFQCODwQ_rPJ3Bld768CJohZBEaAbuiWBI7VuiLaZ3UvcM1yEa9ISiu5RHzWvVsUR_AQs0_Gb8g_NjcL4V_LWebZFZLPq_T1uXCZc8Cr2QrcTYa7o/s640/MxJc0Rm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I stopped at the service station to pick up some refreshments. Whilst I had obviously been aware that it was a very hot day with the wind in my face I hadn't realised just how hot it was; 31c according to the app on my phone. As I took shade in a small shed at the back of the service station sweat poured down my breeze-less face for the next ten minutes, reminding me of <a href="https://youtu.be/Zhw0eBCVXR4?t=14">this Airplane scene</a>. I must admit I hadn't noticed the free bike washing facility feature in <a href="https://youtu.be/Drs6qvbiikk">this promotional video</a> of this service station but if I had then I probably would have used it to give myself a cold shower. Whilst the service station provided a much needed rest the cycle route I was using just happened to pass directly around the outside of the circular car park and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/9KR3vwr.jpg">continued on through the grass</a> and woods behind the service station to a cycle path which ran parallel to, but some distance from, the motorway<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjL9TVJIpp4hRvv6UdeY0Oa3GhWyuHzUXyTDoFSkai0zUi3vHdvCJk92BQ_r8EKCwzTfExCr9yqIrpf-EtR2i0ZQijQIsH2hW1EqHc5ogLqFyw2INetv60EsotuztHSfMlm7v57Zzabww/s1600/B8nq9bg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1600" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGjL9TVJIpp4hRvv6UdeY0Oa3GhWyuHzUXyTDoFSkai0zUi3vHdvCJk92BQ_r8EKCwzTfExCr9yqIrpf-EtR2i0ZQijQIsH2hW1EqHc5ogLqFyw2INetv60EsotuztHSfMlm7v57Zzabww/s640/B8nq9bg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the next few kilometres the path would <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZrjpCSV.jpg">have a bollard on it</a> to then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/PrWVfjO.jpg">become an access road</a> for local properties, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ril3vAf.jpg">then another bollard</a> to become a cycle path and this would repeat itself several times over until I came to a block paved road, which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/EnhL4yg.jpg">lead me into Hoogeveen</a><br />
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Distance: Approx 72km / 45 miles<br />
Time: Approx 7 hours (with a couple of those spent in Assen)<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ljnB35ZnM2sZUvrhuVmdD0tf_eu1_i4_&usp=sharing">Map of the route</a><br />
Photos taken: 510<br />
Gallery: <a href="https://imgur.com/a/vmsU2pE">62 photos here</a><br />
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An analysis of this trip by <a href="https://twitter.com/jitensha_oni">Jitensha Oni</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6u4Uq_2k2PihEj8BrdbDOcGzoU2Nr_k9CnHCuzlh9u0ESURbzJMOEfhv1uiR1gBeJWmL3nNtMmm7vVX2mKd6c1OV49-niU-dm7UqhUDD8ebR_KRheX-2_Ls75J78FRkICVSiYdcAYJz0/s1600/tyux78O0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1193" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic6u4Uq_2k2PihEj8BrdbDOcGzoU2Nr_k9CnHCuzlh9u0ESURbzJMOEfhv1uiR1gBeJWmL3nNtMmm7vVX2mKd6c1OV49-niU-dm7UqhUDD8ebR_KRheX-2_Ls75J78FRkICVSiYdcAYJz0/s640/tyux78O0.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Previous Posts in this series:</b><br />
<b><br /></b><b>2015:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_11.html">Part 1 - Hook of Holland to Rotterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/il3bu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 2 - Rotterdam to Gouda via Delft</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/uJixr">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_13.html">Part 3 - Gouda to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/0bcjF">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 4 - Utrecht to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/huvBy">Photo Gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_19.html">Part 5 - Amsterdam to Hook of Holland via The Hague</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/RJ1MD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2016:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_17.html">Part 6 - Hook of Holland to Breda</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/TFkWX">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 7 - Breda to Eindhoven via Tilburg</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/Yepnl">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_86.html">Part 8: Eindhoven to 's-Hertogenbosch</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/V6UQD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_3.html">Part 9: 's-Hertogenbosch to Nijmegen</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/ixnI0">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_22.html">Part 10: Nijmegen to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/WiGPR">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2017:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 11: Hook of Holland to Gouda via Delft and Zoetermeer</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/bBq5m">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_10.html">Part 12: Gouda to Utrecht, via a different route </a>/ <a href="https://imgur.com/a/3Rio8">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 13: Utrecht to Nijmegen via Veenendaal, Ede and Arnhem</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/gBEA9">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2018:</b><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 14: Hook of Holland to Leiden</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/9u5bYAv">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_6.html">Part 15: Leiden to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/exV1xXS">Photo gallery of this journey</a> </div>
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_26.html">Part 16: Amsterdam to Alkmaar</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/sGeayS3">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_76.html">Part 17: Alkmaar to Lelystad via the Houtribdijk</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/yalFj4t">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_28.html">Part 18: Lelystad to Zwolle</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/VieKOc5">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/03/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 19: Zwolle to Utrecht via Amersfoort</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/kSWNKEu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-35771048248944546232019-10-26T11:02:00.000+01:002019-10-26T11:02:11.894+01:00Six years of the Goldsmith's Row cycle counter <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">August 2019 marked six years since a cycle counter was added onto the newly reconstructed Goldsmith's Row and so it is time for <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2015/10/goldsmiths-row-cycle-counter.html">my</a> </span><a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2017/10/four-years-of-goldsmiths-row-cycle.html">annual</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/10/five-years-of-goldsmiths-row-cycle.html">update</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> on the numbers of people cycling along this bicycle only road</span><br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
48 bicycles on Goldsmiths Row so far this year <a href="https://t.co/mql2kVX1K8">pic.twitter.com/mql2kVX1K8</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1080090937198604289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">1 January 2019</a></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">As I reported last year the number of people cycling along Goldsmith's Row in the 2017-2018 year was a record low, along with some record low days, weeks and months, so I was keen to see if there had been any increase or if cycling along this road has seen a long term decline. 2018-2019 started well in September, with over 108k people cycling along here; that was an increase of over 8% on September 2017 but still lower than the other four Septembers on record - 16,000 more people cycled along here in September 2014 than they did in September 2018. October saw 113k cycle trips, a big increase again on last year and the highest October of all time. November saw a slight decrease on last year but December was up over 14%, although still the second lowest December recorded.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">2019 started well with over 88k cycle trips making it the highest January of all time and February saw a huge increase of over 20% on last year. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_Great_Britain_and_Ireland_cold_wave">"Beast from the East"</a> broke the cycle counter for two months in 2018 so we can't do year-on-year comparisons for March or April. May saw a slight increase on last year but June 2019 was down over 8% on June 2018 and the second lowest June of all time. July 2019 saw <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_2019_European_heat_wave">record breaking temperatures</a> which tends to bring more people out on their bikes; over 128k people cycled along Goldsmith's Row in this month, the second highest month of all time. 108k cycle trips in August was also a slight increase on last year </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">The July heatwave meant that two days from this year made their way into the Top Ten; July 23rd is at No. 7 and July 24th is at No. 9 with temperatures of over 30c on both days. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">Ten highest daily totals:</b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">03/06/14 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>6624</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">09/07/15 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>6380</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">20/08/13 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5825</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">19/07/16 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5817</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">21/08/13 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5785</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">17/09/13 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5778</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">23/07/19 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5776</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">13/09/16 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5706</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">24/07/19 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5668</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">06/08/15 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>5643</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">And Christmas Day last year makes it into No. 9 on the top ten lowest days. The 13 lowest days all fall on either Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Years Day. </span><br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">Ten lowest daily totals:</b><br />
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">26/12/17 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>251</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">01/01/14 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>256</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">26/12/14 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>292</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">25/12/15 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>300</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">01/01/17 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>318</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">26/12/13 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>321</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">26/12/16 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>349</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">26/12/15 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>359</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">25/12/18 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>368</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">25/12/16 <span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>369</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Total for the year is a few thousand short of 1.2 million. Technically a big increase on last year but the counter did not work for two months last year so a year-on-year comparison isn't really possible </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkX7eXyWLBv3gNUDEXEdxHNPthTLkuY64U41nkxMUq9EJn3NmhcMRPLRlqyRJ7F7TTxyVpT1ESHBHQvOJxMAgqzsVlrw8IZRoQ0wxXEGHHanKTnvi8o6dAhu-lTymCQD65fKcmcauhelWj/s1600/totals.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="185" data-original-width="597" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkX7eXyWLBv3gNUDEXEdxHNPthTLkuY64U41nkxMUq9EJn3NmhcMRPLRlqyRJ7F7TTxyVpT1ESHBHQvOJxMAgqzsVlrw8IZRoQ0wxXEGHHanKTnvi8o6dAhu-lTymCQD65fKcmcauhelWj/s400/totals.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">The total number of bicycle trips along Goldsmith's Row for the six year period between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2019 is 7,059,327 (although two different periods of outages will mean the total will actually be slightly higher than that).</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">In Summary; more people cycled along Goldsmith's Row this year than they did last year but fewer people are cycling along here in 2017, 2018 and 2019 than they were in 2013, 2014 and 2015. I do wonder if people have switched to other routes since the construction of protected cycle infrastructure under Boris Johnson. I used to cycle along Hackney Road everyday from 2013-2016 but have now switched to CS2 instead, which has seen a 54% increase in cycling according to TfL. It's also interesting to note that even though Goldsmith's Row has been upgraded to a "quietway" and linked with Shoreditch via the Columbia Road quietway this has seen no increase in people using it by bike, quite the opposite. Surely the time has come to finally construct protected cycle tracks on Hackney Road. </span></span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-36501512735818698012019-10-17T20:55:00.000+01:002019-10-17T21:07:39.122+01:00The stonewashing of Worship Street Worship Street, despite being less than half-a-kilometre long, runs through the boroughs of Islington, Hackney and the City of London. It has been in existence for centuries and is clearly visible in the same location on a <a href="https://www.layersoflondon.org/map/layers/tudor-map-1520">500 year old Tudor map of London</a>, although surrounded by fields, rather than offices as it is today. As Worship street crosses over from Islington into Hackney it dissects Cycle Superhighway 1 in two with people cycling on CS1 having to give way to motor traffic on Worship Street in order to cycle into the City<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZucdtSrlMzSblwp6wIXk09ywWspDjwJ3HuwmCV6vu5s6tXI7gBHYSWPQdl4xrPWqcn1gGVvE-4IB-IzJa0w2RVencDRAkAewVqV_XGzWjrz8c8pAccsMmCqufub-lnLqQ9FgnYy6ADrrP/s1600/2016-04-29+09.22.23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="678" data-original-width="862" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZucdtSrlMzSblwp6wIXk09ywWspDjwJ3HuwmCV6vu5s6tXI7gBHYSWPQdl4xrPWqcn1gGVvE-4IB-IzJa0w2RVencDRAkAewVqV_XGzWjrz8c8pAccsMmCqufub-lnLqQ9FgnYy6ADrrP/s640/2016-04-29+09.22.23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Worship Street, where it crosses Paul Street & Wilson Street (Cycle Superhighway 1)</span></td></tr>
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As is clear from the photo above it can be a busy street at times making it difficult for people cycling on CS1 to cross, as many motor vehicles use it as a main route between the Ring Road at Great Eastern Street and City Road, rather than continue on the ring road via the Old Street Roundabout<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKnD1h7_yMDLQyp_Lcbo_ISIl3btlBYRbwqYbmjY-e_Qq3LzLI6e1HZCOAjohLNDT9w8YdwTP9KoivvFhAFiT0cVxRwUgxVcehurV-Nc_R1v45fvVbKMm6bXmxCGcuKb6SZm42qsTlA4o/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1331" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKnD1h7_yMDLQyp_Lcbo_ISIl3btlBYRbwqYbmjY-e_Qq3LzLI6e1HZCOAjohLNDT9w8YdwTP9KoivvFhAFiT0cVxRwUgxVcehurV-Nc_R1v45fvVbKMm6bXmxCGcuKb6SZm42qsTlA4o/s640/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Worship Street, highlighted in green</span></td></tr>
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You'll note that all traffic using this route has to technically "turn" either right or left and use Curtain road. Whilst Worship Street runs east to west between City Road and Shoreditch High Street (as it has done for over 500 years), motor vehicles have been prohibited from using this direct route for over 25 years. This is due to the <a href="https://twitter.com/CityPolice/status/1120980649769353216">IRA Bishopsgate Bombing</a> which <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Bishopsgate_bombing#Aftermath">resulted</a> in a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_and_Environmental_Zone">huge security cordon</a> being placed around the City; initially policemen with traffic cones around the financial district and then a more permanent solution, with nearly 50 streets at the edge of the city sealed off with bollards, leaving them inaccessible for motor traffic but still open for people walking or cycling.<br />
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This is how Worship Street looked at the vehicle closure point at the beginning of this year, with a photo I took on New Years Day:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqScYtJkHiYtCpi0gl7svLg3EJJ102vpVYaAo3aUVnwwhUfGdrgpd1w3Kh9v14KexCg2sOGOQEv14D8zhLi211Ky32A4byrKN0R3916QGG7k1K8b4VFQqTzEpjrWcaxStjRsD0Bz6Y5CK/s1600/WS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqScYtJkHiYtCpi0gl7svLg3EJJ102vpVYaAo3aUVnwwhUfGdrgpd1w3Kh9v14KexCg2sOGOQEv14D8zhLi211Ky32A4byrKN0R3916QGG7k1K8b4VFQqTzEpjrWcaxStjRsD0Bz6Y5CK/s640/WS1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Photo taken from Appold Street in the City of London, looking at Worship Street and Curtain Road, in Hackney </span></td></tr>
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As you can see there is a narrow through route for bicycles and this is a route I use on a fairly regular basis, if I am cycling on CS1 from dropping my daughter off at school and going to my workplace on the other side of Liverpool Street. Although very quiet in the New Years Day picture above that is not the case at peak time in the morning and you often have to stop and give way to other bicycles, as well as mopeds, coming from the other direction. Worship Street is also generally an unpleasant route to cycle on at peak times as it is very busy with vans, lorries and taxis using it and the road surface is in a terrible state, filled with potholes and sinking manhole covers. Despite using this route dozens of times to cycle from CS1 into the city I didn't notice until I was here on foot on New Years Day that there is also another cycle route on the opposite side of the bollards<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMghalzaDx-WCzQmP7t1sXQC7YHREczb06pK_yoMYKzcTlH5hQhvLfhLk-BWuA_c9ecQjbBmACJ2vZsea-BpwjWuz7AGKtjQ8x4DZFGm9SJDhnFlt0g10pKmSNjeoazufJnWkvgrl9QlMK/s1600/WS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMghalzaDx-WCzQmP7t1sXQC7YHREczb06pK_yoMYKzcTlH5hQhvLfhLk-BWuA_c9ecQjbBmACJ2vZsea-BpwjWuz7AGKtjQ8x4DZFGm9SJDhnFlt0g10pKmSNjeoazufJnWkvgrl9QlMK/s640/WS2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This cut through is only really worthwhile if you're coming down from Curtain Road and turning left into Worship Street to head towards Bishopsgate, hence why most people use the other route in both directions instead. You may also notice how the cycleway in the picture above is even narrower, barely wide enough to fit a bike tire in it. This is due to the construction of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principal_Place">Principal Place</a>, a newly opened 15 storey office block alongside, built between 2015 and 2018 on long empty land between Curtain Road and Shoreditch High Street, where the disused viaducts into Broad Street station stood until 2014. It also has an <a href="https://www.principaltower.com/">enormous 50 storey residential tower</a> alongside it, next to Shoreditch High Street (<a href="https://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?keywords=&sortType=2&viewType=LIST&channel=BUY&index=0&radius=0.0&locationIdentifier=USERDEFINEDAREA%5E%7B%22polylines%22%3A%22axmyH%60jNsBvOaEeBtB%7DO%7EDjB%22%7D">where over a dozen flats are on the market in excess of £5 million</a>). As part of the planning permission the developers had to contribute various sums to invest in local infrastructure; £10m to Crossrail, £4m for off site affordable housing and various amounts to Hackney Council; from £198k for libraries, £240k for local education and £850k for Highways improvements.<br />
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At the beginning of the year Hackney Council decided to invest some of that Highways money to refurbish the area outside, removing the bollards and island in February:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-IpHpBNISMp8KVO1RjZsK2zMwnNiDr2JzulU5ExKAm-eNVqmr6fHh5SoB1FLCAGsOEoBF5lBW6ENpBC3agFzpa4NmRgBNW5OqGv4xhjwYflXgaKrJa_djQGyYuwXGQC3XMBpRGdnCAwM/s1600/WS3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1162" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-IpHpBNISMp8KVO1RjZsK2zMwnNiDr2JzulU5ExKAm-eNVqmr6fHh5SoB1FLCAGsOEoBF5lBW6ENpBC3agFzpa4NmRgBNW5OqGv4xhjwYflXgaKrJa_djQGyYuwXGQC3XMBpRGdnCAwM/s640/WS3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It was a little disappointing to see cyclists dismount signs, considering these were signed as Hackney Council works and there was still a clear route available for people on bikes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZ4GD5FoHsBJ7GzBMO1aiFFNrdQnkkytkc4qHSn1oh62OmQp3qy5y6-Q99asYLYwYkS7_jlZInHf8_NfR2pPzephZzgir84K-r6Lj_Rp2Y6d8rsbHZA-vQY5kT1py91viOKbMhJzS4M7T/s1600/WS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1081" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOZ4GD5FoHsBJ7GzBMO1aiFFNrdQnkkytkc4qHSn1oh62OmQp3qy5y6-Q99asYLYwYkS7_jlZInHf8_NfR2pPzephZzgir84K-r6Lj_Rp2Y6d8rsbHZA-vQY5kT1py91viOKbMhJzS4M7T/s640/WS4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Towards the end of February Worship Street and Curtain Road were closed to motor vehicles altogether either side of the works. A route was kept open through the middle of the works for people walking or cycling<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UwQ36zw-4ZRtJtT95BsWW8wkHaG5YQuxWtA5jBDQVUPRNjWzyv_NW_edK_9w20dUrAzGN_vgxZfjakOhhBRjACQf9U6HlFI1-0Z9htU_2OFBIUnU_tZH9u3G29VtWg4NsOXATHklbZ1q/s1600/WS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UwQ36zw-4ZRtJtT95BsWW8wkHaG5YQuxWtA5jBDQVUPRNjWzyv_NW_edK_9w20dUrAzGN_vgxZfjakOhhBRjACQf9U6HlFI1-0Z9htU_2OFBIUnU_tZH9u3G29VtWg4NsOXATHklbZ1q/s640/WS5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A few days later the "cyclists dismount" sign reappeared even thought the route was signed as "cycle access only" just beyond it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoabIFzg1bI37Va8BTcB4-OLPsvSemZvX0kRS7xdS-Kh0rTJxQ06ZWRmWYYMQUXeI5DT9vyCfvhifD-Tg3lvHYyXfFuOL5SzASmReR_Xd5atW9uQ_y11ViNoEUnRAN_BpCSJULa8fbh10/s1600/WS6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="1530" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoabIFzg1bI37Va8BTcB4-OLPsvSemZvX0kRS7xdS-Kh0rTJxQ06ZWRmWYYMQUXeI5DT9vyCfvhifD-Tg3lvHYyXfFuOL5SzASmReR_Xd5atW9uQ_y11ViNoEUnRAN_BpCSJULa8fbh10/s640/WS6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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People continued to cycle through the works and it worked well as a temporary shared route for people walking and cycling, although mopeds were also still using it, which didn't work so well, leading to local police taking action<br />
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Hoxton east and Shoreditch team were at the junction of Worship Street and Curtain Road enforcing a road closure except for cycles. However moped drivers were ignoring this, and still going through the junction once police arrived this stopped <a href="https://t.co/xndtN1MfH7">pic.twitter.com/xndtN1MfH7</a></div>
— Shoreditch Police (@MPSShoreditch) <a href="https://twitter.com/MPSShoreditch/status/1102567178774216704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
The following day the "cycle access only" sign was removed and replaced with another cyclists dismount sign. Again, a little disappointing from Hackney Council<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ3QZGHtCJq8pnvFLDbK5mmqBEIaKC-BAo_gnpzOiIBV7EIFxKhKqmUlPKEdqlTBhvT5Y8WRxf4JJHPnkhxRX0ficGIYqUNssT88PHd9R2g8hG1wLBroLNnyWqbuFkRx5PKOOmUnwBMfK/s1600/WS7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1251" data-original-width="1575" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQ3QZGHtCJq8pnvFLDbK5mmqBEIaKC-BAo_gnpzOiIBV7EIFxKhKqmUlPKEdqlTBhvT5Y8WRxf4JJHPnkhxRX0ficGIYqUNssT88PHd9R2g8hG1wLBroLNnyWqbuFkRx5PKOOmUnwBMfK/s640/WS7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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By late April Worship Street and Curtain Road had been closed for two months and I'd got used to the quietness. Local businesses seemed unaffected; deliveries were being made by motor traffic either side of the closure whilst the street was filled with the sound of people chatting as they walked; a huge improvement on the motor dominated street it was at the beginning of the year.. There was also an added benefit for people cycling nearby on CS1 - with no through traffic on Worship Street crossing the road became much easier<br />
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Three months on from the closure and a sign appeared on Appold Street to say it would be "closed from 20th May for six weeks"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS71m6rRkBLixDeHFrloo3ap7QOKzQWYWqKaZ4AFVM7G30giK9X_2pKaLZSrb7fF9ynA1P2s2NSEuXZx-pMHj7zDI8Nca0AsM49lnL5tGYWXpM-9fU9u9x6A4ILPj6udcSHLRRvBKaE4KF/s1600/AS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1405" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS71m6rRkBLixDeHFrloo3ap7QOKzQWYWqKaZ4AFVM7G30giK9X_2pKaLZSrb7fF9ynA1P2s2NSEuXZx-pMHj7zDI8Nca0AsM49lnL5tGYWXpM-9fU9u9x6A4ILPj6udcSHLRRvBKaE4KF/s640/AS1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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By early June most of the street works seemed to have been completed, but both roads remained closed with cyclists dismount signs on all approaches<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkHlcZ1f4mBrQgdW5pssQk6jXcODfV_cUvMabWtJjQ9Um47_GnHBXO0srRBgb-e7N4JfF2Sb0v9ZM9DGMp-_a_f3H7x_oTVU4gExu6goXsgJit72DLgpgVgNULssDHSl2HAH8C0wVGqtn/s1600/WS8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkHlcZ1f4mBrQgdW5pssQk6jXcODfV_cUvMabWtJjQ9Um47_GnHBXO0srRBgb-e7N4JfF2Sb0v9ZM9DGMp-_a_f3H7x_oTVU4gExu6goXsgJit72DLgpgVgNULssDHSl2HAH8C0wVGqtn/s640/WS8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the middle of July Worship street reopened to motor traffic, having been closed as a through route for six months by that point<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bBcFseI66_LkC7BDy9qfSio_XICv54Q2mTOGt1dkIZFWXkwUM3JhcjxBvpq7WWWM2ahYz7sw-OWUnpAKhG1Ak1DlsCD6gJMLwn1FoDo8DnHFa2quPYNZh5KCR-0DuMGCszubnB-wPe87/s1600/WS13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="887" data-original-width="1233" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bBcFseI66_LkC7BDy9qfSio_XICv54Q2mTOGt1dkIZFWXkwUM3JhcjxBvpq7WWWM2ahYz7sw-OWUnpAKhG1Ak1DlsCD6gJMLwn1FoDo8DnHFa2quPYNZh5KCR-0DuMGCszubnB-wPe87/s640/WS13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A street used only by people on foot or bike for six months, Worship Street returns to a street filled with motor traffic using it as a was to avoid the Inner Ring Road</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Appold Street remained closed, with cyclists dismount signs still there, for what appeared to be just a toilet parking spot. There was easily the space to allow a cycle route past here<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWbRsm4V6UJpVoYp4Id-iqtJNb1nmhaWTR1HoIN7lDxlx8cbDY2lFlLpnEwJ9lOovyrOyogSCVSyP5HxLus2uIqiY3U-WBv71xorGmd8uQitzcCPjemb-E7V9HHWPHPAwKkiHZRobR7Ix/s1600/WS9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1101" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWbRsm4V6UJpVoYp4Id-iqtJNb1nmhaWTR1HoIN7lDxlx8cbDY2lFlLpnEwJ9lOovyrOyogSCVSyP5HxLus2uIqiY3U-WBv71xorGmd8uQitzcCPjemb-E7V9HHWPHPAwKkiHZRobR7Ix/s640/WS9.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuA3ZMjqnIwuxObo5tG7hJnv64vL2Puf6fLH2bA2GY1Vb-iXsx5Cwz-EETQoGALmjmr3ps_Slix6w_HUSKJCYAenP7wpTLRbZf1Z03sf3ZekAAGQINX9EYTBk-zbzQlv2iqVmicSh_xZgz/s1600/WS11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="901" data-original-width="1321" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuA3ZMjqnIwuxObo5tG7hJnv64vL2Puf6fLH2bA2GY1Vb-iXsx5Cwz-EETQoGALmjmr3ps_Slix6w_HUSKJCYAenP7wpTLRbZf1Z03sf3ZekAAGQINX9EYTBk-zbzQlv2iqVmicSh_xZgz/s640/WS11.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The signs didn't stop the many mopeds from continuing to use this route<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdhcnoPoVwPMpuQKsFkqNhFGpus0lhKXQz26MwqDAG7w7b1rCiEVxgz8-QPDK6ZAKmRUT1XvoG790F210k9MZ7sQOlpCHTmJbq65psnD_ZFwENPm5Ay1-nsq3rPqhNA3Gqk58cpe4YzSi/s1600/WS10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1393" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdhcnoPoVwPMpuQKsFkqNhFGpus0lhKXQz26MwqDAG7w7b1rCiEVxgz8-QPDK6ZAKmRUT1XvoG790F210k9MZ7sQOlpCHTmJbq65psnD_ZFwENPm5Ay1-nsq3rPqhNA3Gqk58cpe4YzSi/s640/WS10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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By August Appold street was still shut, with the sign at the beginning of the street stating that the closure was in place for "six weeks from May 20th", although the closure had been in place for over three months by that point. As there was actually very little sign of any work taking place I assumed this was due to the wide gaps either side of the new bollards where a motor vehicle could drive through with ease, therefore bypassing the entire ring of steel and driving into the city completely undetected<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipv73GSOe3m97qQCy93qj4Zl9DBPz6JoA88dqNaeL4lFAzhZSsK2wS2zVPlNxAJ1CpcbnqkrLWD-WwfRTuCy6tGG1_9vKZ0FpjeGhb90ebSWlx1lJaUSqKJ2DA0gGBnKc2iD3AN74bgvUP/s1600/WS12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1581" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipv73GSOe3m97qQCy93qj4Zl9DBPz6JoA88dqNaeL4lFAzhZSsK2wS2zVPlNxAJ1CpcbnqkrLWD-WwfRTuCy6tGG1_9vKZ0FpjeGhb90ebSWlx1lJaUSqKJ2DA0gGBnKc2iD3AN74bgvUP/s640/WS12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However at the beginning of September Appold Street finally reopened after four months, with the large gaps either side of the bollards intact, debunking my theory altogether<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAEeZca-xjtqfIblRqwxrcBEqNo79bmYQK_eLhV_ttIHeDCD8d9U0nTmyjkB8yGKXWMa5FQvoSgEBSNFXK_76RCqgx-rJ3xuSSkO43ncQtannrfaAQT5w5NjjBJ2baaLlhSdixlblaiYV/s1600/WS14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpAEeZca-xjtqfIblRqwxrcBEqNo79bmYQK_eLhV_ttIHeDCD8d9U0nTmyjkB8yGKXWMa5FQvoSgEBSNFXK_76RCqgx-rJ3xuSSkO43ncQtannrfaAQT5w5NjjBJ2baaLlhSdixlblaiYV/s640/WS14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The bollards were very close together making them a tight fit, I could only just get through with the crate on my front bike so I'm not sure a cargo bike would be able to, although motorbikes could - just about<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa2VXAZVu75b_Y5uR2P9kN7GJm-wBjFQsvCyvq4bh95I64XUwriwvbIRye8zFxi87WCtSA9dx2LerANLMUtlGWj26xR4p6ldASfwMiwuYJNtrr4qXvFuleVd9irdjYbPbfKDfU8LciIKi/s1600/WS17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="1259" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQa2VXAZVu75b_Y5uR2P9kN7GJm-wBjFQsvCyvq4bh95I64XUwriwvbIRye8zFxi87WCtSA9dx2LerANLMUtlGWj26xR4p6ldASfwMiwuYJNtrr4qXvFuleVd9irdjYbPbfKDfU8LciIKi/s640/WS17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then a month later the workmen returned to remove one of the bollards and reconfigure them, to allow slightly larger gaps to cycle through. New bollards were also placed on the footway to plug the gaps<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6queso9oRoReIakclv2I7536rqC19BBq6Wy8FBJga2gSyPyf7hKdQ9yx-Qem6WMw6oV7XMxfd3DSHexWBT859KXGiCbO333THaYXJmRFhY0x8APufl-88vNE1ajFo5rMOhfRkqNQgujAZ/s1600/WS18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6queso9oRoReIakclv2I7536rqC19BBq6Wy8FBJga2gSyPyf7hKdQ9yx-Qem6WMw6oV7XMxfd3DSHexWBT859KXGiCbO333THaYXJmRFhY0x8APufl-88vNE1ajFo5rMOhfRkqNQgujAZ/s640/WS18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Six bollards became five bollards about a month after work here was completed. Still too narrow for the man on the cargo bike with boxes, who opts for the pavement instead </span></td></tr>
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Some changes have occurred to Appold and worship Street within the city of London - firstly Worship Street has been resurfaced from Shoreditch High Street and had the contraflow cycle lane painted all the way along it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdS6VBaRg-HOqdjiWnQH_FVNYWC8YY2-yunEHHucp1RIyEBd7nVLKx_kJ8kWWx3XoTIl0lbnBJJ4REAY-UB0j4INayM50MMSQzWYC5-Z8jUgGsJrNOFOmhgOGV5uor6X6nLHUSp6rgkRCi/s1600/APP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1561" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdS6VBaRg-HOqdjiWnQH_FVNYWC8YY2-yunEHHucp1RIyEBd7nVLKx_kJ8kWWx3XoTIl0lbnBJJ4REAY-UB0j4INayM50MMSQzWYC5-Z8jUgGsJrNOFOmhgOGV5uor6X6nLHUSp6rgkRCi/s640/APP1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Previously you could contraflow cycle along this one way street (for motor traffic) but then have to navigate <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/4Cofm88HHQCFwo6z6">around a bus stand into oncoming traffic</a>! The contraflow cycle lane continues around the corner to (almost) Primrose Street. The cycle hire stand has also been moved around the corner to accommodate this (although annoyingly the road has not been resurfaced and the former electrical points for the cycle hire stand remain as a line of badly sealed up holes in the tarmac)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNj45qSK0V-64oQESBy1LLCdfU5TcEj-RbkxnL2aw1A-nyQJbkEHtxdfsVYIjcVD88plIoc7rqf3e0VLuxVlEUPIiofAaJa81jmK2KaxcTbckvRjPf9D_XuNsEBTE9xShlGtJqZoRcVey/s1600/APP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1433" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNj45qSK0V-64oQESBy1LLCdfU5TcEj-RbkxnL2aw1A-nyQJbkEHtxdfsVYIjcVD88plIoc7rqf3e0VLuxVlEUPIiofAaJa81jmK2KaxcTbckvRjPf9D_XuNsEBTE9xShlGtJqZoRcVey/s640/APP2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Another peeve is that the cycle lane is just a painted lane so naturally I've seen delivery vans parked in it. A kerb protected cycle lane would have been better. It also stops just before the traffic lights at Primrose Street where a "normal" junction with ASL remains, despite this only being accessible by bike (although I've seen black cabs drop off and U-turn here, which could well still be legal)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRuwcwWIEQur83YNcd3gq6cPfnn5XX2OKG2C-S5arnB_wnYrW8EnTG5em77O5Tzt7y2hdlObIYLw5U_beZvlYcSn-UtRZZU1lUidUXAeXAbDqh4DkoTrGZ-3sH78ppDH_yqLEEZBtkvJz/s1600/APP3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="976" data-original-width="1419" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRuwcwWIEQur83YNcd3gq6cPfnn5XX2OKG2C-S5arnB_wnYrW8EnTG5em77O5Tzt7y2hdlObIYLw5U_beZvlYcSn-UtRZZU1lUidUXAeXAbDqh4DkoTrGZ-3sH78ppDH_yqLEEZBtkvJz/s640/APP3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Despite the cost and time taken for this upgrade Worship Street has not been resurfaced either side of the fancy new paving area, and remains in a terrible state<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23H7cV0VASKugsQdi-4DudrUdGln6a2jlfWpv_094KkzVsdrKKk57Z7Cw7GOPiRX9j0Mp67QEFrUjH0jFIpGt8plb0Tk5pNwNIk-6_sI-SiwaMGeBbSsUi3XCnlCwyYEzo8_iNx_d5bEB/s1600/WS21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="913" data-original-width="1361" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23H7cV0VASKugsQdi-4DudrUdGln6a2jlfWpv_094KkzVsdrKKk57Z7Cw7GOPiRX9j0Mp67QEFrUjH0jFIpGt8plb0Tk5pNwNIk-6_sI-SiwaMGeBbSsUi3XCnlCwyYEzo8_iNx_d5bEB/s640/WS21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As for the new paved area of Worship Street, this is the very definition of a stonewashed street<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Stonewashed: streets that have had lots of expensive materials used on them, but where absolutely nothing has happened in terms of dealing with motor traffic.</div>
— The Ranty Highwayman 🇬🇧🇪🇺 (@RantyHighwayman) <a href="https://twitter.com/RantyHighwayman/status/1172089418808745984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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The nearby Leonard Circus has a similar design and looked as good as this on day one but soon had damaged street furniture, now a constant sight<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEQIuLxWkvPbah9CC_JYlzLYheHE-70kb7gG_mqmzlEPUGUGek7Cqnu57pIWzQT_hq_7BxyVB5MG8moLpcWWxx6PV8at_JvrxUHKVA2SQ7X4i3vebeb8NnmcLQwYN4jCS9_CmdUasJyIV/s1600/LC1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="946" data-original-width="1563" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEQIuLxWkvPbah9CC_JYlzLYheHE-70kb7gG_mqmzlEPUGUGek7Cqnu57pIWzQT_hq_7BxyVB5MG8moLpcWWxx6PV8at_JvrxUHKVA2SQ7X4i3vebeb8NnmcLQwYN4jCS9_CmdUasJyIV/s640/LC1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think these tree cages must have been replaced at least five times each by now</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_21NHbcp4wNeSwJ5Sq3wdDzSowb9Ox5XYjjftwgJS7rJTJnkruRb2xoXnXuq7syWxwhA1Ta5O18HYDdwhA_1bfkKVdgeL34r2inmR7PP8AFWl4IRRTdZuchvuNmg1oW97alTCnUHuCB8/s640/WS16.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It appears as though some of the street furniture has already been hit on Worship Street, not that anyone particularly wants to sit and eat lunch inches from a lorry tyre! </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_21NHbcp4wNeSwJ5Sq3wdDzSowb9Ox5XYjjftwgJS7rJTJnkruRb2xoXnXuq7syWxwhA1Ta5O18HYDdwhA_1bfkKVdgeL34r2inmR7PP8AFWl4IRRTdZuchvuNmg1oW97alTCnUHuCB8/s1600/WS16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
It is a real shame that Worship Street was not permanently closed to through motor traffic as part of these works. It was closed for six months and didn't seem to have too much of a drastic effect on surrounding roads. I cycled through and around the closure many times in that period and there was no gridlock or carnage on surrounding streets. A walking and cycling only street, with more trees and benches and an easier crossing on CS1, would have made this a much nicer area than some fancy paving under lorries that should really be using main roads nearby instead.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-13513685367612343182019-09-26T18:10:00.000+01:002019-09-26T18:10:29.517+01:00Queensbridge Road cycle route consultation Queensbridge Road is roughly a mile long and runs from Hackney Road, at the very south of the borough border with Tower Hamlets, through to Dalston Lane. It lies parallel to, and less than half-a-kilometre from, the A10 and although officially a B Road it does carry a lot of motor traffic, mainly as a distributor road to the many residential roads either side of it in Haggerston and London Fields. It is a very wide road and was a four lane road not too long ago.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Queensbridge Road in 1983, via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/alandenney/2443895842https://www.flickr.com/photos/alandenney/2443895842" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;">Alan Denney on flickr </a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The same location on Queensbridge Road today</span></td></tr>
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Which makes it an easy target to install protected cycle tracks on, which has <a href="https://twitter.com/mayorofhackney/status/956526579139608577">been the plan for some time</a>. Hackney Council <a href="https://consultation.hackney.gov.uk/streetscene/central-london-cycle-grid/">are now consulting</a> on doing just that, along a southern section of the road, between Hackney Road and the Whiston Road "quietway", which <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2017/04/the-improved-central-london-cycle-grid.html">really is not very quiet at all</a>. The Central section, from Whiston road to Q2 at Middleton Road, will follow sometime before the end of 2021 and the northern section up to Dalston Lane will then follow at some point before the end of 2022. It is a shame that the Council have not presented a plan for the full section of the road in one consultation, rather than over three years, however this section is still a welcome proposal to see. It's understandable why the council have started their plans with this section first, as it contains very few side roads and no bus services use it, so there is no need to design floating bus stops.<br />
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The changes begin at Hackney Road where there will be a few tweaks, mainly for the benefit of people on foot, with refurbished pavements and wider traffic islands. There will also be low level "early release" traffic signals for people cycling from Queensbridge Road into Hackney Road and also out of Horatio Street. Presumably as well as the refurbished pavements this junction will be resurfaced, which again will be a slight improvement for people cycling on Hackney Road itself, which is in a very poor condition<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLJ3jNJ2kzfbHxS2sMDcC3zqnFUDkmVo2CDIgvgAfvgZFuzUIwEzvM27YzeMoATA7nwDNRbHXpOj9pPPYBqloq4m2WClxIYQ05DtrCrBTY42QYKxWNAIIqJ9f_uK4-hO7z9oFzLFm2Hvr/s1600/Hackney_QB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1345" data-original-width="1600" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbLJ3jNJ2kzfbHxS2sMDcC3zqnFUDkmVo2CDIgvgAfvgZFuzUIwEzvM27YzeMoATA7nwDNRbHXpOj9pPPYBqloq4m2WClxIYQ05DtrCrBTY42QYKxWNAIIqJ9f_uK4-hO7z9oFzLFm2Hvr/s640/Hackney_QB.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hackney Road at the Queensbridge Road junction </span></td></tr>
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No doubt the ASLs on Hackney Road will be repainted, only to fade away again in a few years. This entire junction needs a complete overhaul, rather than a minor tweak. Let's hope one day a project to install protected cycle tracks the full length of Hackney Road manages to achieve this and that this will just be a temporary makeover.<br />
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The cycle tracks begin (or end, if you're cycling South) a short distance north of the Hackney Road junction. I'm not sure why this is, it would make more sense for them to start immediately after the pedestrian crossing and would reduce the risk of cars parking at the track entrance, especially on Sunday when the Columbia Road flower market is taking place<br />
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The council state that these will be 2m wide stepped cycle tracks, separated from the main carriageway by a kerb and from the pavement by a raised separator. The example they use in the consultation documents are from the <a href="https://twitter.com/iambrianjones/status/1126162517271699456">recently installed cycle track on Nuttall Street</a> but they also look similar to the recently constructed cycle tracks at Wick Road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivumqWjmhJliQwoACvHsnwWkG2o7cSa8RLleMF0TBMra3FrsPD0xa-QGeC9o5zeoKUAK70jmjEo081QqdNpf-dByujCcS81i_5d5zOkspTdY2foxiKT3KE6s4KxMDm2OlfaYDLuAfyJrOf/s1600/37b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivumqWjmhJliQwoACvHsnwWkG2o7cSa8RLleMF0TBMra3FrsPD0xa-QGeC9o5zeoKUAK70jmjEo081QqdNpf-dByujCcS81i_5d5zOkspTdY2foxiKT3KE6s4KxMDm2OlfaYDLuAfyJrOf/s640/37b.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'm pleased that the plan is to make the cycle tracks 2m wide, rather than the 1.5m width that has been built at Wick Road. That really should be the minimum width for uni-directional cycle tracks, as it safely allows people to comfortably cycle side by side, which is especially important if parents are accompanying their children to school by bike.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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Protected cycle tracks are needed so children can safely cycle to hockey class, alongside their parents <a href="https://t.co/p4IsLaxOfa">pic.twitter.com/p4IsLaxOfa</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1158641470418669568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
My only concern with the design of the tracks is that it does appear from the plans that, just as on Wick Road, the narrow kerb will be the only separator between the cycle track and the roadway. Ideally there should be a wider buffer between the cycle track and the roadway, even if it is only 0.5m or so.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A narrow buffer between the cycle track and roadway in Eindhoven, the Netherlands</span></td></tr>
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A diagram at the bottom left <a href="https://consultation.hackney.gov.uk/++preview++/streetscene/central-london-cycle-grid/supporting_documents/Central%20London%20Cycle%20Grid%20%20Location%20plan.pdf">of this page</a> states that the roadway is going to be 6.4m wide, so there is the space to narrow that further as there is really no justification for each vehicle lane to be any wider than 3m, a narrower carriageway would also ensure traffic speeds are kept lower as well.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The very wide Queensbridge Road. All car parking and the central hatching will be removed to make way for cycle tracks. There is space here for a buffer between the cycle track and roadway</span></td></tr>
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Dunloe street is to be closed to motor traffic either side of Queensbridge Road, which is an excellent improvement. Both of these side roads are very busy with motor traffic using it as a short cut to avoid waiting at the traffic lights.As well as reducing conflict between turning vehicles and people cycling on the track this will also be a great improvement for people walking on Queensbridge Road, who will no longer have to give way to the constant flow of rat running traffic at these side roads. There will also be a parallel pedestrian and cycle crossing linking both halves of Dunloe Street, which is a positive addition, although the wiggly and indirect planned quietway along here is yet another waste of funds, it's quite clear the vast majority of people will simply stick to the more direct and useful Hackney Road instead; this is the East - West route that needs intervention and to become a safe cycle route!<br />
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The existing zebra crossing at Edith Street (which did used to be an actual street with terraced housing on it, but is now a walking and cycling "street" within Haggerston Park), will be rebuilt as a raised crossing. The council declare that this is unsuitable for a parallel pedestrian / cycle crossing, although I'm unsure why they have come to this conclusion. I often use it to cross from the Park into Queensbridge Road northbound if I'm cycling from Goldsmith's Row, as do many others. Once these changes are complete many people will continue to do this, especially families cycling home from Seabright Primary school or the children's centre right alongside. It would surely be better to make this a legal manoeuvre.<br />
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With the filtering of Dunloe Street the only side road remaining to be dealt with in the section under consultation is Kent Street. The plan here is for a "blended pedestrian crossing giving priority to pedestrians", the design of which looks very similar to the treatment given to the side roads at Wick Road, although unlike on Wick Road here the cycle track does thankfully remain alongside.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Side road treatment at Wick Road</span></td></tr>
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As Kent Street can be reached by car via other roads, such as Thurtle Road, I do wonder why the street can't be filtered here. I'm sure the council will have considered it and have their reasons for ruling it out, in which case there surely can be no justification for not making the road one way for motor traffic but keeping it two way for people cycling. This would then reduce the side road to just one lane, instead of two lanes as the plans indicate, much further reducing the chances of a collision as people cycling would not have to worry about cars both going into and coming out of Kent Street. Ideally an angled buffer should be in place between the cycle track / pavement and roadway either side to slow traffic down as it crosses<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMMLFYcFRSud5GZ7WCAzfX-9WnJkeaPlMOMPKtj2Rn1MRkMoqIxFytsuf7HqiTT-7OyvngOZi5U7B_TTRhIeDDFtSr9vj-NSLCn31xTlFXCTX6HKYfSIUl7sQzciA1dLxEH5Bjywl_G2T/s1600/88.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1211" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMMLFYcFRSud5GZ7WCAzfX-9WnJkeaPlMOMPKtj2Rn1MRkMoqIxFytsuf7HqiTT-7OyvngOZi5U7B_TTRhIeDDFtSr9vj-NSLCn31xTlFXCTX6HKYfSIUl7sQzciA1dLxEH5Bjywl_G2T/s640/88.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This side road is entry only for cars but two way for bikes, limiting the amount of interactions anyone cycling here with have with motor traffic, as well as limiting the amount of motor traffic accessing the street. An angled kerb also slows down motor traffic as it turns to ross the cycleway and footway</span></td></tr>
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On the opposite side of the road is the only section where the protected cycle track becomes a painted cycle lane, in order for it to go around the cycle hire stand. If the cycle hire stand cannot be moved to a different location close by then perhaps the cycle tracks could run inside the cycle hire stands instead, acting as a buffer between the roadway and turned 180 degrees?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA50YlllbyCCp13uwVGlt91fGXVxo5iQuuIvXR_UkmC-8bOfQnC2lSfHFDYWEXkkFqNbD5XZMDOe6dfNr6xxDWCQiyxLdHAmOgnazEKm3bOyjfQMDT15mVl2Nw4BVZ9VOm0zWOi_7WNloO/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1256" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA50YlllbyCCp13uwVGlt91fGXVxo5iQuuIvXR_UkmC-8bOfQnC2lSfHFDYWEXkkFqNbD5XZMDOe6dfNr6xxDWCQiyxLdHAmOgnazEKm3bOyjfQMDT15mVl2Nw4BVZ9VOm0zWOi_7WNloO/s640/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wardour Street in Soho where a cycle hire docking station has been used as a buffer for a contraflow cycle lane </span></td></tr>
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The scheme once again ends shortly before the traffic lights at Whiston Road where it returns to painted cycle lanes and ASLs, rather than continuing right up to the junction. My only other concerns would be the colour and surface of the cycle track, it would be great if Hackney could follow the example of Waltham Forest and use red asphalt<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTmMovl0zuZOnmGJchP2Jn6I7U97Io47CYuQg2IqbT8vLy_LqmxzM57gacXSxtvDADwZGyLoPYSqdwmCbi0SZc9-4zJUG4YEZh6CSOCRalvzYduMemzeb1FRv4reTmB5j8ZKmKNqsaBDT/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1349" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTmMovl0zuZOnmGJchP2Jn6I7U97Io47CYuQg2IqbT8vLy_LqmxzM57gacXSxtvDADwZGyLoPYSqdwmCbi0SZc9-4zJUG4YEZh6CSOCRalvzYduMemzeb1FRv4reTmB5j8ZKmKNqsaBDT/s640/22.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Waltham Forest </span></td></tr>
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and also the treatment at the estates where there are bin stores. Unfortunately on Wick Road the cycle track dips down to roadway level, it should really be the other way for a route that is only used by bin men once a week!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi8oqMyHFWeqliBujWBSl-rezs9LyjuhcjbKe45Ww733d6DbcuTSovjhOCMe_4V851CIkSZ5DldRrgDdMFhF46rRHRGtpkrjZilyL2SBZ9HFtL9SCTx21A7mL-_xxrqVHzvN_loxCG6XV/s1600/41b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBi8oqMyHFWeqliBujWBSl-rezs9LyjuhcjbKe45Ww733d6DbcuTSovjhOCMe_4V851CIkSZ5DldRrgDdMFhF46rRHRGtpkrjZilyL2SBZ9HFtL9SCTx21A7mL-_xxrqVHzvN_loxCG6XV/s640/41b.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of several examples on Wick Road where the cycleway undulates for bin access</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnNHbPXGCsY1u7iaFiVI2zHjCuZInXVURFddGqvCXkkciPFL9gCd78Hp9N17JLiwYlsiEWZa575nMyvI8CrWvN887R7-wprZ11akCXZVrvH87fPemR-ZkIYaUrSD4XCa5Q09kuz5RSNNQ/s1600/99.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnNHbPXGCsY1u7iaFiVI2zHjCuZInXVURFddGqvCXkkciPFL9gCd78Hp9N17JLiwYlsiEWZa575nMyvI8CrWvN887R7-wprZ11akCXZVrvH87fPemR-ZkIYaUrSD4XCa5Q09kuz5RSNNQ/s640/99.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Note the angles kerbs on the left of this cycle track so bins can cross the cycleway, The cycle tracks stays level </span></td></tr>
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Overall though this scheme is very much worth supporting, with a few tweaks. Please do have your say and <a href="https://consultation.hackney.gov.uk/streetscene/central-london-cycle-grid/">respond to the consultation</a> before the end of Monday 30th September.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-32709125418455938792019-08-26T17:19:00.000+01:002019-08-26T17:19:22.437+01:00Going Dutch in Hackney CentralThe very northern section of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mare_Street">Mare Street</a> is Hackney Centrals high street, known as the Narroway. A Narrow street along most of its length (hence the name) it was part of the Hackney Central one way system until the 1980s but remained one way (southbound) when the gyratory was removed but only to be used by local buses, people cycling and deliveries. This made it unpleasant to walk on, due to narrow footways, and was an obstacle for people cycling, who could only do so in one direction and so faced a lengthy diversion. Although many would still cycle the wrong way, often on the pavement, causing further issues for people walking. Ten bus routes served this street but the bus stop at the southern end of the street could only accommodate a couple of buses so any delays in passengers loading, unloading or paying (in the pre contactless and oyster days) could result in a long line of stationary buses queueing along this street. I'm not exaggerating by stating that on some days it took me ten minutes to get from the top of the street down to the bottom on a bus; a distance of less than a quarter of a kilometre.<br />
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The pedestrianisation of the Narroway was an obvious improvement for both pedestrians and bus journey times so in June 2013 all <a href="https://news.hackney.gov.uk/changes-to-hackney-central-bus-routes/">buses were removed from the Narroway</a> and diverted to use the same route northbound buses used; via Dalston Lane and Amhurst Road. Cycling was also permitted along the street in both directions but in order to prevent cyclists from "owning" the roadspace it was redesigned to ensure it was clear this was "shared space"<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXshrINksCjqSdQuQCs85qwHLpQxZ5xE4egfT4AxCq22Nzv4x5e8vLQdyBBqxrxp3_IRW0CCBiq7cAcE1qt8DO0xt-4EWKED1ZT9-NSZOl5pi6NacEXLpxB3V7lbXCpKY8OM5U4KNtQ_oD/s1600/NW1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="980" data-original-width="1306" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXshrINksCjqSdQuQCs85qwHLpQxZ5xE4egfT4AxCq22Nzv4x5e8vLQdyBBqxrxp3_IRW0CCBiq7cAcE1qt8DO0xt-4EWKED1ZT9-NSZOl5pi6NacEXLpxB3V7lbXCpKY8OM5U4KNtQ_oD/s640/NW1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A photo I took of the Narroway in 2013, shortly after the buses had been removed, you can see how narrow the pavements were, with the space on the right a loading bay for deliveries </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWkbheZHqDv5eWmbcw6bWDs2Q8B0P2hOPWDJpqjjhM3JtRVBb0q85pQUGR3p94qeRicqblpow6_HTVnk6kzGrjYHS6xgUAQwila8pEnO2c5hb2lAeC17CuPSz0l2vFuhMmL5Ti0Guncid/s1600/dsc01217.width-1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="664" data-original-width="1000" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWkbheZHqDv5eWmbcw6bWDs2Q8B0P2hOPWDJpqjjhM3JtRVBb0q85pQUGR3p94qeRicqblpow6_HTVnk6kzGrjYHS6xgUAQwila8pEnO2c5hb2lAeC17CuPSz0l2vFuhMmL5Ti0Guncid/s640/dsc01217.width-1000.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Image taken from the <a href="http://www.studioweave.com/about-us/">architecture practice</a> who designed the temporary layout</span></td></tr>
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Hackney conservative councillors came from their wards in the north of the borough<a href="https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2014/03/27/narrow-way-pedestrianisation-traders-protest/"> to protest</a> alongside local traders who feared removing the buses would result in a loss of trade, however following a six month trial the scheme was deemed to be a success and a bid was made to TfL for funding for a permanent redesign of the street. A <a href="https://consultation.hackney.gov.uk/streetscene/the-narrow-way/">consultation</a> took place in late 2015 where 90% of people responded supported the plans, with only 6% against them.<br />
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A total of 8% of respondents to the consultation expressed concern at the risk of conflict between people walking and cycling in the new layout, this was the highest concern of all responses. Hackney Council claimed in late 2015 that there had been no reported collisions between people cycling and walking since the start of the trial in 2013. I really want to thank Hackney Council for making the sensible decision to allow cycling on the Narroway and taking an evidence based approach to this decision<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjEl9D3ps4vzmlWRcwTiqERGnIea37G6fHMFvCYLry9VScHRKNgTkWtu7BXsWgefpTIaY2rCUyzFv-MoFaYuoAMXPDFy0AdBZMgQTHpp5q-DV3DCFFeIGFv21cWm__scbjrGl74bEVNDH/s1600/2015-10-14+12.24.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1415" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjEl9D3ps4vzmlWRcwTiqERGnIea37G6fHMFvCYLry9VScHRKNgTkWtu7BXsWgefpTIaY2rCUyzFv-MoFaYuoAMXPDFy0AdBZMgQTHpp5q-DV3DCFFeIGFv21cWm__scbjrGl74bEVNDH/s640/2015-10-14+12.24.49.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A high street in Northampton, typical of many pedestrianised high streets in the UK that do not allow cycling. Since I took this picture part of this street has had the pedestrianisation removed to allow motor vehicles to return</span> </td></tr>
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I've cycled on many shopping streets in the Netherlands which, like the new Narroway in Hackney, are signposted as pedestrian zones with cycling allowed, and have never found conflict between people walking and cycling to be an issue<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_BhZ14le1VDuebYhdOCSAV7iVKb2eFSfxcD8P90QJJ3QDG5_4wSIUNw5xYCBqliID4qne_JjLTp2u1g-Th3-8TSoqFJvP3Sa62ktmvU9_wTUqoX05jhKWXMLpRc52xcf4K0xPiApBCBc/s1600/DS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1230" data-original-width="1600" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_BhZ14le1VDuebYhdOCSAV7iVKb2eFSfxcD8P90QJJ3QDG5_4wSIUNw5xYCBqliID4qne_JjLTp2u1g-Th3-8TSoqFJvP3Sa62ktmvU9_wTUqoX05jhKWXMLpRc52xcf4K0xPiApBCBc/s640/DS1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nijmegen </span></td></tr>
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Although I have noticed that these motor traffic free streets will sometimes have the markings of a road and footway on them, to indicate roughly where people can expect bicycles or service vehicles to be (although people can, and do, walk anywhere they like on the street)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbVbjdvO5wDSbaB6rai974i7uZA_gqKoDWsfz6WKHeYut5fijzqrOJ7E3xTIx0tU9-yi-2iQh-1cXwbHr4mltY3orj449-R1OQdj0l5Ihhex89SYQAuKzftsakHBGV-IYQSNx5wE5XBVi/s1600/DS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbVbjdvO5wDSbaB6rai974i7uZA_gqKoDWsfz6WKHeYut5fijzqrOJ7E3xTIx0tU9-yi-2iQh-1cXwbHr4mltY3orj449-R1OQdj0l5Ihhex89SYQAuKzftsakHBGV-IYQSNx5wE5XBVi/s640/DS2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Zwolle</span></td></tr>
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The Narroway was also initially planned to have a similar layout, to reduce conflict between people walking and cycling<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QrtItngDuxDJlt6SSIVjK-T6rfrnMw9dFDZ3FECrdeZGRGpV1vG6mKB4-QhfD23S6aA_oQv6YBNlexUnDvMFzy9s8obdA9FpLRckfZW6_v0AyPOfZP1qjCMfoGyell7Eram4d9bpDzBa/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1205" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QrtItngDuxDJlt6SSIVjK-T6rfrnMw9dFDZ3FECrdeZGRGpV1vG6mKB4-QhfD23S6aA_oQv6YBNlexUnDvMFzy9s8obdA9FpLRckfZW6_v0AyPOfZP1qjCMfoGyell7Eram4d9bpDzBa/s640/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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However the Royal National Institute of Blind people stated that they did not support the tactile strips, instead calling for detectable kerbs to separate the "cycle lane from the footway". The council agreed to remove these strips and any features that may resemble cycle lanes from the scheme, with the road designated a "Pedestrian Zone" which allowed considerate cycling. The scheme was budgeted at £3.25m, with nearly £2m supplied by TfL, just over £1m from the council and the rest via S106 agreements. Reconstruction began in January 2017 and was meant to last for a year but <a href="http://hackneypost.co.uk/narrow-way-regeneration/">hit delays</a> and took until late 2018 before it was fully completed<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBygnJWiSrgMEK6m2ew9pChcnVYD7n44LR8PD2yN9zF_6TOjRB0ob-dguZaYGXR104Dr-tf0kaV5g48vs3RA4nU5wX3x81uC3jN_XB24ljqB4kAX38TNQ0eiM4vuT1Ov6I9mpqPJZ6mHV/s1600/NW5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1451" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBygnJWiSrgMEK6m2ew9pChcnVYD7n44LR8PD2yN9zF_6TOjRB0ob-dguZaYGXR104Dr-tf0kaV5g48vs3RA4nU5wX3x81uC3jN_XB24ljqB4kAX38TNQ0eiM4vuT1Ov6I9mpqPJZ6mHV/s640/NW5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Reconstruction underway in 2017</span></td></tr>
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The Northbound street remains no entry for all vehicles, except cycles<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjzw2xyvruMGLqdc0NKziNvPLIi3exPZK9XgCx614PdEcC5fRFO8h2tFt-jkgUc46dAkNnv-pMRvhNbsDWziH_ewNRn4c9sB3KTssgJ9fPA7YBn3elJnR7fhIl-tJi7J1wEQN79iaTwAD/s1600/NW11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1600" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOjzw2xyvruMGLqdc0NKziNvPLIi3exPZK9XgCx614PdEcC5fRFO8h2tFt-jkgUc46dAkNnv-pMRvhNbsDWziH_ewNRn4c9sB3KTssgJ9fPA7YBn3elJnR7fhIl-tJi7J1wEQN79iaTwAD/s640/NW11.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Southbound the street is signed as a pedestrian and cycle only zone, except for loading between 6pm and 10am. There are no loading bays marked on the street with local retailers asked to observe considerate parking when loading<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48v1PTkWpRBhaERkEZctE-2Grj9vBs8uFP4pvx_aFN25vgSTU9zSj38lPjWN-xgeDKqRLyvqblMyBuSWgDMdrqMIqUEZhvc01qHbPmyE2yJ4177AccSV831yYy3m-qLzt8Gi5Qanwm5nH/s1600/NW12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="962" data-original-width="1353" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48v1PTkWpRBhaERkEZctE-2Grj9vBs8uFP4pvx_aFN25vgSTU9zSj38lPjWN-xgeDKqRLyvqblMyBuSWgDMdrqMIqUEZhvc01qHbPmyE2yJ4177AccSV831yYy3m-qLzt8Gi5Qanwm5nH/s640/NW12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Entering the street Southbound </span></td></tr>
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New seating, trees and additional cycle parking has been added<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_EC52F7jpZXfQ-5nKfo0bWXZSaOzYVfIp1kM2MOo8ZEz28jgFh1F968hbblOBcqSX81geJGRx28csfVpWONumhjnrObg5KL8c-QIP1TjDelKlgVEvbOz-XYXsA7zkrIf4-vDKa_4DrSc/s1600/NW7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1406" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_EC52F7jpZXfQ-5nKfo0bWXZSaOzYVfIp1kM2MOo8ZEz28jgFh1F968hbblOBcqSX81geJGRx28csfVpWONumhjnrObg5KL8c-QIP1TjDelKlgVEvbOz-XYXsA7zkrIf4-vDKa_4DrSc/s640/NW7.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The cycle parking is well used, although I'm not personally keen on the steel designs and would have preferred traditional cycle stands </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWoo5rTEXdlr0lTr9aVyoGbPPSoQ-zAudqK0FYHq1AVk-trd-dKAuiXEs-toPdpWDSIhkJrAfA50VP9yQJFPR5BJyljKjuIwg3ggM-LLI80wG2MAueJfHg8bGmdWuRdXa0VrQjJ40c5D3/s1600/2019-08-11+13.51.57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWoo5rTEXdlr0lTr9aVyoGbPPSoQ-zAudqK0FYHq1AVk-trd-dKAuiXEs-toPdpWDSIhkJrAfA50VP9yQJFPR5BJyljKjuIwg3ggM-LLI80wG2MAueJfHg8bGmdWuRdXa0VrQjJ40c5D3/s640/2019-08-11+13.51.57.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Catenary lights have been used, suspended from wires attached to the buildings either side of the street to avoid the need to use poles </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRiyh5HPCpCp9f8z_QIzWiNg7LlYIcoYGHCkMdO8C2LPRMGwupnNjyl7PWj0-vKLtGDYuI6z6ToE413TZEezmEf4lxWHn70_gWD_WYsVQQ7Y_UdpE8mIfErxE97qzohMlo6HADzL2PuKu/s1600/IMG_8386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1359" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRiyh5HPCpCp9f8z_QIzWiNg7LlYIcoYGHCkMdO8C2LPRMGwupnNjyl7PWj0-vKLtGDYuI6z6ToE413TZEezmEf4lxWHn70_gWD_WYsVQQ7Y_UdpE8mIfErxE97qzohMlo6HADzL2PuKu/s640/IMG_8386.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Catenary wire systems are also often seen in the Netherlands to hold lights and tram wires on main roads in cities, leaving more space on the carriageway for cycling infrastructure </span></td></tr>
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It's a really lovely street to walk, cycle and sit to have lunch on now, much improved from the bus clogged place it used to be, and certainly a huge upgrade from the gyratory days of the 1970s! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_-SIexEycilAxBxO-7dsod0Oijg5gR0qQ73E0AmMr4_xCZpEj8GbCaMNth6lZfMlTKqVRAK42ZuqNQq7NSNOD7c8Y_DtrMCD8zkMNVd7xg35_3rhsR0fz4AXf5rt3uO7YW6OyCdAK3JX/s1600/NW1970s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="879" data-original-width="1200" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf_-SIexEycilAxBxO-7dsod0Oijg5gR0qQ73E0AmMr4_xCZpEj8GbCaMNth6lZfMlTKqVRAK42ZuqNQq7NSNOD7c8Y_DtrMCD8zkMNVd7xg35_3rhsR0fz4AXf5rt3uO7YW6OyCdAK3JX/s640/NW1970s.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6j-maNWDtWiX-6Y4vyL0dm33ogtzJBvTVeBROhyphenhyphenufOxxuW06htEkBezIevlQCLMcGCrUU-J0JrSozPF3fKFpIHJOTIy7z9vjP01-VIJLqRG_We8uH_zFEDKZUGrHPovpa7xvb7a3om6Tn/s1600/NW2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6j-maNWDtWiX-6Y4vyL0dm33ogtzJBvTVeBROhyphenhyphenufOxxuW06htEkBezIevlQCLMcGCrUU-J0JrSozPF3fKFpIHJOTIy7z9vjP01-VIJLqRG_We8uH_zFEDKZUGrHPovpa7xvb7a3om6Tn/s640/NW2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Narroway in 1975 and 2019 </span></td></tr>
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At the top of the street the original plan was to have an uncontrolled crossing over Dalston Lane / Lower Clapton Road, which seems like an odd decision considering how busy the road is. During construction this plan was changed and thankfully a wide signalled crossing was installed instead<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjAVHQCfHRwuY_ci4wtHsLayPX_Wq0arjt4vcKa9rRzBjDG58h3_iqtrGYBI9BVSR9SKZaIf5J-S5U4SYQZlfgPMjNfyIOBZLTUibHJXn75QICBk9gCQA-AJPyUjMMyawhveEnREi2ms8/s1600/NW6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1427" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJjAVHQCfHRwuY_ci4wtHsLayPX_Wq0arjt4vcKa9rRzBjDG58h3_iqtrGYBI9BVSR9SKZaIf5J-S5U4SYQZlfgPMjNfyIOBZLTUibHJXn75QICBk9gCQA-AJPyUjMMyawhveEnREi2ms8/s640/NW6.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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although this meant that it was illegal for people cycling to use this crossing, although there was really no other choice. Thankfully within a few months this was changed and the crossing became a toucan crossing<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vmsVV7pcAoejbhQ-te3P-wTIVhw7G1MNagJ2kor9bG7q7Qi1cXs14hvqoZwqRFkHFzcj7HSy6C-Kqg326U6-Syay1AbrF6Ab8yMD12ZQbbO28qHCjE4G9iftsO91ygXUHaviTghdFNmQ/s1600/NW8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4vmsVV7pcAoejbhQ-te3P-wTIVhw7G1MNagJ2kor9bG7q7Qi1cXs14hvqoZwqRFkHFzcj7HSy6C-Kqg326U6-Syay1AbrF6Ab8yMD12ZQbbO28qHCjE4G9iftsO91ygXUHaviTghdFNmQ/s640/NW8.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The new toucan crossing allows people to cycle onto the footway on the other side and then up <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/RTjBV7Km6jiBJ7E78">Clarence Road</a>, which is a fairly quiet road to cycle on, due to all streets to the west of it filtered to through motor traffic at Pembury Road and a left turn only onto Lower Clapton Road, forcing drivers coming from the top of Clarence Road or from Lower Clapton Road back in the direction they have just come from. This means that Clarence Road is not a useful through route for cars and only really serves as an access road to the streets leading off it. It does however serve as a popular cycling route from Hackney Downs to the Narroway due to its directness and quietness.<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
This woman brought a smile to my face today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/schoolrun?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#schoolrun</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bikingwithkids?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bikingwithkids</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hackney?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hackney</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hackney_cycling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hackney_cycling</a> <a href="https://t.co/VWuKs7A4Yt">pic.twitter.com/VWuKs7A4Yt</a></div>
— Tab (@mum_on_bike) <a href="https://twitter.com/mum_on_bike/status/1063466711356268544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">16 November 2018</a></blockquote>
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Unfortunately it is still illegal to cycle up Clarence Road from the Narroway, as a clear "no entry " sign demonstrates. The plan outlined in the consultation was for a "No entry except cyclists" sign to replace it but nearly three years on from the beginning of the scheme construction and a year after it was completed this has still not yet happened for some reason. There are also no signs to indicate the pavement at the bottom of Clarence Road is shared but surely as it is a toucan crossing it must be. Perhaps a short bidirectional cycle track from Clarence Road to the crossing and a clearly marked bicycle and pedestrian crossing, as there is on Hackney road at Columbia road, might have been better.<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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Cyclist should avoid riding on the pavement unless marked as shared with pedestrians, but remember to always give pedestrians priority! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CyclinginHackney?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CyclinginHackney</a> <a href="https://t.co/0vIsZ1nc6b">pic.twitter.com/0vIsZ1nc6b</a></div>
— Hackney Council (@hackneycouncil) <a href="https://twitter.com/hackneycouncil/status/1164923758819401728?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The wide toucan crossing is a vast improvement on the staggered crossing that it replaced, however the new central strip on Dalston Lane <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/982993769057456128">forces cyclists into primary position</a> on a very busy road and one of Hackneys busiest bus routes. The space here could have been used for protected cycle tracks instead.<br />
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Dalston Lane has changed a lot in recent years, due to the <a href="https://www.peabody.org.uk/homes-in-development/hackney/pembury-circus">Pembury Circus / Atkins Square development</a> on the north side of the road, which has delivered over 200 new homes, a new <a href="https://finder.coop.co.uk/food/store/E8-1LQ/corner-of-pembury-rd-dalston-lane">supermarket</a>, a <a href="https://www.thevincent-e8.com/">cafe</a> and a community centre, where the Hackney cycling campaign hold their <a href="http://hackneycycling.org.uk/meetings/">monthly meetings</a>. As part of this development the footway was extended and is now gigantic all the way from Pembury Circus to the Narroway<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt4R4ZtVz-ED5zHpZFCt0lXunlRYymxiZo6GtKbCriOifANNiWQM1vmLLQUgqhsJRSqlorB8liTQ-z8X_M9bN4pMhLj-aYGSSxVQkgsjTdGAl9Asr2pfTizJDSc01CwKfVGDF1hkpWYY1/s1600/DL1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjt4R4ZtVz-ED5zHpZFCt0lXunlRYymxiZo6GtKbCriOifANNiWQM1vmLLQUgqhsJRSqlorB8liTQ-z8X_M9bN4pMhLj-aYGSSxVQkgsjTdGAl9Asr2pfTizJDSc01CwKfVGDF1hkpWYY1/s640/DL1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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A rather wasteful use of the space available when right alongside people are expected to cycle on a narrow road either in the doorzone of parked cars or on a very badly surfaced road. This road is used by over a hundred buses an hour at peak times and <a href="https://roadtraffic.dft.gov.uk/manualcountpoints/18046">over 10,000 motor vehicles everyday</a> which means families in the new development have no safe way to cycle to the Narroway, although in reality most will simply cycle on the huge footway instead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv2NXmI0z_EiV5iuHuyqwQFzavqYRjYELxZGoRIij6hBSzAx9ZJgWzn9oQ4HY1sxkq-HTxIhDBBT-7r3Du5x3vpFnNDccPd7E3cemICF79wKWN7TfRn6hyphenhyphenzqsg2tX2QTwfzBZBoopdtQ5/s1600/DL4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1059" data-original-width="1527" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNv2NXmI0z_EiV5iuHuyqwQFzavqYRjYELxZGoRIij6hBSzAx9ZJgWzn9oQ4HY1sxkq-HTxIhDBBT-7r3Du5x3vpFnNDccPd7E3cemICF79wKWN7TfRn6hyphenhyphenzqsg2tX2QTwfzBZBoopdtQ5/s640/DL4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Five years on from Hackney Council <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2014/10/hackney-council-cycling-plan-2014-2024.html">declaring</a> that they want their roads to be the safest roads for cycling in the UK, where it is second nature for anyone, no matter what their age to cycle. Dalston Lane certainly isn't somewhere where that can happen</span></td></tr>
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A better use of the space would have been a bidirectional cycleway linking Pembury Circus with the Narroway, whilst still leaving ample space for pedestrians, trees and street furniture<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggarklwfnJitfb_UYdOzc3lM74twIclAupedUlKqrUeI_6VdgeSkI5bcKarqDW8Fm3v-0SrgPH-g60N8_jo155vxXiCgySRGiYsRXIq_gHXkZL9Syeiy50Khbxshu5ueaelC591s4KG5CR/s1600/zzz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggarklwfnJitfb_UYdOzc3lM74twIclAupedUlKqrUeI_6VdgeSkI5bcKarqDW8Fm3v-0SrgPH-g60N8_jo155vxXiCgySRGiYsRXIq_gHXkZL9Syeiy50Khbxshu5ueaelC591s4KG5CR/s640/zzz.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's better to make the roads safer for everyone </span></td></tr>
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Whilst the Narroway does have a safe route leading to it from the north, via Clarence Road, the same cannot be said about accessing it from the south (unless you count an awkward and indirect route through St. Johns Churchyard from Q2 at Churchwell Path). The vast majority of people cycling on the Narroway <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ZkQmNvBpXFuhg78T7">will want to get to and from the Hackney Grove cycleway</a> that leads to London Fields and you really only have one option; to brave cycling on Mare Street. Cycling towards the Town Hall you'll almost certainly first meet a wall of buses and other motor vehicles at a red light at the Graham Road junction, with no ASL and no way to filter through<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujniJIIcOhdv4jM3HK_HZAmleiXWT9aNFcQLbLYc8uhjUKnMwAf74BYO842R7af4E7LkQgiikV07SWvK7CMnZV9uw3hgtnBaG7Ky7Z3tYSO49InOAWHm3NgvLj3LbjXoP776kqyshxw2I/s1600/MS7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1421" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujniJIIcOhdv4jM3HK_HZAmleiXWT9aNFcQLbLYc8uhjUKnMwAf74BYO842R7af4E7LkQgiikV07SWvK7CMnZV9uw3hgtnBaG7Ky7Z3tYSO49InOAWHm3NgvLj3LbjXoP776kqyshxw2I/s640/MS7.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Once through the green light you'll then have to manoeuvre across into the second lane as the lane you're in is for left turning traffic only. Often this will involve using lane one until you get to the lights at Morning Lane, only to then try and swing right into the ASL, assuming it isn't blocked. I've downloaded a couple of TfL traffic camera clips from one recent morning rush hour below to show a typical example of this<br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eUG8OL18WAM" width="560"></iframe>
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It may not surprise you the hear I've never once seen a child cycling to school at during the rush hour here!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH0n4l3lMZbL4zslLi2WShTPtnMLeLcGH9NQGZ5J1VDDSSlu-0sqXqQV3Rn1LK99Ot4ccjOZrVHFkSMK0jEEfq4TAIRnvuqqQpoaYCGtG4GGpHPR01vdfvJFcLVOlZ6_fD2GtRVKxpZde/s1600/MS5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH0n4l3lMZbL4zslLi2WShTPtnMLeLcGH9NQGZ5J1VDDSSlu-0sqXqQV3Rn1LK99Ot4ccjOZrVHFkSMK0jEEfq4TAIRnvuqqQpoaYCGtG4GGpHPR01vdfvJFcLVOlZ6_fD2GtRVKxpZde/s640/MS5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The traffic lights are on red at the Mare Street / Morning Lane junction as I took this photo. The ASL is almost completely blocked by a bus and two cars. Would you filter through that queue of cars and lorries with your family on bikes here?</span></td></tr>
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Once you get a green light on Morning Lane you either choose to swing back to the left again to allow traffic to pass or, knowing you're about to turn right onto Reading Lane to get to the cycleway leading to London Fields, stay on the right of the lane in the middle of the carriageway and have motor traffic passing you on both sides until you "take the lane" at the pinchpoint to use the right turn filter.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXa53WOli9KF1-lZusOVaNW68SttLfF0aA9_6jq1V-1XGfbdPDhvUboC3-eN4oOzFA8pc5_UE4VNeJFHyjlWtY8ux0WSHFQTMBG2WNlxRdrYJeG5HoCqu-S2mCIrJbjBxbBBcVoF99adA/s1600/zzzz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1600" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXa53WOli9KF1-lZusOVaNW68SttLfF0aA9_6jq1V-1XGfbdPDhvUboC3-eN4oOzFA8pc5_UE4VNeJFHyjlWtY8ux0WSHFQTMBG2WNlxRdrYJeG5HoCqu-S2mCIrJbjBxbBBcVoF99adA/s640/zzzz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Cycling south from Reading Lane to the Narroway isn't much better, or possibly even worse. If you scroll up to the top of this page you'll see my header image is a picture of this road, a shared bus lane on a road six lanes wide. Once though the Morning Lane lights you can then use the left hand lane to go ahead, rather than being forced to manoeuvre into lane two, but often you're either sandwiched between traffic or will have to brave it and filter through<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYxWq0Ft8BKsf7HqQSjNaflLAul6pjFrBNJRE4jFWWK2hYl9NGsfdzDxM2h9Vp0QtUZoFpaK_pTeN-HKXpBDLPUgVbYpZiPivtXajClKaPmt0PPc7DkyWLwxdFfzYUtF1A5Q1UMxPrqIh/s1600/MS6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1004" data-original-width="1497" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimYxWq0Ft8BKsf7HqQSjNaflLAul6pjFrBNJRE4jFWWK2hYl9NGsfdzDxM2h9Vp0QtUZoFpaK_pTeN-HKXpBDLPUgVbYpZiPivtXajClKaPmt0PPc7DkyWLwxdFfzYUtF1A5Q1UMxPrqIh/s640/MS6.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Before you get to the Narroway where you want to turn right into it<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6XuhLNKiB6zEsbLLcGOQUpELow2oSi3-5ZGq6EbIVSdZhN_fLy6hctVmiBJ_jQEATEiYKQ4vE1wUhXrZtSn-n4N6y8_cnL25X5RJpzS-y1OZJ3w-mYf3N0L6JO8mOicXrgjluBuGTBzJ/s1600/HC1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6XuhLNKiB6zEsbLLcGOQUpELow2oSi3-5ZGq6EbIVSdZhN_fLy6hctVmiBJ_jQEATEiYKQ4vE1wUhXrZtSn-n4N6y8_cnL25X5RJpzS-y1OZJ3w-mYf3N0L6JO8mOicXrgjluBuGTBzJ/s640/HC1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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If you're lucky the pedestrian crossing will be on red round the corner, giving you a clear chance to do so. Often though it won't so you either block the road waiting to turn right, and get honked at, or wait in the middle of the road with buses passing close by on both sides of you<br />
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Cycling through Hackney Central is for the brave few, and certainly not for the many. Last week I saw this family cycling along the fantastic new Narroway, perfectly safe and chatting away with each other<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexL7ApWXdSWfAvj2ipO1NngSx1bZNs-Nsj1E9KWQXCYWBbRvt2x7adTBIF9bgOrA9WXXRMmFldrzBqOwSSU2k0x92vNRBhIIk_LpvDbL09qXIK5awI9m3lOeTS7KAMinQYz3F3g3flng7/s1600/NW9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexL7ApWXdSWfAvj2ipO1NngSx1bZNs-Nsj1E9KWQXCYWBbRvt2x7adTBIF9bgOrA9WXXRMmFldrzBqOwSSU2k0x92vNRBhIIk_LpvDbL09qXIK5awI9m3lOeTS7KAMinQYz3F3g3flng7/s640/NW9.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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To be fair to them, when they got to the bottom of the Narroway they waited and then carefully made their way up Mare Street cycling in the carriageway. Then they got to Graham Road and a wall of motor traffic greeted them where they, understandably, crossed over the pedestrian crossing and continued up to the Hackney Grove cycleway by cycling considerately on the pavement. Who can blame them? Cycling with your family on the road here is frankly not safe and I would never do it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEK8PSB5JDttrqOYrLS3THUlFixD8Kirb1YhY4_Ak96M-bPUWUpq7COdVGVoKcDGjmpX7p0QydxaSyE6y0TnAvEiKjnWhBQ8XLWtK73zrNm9stFfWoFstI7k4idK9njWuuSpc4RHzhNfy/s1600/MS4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="627" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitEK8PSB5JDttrqOYrLS3THUlFixD8Kirb1YhY4_Ak96M-bPUWUpq7COdVGVoKcDGjmpX7p0QydxaSyE6y0TnAvEiKjnWhBQ8XLWtK73zrNm9stFfWoFstI7k4idK9njWuuSpc4RHzhNfy/s640/MS4.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The other issue is that Mare Street is also a destination for families, with the Picturehouse cinema holding family screenings at the weekend and the Hackney Empire regularly often featuring shows for children. It makes sense for some local families to arrive here by bike but they are really left with little option but to use the pavement<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwrqKdy22uRqlL25hEfhEj92RzrjpLAydsFxLd0IsNxsiMSK9HWYv_Zp4vaRu_kzN38XwBub66onMAsYePLCDi8_6bWJ2VuaWyzgupGP6fMwLhhiIfeGQnx-edbirq-j6MDNpzucrFr_Y/s1600/MS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1483" data-original-width="1461" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwrqKdy22uRqlL25hEfhEj92RzrjpLAydsFxLd0IsNxsiMSK9HWYv_Zp4vaRu_kzN38XwBub66onMAsYePLCDi8_6bWJ2VuaWyzgupGP6fMwLhhiIfeGQnx-edbirq-j6MDNpzucrFr_Y/s640/MS2.jpg" width="630" /></a><br />
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Give these families a safe route through Hackney Central and they won't be cycling on the pavement. The present layout is simply not safe enough and is <a href="https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2016/10/24/cyclist-campaigners-call-action-mare-street-collision-hotspot/">one of the worst locations</a> for cycling collisions in the borough<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Cyclist, 20, fighting for life after crash in Hackney this morning <a href="https://t.co/TyoHKUz7qz">https://t.co/TyoHKUz7qz</a> <a href="https://t.co/jakDAGScyL">pic.twitter.com/jakDAGScyL</a></div>
— Evening Standard (@standardnews) <a href="https://twitter.com/standardnews/status/787210524262096897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">15 October 2016</a></blockquote>
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It was very disappointing that a few years ago the local police announced that pavement cycling was the priority crime that they would be dealing with<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">
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A successful ward meeting tonight. The ward priority is set to tackle anti - social cycling on pavements. Next meeting 20th May. Venue TBC</div>
— Hkney Central Police (@MPSHackneyCentr) <a href="https://twitter.com/MPSHackneyCentr/status/563107066144120832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">4 February 2015</a></blockquote>
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Yes, pavement cycling is annoying but lets focus on the real danger here, which is people walking and cycling being inured or <a href="https://www.hackneygazette.co.uk/news/woman-hit-by-recovery-lorry-in-mare-street-1-6154466">killed by motor traffic</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A pavement on Mare Street in Hackney Central. Is pavement cycling really the issue here?</span></td></tr>
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If you want to stop people cycling on the pavement in Hackney Central then providing safe conditions for them to cycle is the clear solution. This solution was presented to Hackney Council back in 2015 when Andrew Gillian was the cycling commissioner and Quietway 2 was planned to go via the most obvious route, linking the Hackney Grove cycleway and the Narroway<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbwwEY3HV8UB2kmZmSs1AVExyeORZR5Dduku8zGxBlTiEaOjuJQ_jGdzwd1rBvmjlLo33RAeywIfjtfVfsyHefHkTn6GwP80PO8yTJ6gN1yruDcpNZZz_SWdKSXz0dlnwhp8Xd3z1lqf-/s1600/Option1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="661" data-original-width="860" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbwwEY3HV8UB2kmZmSs1AVExyeORZR5Dduku8zGxBlTiEaOjuJQ_jGdzwd1rBvmjlLo33RAeywIfjtfVfsyHefHkTn6GwP80PO8yTJ6gN1yruDcpNZZz_SWdKSXz0dlnwhp8Xd3z1lqf-/s640/Option1.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Option 1 - a bidirectional cycle track running along the western side of Mare Street, linking Reading Lane with the Narroway and finally making Hackney Central a place that is safe enough for anyone to navigate on a bike. Option 2 was stepped cycle tracks running on either side of the road</span></td></tr>
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Hackney Council had the funding, plans and support to go ahead with this years ago but instead chose an indirect and <a href="https://twitter.com/nataliexgould/status/1141022820656394240">unsafe</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/swalkere17/status/1151048201249665025">busy</a> back street route instead<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGDnlsJIwz6nrMB7Zo_J4ZvK-ggT0xQVqeLietobbzX35hnQX_IurxMe1IIKb7Ab1-yO68TqSL89cd_MLilTyI2ScfY5JnauBF2eDkhnvcNM7LIeUsopSbvCZl3AHlsNsr6hxqEZ1G-KV/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="113" data-original-width="812" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGDnlsJIwz6nrMB7Zo_J4ZvK-ggT0xQVqeLietobbzX35hnQX_IurxMe1IIKb7Ab1-yO68TqSL89cd_MLilTyI2ScfY5JnauBF2eDkhnvcNM7LIeUsopSbvCZl3AHlsNsr6hxqEZ1G-KV/s640/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hackney Council in their 2015-2025 cycling plan </td></tr>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">The future of Hackney Central - have your say</span></u></b><br />
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Two years ago <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2017/november/boroughs-secure-liveable-neighbourhoods-fundi">Hackney Council received £10m in funding</a> to finally introduce protected cycle tracks on Mare Street in Hackney Central, redesign the Pembury Junction and make Amhurst Road, which runs between the two, a through route for buses only.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5W7M_xqKM1pQLTZeVXkC7EHibWQcQNrhovR5SG_zSGPD_CmXAf61nRE6YuXJGpQHL1GI0IhNF9UZ-HwDX-W_M26-6luKXd0GpPSumYPOLcJK4PbPSajpj-_WEXeK5-v1NPbcmiAa4HMfW/s1600/AR1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1365" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5W7M_xqKM1pQLTZeVXkC7EHibWQcQNrhovR5SG_zSGPD_CmXAf61nRE6YuXJGpQHL1GI0IhNF9UZ-HwDX-W_M26-6luKXd0GpPSumYPOLcJK4PbPSajpj-_WEXeK5-v1NPbcmiAa4HMfW/s640/AR1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amhurst Road is already four lanes wide so with a bus gate protected cycle tracks can easily be accommodated. Bus priority is achieved without the need for bus lanes, because the private motor traffic will have been removed </span></td></tr>
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Hackney Council are inviting you to <a href="https://hcc.commonplace.is/overview">have your say</a> on these improvements. Obviously protected cycle tracks running the length of Mare Street though Hackney Central will be required as that is what the TfL funding is for. Any reversal of this proposal with an attempt to force people cycling in with buses would have to result in the funding being withdrawn and given to other councils who <a href="https://twitter.com/Labourstone/status/1161770108781572097">are enabled the necessary changes to ensure their roads safer for everyone</a>.<br />
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As well as <a href="https://hcc.commonplace.is/schemes/proposals/have-your-say-on-moving-around-hackney-central/details">submitting your comments on moving through Hackney Central</a> you can also <a href="https://hcc.commonplace.is/schemes/proposals/add-your-comments-to-the-hackney-central-map/details">add comments to a map</a>, which covers a wider area. Perhaps you'd like to see Chatham Place filtered on Q2 or modal filters on the Naverino Road cycle route? Perhaps the contraflow cycle track on Paragon Road should be made bi-directional and run all the way from Mare Street to Morning Lane to link the proposed cycle tracks on Mare Street with the recently constructed cycle track on Wick Road?<br />
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If you live, work, shop or travel through Hackney Central then please do let the council know what changes you'd like to see to the roads and junctions that would enable families to get about by bike and ensures that <a href="https://news.hackney.gov.uk/cllr-burke-we-wont-rest-until-weve-eliminated-road-deaths-in-hackney/">the safety of</a> people walking and cycling <a href="https://twitter.com/hackneycouncil/status/861609096566493184">comes first</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-38043704308496430092019-03-25T21:17:00.000+00:002019-03-25T21:22:00.994+00:00The new Isle of Dogs to Hackney cycle route Transport for London <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/cycling/routes-and-maps/new-cycle-routes">are currently asking</a> for views on proposals for four new cycle routes in London. One of these is a 7.5km route from the Isle of Dogs to Hackney via Westferry, Mile End and Victoria Park. The route through Tower Hamlets has already been decided on, running from Canary Wharf on a direct main road, via West India Dock Road, Burdett Road and Grove Road. Once the route exits the borough of Tower Hamlets and enters Hackney there is a choice of two routes, which TfL want to hear your views on. One proposed route continues on the main road as Grove road turns into Lauriston road, whilst the other route turns off the main road to run on residential streets, via Gore road along the northern edge of Victoria Park<br />
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Lauriston road runs through Victoria Park Village and I regard it as my local High Street. In Hackney Wick we have only a handful of local shops and so need to travel out of the area for most purchases. Westfield shopping centre in Stratford is an obvious choice and is one I do use a fair amount due to the convenience (although I find myself going there less these days since <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/11/the-evolution-of-westfield-avenue-in.html">the upgrade of Westfield Avenue and removal of all cycle parking</a>). Roman Road in the neighbouring borough of Tower Hamlets is closer than Lauriston Road but requires cycling on narrow busy roads which I prefer to avoid, especially if I'm cycling with my young daughter. Lauriston Road however, is a quick cycle ride though the pleasant Victoria Park. For the last three Christmases I have exclusively used Lauriston Road for my Christmas day shopping - meat from <a href="https://thegingerpig.co.uk/">Ginger Pig</a>, wine from <a href="https://www.bottleapostle.com/">bottle aspotle</a>, vegetables from Village Organic and cheese from <a href="http://www.thedelidownstairs.co.uk/">the deli downstairs</a>. I'm a regular visitor to all of these shops all year of course, and any time we're off to yet another children's birthday party then <a href="http://www.thetoyboxshop.co.uk/">the Toybox</a>, a small independent toy shop that gift wraps for you, is a blessing. There are other shops and restaurants I could mention that make Victoria Park Village such a pleasant place to visit. However the road layout is certainly not one of them and this proposed route could be a great opportunity to make Victoria Park Village a much nicer place for those visiting on foot and by bike<br />
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Almost every time I am i this area <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/830332025240444928">I see people cycling on the pavement</a>, usually young children and families. I've spent some time walking along this road taking photos over the past week and even I was surprised at just how much pavement cycling by families happens here. All photos used in this blog have been taken within the past week.<br />
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As Grove Road exits Tower Hamlets and turns into Lauriston road in Hackney the road has a very cycle-unfriendly road surface, consisting of uneven stone setts. This was installed during the upgrade of Victoria Park prior to the 2012 Olympic Games and designed to slow down traffic. Ideally this should be replaced with a smoother surface and, ideally, a <a href="https://www.cycling-embassy.org.uk/dictionary/tiger-crossing">tiger crossing</a> to link the two parks, rather than cyclists having to hop on and off the pavement to use the zebra crossing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrA3jsJ7dS1zaIrfLphwGFp-S5KU8-Xby5B1o9_ovfM4qD20qqZW3-dWvlp-p3o2s4NGCyxYsyoolIMVrVpTaxNJKRLmP7yev0kWP8e7UeztKX581hFPNnHuxGEXnnENqhAN6Djzbl_2-A/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1241" data-original-width="1599" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrA3jsJ7dS1zaIrfLphwGFp-S5KU8-Xby5B1o9_ovfM4qD20qqZW3-dWvlp-p3o2s4NGCyxYsyoolIMVrVpTaxNJKRLmP7yev0kWP8e7UeztKX581hFPNnHuxGEXnnENqhAN6Djzbl_2-A/s640/31.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The current road surface is too difficult to use for those with young children on small bikes </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Gore Road is a wide street which results in long crossing distances for pedestrians and is also a busy road with lots of motor traffic coming in and out of it<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOTCub8JJuN-HgtwyZ_cKRq2gCOlt3yN-Pe1z5W_3_9FVTJgDJnn9I6u9X5vy4aWmNzRIwP-7sIn_iW7f6fQFtwGYQtS_ZaNgbsivqSwHKfKatwsIqOt9WCuo2fUx-ed0NWIXttTfXmTt/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVOTCub8JJuN-HgtwyZ_cKRq2gCOlt3yN-Pe1z5W_3_9FVTJgDJnn9I6u9X5vy4aWmNzRIwP-7sIn_iW7f6fQFtwGYQtS_ZaNgbsivqSwHKfKatwsIqOt9WCuo2fUx-ed0NWIXttTfXmTt/s640/17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even the Google maps streetview car <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/WEFajGxXEEn">caught a driver parked on the dropped kerb</a> on the corner (a regular occurrence) as a parent tried to cross with their bike,</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSurNxwBwkkDBTwIz-FPnb0_a0QGhdfg6pxVTqz0UUiCXKlI66w08dlurFPShG3x-wBz1OawnzoVkOxEf3l80McCWa1ZfYdgU2N4zP00rGRUOiqVFa-zTYcGWEQP6CySeYXC_rEMMQ1qL/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1599" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSurNxwBwkkDBTwIz-FPnb0_a0QGhdfg6pxVTqz0UUiCXKlI66w08dlurFPShG3x-wBz1OawnzoVkOxEf3l80McCWa1ZfYdgU2N4zP00rGRUOiqVFa-zTYcGWEQP6CySeYXC_rEMMQ1qL/s640/30.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Directly opposite is Wetherall Road, a busy route for cyclists at night who want to use <a href="https://twitter.com/Lakerlikes/status/1060793734030413824">the shared footpath on Victoria Park Road</a> when the Park is closed, as well as for children going to Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy School. Cycleway or no new cycleway both of these roads should be narrowed at this junction and filtered to reduce or eliminate through traffic using them as a rat run<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHaMTECFMCoUjT11zo8h2H2wasbCGmaN-8dSkJl4PryaOqDGBi5niQf4T3iR_39rL3L3uwCBH_8ENqBsGWxzhNO0pgse34nHcJ0qr0OdejQl3S5pabMsArErUlprk_XwFa8ra0iZY9a72/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1600" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHaMTECFMCoUjT11zo8h2H2wasbCGmaN-8dSkJl4PryaOqDGBi5niQf4T3iR_39rL3L3uwCBH_8ENqBsGWxzhNO0pgse34nHcJ0qr0OdejQl3S5pabMsArErUlprk_XwFa8ra0iZY9a72/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As you enter Lauriston Road from Grove Road its noticeable just how wide the road here is, with an exceptionally wide carrigeway, you could fit about six lanes of traffic here and still have space left over for parking on both sides of the road!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrZtPIeg3sIPp8Rd0el863ZA7i5M2TPwb9Eqkssyq6josHIQNTEDlQn2lYKI-5qnOvhafutD2H2sukbEPucc_RlkJg0umoD4HOxw4UijoX16ALexf8h-ULYt0orU_ouVkdDHdQdb3LXyP/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrZtPIeg3sIPp8Rd0el863ZA7i5M2TPwb9Eqkssyq6josHIQNTEDlQn2lYKI-5qnOvhafutD2H2sukbEPucc_RlkJg0umoD4HOxw4UijoX16ALexf8h-ULYt0orU_ouVkdDHdQdb3LXyP/s640/15.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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There is clearly ample space here for protected cycle tracks, with floating bus stops with plenty of room left over for a narrower roadway, and to retain parking and loading.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0FoNGmTkeuFUzxILqi_z6sm7aXeT2YfT6OygOFXVURvePplos3YkzCnUCuB8pKFvVcYTmFhXhowr6Ivf2tHqV8whq0Knda9tCUfTFxinWriHA4f6Xbs_xCQjnBlkKmZ0FnCACA1zbvJV/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1335" data-original-width="1071" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI0FoNGmTkeuFUzxILqi_z6sm7aXeT2YfT6OygOFXVURvePplos3YkzCnUCuB8pKFvVcYTmFhXhowr6Ivf2tHqV8whq0Knda9tCUfTFxinWriHA4f6Xbs_xCQjnBlkKmZ0FnCACA1zbvJV/s640/2.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before and after in Nijmegen: a wide road with painted cycle lanes in the doorzone is narrowed to create protected cycle tracks and a central divider to keep motor traffic speeds low. Continuous footways and added greenery improve the road layout for pedestrians as well as cyclists </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The road surface here is also in a terrible condition and is particularly dangerous if you're on a bicycle as you either stay in the door zone or are forced to cycle in the middle of the road to avoid the poor surfacing<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHXtHdDVYbEqy-fT0Ve__pdrvm3a_dAtIJEljnW0_JBHylIcuLLfLa1b6qLMxlzoW2fz028acFM8vMtJGNY0nc2154W2j4R1VNBmxPEghkwF4HG1qQ05bhx-J6nADxinIp9BrJ8Mqn5F2/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRHXtHdDVYbEqy-fT0Ve__pdrvm3a_dAtIJEljnW0_JBHylIcuLLfLa1b6qLMxlzoW2fz028acFM8vMtJGNY0nc2154W2j4R1VNBmxPEghkwF4HG1qQ05bhx-J6nADxinIp9BrJ8Mqn5F2/s640/16.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Morpeth Road, which should be a quiet residential street but is actually a heavily used rat run, has two exits onto Lauriston Road along with narrow pavements with pedestrians constantly having to give way to cars coming in an out<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE_LNdAPfltw8Xmy0Jf0LRV6yXBNu3u2bxKTwVEjU1XhBk3ktPXhOwQRzjfu2qLY63dopqA0iEwIPJm94ofmxvPksFyESLizEoj9a1mlAN8GBj1FjDUpuwymn-MIxcjZJSdTFF-KR8sj6/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1279" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWE_LNdAPfltw8Xmy0Jf0LRV6yXBNu3u2bxKTwVEjU1XhBk3ktPXhOwQRzjfu2qLY63dopqA0iEwIPJm94ofmxvPksFyESLizEoj9a1mlAN8GBj1FjDUpuwymn-MIxcjZJSdTFF-KR8sj6/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
It's obviously been good to see so many children and parents going to and from school by bike this week but all of them, without exception, were cycling on the pavement, rather than on the road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-I8VkdiJeQX9I5fLPs5YuoZj0m6y8ZkaOAZFuiDRU0RuvUu_QneC_ARWXmeE1JTMMxjXWfHcoJz1puHWYw_gtmXJRbc0Pr1VIDUuLXqftqi8Lvl9zueHMBcmBKJew4trc0rSJucov_Pa/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1541" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-I8VkdiJeQX9I5fLPs5YuoZj0m6y8ZkaOAZFuiDRU0RuvUu_QneC_ARWXmeE1JTMMxjXWfHcoJz1puHWYw_gtmXJRbc0Pr1VIDUuLXqftqi8Lvl9zueHMBcmBKJew4trc0rSJucov_Pa/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFZizTYE69Rx9VWAXSJ3Rw8u3kEYEBvtst8bbBE9YA8umzCwkZNOrM-QBv-yepAA5mAQBDmN602ChIvGeR6WMZMf7-G2GVjiXMzI80vhFOFrw1daGAK45oO9dm_xdANVGZmK_-L3MO4Ud/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1141" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuFZizTYE69Rx9VWAXSJ3Rw8u3kEYEBvtst8bbBE9YA8umzCwkZNOrM-QBv-yepAA5mAQBDmN602ChIvGeR6WMZMf7-G2GVjiXMzI80vhFOFrw1daGAK45oO9dm_xdANVGZmK_-L3MO4Ud/s640/9.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjNLJNDS64q_A2R8kebGOPWOYvKDprGmJBjtU2q8AokzNUxn3nllQIAXBULxmZewkdPHCC2aCRmkyMITodjk8YLqSNuZfb1vw0epwZVVrnE_H90XjZayIZDDarj0WTJktL07CqL-0bQF8/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1463" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjNLJNDS64q_A2R8kebGOPWOYvKDprGmJBjtU2q8AokzNUxn3nllQIAXBULxmZewkdPHCC2aCRmkyMITodjk8YLqSNuZfb1vw0epwZVVrnE_H90XjZayIZDDarj0WTJktL07CqL-0bQF8/s640/7.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
This was also the case last weekend with families on bikes shopping or going to and from Victoria Park<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdWR8VRJEyeYMvV4OPs7K6cEEiCeVDAJY-5hOWFSRq7mdf27AEzc1ONPBVukPIF3SJj4ibg52sbGTM8FWg_GGjP6BuOoiXg83EfBfsIgYGCbqmb1dQVy_xYUO1hoWke_TaqQ9y_wKzTsA/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1539" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdWR8VRJEyeYMvV4OPs7K6cEEiCeVDAJY-5hOWFSRq7mdf27AEzc1ONPBVukPIF3SJj4ibg52sbGTM8FWg_GGjP6BuOoiXg83EfBfsIgYGCbqmb1dQVy_xYUO1hoWke_TaqQ9y_wKzTsA/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnHorAuiqhJ-6d1VhfipDhmy5_mdQL27MqEwiXWwLdC27-T9uO8sjaJmRR-F8i9DO6zCe2we70AY3oeaCMe7cJhOWvxV-k8hU5rPzUc8adyO0Owpy75D6vGCidxJ8FIVfv2W3JyF8gdJr/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1533" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlnHorAuiqhJ-6d1VhfipDhmy5_mdQL27MqEwiXWwLdC27-T9uO8sjaJmRR-F8i9DO6zCe2we70AY3oeaCMe7cJhOWvxV-k8hU5rPzUc8adyO0Owpy75D6vGCidxJ8FIVfv2W3JyF8gdJr/s640/13.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOCg3KzYqL5SEcuPqchYKE7ocqJ4nBwOEvH7xIpP-qAoYL2m7-UpHlZqCKG1uXbl4aqGCLPeBpQMmq238aTX-8ISWqbT9t0XXoDLL2FVipEMXc1W0yO2yygKh2U0172qPt7yeq29R0u2V/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOCg3KzYqL5SEcuPqchYKE7ocqJ4nBwOEvH7xIpP-qAoYL2m7-UpHlZqCKG1uXbl4aqGCLPeBpQMmq238aTX-8ISWqbT9t0XXoDLL2FVipEMXc1W0yO2yygKh2U0172qPt7yeq29R0u2V/s640/20.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrrgzWku-bjxtA3bnEzcsTdErFnhLCCyj6VQ3E_wBdJau9uP4hHxc3sHq4-Ge187-r9URPJLbhsu-7JxbLuprfZsROnr_UjZ4m_SWyEHS2cO6aDSnoPHhSdKHK3_7EMvXoNv_PMLUcnTm/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrrgzWku-bjxtA3bnEzcsTdErFnhLCCyj6VQ3E_wBdJau9uP4hHxc3sHq4-Ge187-r9URPJLbhsu-7JxbLuprfZsROnr_UjZ4m_SWyEHS2cO6aDSnoPHhSdKHK3_7EMvXoNv_PMLUcnTm/s640/22.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
the cycle parking outside the shops is very well used and I can tell you from personal experience that it's a regular occurrence to not be able to park a bike at any of the cycle stands<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQxd5Yn4LVU7pr8UwcvX5U_7lYpNUeWIm_JUD5Wr31nGp_4JDjfRCAnx1TXRERQH8VG44fQr_6jHRXn68KOHQln7PipE6FLN9GiXRmV_j7YZM3obnKBrjHzn3Gly0tSdhGv5Dow-ZmJ7Z/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQxd5Yn4LVU7pr8UwcvX5U_7lYpNUeWIm_JUD5Wr31nGp_4JDjfRCAnx1TXRERQH8VG44fQr_6jHRXn68KOHQln7PipE6FLN9GiXRmV_j7YZM3obnKBrjHzn3Gly0tSdhGv5Dow-ZmJ7Z/s640/21.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I've always thought most of the grass here could make way for a protected cycle track, with the bike parking moved closer to the road between the trees. This would ensure the cycle track is close to the shops and create more space for pedestrians.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkid96pLz7AUOAA2bRgRg-WzIcp6WA9wKanWDqII0hbppn84_63j6qNhjUim-Mktd-jeiNpLMwrJ9CbZkBuGxX7yQEezybOZOan5ckHHlMZ4PQME7AMhzPzSgDGjNkvr6qbobUrlowBI-O/s1600/2016-07-02+13.20.15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkid96pLz7AUOAA2bRgRg-WzIcp6WA9wKanWDqII0hbppn84_63j6qNhjUim-Mktd-jeiNpLMwrJ9CbZkBuGxX7yQEezybOZOan5ckHHlMZ4PQME7AMhzPzSgDGjNkvr6qbobUrlowBI-O/s640/2016-07-02+13.20.15.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Easily the space for a cycle track, trees and a much wider footway on Lauriston Road</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The cycle track could then continue alongside the trees, which also means it would be set back some distance from the bus stop<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHzGkxzoWzeTMaea0hlGYwERmi8NJ5pmhPtgSo_wjbTal_wuTZDf3xr2DpjyGP8efZBKEFva9rqwtp6dtt8S2hV5ZZC0OXpxeU_Hgr9uLSsB37YSVNpkOfwDms4YLIK7zVi1rB5bpG5dx/s1600/33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbHzGkxzoWzeTMaea0hlGYwERmi8NJ5pmhPtgSo_wjbTal_wuTZDf3xr2DpjyGP8efZBKEFva9rqwtp6dtt8S2hV5ZZC0OXpxeU_Hgr9uLSsB37YSVNpkOfwDms4YLIK7zVi1rB5bpG5dx/s640/33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
freeing up carriageway space for a cycle track on the opposite side of the road, along with loading and car parking spaces<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYwW2XbOeRhbpGvy_S_DkZfju5-l7ut-a3rrjLs7M_xIpK-sja5EKHheMXqPldrHnW8S6LNoFmX0BJHlVhox0D8s6KqWGhTdJZ-aBouKkesBDfjJCLOdlaeCdw8T4ZkCTPLLMvaey7hrq/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYwW2XbOeRhbpGvy_S_DkZfju5-l7ut-a3rrjLs7M_xIpK-sja5EKHheMXqPldrHnW8S6LNoFmX0BJHlVhox0D8s6KqWGhTdJZ-aBouKkesBDfjJCLOdlaeCdw8T4ZkCTPLLMvaey7hrq/s640/23.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Saying that, parking is free on this road, except for two hours between 10am and midday Monday to Friday only. At the weekend it was clear that an awful lot of cars were being parked here so parents could take their children to Victoria Park so not sure how having cars parked all day for free is good for trade of local businesses along here. With a network of protected cycle tracks and filtered residential streets many families could easily cycle here from the surrounding area<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before and after in Amsterdam - car parking removed from what is already a quiet residential street to create a cycle track for a safer and more direct route out of Vondelpark so families can safely cycle to and from the park </span></td></tr>
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Ruthven Street is a minor residential cul-de-sac which leads to no more than a dozen houses and even fewer car parking spaces. However it is two lanes wide and you often see motor vehicles parked here, usually on double yellows at the edge of the road but sometimes also blocking the dropped kerb<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaZcrzhQvr0WwoL7y9PS82YhFdmt91wqVMlQFfNioS-ZlkNh4gYgCTUoa3Nh4vdJeR3NiPxsKDW0rCGgcYUJerHv3o1VM3xs4w3Fr0lHSR9o4TN1eObQqkxV-by0sUKbzFAyj49Ap7oPI/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1475" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsaZcrzhQvr0WwoL7y9PS82YhFdmt91wqVMlQFfNioS-ZlkNh4gYgCTUoa3Nh4vdJeR3NiPxsKDW0rCGgcYUJerHv3o1VM3xs4w3Fr0lHSR9o4TN1eObQqkxV-by0sUKbzFAyj49Ap7oPI/s640/19.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDawDQ_aDvpuSgwUD3qZtV1fbY8msG0IMgfsw3W7NDRfShvyAg1Oj-HgnpNdaSVUGKE2B9LG9IXdf6YUhg0pDtChOc60o6jExm0FliAZlQi1-A-KbQIevGb2XgyaXgFePARfiBnBj6VQc/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1312" data-original-width="1600" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjDawDQ_aDvpuSgwUD3qZtV1fbY8msG0IMgfsw3W7NDRfShvyAg1Oj-HgnpNdaSVUGKE2B9LG9IXdf6YUhg0pDtChOc60o6jExm0FliAZlQi1-A-KbQIevGb2XgyaXgFePARfiBnBj6VQc/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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A continuous footway and cycle track, with street furniture located at the edge of a narrower access would prevent this and improve the situation for people walking and cycling<br />
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Just north of here Lauriston Road meets Victoria Park Road at a roundabout where <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/news/she-was-our-shining-light-say-family-of-cyclist-killed-by-lorry-6779595.html">Shivon Watson was killed under a lorry whilst cycling here almost exactly nine years ago</a>. The council <a href="https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/shivon-watson-hackney-victoria-park-ghost-bike-453212">removed her ghost bike many years</a> ago but a single flower remains at the scene<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzFbOMHm4q1gDSeYvjyQml0Cj3qRbKG-A1gARoBT_2q1f4plP8m6BRIaU-VmGq_rL_bY4JUxqIwC-rVQ9rj9Q5w0qb-KklY5HA2VBYIa4iKMylgDpiXu9gPQslyqu6YJiB7iSYlBO-4Vw/s1600/IMG_6217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzFbOMHm4q1gDSeYvjyQml0Cj3qRbKG-A1gARoBT_2q1f4plP8m6BRIaU-VmGq_rL_bY4JUxqIwC-rVQ9rj9Q5w0qb-KklY5HA2VBYIa4iKMylgDpiXu9gPQslyqu6YJiB7iSYlBO-4Vw/s640/IMG_6217.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Note the mum and her child cycling on the zebra crossing in the background. Would you cycle with your children on this roundabout or would you stick to the crossings? </span></td></tr>
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Victoria Park Road is a horrible road to cycle on; filled with lorries and coaches using it to drive from the A12 into Central London. Nearly <a href="https://www.hackneycitizen.co.uk/2019/01/24/frustrated-residents-speak-brakes-victoria-park-road-speeding/">12,000 motor vehicles use it everyday with 93% of them breaking the speed limit</a>. People cycling should not be expected to share with lorries and buses on a roundabout like this and it's frankly disgraceful that nine years on from Shivon Watsons death no changes have occurred here. The proposed route in this consultation is a wonderful opportunity to finally fix this deathtrap, which makes it all the more bizarre the backstreet route is even being considered.<br />
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With a slight reduction in the size of the (very pretty) centre of the roundabout this junction could accommodate cycle tracks and cyclist priority alongside the pedestrian zebra crossing<br />
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Using a roundabout in the Netherlands, much safer than a crossroads with priority for people walking and cycling <a href="https://t.co/Q2HLj7xbmz">pic.twitter.com/Q2HLj7xbmz</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1015232370046328832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">6 July 2018</a></blockquote>
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North of Victoria Park Road at Southborough Road and the vast majority of carriageway space is reserved for car parking, meaning very long crossing points between footways for pedestrians<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSieO-M03tFWt6oGYd6zq8-mA6hyphenhyphenBx5WGo7hqj7ftF4CD-GVOyUOVulyxGlpnt6HUwm-CV6ygldoQP8ZHKnIwPhyeCgrMeD0cjaQD9yfgJ4wAMbZoPDtJe_YH5iD2ef7-Ryr_isIM9eam/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoSieO-M03tFWt6oGYd6zq8-mA6hyphenhyphenBx5WGo7hqj7ftF4CD-GVOyUOVulyxGlpnt6HUwm-CV6ygldoQP8ZHKnIwPhyeCgrMeD0cjaQD9yfgJ4wAMbZoPDtJe_YH5iD2ef7-Ryr_isIM9eam/s640/14.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Does this road layout put pedestrians and cyclists at the top of the road user hierarchy, with cars at the bottom? </span></td></tr>
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Streets for people not cars. <a href="https://t.co/crkJzG6z6y">https://t.co/crkJzG6z6y</a></div>
— Mayor of Hackney (@mayorofhackney) <a href="https://twitter.com/mayorofhackney/status/1107257614776324096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Whilst I'm not against some cycle routes running along quieter roads; for example the route from Hackney Central to Hackney Road runs along Goldsmith's Row and Broadway Market, which is a shorter and more pleasant route than Mare Street. However in South Hackney the proposed back street route would be a mistake, it should quite clearly be much more beneficial to run along protected cycle tracks along Lauriston road instead to serve the shops, houses and schools along here, whilst committing to filtering more residential streets in the surrounding area. The eastern alignment would link Victoria Park with the shops in the village, on Well Street, Quietway 2 and even the <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1086675086348861444">new cycle tracks on Wick Road</a>. What a lasting tribute to Shivon Watson it would be to see families safely cycling on protected cycle tracks at the spot where she was killed riding her bike<br />
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Transport for London state that the route options are not decided and that they will be refined based on comments and feedback. You can email them via <a href="mailto:newcycleroutes@tfl.gov.uk">newcycleroutes@tfl.gov.uk</a> with ideas, comments and suggestions up until 31st March. If you live in or visit the Victoria Park area and would like Lauriston Road to be improved for people walking and cycling then please do respond.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-8836111297359226122019-03-03T19:32:00.001+00:002019-03-03T19:32:41.472+00:00Cycling between cities in the Netherlands part 19: Zwolle to Utrecht via AmersfoortI did consider splitting this trip into two days but after some thought I decided to go ahead with cycling from Zwolle to Utrecht in one trip. This would be a long ride of about 100km, which I knew I would be able to do with no issues, but I knew it would take me most of the day to do as it simply isn't possible for me to ride at any significant speed on my heavy Dutch bike. My main concern was the weather; my previous longest ride, <a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Utrecht to Nijmegen</a>, was plagued with heavy, torrential rain and what should have been a lovely trip filled with views through the forests and countryside became one where I could barely see five feet in front of me, whist being soaked to the skin. Accommodation is booked months in advance and so the date of this ride was fixed, and so I prayed for some decent weather. As it turned out my entire holiday had so far had warm weather and the forecast in the days leading up to it predicted this to be the hottest yet, with temperatures possibly higher than 30c.<br />
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When planning a 100km cycling trip in the Netherlands there are many different routes you can choose from; such as direct cycleways alongside motorway and main roads or filtered roads and cycleways through forests and countryside. In the end I chose to cycle back into Flevoland, in order to cycle alongside the water in an effort to stay cool.<br />
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I left Zwolle early on a Sunday Morning as I hoped to have time left to explore Utrecht at the end of the day and wanted to get some miles in before the midday heat arrived. <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0HG8pTD.jpg">I cycled through an almost deserted and silent city centre on cycleways</a> before they <a href="https://i.imgur.com/9HV6Fvm.jpg">turned into a service road</a>. I then turned right into a residential street which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/jcFM5n3.jpg">was heavily filtered at the end</a>; it would be a struggle to get a cargo bike through here. I then turned left onto a cycleway which took me under the N337 road<br />
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As I came out of the underpass <a href="https://i.imgur.com/vonhPmY.jpg">the cycleway curved round</a> to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/bpiI1zg.jpg">run alongside a main road</a> which took me <a href="https://i.imgur.com/WYlzI5c.jpg">out of Zwolle</a> and onto a bridge over the IJssel river, out of the province of Overijssel and into Gelderland<br />
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From here I had a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/umxsgqU.jpg">great view of the river and of the A28 motorway</a> that crossed it. I continued to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/gLLPyZc.jpg">cycle alongside this road</a>, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ybj3Hqw.jpg">under the A50 motorway</a> and then into the village of Hattemerbroek as I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/nZX67s7.jpg">used a roundabout</a> and a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/RswqHq0.jpg">floating bus stop</a>, complete with cycle parking. I turned right into a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/3dNUbYq.jpg">filtered and narrow country road</a> which took me <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ktzCEih.jpg">over the A28 motorway</a> and I then turned left onto a road through farmland<br />
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A cyclepath appeared to my left and so I was able to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/N4kPedy.jpg">use that for the next kilometre</a>, whilst the road ran parallel alongside. This brought me to the N308 road so I turned right and cycled alongside it on a bidirectional cycleway<br />
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I continued along here, with the cycleway bending away from the road in order to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0u77hi8.jpg">cross side roads away from the junction</a>. Housing then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/IBXKp7E.jpg">began to appear on each side of the road</a> as I entered the town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldebroek">Oldebroek </a>and then I started to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/sciKdCi.jpg">see other people</a>, all of them <a href="https://i.imgur.com/IctrwLE.jpg">on bikes</a>. This was the first time I had seen anyone (except those in cars driving past) since I had left Zwolle over an hour earlier. The cycleways <a href="https://i.imgur.com/1hPEKEB.jpg">briefly became painted cycle lanes</a> as I passed through the centre of the town and as I passed a garage the digital display outside read that it was 23c, despite that it was not even 9am yet. The cycleway soon reappeared as <a href="https://i.imgur.com/OwIExCl.jpg">I exited the town</a> and continued on through farmland<br />
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I entered <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elburg">Elburg</a>, cycling through a built up area <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ENnuy3I.jpg">alongside the main road</a>, and then turned <a href="https://i.imgur.com/FeQQ9DZ.jpg">right at a roundabout</a> to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Vb7QoOR.jpg">join a service / residential road</a> with the main road into the town from the roundabout running parallel alongside. Here there were many people of all ages cycling, almost all of them well dressed and many wearing suits. The constant sound of church bells also rang out across the town, as if I needed any clues as to where they were all cycling to this early on a Sunday. The cycleway <a href="https://i.imgur.com/xcSEVOc.jpg">then became cobbled </a>as it joined up with the cobbled street through the centre of this well preserved medieval old town<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUDJdVIFlNybOUfbL3dOSU7DEWyCws16fU35JEVE3UMdtiHlXPqwKAENuCJAtVCxLTl5NK_ndDHrJVX04tUSWVi08C36R69_5pA7eL1C7VvlWJhEO-suNrxU8Cfm-aQ4vVhEDEJfY-zWY/s1600/VQjDqmm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUDJdVIFlNybOUfbL3dOSU7DEWyCws16fU35JEVE3UMdtiHlXPqwKAENuCJAtVCxLTl5NK_ndDHrJVX04tUSWVi08C36R69_5pA7eL1C7VvlWJhEO-suNrxU8Cfm-aQ4vVhEDEJfY-zWY/s640/VQjDqmm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The surface for cycling was, however, much smoother than it would be for those driving through. As I passed through the town all of the bars and restaurants were <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZCzyhd1.jpg">busy laying out</a> dozens and dozens of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ui12t3P.jpg">tables and chairs on the street</a>. This is clearly a very popular tourist destination for obvious reasons; I'd like to come back and have look around here myself one day, ideally when it isn't 9 o'clock on a Sunday morning! <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0dNumbN.jpg">I passed under the city gate</a>, which was filtered to motor traffic, and the only route north out of Elburg ensuring no motor traffic can use the centre of the town as a through route<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CK_-ug4PiVVvrEfM12Hnl1AfY3IN809EqswdcLMQpHHMmBw4M2P28lw_7gBF3x9Ve1MmCZe1ZIB0J4Y6_K3J93g8-xH3K_sLqv8V1nKpIvLyrKg0-Ly3_ZSFulenj58f_7Jawv-MXi97/s1600/0dNumbN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1CK_-ug4PiVVvrEfM12Hnl1AfY3IN809EqswdcLMQpHHMmBw4M2P28lw_7gBF3x9Ve1MmCZe1ZIB0J4Y6_K3J93g8-xH3K_sLqv8V1nKpIvLyrKg0-Ly3_ZSFulenj58f_7Jawv-MXi97/s640/0dNumbN.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I then cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/6lu8beF.jpg">around the marina on the other side</a>, which brought me back <a href="https://i.imgur.com/lpoIQ7O.jpg">onto a bidirectional cycleway</a>. The cycleway <a href="https://i.imgur.com/adfPoQQ.jpg">changed from cobbled to asphalt</a>, with access maintained for motor traffic to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Rek5WDN.jpg">park alongside the cycleway</a>, as I cycled past dozens of moored boats and then out of Elburg, back onto a cycleway which only allowed cycles to use it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYh1EzmZoJDKX-AuZyd-HbEridRtQJrojaIP1RUc6R5nyNinjaKVZJihLiMuxCSuJIZdd14TcZoCFKhOPhwSAO8oFZj3pF3KAFJ4-Umy95AAmqH7NE4iNJAlkSQlKxgLxFrdSr9I9m5VB/s1600/kg8PodL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifYh1EzmZoJDKX-AuZyd-HbEridRtQJrojaIP1RUc6R5nyNinjaKVZJihLiMuxCSuJIZdd14TcZoCFKhOPhwSAO8oFZj3pF3KAFJ4-Umy95AAmqH7NE4iNJAlkSQlKxgLxFrdSr9I9m5VB/s640/kg8PodL.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The cycleway soon joined <a href="https://i.imgur.com/sxFWMTv.jpg">alongside the N309 road as it approached the Veluwemeer lake</a>, which I then crossed over on a bridge. I was now exiting the province of Gelderland and entering Flevoland again and I immediately turned left to cycle on a cycleway constructed of concrete slabs alongside the N306 road.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5otpEEBTxG_mRSlhYHWqHs2Z8o0RpoMY7ogmn7RYCPMK3jtJOJ93aI37j4IX8kAPo8nPesFTiwtTrKeoBD4-_QS6cgSMN-KFB6izJHWqVkQmtF-M0d_qxz9yJpJdvzDutcEMaFXCECXK/s1600/6gqqASG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1302" data-original-width="1600" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH5otpEEBTxG_mRSlhYHWqHs2Z8o0RpoMY7ogmn7RYCPMK3jtJOJ93aI37j4IX8kAPo8nPesFTiwtTrKeoBD4-_QS6cgSMN-KFB6izJHWqVkQmtF-M0d_qxz9yJpJdvzDutcEMaFXCECXK/s640/6gqqASG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I turned left <a href="https://i.imgur.com/91HymrC.jpg">onto a road</a> heading back towards the lake and then turned <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mnKPnie.jpg">onto a block paved road</a> on top of a dike running alongside the lake. I was really not keen on this bumpy route especially as I saw how far it stretched into the distance, but it was then that I spotted a cycle track running between it and the beach alongside. I briefly stopped at the beach for water, food and to top up sun lotion before <a href="https://i.imgur.com/BqZJZv3.jpg">joining the cycle track</a> to run between the beach and the road, shielded by trees from both of them. It <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Hntk1Uo.jpg">continued like this</a>, with the odd glimpse of the beach or road through gaps in the trees, for the next three kilometres. The road then turned away to the right so the cycleway ran on top of the dike with nice clear views either side.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-GM7VVhDb9O1x9_MgGOVSn9toLDKjAn4TupWIwu1hhyv_ybZGvhPecKnLuT52K2IMrHh6sqUnE0q1-U2I4ZmLU0szifF8ElUBtzzb09FnuuNA7T60ftFYMfyEExnQqvZmRElggFXtkNk/s1600/ggXtKJe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-GM7VVhDb9O1x9_MgGOVSn9toLDKjAn4TupWIwu1hhyv_ybZGvhPecKnLuT52K2IMrHh6sqUnE0q1-U2I4ZmLU0szifF8ElUBtzzb09FnuuNA7T60ftFYMfyEExnQqvZmRElggFXtkNk/s640/ggXtKJe.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A couple of kilometres later the cycleway dipped down to the left and the old cycleway was clearly visible, but had at some point in the past been turned into car parking<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcQ7EXYU9qh-OgeKowjy6ZpmKCsNUyAKkeaAgY1Gb50jC6WnKWGdTPN64RFNZOLxWQfXxIsA3p7Ri1h3xa0ow_A5nU09qE3CnWhNgV5Dn-J_U5ubain4XYS0jp4R58VdtAomuICJ44vcY/s1600/wuFBIRw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1052" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMcQ7EXYU9qh-OgeKowjy6ZpmKCsNUyAKkeaAgY1Gb50jC6WnKWGdTPN64RFNZOLxWQfXxIsA3p7Ri1h3xa0ow_A5nU09qE3CnWhNgV5Dn-J_U5ubain4XYS0jp4R58VdtAomuICJ44vcY/s640/wuFBIRw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However, rather than have to cycle through the car park the cycleway <a href="https://i.imgur.com/wqOTrRD.jpg">seamlessly continued on between the car parking and the beach</a> with people making their way down from their cars to the beach across the cycleway. There was also plenty of cycle parking located alongside the cycleway, although it was fairly empty but I didn't expect that to last too much longer. <a href="https://i.imgur.com/gSAQBJe.jpg">The N306 road then reappeared to my righ</a>t but the cycleway moved closer to the lake, with the road elevated to my right. This was a really lovely part of the journey as I enjoyed a nice cool breeze whilst watching various people taking part in watersports alongside<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyP8YF6iKJgbMVpdPEzqw9wJKxjkiqL9oT2bKdrWtet6XM9Qa7yfqJvjEiS5cjI9rd0a2QFexEyfzpI7r5Qkv-4LQqPymw1l59o8aUqXcP9-AacS8Rk_gIkdXG5ZB30R4KD-x9i-mraOY/s1600/x9pjEQW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyP8YF6iKJgbMVpdPEzqw9wJKxjkiqL9oT2bKdrWtet6XM9Qa7yfqJvjEiS5cjI9rd0a2QFexEyfzpI7r5Qkv-4LQqPymw1l59o8aUqXcP9-AacS8Rk_gIkdXG5ZB30R4KD-x9i-mraOY/s640/x9pjEQW.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After about five kilometres <a href="https://i.imgur.com/kM7p2NX.jpg">the view was interrupted</a> by a large apartment complex and then a marina and beach resort meant that the dike, and the cycleway, turned further away from the lake to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/dj8de97.jpg">run inland</a> for a short while before <a href="https://i.imgur.com/KsuBVRb.jpg">returning back to the water</a>. The cycleway then ran back alongside the N306 road to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0Eqqkov.jpg">pass the Gemaal Lovink pumping station</a>. After <a href="https://i.imgur.com/hVj0tAv.jpg">bypassing a roundabout via a cycle crossing</a> I passed <a href="https://i.imgur.com/GmSkUTA.jpg">a large group out for a ride on road bikes</a> before bypassing the next roundabout via an underpass<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9x6TV36xRVRZk8eOpc6DN948brM2WINcpc7-f9P7VVG-dcGINPQ8MnD8fc8TGbaAKasICahWn9wXAMC5QDJDYaGaYjIi1XBrS0OR8rU1zyJNek5hT7ksvhN6oV36fsqk1jJ2W41Xi0MY/s1600/vNwpUAs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1221" data-original-width="1509" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9x6TV36xRVRZk8eOpc6DN948brM2WINcpc7-f9P7VVG-dcGINPQ8MnD8fc8TGbaAKasICahWn9wXAMC5QDJDYaGaYjIi1XBrS0OR8rU1zyJNek5hT7ksvhN6oV36fsqk1jJ2W41Xi0MY/s640/vNwpUAs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I then came to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/S32Kuly.jpg">a T junction</a> and, instead of turning left, to cycle back into Gelderland and visit Harderwijk via <a href="https://twitter.com/GeographyNow/status/1098348819400482817">the world's shortest underwater tunnel</a> I instead turned right to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mmFoYkF.jpg">cross over the N707</a> and then turned left, to cycle alongside it on a a cycleway for the next three kilometres.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmvnIMo8nkcMLJujXIlPwAt-B7eI1KsQYOIiNpRSss3eXSA8Vi7Th2RNnB6igKcVZRhhVoWn49L3Em_-sfmjobLNTthG2_tXpUUQhFAgPCBBmGP7ObGiujLeD89jaqTJ3cW2LJvitt97t/s1600/kN76nSx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="1581" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBmvnIMo8nkcMLJujXIlPwAt-B7eI1KsQYOIiNpRSss3eXSA8Vi7Th2RNnB6igKcVZRhhVoWn49L3Em_-sfmjobLNTthG2_tXpUUQhFAgPCBBmGP7ObGiujLeD89jaqTJ3cW2LJvitt97t/s640/kN76nSx.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As the road took a sharp turn to the left I stopped at a bench to eat some food under the scorching sunshine. I then crossed over the road to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/nrzJsEz.jpg">cycle on a cycleway</a> alongside the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolderwijd">Wolderwijd lake</a> for around the next three kilometres<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHXkhQQT53OhuKIN-XQJ7D89_bpJb3tFH5KTjx0KwLL-jdLuCRsp4RpWcI6BXmXZyr4-bWJ4FbilFaSpYwuBjp2nSTMf1HvblRPMm-QbNiDVt4UIKYXBbmjdFWG5nD-UbjwDDvCb1TQqq/s1600/ycGEwKo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHXkhQQT53OhuKIN-XQJ7D89_bpJb3tFH5KTjx0KwLL-jdLuCRsp4RpWcI6BXmXZyr4-bWJ4FbilFaSpYwuBjp2nSTMf1HvblRPMm-QbNiDVt4UIKYXBbmjdFWG5nD-UbjwDDvCb1TQqq/s640/ycGEwKo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I entered <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeewolde">Zeewolde</a> the cycleway turned to the left so as I was cycling directly into a strong headwind. Somebody had thoughtfully placed large mounds of sand alongside the cycleway exactly at this point and so I was then cycling through a fierce sandstorm.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KDa_WXdgeBVKsFYt-3Pv-Xmss4HKaJPdOPuRRF4Dcx1DQwygMPnBIkxf03UO_0IlTBiUIFo2P4GTTVY66rKeIWwjxH-eOfdejW5-WWnC8eVPMDaW_A6Y8MnQ4wbQFdxzTv75G38xHAmm/s1600/K0WT1qM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1600" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9KDa_WXdgeBVKsFYt-3Pv-Xmss4HKaJPdOPuRRF4Dcx1DQwygMPnBIkxf03UO_0IlTBiUIFo2P4GTTVY66rKeIWwjxH-eOfdejW5-WWnC8eVPMDaW_A6Y8MnQ4wbQFdxzTv75G38xHAmm/s640/K0WT1qM.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I covered my eyes, closed by mouth, put my head down and tried to battle through as thousands of grains of sand hit me directly in my face and, despite my best efforts got into my eyes and throat. I stopped for a few minutes to recover from this and then continued into a very strong headwind. I rose to my feet, put the bike into the highest gear but could still only just get up to a snails pace as I battled as hard as I could to move the bike. As I got to the top of a small incline and the wind slowly eased a large group of men dressed in lycra at the side of the cycleway all cheered me on as I made it to the top, and I duly fist pumped the air in celebration, as if I'd just won the Tour De France.<br />
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As I entered the centre of the town the cycleway <a href="https://i.imgur.com/b5nodv0.jpg">turned into a service road alongside the main road</a>, back to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ETF9E4b.jpg">a cycleway</a> and then another <a href="https://i.imgur.com/JY2F3Dn.jpg">block paved cycleway</a> running parallel to an almost identical looking road alongside. The main road then turned to the right but <a href="https://i.imgur.com/CiBnFxV.jpg">the cycleway continued on</a>, elevated above an access road to the beach which ran below us to the left.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0kGHCcd6ViM6bx_ylAXSd2cnjyHbr6tlFrv6D2G83q5sHCdLJyD4OyxkqINfawof6HiGcIRkLfMHaa1trOS_9fRwAFlScq06r-3UmyIlkPJhhDWusmYYkdUguOiIqo-EpckZcRDpcNSS/s1600/yxsRNcI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1109" data-original-width="1600" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO0kGHCcd6ViM6bx_ylAXSd2cnjyHbr6tlFrv6D2G83q5sHCdLJyD4OyxkqINfawof6HiGcIRkLfMHaa1trOS_9fRwAFlScq06r-3UmyIlkPJhhDWusmYYkdUguOiIqo-EpckZcRDpcNSS/s640/yxsRNcI.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The beach alongside was already very busy but groups of families on bikes arrived via the cycleway and service road, the crates on the front of their bikes stuffed with bags of towels, swimming clothes and inflatables. As the sandy beach ended <a href="https://i.imgur.com/gbUBplh.jpg">the cycleway continued</a> on top of the dike alongside the coast<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZHcPFAVi6iKF_sW-Cz1lyHRnFCuNfxIwTio1DZYiIRzKcgBiGYqRg4Kym1I6uGP5JUF9wYicZsW1RmJi13tAHL_8idcnOA0Zuk61r_CbC7Aga17iGRv-_lrg79A8nosupo4ZokJB8GtF/s1600/vxl903q.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1600" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZHcPFAVi6iKF_sW-Cz1lyHRnFCuNfxIwTio1DZYiIRzKcgBiGYqRg4Kym1I6uGP5JUF9wYicZsW1RmJi13tAHL_8idcnOA0Zuk61r_CbC7Aga17iGRv-_lrg79A8nosupo4ZokJB8GtF/s640/vxl903q.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After a short while <a href="https://i.imgur.com/xmZ8ssb.jpg">the cycleway suddenly stopped, whilst the dike continued ahead</a>. This was a bit of a surprise as I had somehow mapped my route to continue along the dike. Never mind, after studying a map I decided this was a good opportunity to go "off grid" and explore the forest alongside to see where I ended up. <a href="https://i.imgur.com/CfSvgW6.jpg">I cycled along</a> a twisting path <a href="https://i.imgur.com/H7rMoXl.jpg">through the trees</a>, which was a welcome experience as it relived me of the hot sun for a short while<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtI8YLVPOKnS43WZvrPqbmYwhHbcPWfs3EWxic2pZQtW597PMu9XSYWBJqMZLCcBYPo36dHuCjngwFbFO6cgDECUanEyhgXV6b0EezZy__WPpyQ_DwC56A8ih3U5EeVWKjejDAcwrnTpDK/s1600/NJC70Cj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1313" data-original-width="1600" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtI8YLVPOKnS43WZvrPqbmYwhHbcPWfs3EWxic2pZQtW597PMu9XSYWBJqMZLCcBYPo36dHuCjngwFbFO6cgDECUanEyhgXV6b0EezZy__WPpyQ_DwC56A8ih3U5EeVWKjejDAcwrnTpDK/s640/NJC70Cj.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I cycled through the dense forest I once again thought how incredible this was the sea a few decades ago. The path soon <a href="https://i.imgur.com/tvf6txF.jpg">became a road</a> and then passed <a href="https://i.imgur.com/SHh0Z1G.jpg">alongside fields</a>, before I turned off onto another cycle path that <a href="https://i.imgur.com/llLfigP.jpg">led away from the road alongside a car park</a>. I then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/7bI5SIZ.jpg">climbed back up onto the dike</a> and down the other side <a href="https://i.imgur.com/m40qdqQ.jpg">to ride on a path alongside it</a>. A series of busy beaches then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/yTkTs1f.jpg">appeared to my left</a>, along with a cafe. I parked my bicycle up with dozens of others outside to eat lunch on the terrace, with a view of a packed beach with hundreds of children enjoying themselves in the water and playground alongside. After lunch I returned back to the cycle path<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GEqtkV7hlIbHcQs3vRwBwDV9_KRGrkBoNPEfST6zJDACgVoHJAGdBTz_-K511DQfd0bh7Tlptsrl3wh_OZIsRz-Rjgzdo9-zvEZRhjsfB1DLIPvIbX4AGhkD2Z04hzYrZayY4IU_PIk6/s1600/9NkGvam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1105" data-original-width="1529" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8GEqtkV7hlIbHcQs3vRwBwDV9_KRGrkBoNPEfST6zJDACgVoHJAGdBTz_-K511DQfd0bh7Tlptsrl3wh_OZIsRz-Rjgzdo9-zvEZRhjsfB1DLIPvIbX4AGhkD2Z04hzYrZayY4IU_PIk6/s640/9NkGvam.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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and then crossed over a road to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/PSjH2xP.jpg">cycle alongside it</a>. This path soon widened and as I passed under Nijkerker bridge some roadworks diverted me <a href="https://i.imgur.com/87gxzyc.jpg">onto a temporary cycleway</a>. As I needed to cross the Nijkerker Bridge <a href="https://i.imgur.com/LSjMfYg.jpg">I cycled on a long loop</a> and then crossed over the route I had just used <a href="https://i.imgur.com/L2qFmi5.jpg">as well as the Nijkerkernauw lake</a> to finally be back in the province of Gelderland again. I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/YwZnraI.jpg">descended down from the bridge</a>, then turned right at a roundabout to cycle along a country road on cycle lanes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlM3T2C89oRiF7LE2Tjlqnfj55sP1J8mLz5NDXUS26GFqlyW-iuLxMrM3qa8M3ljzwq8ZuvMrpZJYNB6veH9Ru-SGr0aFwyS3JDmfhnthnw5U-d2BsY1K1CJis6RfuNnO_yDZqgkDC0iQ/s1600/7qz0NFo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="1587" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlM3T2C89oRiF7LE2Tjlqnfj55sP1J8mLz5NDXUS26GFqlyW-iuLxMrM3qa8M3ljzwq8ZuvMrpZJYNB6veH9Ru-SGr0aFwyS3JDmfhnthnw5U-d2BsY1K1CJis6RfuNnO_yDZqgkDC0iQ/s640/7qz0NFo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A cycleway soon appeared and I was directed onto it. It was <a href="https://i.imgur.com/8e0ambI.jpg">very narrow and elevated above the road</a> and it was no surprise to see some people on road bikes ignore it and use the road below instead. I soon needed to turn left onto another road so <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ehd5C0W.jpg">cycled down from the cycleway </a>to join it. For the next four kilometres <a href="https://i.imgur.com/OeauSNv.jpg">I cycled on country lanes</a>, with no shade and the scorching early afternoon sun beating down on me. I briefly <a href="https://i.imgur.com/vLjdJGR.jpg">cycled alongside N806 road on a cycleway</a> and then turned onto more country lanes for a few more kilometres, this time with some much needed shade.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbb_JCm2DmJxuRX4OVOwhdtmWg7JKoFcEjGwtR-Z9RXvDTxV_vNA3klZkewRajRedJ2A8jY_v3sgRF5ZD2iV-0lc2kISgVsGq4Jf4ZHcMV22r5BzYG-4WJ1yKNgheNxKlPji6lSjgVDPMu/s1600/WcQPL8R.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbb_JCm2DmJxuRX4OVOwhdtmWg7JKoFcEjGwtR-Z9RXvDTxV_vNA3klZkewRajRedJ2A8jY_v3sgRF5ZD2iV-0lc2kISgVsGq4Jf4ZHcMV22r5BzYG-4WJ1yKNgheNxKlPji6lSjgVDPMu/s640/WcQPL8R.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This road would take me out of the province of Gelderland and into the province of Utrect. At the end I came to a waterway so the road turned sharply to the left, with <a href="https://i.imgur.com/F4Yko77.jpg">a large sign on the road indicating this was a fietstraat</a>. To my right over the water was what <a href="https://i.imgur.com/eCsekAk.jpg">looked like a brand new development</a>, which I now know is called <a href="https://www.vathorst.nl/english/">Vathorst</a>. From the other side of the water I could see how the streets were built as access only streets, I could see bicycle only bridges linking the neighbourhoods, I could see children playing in the street, people on bicycles and no cars driving in it at all. I'd seen this in other new housing developments over the past week and so vowed to <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/10/visiting-new-developments-in-netherlands.html">write about it when I got home</a> and try not to get too annoyed the next time I visited the Olympic Park. The road curved round the new development with <a href="https://i.imgur.com/6mcdWFM.jpg">lots of new apartments to my right over the water</a> and water pipes and utilities being built under soil to my left, where people will live one day. There were bridges connecting this road to the new development from this road but only for those walking or cycling. <a href="https://i.imgur.com/cNgfove.jpg">The road was filtered at at the end</a> and I was lead onto a cycleway alongside Amersfoort Vathorst railway station.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyIxB1MctUKlsbgyvP9YDRGYm2BADOtod_nOraW-1K2Whun1T_xiTXJucuPxmicG7_FZtfq75hyphenhyphenkpqnwcgqY3rcdFqTDzDknM-mGzYGobtVg4lRoa2Eg_a3SCjebTb2CNIREzmRQXQ38-/s1600/Af5Fudj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtyIxB1MctUKlsbgyvP9YDRGYm2BADOtod_nOraW-1K2Whun1T_xiTXJucuPxmicG7_FZtfq75hyphenhyphenkpqnwcgqY3rcdFqTDzDknM-mGzYGobtVg4lRoa2Eg_a3SCjebTb2CNIREzmRQXQ38-/s640/Af5Fudj.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was directed to the other side of the road and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/s3ObQQ3.jpg">a filtered road</a> alongside the main road. There was a strange mix of new developments and old farm houses. The filtered road <a href="https://i.imgur.com/C7Pp1cP.jpg">through Hooglanderveen</a> was clearly once a country lane but was now a major cycle route from the new development to the city centre, as a filtered road.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrOfbEltHDG1wBFLMBR1AL50RObrF3xvJ38Z1krmQuwc3vpeqfUTjPwD2zPWAJXHh4QfVCIMnM5PK8JH5vyIsR1EKbDPM6gXp8KeJawscr5bRQHeCunGbhqtmifTmQivH92Og9YUh0BC7/s1600/JqNlcfA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1483" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrOfbEltHDG1wBFLMBR1AL50RObrF3xvJ38Z1krmQuwc3vpeqfUTjPwD2zPWAJXHh4QfVCIMnM5PK8JH5vyIsR1EKbDPM6gXp8KeJawscr5bRQHeCunGbhqtmifTmQivH92Og9YUh0BC7/s640/JqNlcfA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/R8GSVqt.jpg">on some residential streets</a> and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/7Y5gXTK.jpg">on a cycleway past new housing developments</a> and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/3ur1gsh.jpg">other housing under construction</a> on my right, with football and hockey pitches on my left where dozens of teenagers were playing hockey and football. I bet pretty much all of them got there by bike! I cycled around a roundabout <a href="https://i.imgur.com/7WU9JRg.jpg">which had a bidirectional cycleway around it</a> and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/jD1MeZ7.jpg">climbed up</a> and over the A1 motorway on a cycleway alongside the road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQGleMXoTi8Fw9YlMXwmohvnPFljZlwBtzLDsW-Ow16zNZOG6_i1kOfVc3SlqSn03pFmwdGLcONdmj9lI_9WTOMcBKi_Re1hyphenhyphenxDwsdldxYJI_gsSqT6dYgLtmJ_vRUUTqk4g_EdtzPWdT/s1600/MHXBmlZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1447" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQGleMXoTi8Fw9YlMXwmohvnPFljZlwBtzLDsW-Ow16zNZOG6_i1kOfVc3SlqSn03pFmwdGLcONdmj9lI_9WTOMcBKi_Re1hyphenhyphenxDwsdldxYJI_gsSqT6dYgLtmJ_vRUUTqk4g_EdtzPWdT/s640/MHXBmlZ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After freewheeling down the other side I turned left to cycle <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ckXFLsS.jpg">on some residential roads</a> and service roads that were <a href="https://i.imgur.com/rv1yPm5.jpg">filtered at junctions</a>. I then crossed the road to cycle underneath Amersfoort Schothorst train station, before turning around to film as I cycled back under the station again<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Cycle parking and bicycle underpass at Amersfoort Schothorst train station <a href="https://t.co/X5Bfg6UYnS">pic.twitter.com/X5Bfg6UYnS</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1016358011454058496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 9, 2018</a></blockquote>
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I then continued on this cycleway from the train station <a href="https://i.imgur.com/64KXRTZ.jpg">around the corner</a> to cycle under another railway line which took me to a cycleway running alongside the railway line<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Cycling in Amersfoort <a href="https://t.co/5X4JeHrXTA">pic.twitter.com/5X4JeHrXTA</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1101512694040064000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
The cycleway <a href="https://i.imgur.com/NkRsn8L.jpg">continued alongside the railway line</a> and as both it and the railway line crossed over a canal and road I looked down to see <a href="https://i.imgur.com/hbkx395.jpg">cycleways</a> on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/6wGxUMb.jpg">both sides</a>. The cycleway ended as it turned round the corner to link <a href="https://i.imgur.com/rXD2NrT.jpg">onto a street</a> which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/2X9o0ZP.jpg">took me into the historic centre of the city.</a> As I cycled on the streets in the centre I was amazed at how beautiful it was, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/SRYreVM.jpg">every corner I turned</a> each street seemed to look like a postcard.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNq_Rjd_2sdi_OYX9Rsqqgvc1tSydrSQnRauKcLVYOKj69Wkr7W04XYYAXePgToVDFAyRDxFIVEfSMZHXWb1Ez-rp60z6H3qhKA8OCLYw_xUybhLa14u3Mo0OO2d-qz0krfsBqbq6rzZJl/s1600/6RszVAQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNq_Rjd_2sdi_OYX9Rsqqgvc1tSydrSQnRauKcLVYOKj69Wkr7W04XYYAXePgToVDFAyRDxFIVEfSMZHXWb1Ez-rp60z6H3qhKA8OCLYw_xUybhLa14u3Mo0OO2d-qz0krfsBqbq6rzZJl/s640/6RszVAQ.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was also struck by how <a href="https://i.imgur.com/XAIQ03r.jpg">many parked bicycles</a> there were, including lots in <a href="https://i.imgur.com/HbfVh75.jpg">temporary bicycle parking stands</a>. It was only when I tried to access the main square in the centre that I realised there was <a href="https://www.diaslatinos.nl/">a huge festival on</a> so the centre of the city was closed. At each entrance to the square were stewards, all with "Fiets Steward" on their backs to stop anyone from cycling in. I was tempted to go in but didn't want to carry my heavy panniers around with me and, as they contained my laptop and passport, was not keen on leaving the bike locked with the panniers on either. Instead I sat outside a cafe and enjoyed coffee and apple pie, where I could hear the music perfectly but not see any of the performers.<br />
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After picking up supplies I cycled away from the centre of the city via <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mssm1kO.jpg">a couple </a>of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/hBLbzK8.jpg">canal lined streets</a> and then a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Wn4ZA0t.jpg">cycleway alongside the railway line</a> to the main train station and the abundant cycle parking outside<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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Some of the cycle parking at Amersfoort train station <a href="https://t.co/SUNC8Vb549">pic.twitter.com/SUNC8Vb549</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1018819306635882496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/FxNz00e.jpg">crossed over the road</a> and then cycled out of the city on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/vJSEKes.jpg">a cycleway alongside a main road</a> to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/vJSEKes.jpg">another cycleway</a> that ran some distance from another main road and took me south of Amersfoort. My time in the city was short but I liked what I saw, from the high quality cycle routes in from the suburbs to the beautiful city centre; I'll definitely be back. From Amersfoort my journey would be a direct one alongside the N217 for the next 15 kilometres to take me directly into Utrecht. I cycled alongside on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/CEkTxpp.jpg">cycleways</a>, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/m2rpNxo.jpg">service roads,</a> very <a href="https://i.imgur.com/1rfM5MU.jpg">wide</a> <a href="https://i.imgur.com/jr4lcsQ.jpg">cycleways</a> that I presume must have been a road once upon a time, and around <a href="https://i.imgur.com/K4awaBC.jpg">the back of petrol stations</a>. These routes were all being heavily used, by people of all ages.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJk1hNRC4_ro1E2YZOHf0TbGCQu9Ll3ClS2cqbJtrdmY8_xX_q865PKKKnnF6NbRJPcEyPbXmvsf-O2dikvFGPoU2VRwd1NMpqsHzN1UL3pfmoV5u3FHb2i-ys1GcSYwRPPsqeHItQCc6/s1600/iUZ3Yqz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1181" data-original-width="1533" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJk1hNRC4_ro1E2YZOHf0TbGCQu9Ll3ClS2cqbJtrdmY8_xX_q865PKKKnnF6NbRJPcEyPbXmvsf-O2dikvFGPoU2VRwd1NMpqsHzN1UL3pfmoV5u3FHb2i-ys1GcSYwRPPsqeHItQCc6/s640/iUZ3Yqz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Eventually I made my way <a href="https://i.imgur.com/hPsGaiJ.jpg">into Utrcht via Biltstraat</a> and a busy city centre. My 19th cycle between cities in the Netherlands was the longest, hottest, most varied and the most enjoyable.<br />
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Distance: Approx 100km / 62 miles<br />
Time: Approx eight and a half hours<br />
Photos taken: 1,013<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1CIw-t8FIddJRAtsmRV5GYrnSLqAB-3Ip&usp=sharing">Map of the route</a><br />
Gallery: <a href="https://imgur.com/a/kSWNKEu">130 photos here</a><br />
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An analysis of this trip by <a href="https://twitter.com/jitensha_oni">Jitensha Oni</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6YA0bj3MMZgM9voB85TBJeDKfjhiVa0aJYOWTSjTbuzKjqu-sNmszm_oeg0uJXkXXTH3trPBXxj82HESzgH5YJ7mPcxAd3f9dAzEbIJxMRh1zStEYpyjg5uP5JiaFSpCp3h2VbU4Aqjv/s1600/crgQZ3YO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1252" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6YA0bj3MMZgM9voB85TBJeDKfjhiVa0aJYOWTSjTbuzKjqu-sNmszm_oeg0uJXkXXTH3trPBXxj82HESzgH5YJ7mPcxAd3f9dAzEbIJxMRh1zStEYpyjg5uP5JiaFSpCp3h2VbU4Aqjv/s640/crgQZ3YO.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Previous Posts in this series:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2015:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_11.html">Part 1 - Hook of Holland to Rotterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/il3bu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 2 - Rotterdam to Gouda via Delft</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/uJixr">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_13.html">Part 3 - Gouda to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/0bcjF">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 4 - Utrecht to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/huvBy">Photo Gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_19.html">Part 5 - Amsterdam to Hook of Holland via The Hague</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/RJ1MD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2016:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_17.html">Part 6 - Hook of Holland to Breda</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/TFkWX">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 7 - Breda to Eindhoven via Tilburg</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/Yepnl">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_86.html">Part 8: Eindhoven to 's-Hertogenbosch</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/V6UQD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_3.html">Part 9: 's-Hertogenbosch to Nijmegen</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/ixnI0">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_22.html">Part 10: Nijmegen to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/WiGPR">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2017:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 11: Hook of Holland to Gouda via Delft and Zoetermeer</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/bBq5m">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_10.html">Part 12: Gouda to Utrecht, via a different route </a>/ <a href="https://imgur.com/a/3Rio8">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 13: Utrecht to Nijmegen via Veenendaal, Ede and Arnhem</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/gBEA9">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2018:</b><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 14: Hook of Holland to Leiden</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/9u5bYAv">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_6.html">Part 15: Leiden to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/exV1xXS">Photo gallery of this journey</a> </div>
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_26.html">Part 16: Amsterdam to Alkmaar</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/sGeayS3">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_76.html">Part 17: Alkmaar to Lelystad via the Houtribdijk</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/yalFj4t">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_28.html">Part 18: Lelystad to Zwolle</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/VieKOc5">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-77486469188461616022019-02-28T19:31:00.000+00:002019-03-05T15:20:22.025+00:00Cycling between cities in the Netherlands part 18: Lelystad to ZwolleAs my hotel was located roughly half way between Lelystad and Almere and I had so far failed to visit either of those two cities I decided to get up early and cycle the ten miles into the centre of Almere following breakfast. I spent around an hour exploring the city, just as everyone was making their way to work or school and then cycled the ten miles back to my hotel again, arriving back by 10am having cycled over 25 miles before breakfast had even stopped being served. Around an hour later it was time to make my way to Zwolle; I began on a road through the nature reserve which surrounded my hotel on another beautiful warm day with clear blue skies<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sZr0Kg5eJJcFhFQJn5Okl6nRO9emZMvVQy0f87eEV11xpFd56T8T7ebMziQHi9bYV1yVE8wUbpyGO09W2bqYO6FUx4E9t7JnP4Qgz4iQZxIwqUtMrpcgSojNyWyj-cN2miHWDmuiY9Bm/s1600/Wdu4s7E.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1238" data-original-width="1600" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0sZr0Kg5eJJcFhFQJn5Okl6nRO9emZMvVQy0f87eEV11xpFd56T8T7ebMziQHi9bYV1yVE8wUbpyGO09W2bqYO6FUx4E9t7JnP4Qgz4iQZxIwqUtMrpcgSojNyWyj-cN2miHWDmuiY9Bm/s640/Wdu4s7E.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I climbed up to and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/QcRhImd.jpg">cycled alongside a dike</a>, down <a href="https://i.imgur.com/yh2OI20.jpg">the other side</a> and then on a cycle path through woodland which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ycutxlT.jpg">twisted and turned thorough the trees</a>, all the while thinking how incredible it was that all of this was the sea up until the 1960s<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8ZefeTsK8rdNa9wwWd53CKgvOgkAi-fkThvpgw2y1ne2qDH4euSTvh8KrYKEkMwXESLHdkSJqBFkboPeUvSpJ12DbRCS_MyA-zf2kb7GkPv0Y19SaLrWB42j0HoxX6jVVX-fExkGCes6/s1600/R4xe4Du.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="1600" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm8ZefeTsK8rdNa9wwWd53CKgvOgkAi-fkThvpgw2y1ne2qDH4euSTvh8KrYKEkMwXESLHdkSJqBFkboPeUvSpJ12DbRCS_MyA-zf2kb7GkPv0Y19SaLrWB42j0HoxX6jVVX-fExkGCes6/s640/R4xe4Du.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The cycle path then turned left as it came to the Lage Vaart canal <a href="https://i.imgur.com/HhzI80t.jpg">to run alongside it</a> before <a href="https://i.imgur.com/1UAC12w.jpg">turning away from it</a> to run back <a href="https://i.imgur.com/NFzGlxT.jpg">through the woods again</a>. I then came <a href="https://i.imgur.com/SKcyGxI.jpg">to a bridge</a> where I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ME4W79Y.jpg">crossed over the Lage Dwarsvaart canal</a> to once again cycle alongside the Lage Vaart canal<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWYZ1aMZbyd245J3aI_x8jHkzE3d6a2WKHBpFjfHbYXCvchYcceaMxa4aBYRPeIB-KU3XrbenLRt2frFQBvHcobHjWCJv5TgKWb7IuU0t4cbWFZRzQYMSDqmdr4EEhmNJKIjHe2QEwr47/s1600/nubOprK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1190" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWYZ1aMZbyd245J3aI_x8jHkzE3d6a2WKHBpFjfHbYXCvchYcceaMxa4aBYRPeIB-KU3XrbenLRt2frFQBvHcobHjWCJv5TgKWb7IuU0t4cbWFZRzQYMSDqmdr4EEhmNJKIjHe2QEwr47/s640/nubOprK.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The cycle path briefly <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Q0rp89J.jpg">moved further away from the canal</a> here and I came to a large water pipe crossing the path, where <a href="https://i.imgur.com/lhgap3a.jpg">a makeshift bridge had been thoughtfully provided</a>, however my bike was too heavy to cross it without dismounting, although I did give it a go. The countryside then gave way to view of an <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Li4mk2r.jpg">industrial estate to my left</a> as I cycled alongside it and then under the N302 road.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fxF189JR4PCGiUJxrGkiqAqpXZHiOkHF0Ni-WWc5Awur5rW-qr8QwwW35k3jKV2oI2PvSekDOmXI0U74mkodVOEbQ0g8sjFdoItE8NtYsg79uCm1-7YnYmesWvaOJadUW0Ymx_SDLD2i/s1600/Bgvx3lu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1577" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8fxF189JR4PCGiUJxrGkiqAqpXZHiOkHF0Ni-WWc5Awur5rW-qr8QwwW35k3jKV2oI2PvSekDOmXI0U74mkodVOEbQ0g8sjFdoItE8NtYsg79uCm1-7YnYmesWvaOJadUW0Ymx_SDLD2i/s640/Bgvx3lu.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The path then turned left to run <a href="https://i.imgur.com/YIRdMJa.jpg">alongside the N309 over the Larservaart canal</a>. Soon after this I turned left <a href="https://i.imgur.com/4HSL3RV.jpg">onto a residential street</a> in order to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/iwDj48V.jpg">turn left</a> and left again to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/zZnGHhj.jpg">cycle back the direction I had just come from</a> on a cycleway which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/MQ7smbb.jpg">took me up</a> and over the Lage Vaart canal on a bridge<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMKQ6IJlKYJh2_9rj3RJV4an3ocMOqINqob2-MpUHxk-UoyqqUIaMF7NT7h8imAq31rZ1rL4_xK7yKmkl5GFfYeT1GBPvdPy6oy2FYKbxJh61rpCFNSH-ehqPlwqFD66CnMNuOb56gHH-/s1600/SdjK4sg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIMKQ6IJlKYJh2_9rj3RJV4an3ocMOqINqob2-MpUHxk-UoyqqUIaMF7NT7h8imAq31rZ1rL4_xK7yKmkl5GFfYeT1GBPvdPy6oy2FYKbxJh61rpCFNSH-ehqPlwqFD66CnMNuOb56gHH-/s640/SdjK4sg.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I freewheeled down from the bridge on the other side and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Fp72m66.jpg">came to a fork in the path</a> where I turned left, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/RpWJfHU.jpg">through woods</a> and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/7T66k3A.jpg">an open area</a>. I came to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0VFpfqt.jpg">the end of this cycle path</a> and then cycled on a cycleway alongside the N309 road and underneath the A6 motorway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbhYVZcUwjcCmblmEYEMTxuiv-IyoBuVf29xdD_hiUNye-fJOO_o45yiOuetXAEBnkCaIhSnFrMZqz0PQb3Ew5HvnUd8jnFn1Z-i0U1D2dESu2PSq-7P3LIzujtfpXJtOHgmx9FaMa5R0/s1600/vZRzi8i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1309" data-original-width="1600" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbhYVZcUwjcCmblmEYEMTxuiv-IyoBuVf29xdD_hiUNye-fJOO_o45yiOuetXAEBnkCaIhSnFrMZqz0PQb3Ew5HvnUd8jnFn1Z-i0U1D2dESu2PSq-7P3LIzujtfpXJtOHgmx9FaMa5R0/s640/vZRzi8i.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This route continued for the next ten kilometres, initially right alongside the road before <a href="https://i.imgur.com/oBkPeYm.jpg">bending further away</a> and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Zw01Dw1.jpg">moving even further away</a> so the road was barely visible way off in the distance.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGy8twAg0M5O40-CHw1qaDw0rtffUWP82T0yLsCgmhQqiyfNM5MHjXx-W3bedY4uf2pXiRxQuUTd89ytSu1tarxBNliRZlYZ2MDnTugvqvHiGMp5BAfFchRklorLciRWUgkhL2SNTppjok/s1600/INcOlYD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1336" data-original-width="1600" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGy8twAg0M5O40-CHw1qaDw0rtffUWP82T0yLsCgmhQqiyfNM5MHjXx-W3bedY4uf2pXiRxQuUTd89ytSu1tarxBNliRZlYZ2MDnTugvqvHiGMp5BAfFchRklorLciRWUgkhL2SNTppjok/s640/INcOlYD.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I got to the town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dronten">Dronten</a> I turned left where the cycleway seamlessly continued on through the suburbs, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/7GcSWs7.jpg">past housing</a> and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/v01jb2t.jpg">children's playgrounds</a>; providing a continuous, safe route for children cycling home from the playground after school as well as for long distance cyclists like myself. It <a href="https://i.imgur.com/FgkkXFf.jpg">continued over a main road</a>, through <a href="https://i.imgur.com/MFmLTkk.jpg">a park</a> and then alongside a main road but with a good 40m between it and the carriageway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PHzjtKT82oFwQCzFdMTEY7wRwgVrhi1QP43Z0C-txNa5hh40rMo9nZDWWkeJukwb-prT3nbvHg4XtV6ZTJIkwzJcQKXTtkMkueVOGUQwxSvb0VFnN2VE5VKYjz1Xy7qQpyDlN4m3ImS6/s1600/TILqLF2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1264" data-original-width="1600" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3PHzjtKT82oFwQCzFdMTEY7wRwgVrhi1QP43Z0C-txNa5hh40rMo9nZDWWkeJukwb-prT3nbvHg4XtV6ZTJIkwzJcQKXTtkMkueVOGUQwxSvb0VFnN2VE5VKYjz1Xy7qQpyDlN4m3ImS6/s640/TILqLF2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I came <a href="https://i.imgur.com/IGukVpe.jpg">to a roundabout</a> and then used a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/HGFfOK0.jpg">cycleway through a car park</a> to park my bicycle directly outside a large shopping centre. That I had managed to cycle to the centre of the town on dedicated cycleways completely separate from the road network was a reminder that this new town did not exist until the 1970s and was the sea a decade prior to that. After picking up some supplies from the supermarket I headed east out of the town on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/JAItdM1.jpg">a series of residential roads and cycleways</a> to a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/6wV1uik.jpg">cycleway alongside the N305 road</a>, which ran alongside the eastern edge of Dronten. I stopped to sit at a bench that was set back from the road to eat the supplies I'd just purchased, apply sun lotion and then continued up the N305 to turn right onto a cycleway alongside the N307<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuJ2WOwSw9NT5YvyTSJ48hUjcyxePOPXZWLZ8qC4AUZIVqPuddsy4QkDqvalbhGwtYgxqpaHtArotniQXlRiuN_hv2gBLbFnyaNiX9KDNXifxH5e-zsRho3nuc-ygzeIFOzTUOswZqGGo/s1600/kmFi8MA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1149" data-original-width="1457" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuJ2WOwSw9NT5YvyTSJ48hUjcyxePOPXZWLZ8qC4AUZIVqPuddsy4QkDqvalbhGwtYgxqpaHtArotniQXlRiuN_hv2gBLbFnyaNiX9KDNXifxH5e-zsRho3nuc-ygzeIFOzTUOswZqGGo/s640/kmFi8MA.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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That a cycleway existed alongside here, despite that the road also had a service road either side of the main carriageway, seemed a little extravagant. The google streetview history shows that the road used to just have a cycleway in each direction either side but was upgraded at some point to construct a service road either side, presumably to stop local residents pulling directly out onto the main road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCDJPXWI7dmB9bp7D6PYeVd-VCe7zPIAOWcmpFTmdA431Q7CO2pzIO-hd2xkZWpSpw4SP5Oi0fy1SlV7Ujo1nHaR-7ncHkYGA9De1UDxij2XCyIIbTxcAQ9loYOW6NrOM_8_dPNG006SJ/s1600/20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1012" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCDJPXWI7dmB9bp7D6PYeVd-VCe7zPIAOWcmpFTmdA431Q7CO2pzIO-hd2xkZWpSpw4SP5Oi0fy1SlV7Ujo1nHaR-7ncHkYGA9De1UDxij2XCyIIbTxcAQ9loYOW6NrOM_8_dPNG006SJ/s640/20.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOYHFRAHo6SlkwY0iY71vE2FURG20W9rmAjDFeUMPkByK-XmPBKzNRx2eAGwaTbSdd1Qtmw0WOPnYcOhImFqyzVKNT_dxY3Laim7CFIMgTJWBfdBFxmVlP3J-M58Hi6rbk5mfqizS5AQi/s1600/21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1044" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOYHFRAHo6SlkwY0iY71vE2FURG20W9rmAjDFeUMPkByK-XmPBKzNRx2eAGwaTbSdd1Qtmw0WOPnYcOhImFqyzVKNT_dxY3Laim7CFIMgTJWBfdBFxmVlP3J-M58Hi6rbk5mfqizS5AQi/s640/21.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: the N307, eight years apart</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
To also construct a cycleway alongside here surprises me but was a welcome addition. I wondered if perhaps a collision on the service road prompted this, as previously detailed in a twitter thread by Mark Treasure <a href="https://twitter.com/AsEasyAsRiding/status/860032399681482752">here</a>. After a few kilometres I crossed a junction at a crossroads and was then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/unccVQf.jpg">on a service road with painted cycle lanes</a> and back to sharing with tractors.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwNbQLwmXK-P8dlRdDW3CV0gG08zxpvJqqE-RW4laoESmnP4oFn6kV4wdCcAjHQSg_GLdGLtHiwrhUdxFKNHXh3LdG5n-4A-SUDySsTyeUq6hLHnBw_mSx8PvQ7s9wsLMJN62GyFvNGUv/s1600/XzhVER8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1431" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwNbQLwmXK-P8dlRdDW3CV0gG08zxpvJqqE-RW4laoESmnP4oFn6kV4wdCcAjHQSg_GLdGLtHiwrhUdxFKNHXh3LdG5n-4A-SUDySsTyeUq6hLHnBw_mSx8PvQ7s9wsLMJN62GyFvNGUv/s640/XzhVER8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A few kilometres later and I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/kjxgIvv.jpg">cycled on a bridge</a> and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mTtnIs6.jpg">over a lock for boats going into the Drontermeer</a>. I was now passing from Flevoland into the province of Overijssel and on land that had been developed by humans over centuries, rather than a few decades. I cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/3OVjUpT.jpg">on a cycleway alongside the road</a> which then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/3xjdl45.jpg">became a service road</a> as we approached the N50 road and then a cycleway as I entered the town of Kampen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjYet8biHl-eQp1eY8yoq2zT-RiTL9yjq3yW9ha6SDtHKHszDySuBb1O5dhvf4sWHkN5WtmtL0cJdubxlIove20B9nagpWZBUKxP7dIB1LFmFVDGtRvERP_Pw6N6TRKPytY6gLVfrwkSr/s1600/HnVpIbc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1441" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQjYet8biHl-eQp1eY8yoq2zT-RiTL9yjq3yW9ha6SDtHKHszDySuBb1O5dhvf4sWHkN5WtmtL0cJdubxlIove20B9nagpWZBUKxP7dIB1LFmFVDGtRvERP_Pw6N6TRKPytY6gLVfrwkSr/s640/HnVpIbc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In Kampen itself I took an indirect route on some typical Dutch block paved roads, both <a href="https://i.imgur.com/U0XgvSm.jpg">wide</a> and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZQ9El3R.jpg">narrow</a> before I came to a pedestrianised street and did what everyone else was doing, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/YH7y5x1.jpg">dismounting from my bicycle to walk along it</a>. I turned right from here and got back on my bicycle to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/t9tmTpZ.jpg">wait at a set of traffic lights</a>. I waited for at least 90 seconds for the lights to turn green before <a href="https://i.imgur.com/u0L5ezu.jpg">a large crowd of us made out way through the lights</a> and across a bridge over the river IJssel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOY_I200sMOcq_6A7rv3GMBuudKnhzEP5sEPYt3kFzHbe9epUZeZKpPkzydV6g9HOoy2JmZDYJSW5poCImumJ4yJ4hFw4E6d1XDMNSFy7Y1rWp-raJqOfsgIVD9vPl_38cvyxFiQqEIZY/s1600/8rVRjmU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOY_I200sMOcq_6A7rv3GMBuudKnhzEP5sEPYt3kFzHbe9epUZeZKpPkzydV6g9HOoy2JmZDYJSW5poCImumJ4yJ4hFw4E6d1XDMNSFy7Y1rWp-raJqOfsgIVD9vPl_38cvyxFiQqEIZY/s640/8rVRjmU.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I turned right at the end of the bridge <a href="https://i.imgur.com/qMDZTv1.jpg">onto a cycleway</a> and then crossed the road to use a bidirectional cycleway on the other side of the road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3r_CgPtEb7mxLRd77OLjySwqZi3aGOPJXS8OiLiifYFFA4iyPIa0-ntftQZ4asfXMMPP8wBMWUwzKrC183PO-JgD1Wb9qew7GAGrHdKbgfHM2vpdYxgznq1dW71HcDF14nKNhaoXI0hu/s1600/Hvwjnir.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1449" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW3r_CgPtEb7mxLRd77OLjySwqZi3aGOPJXS8OiLiifYFFA4iyPIa0-ntftQZ4asfXMMPP8wBMWUwzKrC183PO-JgD1Wb9qew7GAGrHdKbgfHM2vpdYxgznq1dW71HcDF14nKNhaoXI0hu/s640/Hvwjnir.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This <a href="https://i.imgur.com/1dW1J7t.jpg">continued for the next six kilometres</a> with both it and the cycleway on the opposite side of the road being <a href="https://i.imgur.com/gKVtBFD.jpg">used by many young people</a>, presumably on their way home from school or college in Zwolle to the surrounding villages.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51g_hXr7348AYOgzukGthPW_2pUFaplxaulbDXZ55AGzcoQ5jd70LETX-b3kLJVAb4sL68_ZOQq0dZgp1pT8EaSOrEYDNP6zIMHsSQBx72gsmaro6KLePKqGYzUt2BApGWf3QW1LkGdhj/s1600/kKeLQnH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1517" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51g_hXr7348AYOgzukGthPW_2pUFaplxaulbDXZ55AGzcoQ5jd70LETX-b3kLJVAb4sL68_ZOQq0dZgp1pT8EaSOrEYDNP6zIMHsSQBx72gsmaro6KLePKqGYzUt2BApGWf3QW1LkGdhj/s640/kKeLQnH.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The cycleway ended as i approach Zwolle so I crossed over the road <a href="https://i.imgur.com/WNYv3Ar.jpg">onto a fietstraat alongside the N331 </a>road, which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/iPYRqIi.jpg">took me into Zwolle</a>. I passed <a href="https://i.imgur.com/nUVDBxC.jpg">through the village of Westenholte</a> and then over Westenholte bridge, which <a href="https://twitter.com/BicycleDutch">Mark Wagenbuur</a> has <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2018/05/22/a-huge-cycle-bridge-in-zwolle/">previously written about here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2iUMxhtfnBs9NchqZI2XduqvAp8I1avVdpKOS7n0_CJuEqDsh3DpChelwPnGBDZJj3NyA3DCBh6-m38u1bhstB5Ex_srHLgkKuK76n2Fy8UZNfT3R-_CJK5Un38e_2yrIwDwBbat3CyG/s1600/QzZ86dG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2iUMxhtfnBs9NchqZI2XduqvAp8I1avVdpKOS7n0_CJuEqDsh3DpChelwPnGBDZJj3NyA3DCBh6-m38u1bhstB5Ex_srHLgkKuK76n2Fy8UZNfT3R-_CJK5Un38e_2yrIwDwBbat3CyG/s640/QzZ86dG.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/rIkWxtN.jpg">looked down onto people cycling into Stagshagen</a> under the bridge (<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/10/visiting-new-developments-in-netherlands.html">which I've previously written about here</a>), before <a href="https://i.imgur.com/wKnJ4Oo.jpg">joining up with that cycleway</a> to cross over the Zwolle-IJssel canal on a bridge alongside the road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSveXxGUvmVyvv0j19wROXjDzXv_HThMdTPSzfd0vCmlYkcBrnKWqTgE9FzaPxAkHKf_wPc0HoQQlCVejC2N9w5KT9h8H_QepL39iSrSQnhjTC1AHrJY_1JnmRCIM9bjcGtsUFiwdtLyt/s1600/2VdG7ZI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1007" data-original-width="1505" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSveXxGUvmVyvv0j19wROXjDzXv_HThMdTPSzfd0vCmlYkcBrnKWqTgE9FzaPxAkHKf_wPc0HoQQlCVejC2N9w5KT9h8H_QepL39iSrSQnhjTC1AHrJY_1JnmRCIM9bjcGtsUFiwdtLyt/s640/2VdG7ZI.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/egFJRTY.jpg">freewheeled down the hill</a>, cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/IMGvBgF.jpg">over the road</a> and then into the centre of Zwolle<br />
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Distance: Approx 55km / 35 miles<br />
Time: Approx three and a half hours<br />
Photos taken: 445<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1BTGYX1d5DyMw9JCYInfBdl8JsX9v7xDh&usp=sharing">Map of the route</a><br />
Gallery: <a href="https://imgur.com/a/VieKOc5">66 photos here</a><br />
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An analysis of this trip by <a href="https://twitter.com/jitensha_oni">Jitensha Oni</a>:<br />
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<b>Next Post:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/03/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 19: Zwolle to Utrecht via Amersfoort</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Previous Posts in this series:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2015:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_11.html">Part 1 - Hook of Holland to Rotterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/il3bu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 2 - Rotterdam to Gouda via Delft</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/uJixr">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_13.html">Part 3 - Gouda to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/0bcjF">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 4 - Utrecht to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/huvBy">Photo Gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_19.html">Part 5 - Amsterdam to Hook of Holland via The Hague</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/RJ1MD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2016:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_17.html">Part 6 - Hook of Holland to Breda</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/TFkWX">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 7 - Breda to Eindhoven via Tilburg</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/Yepnl">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_86.html">Part 8: Eindhoven to 's-Hertogenbosch</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/V6UQD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_3.html">Part 9: 's-Hertogenbosch to Nijmegen</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/ixnI0">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_22.html">Part 10: Nijmegen to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/WiGPR">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2017:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 11: Hook of Holland to Gouda via Delft and Zoetermeer</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/bBq5m">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_10.html">Part 12: Gouda to Utrecht, via a different route </a>/ <a href="https://imgur.com/a/3Rio8">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 13: Utrecht to Nijmegen via Veenendaal, Ede and Arnhem</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/gBEA9">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2018:</b><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 14: Hook of Holland to Leiden</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/9u5bYAv">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_6.html">Part 15: Leiden to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/exV1xXS">Photo gallery of this journey</a> </div>
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_26.html">Part 16: Amsterdam to Alkmaar</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/sGeayS3">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_76.html">Part 17: Alkmaar to Lelystad via the Houtribdijk</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/yalFj4t">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-43179201037736174232019-02-27T20:22:00.000+00:002019-03-01T00:04:07.488+00:00Cycling between cities in the Netherlands part 17: Alkmaar to Lelystad via the HoutribdijkWhilst I had wanted to visit the city of Alkmaar and cycle through the North Holland countryside my main influence in deciding to visit this area was because I wanted to cycle on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houtribdijk">the Houtribdijk</a>, a 27km long route which connects the cities of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enkhuizen">Enkhuizen</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lelystad">Lelystad</a>. Although called a dike, it is actually a dam, built between 1963 and 1975 as part of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zuiderzee_Works">Zuiderzee works</a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvsdZiN6VuiFf6Pttso3cgHUPnHjx7m5rz-LDUbkBZ_u3oMMs0RWAf9wmc7Xf1tPKHhfLB7AanyP3iY4sR24mVuwSFB0G5z3aiWjSuPjKg9TlW4eI3WxlFPrQsPGAe1fS_nybCQPf2-vb/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="946" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvsdZiN6VuiFf6Pttso3cgHUPnHjx7m5rz-LDUbkBZ_u3oMMs0RWAf9wmc7Xf1tPKHhfLB7AanyP3iY4sR24mVuwSFB0G5z3aiWjSuPjKg9TlW4eI3WxlFPrQsPGAe1fS_nybCQPf2-vb/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Houtribdijk, which also carries the N307 and separate cycleway from Enkhuizen to Lelystad</span></td></tr>
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I spent the morning (<a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1012227999880613888">after the school run</a>) being a tourist in the very pretty city of Alkmaar on a very warm morning, visiting the <a href="https://www.kaasmuseum.nl/en">cheese museum</a>, among other things. Therefore it was almost midday by the time I left but I was still expecting to get to Lelystad by mid to late afternoon. My journey began on the same route it had ended the previous day, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0yz5k7t.jpg">via Nieuwe Schermerweg </a>heading east out of the city. Shortly before the main ring road I turned left onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/1j0anqb.jpg">a distributor road with cycle lanes</a>, although these did briefly <a href="https://i.imgur.com/T7lywNP.jpg">have cycle tracks at floating bus stop</a>s. I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Btm0Ql3.jpg">cycled past a school</a>, the quietness broken by children playing in the playground outside and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/zKxPUbR.jpg">turned right onto a cycle path</a>. As I came to the canal and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/cKrx7Al.jpg">a narrow bridge a sign indicated I was leaving Alkmaar</a> and I had a very nice view from the top of the bridge.<br />
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After this bridge I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/MYTnmzj.jpg">turned left to follow the canal</a> and then kept to the left to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/dlr0LuK.jpg">go onto a cycleway</a> to climb up to the main road to cross over the canal, with a view of an underpass to my right for those who wanted to carry on under the main road instead.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpSebt5ndLz0cjjZ8XSmYmGgdL9ZgdkFSAp0ZDwNfgMnBn3ZVdtQ3gKc_DOAmpqSr_7vmdKLIJ0rcdoVn4LbUIdem5fvRwE7s6JyxkfDUBvQf8tHKaU5dv1sJHCtOUNjc3axQPrnzUfsM/s1600/B03Pynx.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1539" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHpSebt5ndLz0cjjZ8XSmYmGgdL9ZgdkFSAp0ZDwNfgMnBn3ZVdtQ3gKc_DOAmpqSr_7vmdKLIJ0rcdoVn4LbUIdem5fvRwE7s6JyxkfDUBvQf8tHKaU5dv1sJHCtOUNjc3axQPrnzUfsM/s640/B03Pynx.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Once alongside the main road I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/UeTdLX1.jpg">cycled over the bridge</a> and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/sB2AqUw.jpg">turned left</a> to loop round and cycle back <a href="https://i.imgur.com/LzGDPnm.jpg">under the main road</a>. The cycleway continued straight ahead but <a href="https://i.imgur.com/gJD0VDe.jpg">I turned right here</a> onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0MEjFA5.jpg">another cycleway alongside the canal</a>, which soon turned into <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Wi5SCYe.jpg">an access only road</a>. Almost immediately after this, as I approached a roundabout, a cycleway appeared on my left so <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZKbFGvO.jpg">I went onto it</a> and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/38KCqtu.jpg">crossed the road just north of the roundabout</a>. I then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/X9LAvTH.jpg">continued along this cycleway</a> to the north of the canal and road alongside until I reached the village of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oterleek">Oterleek</a>, where the cycleway ended and I was then cycling on cycle lanes on the road.<br />
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I entered the village of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rustenburg,_North_Holland">Rustenburg</a> and after <a href="https://i.imgur.com/GcmEIYX.jpg">crossing the canal over a narrow bridge</a> I turned left, onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/nTRYYE9.jpg">another road with painted cycle lanes</a>. I briefly had to stop here to apply some sun cream as the scorching early afternoon sun was beating down on me. The route <a href="https://i.imgur.com/3gkaKrS.jpg">continued like this</a> for the next few kilometres as I cycled past fields with gigantic sheds full of cows being milked, something I had been watching on film in the cheese museum just a few hours earlier. I passed through the town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Goorn">De Goorn</a> and, as I exited it and came to a crossroads at the junction with the N194 road I saw some construction work to my left and the unmistakable sight of a bicycle underpass under construction.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEob-0QLihHZlMgbk43tgT7f7AxL3D90Eey3QmMDtyJTPx23sFaitLG-_ayfGFTkSL7N0jrc4W51T7mOzQUiA4nkdzZ3ecC9vBV7AMpgfdq_16NXEl0L-2X3KMtmftOAWS1wGb31o-suv/s1600/7ynNvCU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1055" data-original-width="1525" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEob-0QLihHZlMgbk43tgT7f7AxL3D90Eey3QmMDtyJTPx23sFaitLG-_ayfGFTkSL7N0jrc4W51T7mOzQUiA4nkdzZ3ecC9vBV7AMpgfdq_16NXEl0L-2X3KMtmftOAWS1wGb31o-suv/s640/7ynNvCU.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The turbo roundabout being constructed next to it was near completion but I was directed south of it, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/jrc4Y8n.jpg">to a temporary crossing</a>, until the underpass is completed. I then made my way back up to the road I was on, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/E75CV81.jpg">via a temporary cycleway</a>, where I had <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Pxw0fi3.jpg">a clearer view of the under-construction bicycle underpass</a> from the other side of the new roundabout. As I stood taking photos a group of teenagers cycled past and all used the temporary crossing with ease, but did have to wait to give way to a lorry. They wouldn't have to for much longer<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVmdELCnzRxNrTpTqw8TpNo3z8RSEnG6yZ4uJNUQcmY8QaIpkPr-xPp8O2d7AqRiXkoMTG6tEse9ce-YLoEUOSyscZchHNy_aIBTLhu8Xyp0QRaC4AwvgzN6G8qTin2SXE3RjdL_v0hGH/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="946" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYVmdELCnzRxNrTpTqw8TpNo3z8RSEnG6yZ4uJNUQcmY8QaIpkPr-xPp8O2d7AqRiXkoMTG6tEse9ce-YLoEUOSyscZchHNy_aIBTLhu8Xyp0QRaC4AwvgzN6G8qTin2SXE3RjdL_v0hGH/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Google satellite imagery shows this junction with the turbo roundabout and cycle underpass under constriction. If you <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/xp6M4BV8URk">look at the area on satellite view</a> and scroll either north or south you'll see this is a series of junctions being redesigned like this along this road, each of them with bicycle underpasses. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/153iYkj.jpg">continued along a road</a> with housing either side for the next 5 kilometres into Hoorn. It was lunchtime and so as I cycled along here groups of teenagers were also cycling, presumably going home for lunch or they may have had a break in their studies. Sometimes <a href="https://i.imgur.com/a4archo.jpg">the road had painted cycle lanes on it</a> and other times <a href="https://i.imgur.com/llFS6Hi.jpg">it didn't</a>, but <a href="https://i.imgur.com/r8RmzAW.jpg">had other traffic calming measures</a>. As I turned the corner <a href="https://i.imgur.com/azr9NgP.jpg">a cycleway appeared</a> as I entered <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoorn">Hoorn</a>, I turned left at a roundabout and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/k5wh79U.jpg">continued on a cycleway tiled with concrete pavers</a>, which must have been bidirectional, even though it had no centre lines to indicate this. It briefly became <a href="https://i.imgur.com/KtB6GjE.jpg">a service road with cycle lanes</a> before <a href="https://i.imgur.com/yDP6h7M.jpg">turning back into a cycleway</a> and looping round the centre of Hoorn, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/4nhg6oY.jpg">alongside a wide main road</a>. As the road turned to the left I was <a href="https://i.imgur.com/bMxMOBI.jpg">sandwiched between it and a dike to my right</a>, with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markermeer">Markermeer</a> beyond that and my planned route would continue on the cycleway alongside the main road. However I could see a bridge above the main road so <a href="https://i.imgur.com/1onfMVT.jpg">diverted to my right in </a>order to be able to cycle up onto the bridge and look down at the road below.<br />
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I was quite hungry now and it was very hot so I decided I needed to find some shade and a place to eat. In retrospect I wish I had diverted into the centre of Hoorn before I reached this point, rather than cycling around the main ring road around it. I looked on google for somewhere nearby to eat and the "outdoor orange restaurant" was the closest recommendation and so I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/p0AcPF9.jpg">cycled along the dike</a> to this cafe at the beach where I enjoyed some lunch with a beer. I must admit that with my sun lounger, shade and table service I perhaps relaxed a little too much and two more beers were ordered after food<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
I'm meant to be on a cycling trip but am sat on the beach drinking beer and now don't want to leave <a href="https://t.co/SYq0g0xR0g">pic.twitter.com/SYq0g0xR0g</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1012320617360777217?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 28, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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An hour and a half later I decided it was time to muster up the energy to get back on the bike and as I unlocked my bike it was clear that it was school finishing time as dozens of teenagers all turned up on their bikes at the beach. I cycled back the way I had come, along the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/oqmAUSy.jpg">filtered to motor traffic dike</a>, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0W4WS8T.jpg">under the bridge</a> I'd earlier been on and then out of Hoorn <a href="https://i.imgur.com/SZLznJj.jpg">on a cycleway alongside the N506</a>. A couple of teenage boys overtook me here and then one proceeded to share his chewing gum with the other, safely passing it over as they cycled side-by-side with motor traffic speeding past on the road alongside. I thought, not for the first time, why on earth every country does not have this type of infrastructure alongside rural roads.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlA2Axf9gpaOv5eO9Z_73snBbgGJVLGbZWzsjzx355LCdoSSE2-NwA1CM8VtflxeartkZKLxgXy7iMis9nWwj6ZYV6WAo8XLFRj7tDwgM6nFgS1vb4Ipzbhq2yRc14fCbD92QTIogaEzOA/s1600/Q3tLUZf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1153" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlA2Axf9gpaOv5eO9Z_73snBbgGJVLGbZWzsjzx355LCdoSSE2-NwA1CM8VtflxeartkZKLxgXy7iMis9nWwj6ZYV6WAo8XLFRj7tDwgM6nFgS1vb4Ipzbhq2yRc14fCbD92QTIogaEzOA/s640/Q3tLUZf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/3WbHQrK.jpg">continued along this pleasant cycleway</a> for another few kilometres before it <a href="https://i.imgur.com/HScoeN3.jpg">became a service road</a> alongside the N506 for another few kilometres and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/s5hc6bv.jpg">then crossed </a>to another service road on the other side of the road. It was here that <a href="https://i.imgur.com/rTn7Tq0.jpg">I approached roadworks</a> and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/5D4ZtuS.jpg">crossed an unopened road</a>, south of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/rgER4Di.jpg">an unopened roundabout</a>, onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/uEfrjCa.jpg">a smooth cycleway</a> alongside and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/MOW1Cj9.jpg">under an unopened new road</a>. This will be, or by now is, the N307 road and from the <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/N307,+Lutjebroek,+Netherlands/@52.6822708,5.1986125,1908m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x47c8a42f90d5f151:0x73cfa924b8f54e28!8m2!3d52.68316!4d5.2055062?hl=en">google maps satellite images</a> of this area it is clear to see what a huge project this is, with a new road carved through the countryside and enormous junctions under construction. <a href="https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=nl&u=https://www.heijmans.nl/nl/nieuws/project-n23-westfrisiaweg-n194-en-n307-officieel-opengesteld-voor-verkeer/&prev=search">This link </a>gives more details and explains that this is the construction (or upgrade) of both the N307 and N194 roads and is the same reason I saw that new bicycle underpass several hours earlier. <a href="https://twitter.com/A14C2H/status/1010156749813362690">The same kind of projects occur in the UK as well</a> of course, but the cycling infrastructure, both temporary and permanent, is nowhere near as good as this. After cycling underneath the under construction road I turned right onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/4XykteW.jpg">a smooth new cycleway alongside another new road</a> which had not opened yet and then passed what perhaps was an old bicycle dug up during construction works.<br />
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The cycleway then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/UzuMUrO.jpg">bent away from the new road</a>, surrounded by brownness as landscaping works were still not complete, and I then cycled on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/l7UwcCf.jpg">a series</a> of <a href="https://i.imgur.com/EgNBu3f.jpg">cycleways</a> on the edge of a residential area. This brought me back to the N307 road and more roadworks where <a href="https://i.imgur.com/49m6OqG.jpg">a cycling bridge was being constructed</a> in order to bypass a roundabout. <a href="https://i.imgur.com/kzHwjOX.jpg">I crossed the road on a temporary crossing</a> and then cycled round the corner and up the hill where I had a much clearer view of the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/VQ2WlaS.jpg">construction of the bridge</a> and the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/SnFDUDN.jpg">deck of it</a>. I was now cycling on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/plxN0jn.jpg">an access road to a Europarcs resort</a> but was soon able <a href="https://i.imgur.com/lYqrxiY.jpg">to join a very smooth cycleway</a> alongside the N307 road again. I continued along this <a href="https://i.imgur.com/jgDuEek.jpg">lovely recently resurfaced cycleway</a> for the next couple of kilometres until I came to a set of traffic lights where I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/oG9yBSD.jpg">crossed the road</a> and then turned right to begin my 26km journey along the Houtribdijk out of Holland and into Flevoland.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TBJ-E_Ffqx2wdOqQYh0E2JJC5mmPZ-VZ7NhZ0kjmY1Ssb6nJdz1On9WTjmEd-7t1T4Iu8KWnGm1BJ4FiVg6LPjjhqNmABb1k61mPV1QauOAFsADKyuykFq9kvSpXmDjcE-1YFcLXpxPc/s1600/b1nEdGK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3TBJ-E_Ffqx2wdOqQYh0E2JJC5mmPZ-VZ7NhZ0kjmY1Ssb6nJdz1On9WTjmEd-7t1T4Iu8KWnGm1BJ4FiVg6LPjjhqNmABb1k61mPV1QauOAFsADKyuykFq9kvSpXmDjcE-1YFcLXpxPc/s640/b1nEdGK.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/lqwTT1z.jpg">over a lifting bridge</a> and then joined <a href="https://i.imgur.com/r0MqkKX.jpg">a service road with cycle lanes</a> for a short while, as I passed five wind turbines to my right. <a href="https://i.imgur.com/toVNDSx.jpg">A cycleway then reappeared</a> which took me under the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naviduct">Naviduct</a> where I could <a href="https://i.imgur.com/dVhLE6c.jpg">see a large boat was passing through above me</a>. It was spectacular to see this structure in person and here is some <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnr_F8rqtns">drone footage of it in action</a>, which is also spectacular. I cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/HKqrZJw.jpg">up out from under the naviduct</a> and then my view for the next ten kilometres was basically this:<br />
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along with at least a dozen dead birds on the cycleway, who had clearly been struck by vehicles on the road alongside. After 30 minutes of this <a href="https://i.imgur.com/3BEWssj.jpg">the cycleway crossed up and over</a> to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZiJzy0Z.jpg">the other side of the dam</a> to run along the water and away from the road as I got to the halfway point and a sight I was not expecting to see<br />
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The cycleway was very much closed, with some substantial looking fencing beyond the sign to ensure no cyclists could ignore the signage and carry on. I was a bit stuck as to what to do at this point so cycled down to the <a href="https://roadhousecheckpointcharlie.nl/en/home-2/">Checkpoint Charlie cafe</a>, which was closed. I then spotted a bus shelter in the car park which thankfully had instructions in English to explain that the cycleway had been closed for the past six months to reinforce the dam but would reopen in three days time. In the meantime a free shuttle bus operated with a number listed to book it. I called the number and spoke to a friendly gentleman who told me my bus would be with me shortly and that is was "no problem" that I had a large bike with me. I waited for around 20 minutes before a small minibus arrived from the mainland and, after we put the rear seats down to fit my bike in the back, we drove on to the other side of the Houtribdijk. Whilst this cycleway replacement service was very impressive it was a shame I was not able to cycle the full length of the Houtribdijk. As I was sat in the taxi it occurred to me that this was the first time, in over a dozen visits, that I had ever been inside a motor vehicle whilst in the Netherlands. In all of my previous visits my journeys were all by bike, on foot or by train and it would have been nice to have kept it that way.<br />
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I unloaded my bike from the back of the taxi in Flevoland and thanked the driver. I then cycled <a href="https://i.imgur.com/CPauVXi.jpg">on a bridge</a> then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/aePMezT.jpg">over the locks</a> and into Lelystad<br />
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By now it was gone 7 o' clock in the evening and this was several hours after I had planned to be here. I had booked a hotel nearly ten kilometres south of Lelystad, in order to be based halfway between Lalystad and Almere, a decision I was now regretting. The original route I had planned also took me into Lelystad to explore the city but that was the last thing I wanted to do as I was tired, hot and hungry. Instead I plotted a route to my hotel via google maps forgetting that google maps is terrible at cycle routes, even in the Netherlands. I made my way there as quickly as I could; a 14 km ride on rough gravel paths where I was so exhausted I didn't even take a single photograph.<br />
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Distance: Approx 87km (13km of it by taxi) / 54 miles<br />
Time: Approx seven and a half hours<br />
Photos taken: 466<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1c2GBlxwgyHrSenNTmniS46PPUp0Eqcui&usp=sharing">Map of the route</a><br />
Gallery: <a href="https://imgur.com/a/yalFj4t">78 photos here</a><br />
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An analysis of this trip by <a href="https://twitter.com/jitensha_oni">Jitensha Oni</a>:<br />
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<b>Next Post:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_28.html">Part 18: Lelystad to Zwolle</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Previous Posts in this series:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2015:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_11.html">Part 1 - Hook of Holland to Rotterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/il3bu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 2 - Rotterdam to Gouda via Delft</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/uJixr">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_13.html">Part 3 - Gouda to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/0bcjF">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 4 - Utrecht to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/huvBy">Photo Gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_19.html">Part 5 - Amsterdam to Hook of Holland via The Hague</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/RJ1MD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2016:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_17.html">Part 6 - Hook of Holland to Breda</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/TFkWX">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 7 - Breda to Eindhoven via Tilburg</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/Yepnl">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_86.html">Part 8: Eindhoven to 's-Hertogenbosch</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/V6UQD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_3.html">Part 9: 's-Hertogenbosch to Nijmegen</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/ixnI0">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_22.html">Part 10: Nijmegen to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/WiGPR">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2017:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 11: Hook of Holland to Gouda via Delft and Zoetermeer</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/bBq5m">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_10.html">Part 12: Gouda to Utrecht, via a different route </a>/ <a href="https://imgur.com/a/3Rio8">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 13: Utrecht to Nijmegen via Veenendaal, Ede and Arnhem</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/gBEA9">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2018:</b><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 14: Hook of Holland to Leiden</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/9u5bYAv">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_6.html">Part 15: Leiden to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/exV1xXS">Photo gallery of this journey</a> </div>
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_26.html">Part 16: Amsterdam to Alkmaar</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/sGeayS3">Photo gallery of this journey</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-72588984746725375072019-02-26T20:17:00.000+00:002019-02-28T10:34:10.674+00:00Cycling between cities in the Netherlands part 16: Amsterdam to AlkmaarAmsterdam and Alkmaar are linked by the <a href="http://www.holland-cycling.com/where-to-go/long-distance-cycle-routes/national-long-distance-cycle-network/lf7-river-bank-route-oeverlandroute">long distance cycle route LF7</a>, a popular route to cycle through the <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2010/04/25/cycling-in-holland-alkmaar-and-surroundings/">North Holland countryside</a>. However, I was only staying in Alkmaar for one night and so chose the most direct route, closely following the road network, to maximize the amount of time I would spend there.<br />
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I cycled west out of Amsterdam <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Zx6SvRG.jpg">along Jan Eversenstraat</a> from Rembrandt Park, alongside the tram lines. I crossed over the tram line to continue straight ahead <a href="https://i.imgur.com/N0zolaF.jpg">at a roundabout</a> and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/p9ZerGZ.jpg">continued down this road</a> until I came to a bidirectional cycle track <a href="https://i.imgur.com/WN4LeUp.jpg">around a roundabout</a>, where I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/hOx7BmV.jpg">turned right</a>.<br />
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This road had <a href="https://i.imgur.com/kuWAQTk.jpg">an old cycleway, tiled with concrete pavers</a>, making it look very similar to the footway alongside and reverting to paint <a href="https://i.imgur.com/lZaGFQM.jpg">without continuous footways at side roads</a> . You see this very old style of cycle track a lot in Amsterdam, particularly in outer Amsterdam but these are slowly being replaced <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2014/08/21/cycle-route-update-its-all-in-the-details/">as streets are upgraded</a>, usually with smooth red asphalt<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
A cycle track I used in Amsterdam in 2015 and again in 2017, after refurbishment <a href="https://t.co/ZuXTdqbmFg">pic.twitter.com/ZuXTdqbmFg</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/896853985407238145?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 13, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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As the road reached a canal it turned to the left and the cycleway stopped, leaving me to share with cars on <a href="https://i.imgur.com/O0Is1EE.jpg">a very British looking road</a>. This didn't last long however, as I turned right to cross the canal and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/opn1MW6.jpg">cycle tracks appeared again</a>. These continued for the next half a kilometre or so until I came to a residential road which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/J7jct8F.jpg">was filtered</a> with a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/dr4Wgcu.jpg">cycleway at the end</a>. As I turned right the cycleway ahead of me was closed for what looked like resurfacing and so the workman directed me to the other side of the road, which was fine as that was where I was planning to go anyway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKZHiLHYaxaz8fJZWOmZEQDjc5O9oKjO7mv_RCbAAY4Qm2ClvlPX0acI1hjOk79udRzvoQpP8IiXw7kjn2A58wywqvMfd73QCCJ7yMxKXEwqDI75wbApyslQGTTdMMBVv37iXw4kBUwQO/s1600/HqDt7bh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1101" data-original-width="1243" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKZHiLHYaxaz8fJZWOmZEQDjc5O9oKjO7mv_RCbAAY4Qm2ClvlPX0acI1hjOk79udRzvoQpP8IiXw7kjn2A58wywqvMfd73QCCJ7yMxKXEwqDI75wbApyslQGTTdMMBVv37iXw4kBUwQO/s640/HqDt7bh.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I sat at the traffic lights waiting to cross I pondered on just how many roads or cycle tracks I had seen that were closed for roadworks during my last three days in Amsterdam. It seemed like almost every other road I went down was closed and Amsterdam appears to be under a major project to update their road system, giving priority to people on foot and bike.I crossed over the road and then the waterway alongside <a href="https://i.imgur.com/eIKmkGU.jpg">over a cycling bridge</a>, turned right and then left onto a very wide bidirectional cycleway which stretched out in a straight line a long way into the distance (with another on the other side of the road).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzjBND6eLPZB6sXJov-mXxiN4hfAUtmwWY5dDGMrYB4nP5dQ2_7sJHio446ugLuiShrfGxMQmP_17osd9pamrkmRZmtXvLItCQDTGdvOsPcNSXX52rLBSjx5tFL-W_U1vAd9n_BGDu9HB/s1600/hYPiPAP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1283" data-original-width="1600" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzjBND6eLPZB6sXJov-mXxiN4hfAUtmwWY5dDGMrYB4nP5dQ2_7sJHio446ugLuiShrfGxMQmP_17osd9pamrkmRZmtXvLItCQDTGdvOsPcNSXX52rLBSjx5tFL-W_U1vAd9n_BGDu9HB/s640/hYPiPAP.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I slowly climbed uphill, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/OBWozDd.jpg">under railway lines</a> and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ejfqw7b.jpg">over them</a>, with Amsterdam Sloterdijk station to my right, surrounded by tall office blocks. I continued on and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZzNbknl.jpg">crossed over a main road</a> that had an exceptionally wide central reservation so had two separate <a href="https://i.imgur.com/c2JU7wZ.jpg">crossings</a> but I completed it in one go, as I had a green light for both of them. I then passed under the A5 motorway and had my own mini level crossing just for the cycle track<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xO3-PiEoHUkL4fllGHevUlmU47vv2psnWW32lm1RSjjCnZD7Y5cTZuhEuT9rTAkzW8Ig18E7fJ83W2oGi9DdioTME2fuUvBXibxjliWaZQ1rqgFi23KZa9Jc7mWRbUMwsmuyHQ0ubYGg/s1600/SH6nj7i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xO3-PiEoHUkL4fllGHevUlmU47vv2psnWW32lm1RSjjCnZD7Y5cTZuhEuT9rTAkzW8Ig18E7fJ83W2oGi9DdioTME2fuUvBXibxjliWaZQ1rqgFi23KZa9Jc7mWRbUMwsmuyHQ0ubYGg/s640/SH6nj7i.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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After crossing under the motorway I was in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westpoort">Westpoort</a>, the main industrial area of Amsterdam. I was on a wide bidirectional cycleway that <a href="https://i.imgur.com/1xMi1IJ.jpg">ran alongside the main road</a> (with priority at each side road) which was being used by <a href="https://i.imgur.com/i90jfkt.jpg">a lot of lorries</a>. At the end of this road the cycleway curved to the left and continued past the smelly <a href="https://www.obabulk.nl/en/">OBA Bulk Terminal</a> with mountains of coal to my left, behind the trees, with wind turbines and railway sidings to my right.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpLVxETTuokSTpnVapjVs4u26K4FJ-ziiA54SrxFnzTolleuJ4PCk6tZC1-dAANN48kArMhyfrf_yOMq7pbZdvSa3CKDHnyyyjBnVufbbtPL-CTRWxrHMDBJtfWZUqQBS6d6qpnUVFTrK/s1600/BrswmoI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1169" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpLVxETTuokSTpnVapjVs4u26K4FJ-ziiA54SrxFnzTolleuJ4PCk6tZC1-dAANN48kArMhyfrf_yOMq7pbZdvSa3CKDHnyyyjBnVufbbtPL-CTRWxrHMDBJtfWZUqQBS6d6qpnUVFTrK/s640/BrswmoI.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Despite it being a wide and comfortable cycle track I hadn't seen anyone else cycling on here for quite some time, and thought what some of the black cab drivers back in London would have to say about it<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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Empty. No bikes using it <a href="https://t.co/5RbGzR5vBn">pic.twitter.com/5RbGzR5vBn</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1011904246953005056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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Eventually I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/vYOAj4i.jpg">crossed over the road</a>, alongside the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/MyFGmvw.jpg">railway sidings</a> and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/tlRghfO.jpg">alongside another main road</a>. I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/5UwqtFl.jpg">crossed over</a> into the entrance to a ferry terminal, which had a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ykv0isB.jpg">very wide and new looking cycle track</a> at its entrance and it was clear that this route had recently been upgraded<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKmhe96OCW-OaNqi0XSjjpEOZbKJ_DT7YufVzy28_O_P9naR9bWy6DU5P-CUZ1qmTAbiLERHe3N-xoSuX7P1_X-hN9VjhU-5jLnL00AyTMNn3boUAj6oB-hGp_ec66k5jatmboauy7N0C/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1023" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKmhe96OCW-OaNqi0XSjjpEOZbKJ_DT7YufVzy28_O_P9naR9bWy6DU5P-CUZ1qmTAbiLERHe3N-xoSuX7P1_X-hN9VjhU-5jLnL00AyTMNn3boUAj6oB-hGp_ec66k5jatmboauy7N0C/s640/10.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyqAsZEIjbZdCV-B-X6HAX6NRTJdM1ajImLxGM53KEPJVZVnq_x7nnwYJdc5jd-ZHjVvbQdG3Zp4eXQn3OgT-pf-XpuT2Z5v_M3_fefa-vqlDClHdV7rg-MNhOWoAdYKpfidMOZzdylHv/s1600/11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="1070" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyqAsZEIjbZdCV-B-X6HAX6NRTJdM1ajImLxGM53KEPJVZVnq_x7nnwYJdc5jd-ZHjVvbQdG3Zp4eXQn3OgT-pf-XpuT2Z5v_M3_fefa-vqlDClHdV7rg-MNhOWoAdYKpfidMOZzdylHv/s640/11.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above: the entrance to the ferry terminal <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/kiwBrDiQiNo">on google streetview</a>, eight months apart. Motor traffic lanes reduced from five lanes to one in each direction </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a five minute wait <a href="https://i.imgur.com/aAHouQl.jpg">our boat arrived</a> and myself, some people on road bikes, a few locals and some tourists on Macbikes entered the ferry for the five minute <a href="https://i.imgur.com/KSY0ixG.jpg">crossing</a> of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Sea_Canal">North Sea Canal</a>. After alighting from the ferry I cycled alongside the main road leading away from the ferry terminal <a href="https://i.imgur.com/tzmUyi6.jpg">on a bidirectional cycleway</a> and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/OqcQONj.jpg">straight on at a roundabout</a>, cycling <a href="https://i.imgur.com/NIyYkIP.jpg">behind a woman</a> who had a dog in her back basket. To get through the next junction I cycled through an underpass<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9CdQTqccN6ATn4Xprr1MJ2ieSp-UQyWpn0Xk20jfrEagjP3i_aficvPPrZISqqtJzcVJBemddOHGHdGrZ-qyz4Iew5WiVTXGmd_2nB6AIQUTEMN9aRT93herKWtpkKmeeK2-XPtz2Pn3/s1600/Oh8zo8U.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="1531" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9CdQTqccN6ATn4Xprr1MJ2ieSp-UQyWpn0Xk20jfrEagjP3i_aficvPPrZISqqtJzcVJBemddOHGHdGrZ-qyz4Iew5WiVTXGmd_2nB6AIQUTEMN9aRT93herKWtpkKmeeK2-XPtz2Pn3/s640/Oh8zo8U.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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which you can see under construction in 2008 on <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/rEvfD6M7ZVq">google streetview here</a> (and use the slider tool to see the current layout). I continued along this road, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/VoTnaE4.jpg">passing a large retail park</a> filled with furniture stores, garden centres and car dealerships. At the next road junction <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0qwaSm0.jpg">I turned left </a>towards t<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Bdpt7KP.jpg">he railway line</a>. This area was dominated by large roads and out of town retail parks but just look at all the cycle infrastructure that is also here, allowing anyone to safely get about by bike.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifikTcOxrB9UTNJ73KdFm3V8tlKMWB4H31lSiSOI1cjDqcC-z2WisVD_as0I9R8xdIKjb9hnJzFFRPWCeAqSMBRp3vnN5Pyb7j3fb1u675nlhN83NvmjRbUXmlpNCuEY1PWrbBJqCqS23M/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="789" data-original-width="1100" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifikTcOxrB9UTNJ73KdFm3V8tlKMWB4H31lSiSOI1cjDqcC-z2WisVD_as0I9R8xdIKjb9hnJzFFRPWCeAqSMBRp3vnN5Pyb7j3fb1u675nlhN83NvmjRbUXmlpNCuEY1PWrbBJqCqS23M/s640/12.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/eUC47vm.jpg">cycled alongside the railway line</a> and as I approached Zaandam railway station I passed a collection of <a href="http://www.formakers.eu/project-207-soeters-van-eldonk-architecten-zaanstad-city-hall-exterior">cartoony looking buildings</a> to my right<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwVVF_ezJSwlIs-4-JxxTe4KS-08mCl7SIWIjHfNXiK0aw6NsjFGMnTnIZe8pLWmiGUcBDG4vE2r_Qj3zg3VHdceRpzvkVwJlbuMpRJQxV6a1G_baK-f02r-dz86VpAEWykvq8SEGH0rw/s1600/VyVilje.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwVVF_ezJSwlIs-4-JxxTe4KS-08mCl7SIWIjHfNXiK0aw6NsjFGMnTnIZe8pLWmiGUcBDG4vE2r_Qj3zg3VHdceRpzvkVwJlbuMpRJQxV6a1G_baK-f02r-dz86VpAEWykvq8SEGH0rw/s640/VyVilje.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was now cycling <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Pitphvs.jpg">directly alongside the railway line and station platforms</a> and continued alongside the railway line <a href="https://i.imgur.com/DluN1dq.jpg">as a road appeared to my right</a>. I cycled over a level crossing, which even <a href="https://i.imgur.com/2VZneuO.jpg">had its own barriers just for the cycleway</a> and then past abundant cycle parking between a bus stop and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koog_aan_de_Zaan">Koog ann de Zaan</a> railway station.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIHsPWsjrnn7NffRcj9guxUmx5WRp_k_qgiAku0IaoL41reWvbd-H4caOnoDyuMQgMX0hDIjxNbkgnTIsv542AcKiRZ574ZI3GsK-054hvfbJunygZi2JbYTmk_FjiJ7rqWKmHztWPmId/s1600/MVRpyya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIHsPWsjrnn7NffRcj9guxUmx5WRp_k_qgiAku0IaoL41reWvbd-H4caOnoDyuMQgMX0hDIjxNbkgnTIsv542AcKiRZ574ZI3GsK-054hvfbJunygZi2JbYTmk_FjiJ7rqWKmHztWPmId/s640/MVRpyya.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I continued between the railway line and road with <a href="https://i.imgur.com/BXVspib.jpg">large hedges separating me from them on either side</a>. The road then bent away from the railway as I entered the town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wormerveer">Wormerveer</a>.<br />
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The cycle track became a fierstraat as it entered the town up until shortly after <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Bt8BQpu.jpg">a floating bus stop</a>, where I had to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/7L3OLxK.jpg">cross over the road</a> to use a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/TphkoSg.jpg">unidirectional cycleway</a> on the opposite side of the road. This then became <a href="https://i.imgur.com/BDbWrlh.jpg">a bidirectional cycleway at the next junction</a> along where I noticed that the cycleway on the opposite side had once again became bidirectional and so decided to swap back over again.<br />
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As I saw the N8 road cross over ahead of us <a href="https://i.imgur.com/JGHegkd.jpg">an underpass appeared to my right</a>. I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/yrtdPBj.jpg">cycled underneath it</a> under the road and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/xTqP2gj.jpg">out the other side</a>, then round the corner <a href="https://i.imgur.com/nnBIfby.jpg">onto a residential street</a>. Coming from the residential street up ahead onto the cycleway (and ultimately underpass) that I had just used were a class of schoolchildren, all on an outing or field trip together on their bikes with their teachers cycling with them. Every single child said hello to me as they passed<br />
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I thought back a couple of months earlier where I had assisted my daughters school class with an outing to Dalston in Hackney. We got the bus and every child walked either side of the bus journey. They all had hi-viz tops on and the main job of each parent was to stop at each side road to ensure cars did not enter or exit as the children crossed. Here in the Netherlands the infrastructure is safe enough for them all to cycle on their bikes, not a helmet or high-viz in sight. Different world! Rather than continue straight onto the residential street ahead of me I turned to my left 180 degrees to use another underpass to cross under the road.<br />
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Thanks to the Google street view feature you can roll the imagery back a decade to 2008 and see these roads where neither of the two cycle underpasses I had used existed. You could still make the exact same journey I had made by bike via safe cycle tracks, completely separated from motor traffic, it just would have been longer with wait times at several traffic lights. I was now cycling north <a href="https://i.imgur.com/VZhXHqu.jpg">on a bidirectional cycleway alongside the N246</a>. The surface of this cycleway deteriorated slightly but was still perfectly usable by the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/awsyEnH.jpg">two elderly ladies on ebikes who had overtaken me, as well as people on road bikes</a>. We soon came to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/NGPXD3k.jpg">roadworks</a> and a temporary cycleway, which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AtiVWXM.jpg">narrowed considerately</a> at one point. I overtook the two elderly ladies and briefly cycled behind two children who were able to chat away to each other as cars and lorries drove past at high speed<br />
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Shortly after <a href="https://i.imgur.com/sSLnxGS.jpg">passing the village</a> of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markenbinnen">Markenbinnen</a> alongside the Markervaart canal I saw a small wooden jetty alongside on so rested on here to eat some lunch, whilst watching various boats sail by. I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/5WjK5nt.jpg">continued to cycle north</a> along here before <a href="https://i.imgur.com/aCITXPk.jpg">coming to a swing bridge</a> and a signalled T junction, where <a href="https://i.imgur.com/wS2kttO.jpg">I crossed over</a> to the other side and turned left, to cycle alongside the N244 road on a service road<br />
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After a kilometre <a href="https://i.imgur.com/8oZRzEa.jpg">the service road turned right</a> to service some rural properties but a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZHPtqhC.jpg">cycleway continued alongside the main road</a> for the next couple of kilometres before <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AUSHljv.jpg">turning back into a service road again</a> for about <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mhxomJJ.jpg">another six kilometres</a>, although no motor vehicles were using it at all. I was now on the outskirts of Alkmaar and turned left to go under the road <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AGvfnCC.jpg">through an underpass</a>, round the corner to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/v5fWtgW.jpg">another underpass</a> and then looped round to join a cycleway alongside a main road, which crossed <a href="https://i.imgur.com/QItheML.jpg">over the canal</a> and then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/4g3AzUL.jpg">took me</a> directly into the centre of Alkmaar. I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/I2EGTDQ.jpg">looped round</a> from this road to cross over the canal and into the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/yj7H8w6.jpg">historic centre of the city.</a><br />
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If I were to make this journey again I think I would instead use the LF7 long distance route, rather than cycle along the main roads. Not because it was difficult or hazardous (far from it) but simply because it was a bit dull following the road for so long and the constant sound of motor vehicles was annoying.<br />
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Distance: Approx 37km / 22 miles<br />
Time: Approx 3 hours<br />
Photos taken: 347<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1rcWQYsh8wtFxLGg6y1b_AWgdgIbUbYmT&usp=sharing">Map of the route</a><br />
Gallery: <a href="https://imgur.com/a/sGeayS3">75 photos here</a><br />
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An analysis of this trip by <a href="https://twitter.com/jitensha_oni">Jitensha Oni</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U6V_iGJlAfOL7KvT0RpIWIWFtWsBgNaQ_M5fYfZP5rzDWCkmRLXu-LuWdEz3Q0ji6tTkQlgrf9f6UsunND623RWmmMlHfqIpNJsyv0CWmtJE02ZqQC-2eBWMiMzXVNeFwEyiqN1bEKHK/s1600/dHHwdvMK.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="819" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4U6V_iGJlAfOL7KvT0RpIWIWFtWsBgNaQ_M5fYfZP5rzDWCkmRLXu-LuWdEz3Q0ji6tTkQlgrf9f6UsunND623RWmmMlHfqIpNJsyv0CWmtJE02ZqQC-2eBWMiMzXVNeFwEyiqN1bEKHK/s640/dHHwdvMK.png" width="618" /></a></div>
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<b>Next Post:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_76.html">Part 17: Alkmaar to Lelystad via the Houtribdijk</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Previous Posts in this series:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>2015:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_11.html">Part 1 - Hook of Holland to Rotterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/il3bu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 2 - Rotterdam to Gouda via Delft</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/uJixr">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_13.html">Part 3 - Gouda to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/0bcjF">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 4 - Utrecht to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/huvBy">Photo Gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_19.html">Part 5 - Amsterdam to Hook of Holland via The Hague</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/RJ1MD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2016:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_17.html">Part 6 - Hook of Holland to Breda</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/TFkWX">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 7 - Breda to Eindhoven via Tilburg</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/Yepnl">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_86.html">Part 8: Eindhoven to 's-Hertogenbosch</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/V6UQD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_3.html">Part 9: 's-Hertogenbosch to Nijmegen</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/ixnI0">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_22.html">Part 10: Nijmegen to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/WiGPR">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2017:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 11: Hook of Holland to Gouda via Delft and Zoetermeer</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/bBq5m">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_10.html">Part 12: Gouda to Utrecht, via a different route </a>/ <a href="https://imgur.com/a/3Rio8">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 13: Utrecht to Nijmegen via Veenendaal, Ede and Arnhem</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/gBEA9">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2018:</b><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 14: Hook of Holland to Leiden</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/9u5bYAv">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<div>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_6.html">Part 15: Leiden to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/exV1xXS">Photo gallery of this journey</a> </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-34161520945967402602019-02-25T19:07:00.000+00:002019-02-27T13:58:44.968+00:00Cycling between cities in the Netherlands part 15: Leiden to AmsterdamI spent most of Sunday Morning exploring Leiden visiting <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1010580326274555904">new and old housing developments</a> on the edge of the city, as well as the historic centre of the city itself. By late morning it was time to check out of my hotel and make my way to Amsterdam. My hotel was located right on the outskirts of the city, alongside the motorway and so mainly catered for motorists with a large car park but of course also had cycle parking. On the other side of the car park was a McDonalds also catering for motorists with a busy drive in. However despite it being located some distance from the City Centre or any housing developments I was struck by just how busy it was with people coming and going by bike, especially teenagers. It is something I've noticed at other Dutch out-of-town McDonalds previously, <a href="https://twitter.com/AsEasyAsRiding/status/791557806990168064">as have others</a>.<br />
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Setting off through the car park I entered the dedicated cycleway alongside the main road and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/0opsMBZ.jpg">cycled directly past the underpass</a> I had used several times over the previous 24 hours to reach the city centre, instead <a href="https://i.imgur.com/meQxALB.jpg">heading north alongside the road</a>. At the end of I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/nQRuRpL.jpg">came to a T junction</a> and turned left under the main road <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Eio66pe.jpg">and then right</a> onto an road alongside the motorway which only accessed a few properties and farms.<br />
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At a waterway the road bent round to the left but a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Ke1hiOS.jpg">narrow bridge allowed the cycle path to continue over the water</a>. Here some works were taking place and so a makeshift cycling bridge had been<a href="https://i.imgur.com/DtF6wMI.jpg"> constructed out of a shipping container</a>, which I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/KoEsRYw.jpg">cycled through</a>. On the other side was a bin designed for people cycling past to throw their rubbish in, which I always enjoy using when in the Netherlands. I glanced in as I cycled past and was half expecting to see energy drink containers or water bottles but no, it was almost 100% McDonalds drink cartons and burger boxes.<br />
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The motorway alongside soon <a href="https://i.imgur.com/QKofdlc.jpg">began to dip out of view</a> as the railway on the other side rose above and over it as it crossed over to the other side. I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/HN9cdNF.jpg">cycled alongside the railway</a> for a short while before coming to a T junction, turning right on to a road which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/EO7CkF0.jpg">took me under both the railway and motorway</a> and then turning left onto a cycleway, to once again cycle alongside the motorway.<br />
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The sound barriers made this a pleasant route and it was being used by <a href="https://i.imgur.com/VvIhERk.jpg">people on road bikes</a> as well as <a href="https://i.imgur.com/cbKdCE1.jpg">people just getting from A to B</a>. The cycleway <a href="https://i.imgur.com/NdLuEUZ.jpg">bent away from the motorway</a> as it reached the outskirts of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roelofarendsveen">Roelofarendsveen</a>. At the end of this cycleway I turned left onto a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/8UJFFZP.jpg">not particularity pretty road</a> through an industrial estate, cycling past businesses such as <a href="https://www.comfycow.eu/en/home/">Comfy Cow</a>, I couldn't help notice all the factories and warehouses had long bicycle sheds, capable of accommodating hundreds of bikes for workers. At the end of the road out of the industrial estate I was <a href="https://i.imgur.com/lql81PT.jpg">directed onto a cycleway</a> and needed to get to the other side of the motorway. However there was no cycleway on the most direct road and so I was diverted away from here on a cycleway alongside the main road into the town from the motorway.<br />
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I turned right at the next roundabout and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/BE2Or5s.jpg">along a cycleway with its own bridge</a> and then turned left at the next intersection to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/LlzhrtL.jpg">cross the water on a walking and cycling bridge</a> into a residential street. I turned left here <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ajXTnpA.jpg">onto another street</a> which was <a href="https://i.imgur.com/FE9rxvW.jpg">filtered at the end</a> with another bridge over the water and then a cycleway <a href="https://i.imgur.com/58go6aG.jpg">under the main road</a>, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AepUt90.jpg">motorway and railway</a> and finally <a href="https://i.imgur.com/4Dy0hNW.jpg">over more water</a>. I turned right onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/9CwCJ6q.jpg">a narrow path at the back of houses</a> which was <a href="https://i.imgur.com/AAHRxuE.jpg">filtered</a> in several places to allow access to some of the properties by car but retain it as a through route for people on foot or bike.<br />
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At the end I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/iKWKJT4.jpg">joined a cycleway</a> on the main road and then onto the carriageway where a bridge lift kept me waiting for five minutes as several boats passed through<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Bridge lift <a href="https://t.co/uFJWKx8t5T">pic.twitter.com/uFJWKx8t5T</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1010842272378875905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 24, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/m4MsUMd.jpg">crossed over the bridge</a> and turned right onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/nEpC9GO.jpg">a road alongside the water</a> where I was soon accommodated on cycle lanes.<br />
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These lanes would sometimes stop as I passed through villages, where the speed limit dropped to 30kph with <a href="https://i.imgur.com/5hJFrQZ.jpg">traffic calming measures</a> or <a href="https://i.imgur.com/r459M1H.jpg">speed cameras</a> in place. There was a real mix of people cycling along this road - an awful lot of lycra wearing people on road bikes, as well as people just getting about in their everyday getting about kind of clothes.<br />
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There were also plenty of elderly people <a href="https://i.imgur.com/QVCV7aI.jpg">cycling along on electric assist bikes</a>, capable of cycling faster than I was, on my heavy Ditch bike with full panniers. I noticed some of the cafes alongside took advantage of this, with signs showing they had charging points for electric bikes, which no doubt would have tempted some people to stop and purchase a meal or drinks as they recharged. As I cycled along the very large <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westeinderplassen">Westeinderplassen lake</a> I stopped at a bench for some food before cycling along the same road for the next five kilometres, always alongside the water and through some small towns, a very pleasant ride.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmXM6XFvyEtv7cXuE4nYQRoNqO724sy67E7dGOWwKnCQpp2vuzrx5boxEFbP8ZVrEZkYhl10f96hB4GYuN2KuSisHaj2WhZjc1i9b5jh1wsYFm4ttuOH4UxZUD7NuMbYNXQQYv7oYIi8X/s1600/qiI913Y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1327" data-original-width="1593" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmXM6XFvyEtv7cXuE4nYQRoNqO724sy67E7dGOWwKnCQpp2vuzrx5boxEFbP8ZVrEZkYhl10f96hB4GYuN2KuSisHaj2WhZjc1i9b5jh1wsYFm4ttuOH4UxZUD7NuMbYNXQQYv7oYIi8X/s640/qiI913Y.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As I approached the town of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aalsmeerderbrug">Aalsmeerderbrug</a> I crossed over the N196 road with ease as all six vehicle lanes and the bidirectional cycle track were <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ew6MMRw.jpg">high in the air due to a bridge lift</a>. The road which continued alongside the water was <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mWZtEhf.jpg">filtered here</a> and so only accessible by bike from the main N196 road. I was again accommodated on painted cycle lanes until the road was filtered again about a kilometre down the road and then as I approached one of Schipol Airports six runways planes <a href="https://i.imgur.com/nbplc5q.jpg">flew overhead in the distance</a> and before long, directly above me.<br />
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I continued along this road watching two teenagers having fun on their speedboats racing each other alongside, as the dog they each had inside barked loudly at one another. The road <a href="https://i.imgur.com/FDlz8AN.jpg">became a wide cycle only road</a>, before <a href="https://i.imgur.com/161ZMaT.jpg">narrowing</a> and finally becoming a more recognizable cycleway, although I suspect this used to be a road, until the N232 road was built alongside.<br />
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I came to a large road junction where the N232 and N231 road met each other where a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/wxwC6WK.jpg">lorry turning right</a> got caught in a queue of traffic meaning I would completely <a href="https://i.imgur.com/pPiw3to.jpg">miss my green light</a> and would have to wait for the next cycle. It's not just on CS2 in London where this happens but here I didn't have to wait quite so long for the next green light! After crossing the road here I turned right to cycle <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mf93J98.jpg">over the bridge</a> and alongside the road <a href="https://i.imgur.com/GN85jiR.jpg">on a bidirectional cycleway</a> and then turned left, into <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amsterdamse_Bos">Amsterdam Bos</a>, which translates as "Amsterdam Forest". Located between Schipol Airport and the south of the city this is a huge park, bigger than Richmond Park, but unlike Richmond Park you don't have to cycle on busy road filled with cars as it has over 50km of dedicated cycle paths. Initially I was <a href="https://i.imgur.com/pH9nuDJ.jpg">cycling on narrow gravel paths</a> through <a href="https://i.imgur.com/pTtiL3w.jpg">the forest</a> before I came <a href="https://i.imgur.com/cz5SYbb.jpg">to a bridge</a> over water and under a road. After this there was a dedicated cycleway with separate walking path alongside, separated by trees<br />
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This route was fantastic, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/F1sTNlE.jpg">smooth and clean</a> this was a joy to cycle through and I wondered, not for the first time, why we can't have anything as good as this in any forest in the UK<br />
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The <a href="https://i.imgur.com/qbaQ978.jpg">path narrowed</a> as I approached Nieuew Meer lake where I waited for a few minutes <a href="https://i.imgur.com/zlTvnat.jpg">for a boat</a> to sail me and my bike to the other side, for one euro and 50 cents. As I sat on the boat I took my phone out to check what was happening back home and was surprised to see England were <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44439183">4-0 up against Panama</a> in a world cup match. I thought a shame that the Netherlands did not qualify for the world cup as I would have enjoyed seeing a game in a Dutch bar surrounded by orange flags and shirts whilst I was here. I then thought that it was highly likely there would be English pubs a few miles from me in the centre of Amsterdam filled with drunk English men on stag dos watching the game, and I was suddenly much happier to be on the boat than there! After alighting from the boat I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/UzVRWTC.jpg">cycled on a path away from the lake</a>, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/x2vFt4J.jpg">over a bridge</a> and onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/EQvITcp.jpg">a bidirectional cycleway</a> which ran alongside a road. I then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ybB5zaG.jpg">cycled under the A4 motorway</a> and railway line where countryside made way for suburbia as I cycled through Slotervaart, a neighbourhood in the west of Amsterdam, where <a href="https://i.imgur.com/OKtWovC.jpg">children</a> and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/o8ws1MT.jpg">families</a> were cycling as I soon reached the centre of the city.<br />
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Distance: Approx 36km / 23 miles<br />
Time: Approx 3 and a half hours<br />
Photos taken: 403<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ZpvvMUmSh_PPnSEG7zyqo8I4ybKD5g67&usp=sharing">Map of the route</a><br />
Gallery: <a href="https://imgur.com/a/exV1xXS">62 photos here</a><br />
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An analysis of this trip by <a href="https://twitter.com/jitensha_oni">Jitensha Oni</a>:<br />
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<b>Next Post:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_26.html">Part 16: Amsterdam to Alkmaar</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Previous Posts in this series:</b><br />
<br />
<b>2015:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_11.html">Part 1 - Hook of Holland to Rotterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/il3bu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 2 - Rotterdam to Gouda via Delft</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/uJixr">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_13.html">Part 3 - Gouda to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/0bcjF">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 4 - Utrecht to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/huvBy">Photo Gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_19.html">Part 5 - Amsterdam to Hook of Holland via The Hague</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/RJ1MD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2016:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_17.html">Part 6 - Hook of Holland to Breda</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/TFkWX">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 7 - Breda to Eindhoven via Tilburg</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/Yepnl">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_86.html">Part 8: Eindhoven to 's-Hertogenbosch</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/V6UQD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_3.html">Part 9: 's-Hertogenbosch to Nijmegen</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/ixnI0">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_22.html">Part 10: Nijmegen to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/WiGPR">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2017:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 11: Hook of Holland to Gouda via Delft and Zoetermeer</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/bBq5m">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_10.html">Part 12: Gouda to Utrecht, via a different route </a>/ <a href="https://imgur.com/a/3Rio8">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 13: Utrecht to Nijmegen via Veenendaal, Ede and Arnhem</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/gBEA9">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2018:</b><br />
Part 14: <a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Hook of Holland to Leiden</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/9u5bYAv">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-61915900844853620722019-02-24T19:35:00.000+00:002019-02-27T13:57:42.417+00:00Cycling between cities in the Netherlands part 14: Hook of Holland to LeidenFor the fourth year in a row I spent over a week cycling around the Netherlands last summer, at a steady and relaxed pace on my heavy Dutch bicycle. I arrived early on Saturday Morning, having taken a train direct from work on Friday night to the overnight ferry from Harwich to Hoek Van Holland. My previous Dutch trips had featured a mix of weather but all of them had involved rain at some point, with 2017 a particular wash out. I packed my waterproofs accordingly but they would remain inside my panniers at all times as the Netherlands, just like the UK, was experiencing the beginning of what <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_European_heat_wave">would be a long, hot, dry summer</a> and I wouldn't see a single drop of rain for the 10 days I was there. A glorious sunrise woke me up very early on the ferry and so I ate an early breakfast on board before watching us approach and dock from the deck whilst many of my fellow passengers continued to sleep.<br />
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After alighting from the ferry I cycled from the terminal, passing <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ANTHvK8.jpg">a sign welcoming me to the Netherlands within an EU flag</a>, which briefly depressed me as I was reminded that this could be the final time I enter the country as an EU citizen, unless the UK comes to its senses soon and abandons this brexit nonsense. After briefly stopping at the supermarket in the town centre for water and food I cycled along <a href="https://i.imgur.com/q0F2xcU.jpg">a bidirectional cycleway alongside the N211</a>. At a roundabout I turned right, ignoring a warning sign, only to find the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/RdV5kW7.jpg">cycle track closed for maintenance works</a>. Not to worry, after looping back around the roundabout I simply used a dedicated cycleway on the opposite side of the road, elevated above it<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJV0cQTHY0yOeMw4vCVbzCDFeV7bSFBF0ice4cONiembeyyzi2ezcJfbxrG2_lVtuB1s91G6E46hZy54_uCgC0SsfyS4rX4XcWH8OZYOPP5E4AlmLpQfTxrOrYDJuZ_r0DMxcVfAVNrAx/s1600/dRWUHLm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="1499" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWJV0cQTHY0yOeMw4vCVbzCDFeV7bSFBF0ice4cONiembeyyzi2ezcJfbxrG2_lVtuB1s91G6E46hZy54_uCgC0SsfyS4rX4XcWH8OZYOPP5E4AlmLpQfTxrOrYDJuZ_r0DMxcVfAVNrAx/s640/dRWUHLm.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As the road bent away the cycle path continued straight on before<a href="https://i.imgur.com/01BW4Kz.jpg"> crossing a main road in a slightly staggered format</a>, presumably to slow me down and to avoid cyclists crossing it at speed. As I crossed the road I couldn't help but notice how the layout here was almost certainly very new, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/boIKdi9.jpg">the smooth asphalt</a>, newly painted lines and the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/QlZGtdr.jpg">still not landscaped soil</a> a dead giveaway. A quick check using the google streetview history feature when I returned home confirms this<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-79EK4dzLZ1dVlDEKXDEiU34vLC_Xo0BjW4gFl_7Jouj78q3CBxfYzY-4nLSLiGu4bSZDeA_W0FCGgfuLWQZyb5h2huVT6-D_FCVCmTMFhgu-qWQ0KyBn_r6JVZMElY1akh7000OmJltJ/s1600/1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="845" data-original-width="1286" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-79EK4dzLZ1dVlDEKXDEiU34vLC_Xo0BjW4gFl_7Jouj78q3CBxfYzY-4nLSLiGu4bSZDeA_W0FCGgfuLWQZyb5h2huVT6-D_FCVCmTMFhgu-qWQ0KyBn_r6JVZMElY1akh7000OmJltJ/s640/1.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-meJFy5ZT_VUGOjeVED_o0-atvFo_fDxH0-ZMA_ifD88hTTPy2ABsNHwphhZKwbP5cxj3PekV_IcnxvMxvRMTZCOXMpZStw1e2fyFw-tqZIooruzQjDW4jPbD2q_sh6nKJq9G_q21SvDk/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1253" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-meJFy5ZT_VUGOjeVED_o0-atvFo_fDxH0-ZMA_ifD88hTTPy2ABsNHwphhZKwbP5cxj3PekV_IcnxvMxvRMTZCOXMpZStw1e2fyFw-tqZIooruzQjDW4jPbD2q_sh6nKJq9G_q21SvDk/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above: Before and after</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After using the new crossing <a href="https://i.imgur.com/q54aDvA.jpg">the cycleway continued on</a>, sandwiched between fields and gigantic greenhouses before becoming <a href="https://i.imgur.com/IVvv6vl.jpg">an access only road (for motor traffic) as a fietstraat</a>, which was achieved with <a href="https://i.imgur.com/J6fdphk.jpg">a single bollard</a>. The road became <a href="https://i.imgur.com/vcIDOam.jpg">a cycleway as it continued straight ahead</a> but I followed the road to the left to turn north towards the coast. <a href="https://i.imgur.com/wpnDoLJ.jpg">I then climbed up</a> and onto the North Sea cycle route<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89s3uxrB0mfx6EEp-ZknB2bv6Sp9lT9cPSvRyFrYSnGOP2fOXSccn0hEA4-Cftp2pNpAGRnFz731qSKixqRU4IjhjEnvzIbJ-g5-XLTdjihzlK1Ujd3TqwS7XkvwxkJvFg34OueWaXYny/s1600/NoVH0Z4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89s3uxrB0mfx6EEp-ZknB2bv6Sp9lT9cPSvRyFrYSnGOP2fOXSccn0hEA4-Cftp2pNpAGRnFz731qSKixqRU4IjhjEnvzIbJ-g5-XLTdjihzlK1Ujd3TqwS7XkvwxkJvFg34OueWaXYny/s640/NoVH0Z4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now this brought back memories. The last time I was here was a decade ago, when I cycled directly to Amsterdam with a couple of friends along this route. I hadn't taken any photos back then but seem to remember it being a single path made from concrete slabs. This was quite clearly newly resurfaced asphalt, with freshly painted lines. Whats more there were now two paths, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ftxYA9v.jpg">one for people cycling and another for those on foot</a>. This excellent route continued for several kilometres, a smooth ride between huge greenhouses <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/09/holland-agriculture-sustainable-farming/">that feed the world</a> and the North Sea, hidden from my view on the other side of the dike.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKM9UF1FSd3SX7jpiU1NIJp2rWDxVMMEUkzm1cixsRP7VrxIUpGvNC_iaPxHwBBLe8b6trU7Pl8OB9eiS-c1KvX2Cgz_u3AOJaMr2w9YKrjkM1Qfd42M2OVFWR_Xe432gwVmSW1FjBba3/s1600/mFHClpD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1600" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKM9UF1FSd3SX7jpiU1NIJp2rWDxVMMEUkzm1cixsRP7VrxIUpGvNC_iaPxHwBBLe8b6trU7Pl8OB9eiS-c1KvX2Cgz_u3AOJaMr2w9YKrjkM1Qfd42M2OVFWR_Xe432gwVmSW1FjBba3/s640/mFHClpD.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As the route <a href="https://i.imgur.com/91wnXiW.jpg">continued seamlessly</a> through the edge of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster,_South_Holland">Monster</a> I was overtaken by dozens of middle aged men in Lycra, advertising they were all from a cycle club (or perhaps a one off charity ride) from Milton Keynes. I'd spotted a few of them on the ferry after breakfast and we couldn't have been dressed or had bikes that were more different but I exchanged a friendly hello with all of them as they passed. The cycleway ended and so I turned left <a href="https://i.imgur.com/JtYSCe1.jpg">onto an access road to the beach</a>. It was still only just gone 9am and so the ample <a href="https://i.imgur.com/qI2opql.jpg">cycle parking at the beach was completely empty</a> but would no doubt fill up later, as it was such a nice day. I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/1bTPSrT.jpg">returned to a smooth fietspad</a> which twisted and turned as it <a href="https://i.imgur.com/1OlncMQ.jpg">weaved alongside the coast</a>, mainly being used by men on road bikes out for an early morning ride.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KIL9f-XrLGKQb9zRTYFfw7Lq8Ht4XiNMUrSrInKbGUTmEOMNEGsNqZpqyh1L79Yr-FHDNoktmjfumzUuvX6zW-3eLVhj5cGiM64j04PlexrzKraIHYEj3a98C_BUyzzS-PNdEbv0AE-p/s1600/s0NGLyO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2KIL9f-XrLGKQb9zRTYFfw7Lq8Ht4XiNMUrSrInKbGUTmEOMNEGsNqZpqyh1L79Yr-FHDNoktmjfumzUuvX6zW-3eLVhj5cGiM64j04PlexrzKraIHYEj3a98C_BUyzzS-PNdEbv0AE-p/s640/s0NGLyO.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The cycle path lead me to the seaside resort of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kijkduin_en_Ockenburgh">Kijkduin</a> where I was<a href="https://i.imgur.com/qLfQBgU.jpg"> accommodated on cycle tracks</a> during my brief visit. On my last visit here a decade earlier I had continued along this North Sea route for many more miles but here I turned inland towards <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hague">the Hague</a>, along <a href="https://i.imgur.com/cLnwkXN.jpg">a narrow path through woodland</a>. I then turned right onto a road which had no cycling infrastructure at all, yet <a href="https://i.imgur.com/p0udWMN.jpg">the space for thee lanes of motor traffic at the traffic light</a>s. Turning left onto a main road I cycled along a<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ygrP1uo.jpg"> narrow and bumpy painted cycle lane</a> that <a href="https://i.imgur.com/d5frpqL.jpg">gave up at every bus stop</a>. This was my third time in the Hague and once again, I was unimpressed with the quality of cycling infrastructure here. Thankfully this soon became a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/mnLqNe5.jpg">cycleway separate from the carriageway</a> and as I stopped at a traffic light I was struck that I was once again<a href="https://i.imgur.com/AfRfwzO.jpg"> cycling among "normal" families</a>, having really only seen mostly men on road bikes in lycra up until I'd reached the city. The cycleway continued, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/DFzfoj2.jpg">becoming bidirectional</a> as I then cycled behind a man and his dog through an intersection and past a petrol station.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT18C-JN1c5bKvmkOCePX0jGUzTj95gjMjVbPccXqPmdZyhHVUiphM8SbuRkr-JehpGAJBJ2T2qaa0jQYdWiyNagk6RRlt_UWEixncgTV5HoJPtcE7i11LU1of-9CigUT9bl_iG3TILE3/s1600/q5s6xmE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1421" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDT18C-JN1c5bKvmkOCePX0jGUzTj95gjMjVbPccXqPmdZyhHVUiphM8SbuRkr-JehpGAJBJ2T2qaa0jQYdWiyNagk6RRlt_UWEixncgTV5HoJPtcE7i11LU1of-9CigUT9bl_iG3TILE3/s640/q5s6xmE.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was now cycling along President Kennedylaan and <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Hysl4hl.jpg">just after it turned into Johan De Wittlaan</a> I passed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catshuis">Catshuis</a>, the official residence of the Prime Minister of the Netherlands. I had absolutely no idea I was doing this at the time and <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/z4v5fXoSzE32">this google streetview link </a>shows how I probably didn't even notice the driveway at all, as the cycle track continues uninterrupted through it. The British Prime Minister <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-meeting-with-prime-minister-mark-rutte-3-july-2018">would be there a little over a week later,</a> arriving by car with the Dutch Prime minister <a href="https://twitter.com/annaholligan/status/1014099180501991425">arriving on his bike</a>, presumably via the very same cycle track I was using. The cycleway <a href="https://i.imgur.com/9zF6Lf2.jpg">continued along the road</a> before peeling away from the roadway slightly as it headed <a href="https://i.imgur.com/o0HzlhB.jpg">though the outskirts of Scheveningen woods</a>. I then turned left to <a href="https://i.imgur.com/i2Qh3ev.jpg">cross the tram tracks</a> and a canal and turned right at a roundabout (after going all the way round it first)<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Cycling around a roundabout in Scheveningen <a href="https://t.co/AejviP66PF">pic.twitter.com/AejviP66PF</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1099705904390381570?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 24, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
At the next set of traffic lights I turned left to cross over the road and then stood there for a few minutes <a href="https://i.imgur.com/kMvyOGt.jpg">taking pictures</a> at the <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Md5swta.jpg">various types of people</a> using <a href="https://i.imgur.com/lAKT6Vn.jpg">this crossing</a>. I cycled away from here on a <a href="https://i.imgur.com/MJZNiJ2.jpg">bidirectional cycleway</a> and then turned left onto a road that was under reconstruction, and so I was left with just <a href="https://i.imgur.com/uUtY0oB.jpg">a makeshift path to slowly cycle on</a>. Turning left onto a main road I was once again amazed that despite this being a wide road, with buses using it, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/m35Cf0k.jpg">there was no cycle infrastructure on it at all</a>. It is really only in the Hague that I ever see this when I am in the Netherlands, for some reason. The road continued like this for the next 1.5km until it sharply turned to the left, but I turned off onto <a href="https://i.imgur.com/e5F0Vzk.jpg">a path that lead through woods</a> for a couple of kilometres. I came out onto a wide bidirectional cycleway alongside the N44 road. To my left were a series of buildings behind a high fence with an American flag positioned high in the air; it was quite obvious that this was the American Embassy. I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/3U4RcFL.jpg">continued alongside the N44 road</a>, briefly turning around as I was impressed by the width of the cycleway as it split, with one half of it going under the main road to the other side of the carriageway<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeYFast4R0vbRfbq0wRD37gyKhqIHPu8zGgfvjymnBGmyLPHbJ9Tw7YqkX90g3u-cumDtwlo7-FagTbXcBJvkUzUyVzkO5EP_tHJvRtetpFJWEVUGRVpH4o-5J3G5RlPasLj3bLQtrYPu/s1600/I6TX4uw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeYFast4R0vbRfbq0wRD37gyKhqIHPu8zGgfvjymnBGmyLPHbJ9Tw7YqkX90g3u-cumDtwlo7-FagTbXcBJvkUzUyVzkO5EP_tHJvRtetpFJWEVUGRVpH4o-5J3G5RlPasLj3bLQtrYPu/s640/I6TX4uw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I continued along this cycleway which was <a href="https://i.imgur.com/qc1Afv0.jpg">separated from the busy road by trees</a> and was wide and smooth so was <a href="https://i.imgur.com/sH8hlGe.jpg">being used</a> by many different <a href="https://i.imgur.com/kkzZucv.jpg">kinds of people</a>. Where the N44 met the N14 road I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/WLYUm25.jpg">briefly stopped at a traffic light</a> but was then guided through seamlessly in one go over several traffic lanes and a cycleway crossing to the other side of the carriageway. A <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Rd9TPhU.jpg">short barrier then appeared to protect me from the road</a> and the cycleway <a href="https://i.imgur.com/sexzXBj.jpg">became a fietstraat</a> in order for motor vehicles to use as an access only road to access properties alongside. At this point I followed a path into the woods to have some food and a rest in a picnic area secluded in the woods, with just the odd jogger and dog walker passing me by as I sat there. I cycled back to the fietstraat which <a href="https://i.imgur.com/KXV67Yn.jpg">had large sound barriers</a> to protect residents from the noise of the busy road. It very quickly became a cycleway once more but this time with little protection from the cars on the carriageway alongside<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNvwSB-ByPvJQyWr5pcZgAAvSDj0vndXToO6g3dwA6s5usYDF-Ft7DUHovNC9Qy2NVea_gZ0I2_D1-7wIFC8PSbuVtCzJKrgFLY2NyCWmjW1CybFwW3ga6J_C1XBjVvTyKTPEvOkpvOAr/s1600/c6nyiNK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNvwSB-ByPvJQyWr5pcZgAAvSDj0vndXToO6g3dwA6s5usYDF-Ft7DUHovNC9Qy2NVea_gZ0I2_D1-7wIFC8PSbuVtCzJKrgFLY2NyCWmjW1CybFwW3ga6J_C1XBjVvTyKTPEvOkpvOAr/s640/c6nyiNK.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I was now on the outskirts of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassenaar">Wassenaar,</a> which, according to the wikipedia entry, is well known as a very wealthy area of the country and the gigantic houses and gardens I was cycling past were confirmation of this. After <a href="https://i.imgur.com/T0d53cL.jpg">passing two horses with a cart</a>, the next set of traffic lights <a href="https://i.imgur.com/Y4tH3SC.jpg">the cycleway became a fietstraat</a> and then just <a href="https://i.imgur.com/LyCEoWz.jpg">a normal service road</a>. I turned left away from this road, <a href="https://i.imgur.com/vXPdRa5.jpg">right at a roundabout</a> and then onto a street which had an unusual layout - <a href="https://i.imgur.com/dDIrVJN.jpg">the car parking was inside of the cycle track</a>, between the cycle track and the footway, instead of the usual layout of having the parking between the cycle track and footway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikd6Zj_s31PFKTXNpCNV-1AgfCho-bj2fJ-hVqA5eNqISG2sSjmfMUx750aXh7cS5uxruefJ07fRiq4mPuHCdgLOkwhp-VE2znOYzl1A5CYgYwAjxVHeoB-A3A3wVxcNkvsjCKexyFBClx/s1600/dDIrVJN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1154" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikd6Zj_s31PFKTXNpCNV-1AgfCho-bj2fJ-hVqA5eNqISG2sSjmfMUx750aXh7cS5uxruefJ07fRiq4mPuHCdgLOkwhp-VE2znOYzl1A5CYgYwAjxVHeoB-A3A3wVxcNkvsjCKexyFBClx/s640/dDIrVJN.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Although the <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/sun2eXvMutj">google streetview history</a> shows this an improvement on the narrow painted cycle lane in the doorzone that used to be here. This layout soon ended as the cycleway was then <a href="https://i.imgur.com/1XsN00p.jpg">sandwiched between the main road and a service road alongside</a>. The markings on the road informed me that I was now <a href="https://i.imgur.com/NMTKLK7.jpg">entering a "school zone"</a> with this precise school being <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_School_of_The_Hague">the American School of the Hague</a> and as I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/ZnRCi2V.jpg">cycled past on a now bidirectional cycleway</a> I glanced in to see a huge amount of cycle parking. I assume that many American children who attend this school cycle there but would probably never do so in their home country.<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
A study of efficient transport:<br />
How to get to school <br />
🚲 vs. 🚗<br />
vid <a href="https://twitter.com/daythorn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@daythorn</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/BicycleDutch?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BicycleDutch</a> <a href="https://t.co/GYsrdDuTnc">pic.twitter.com/GYsrdDuTnc</a></div>
— Urban Planning & Mobility (@urbanthoughts11) <a href="https://twitter.com/urbanthoughts11/status/1095389833827151872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
You need to enable children to be able to safely cycle to school by creating safe, comfortable and convenient places to cycle such as this, rather than assuming it is due to culture. In fact the google street view car appears to have driven this way during the school run so plenty of children are on bikes, although several <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/BLGys6Gdbav">have</a> helmets <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/GMvK718H6iM2">on</a>, a rare sight on the Dutch school run. I guess you do export some cultures after all.<br />
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After <a href="https://i.imgur.com/PBn2trG.jpg">passing the school playing fields</a> the cycleway edged back towards the A44 motorway, although there were <a href="https://i.imgur.com/SzPMUeo.jpg">clearly major roadworks taking place</a>. I was accommodated through these roadworks <a href="https://i.imgur.com/zAJLAuQ.jpg">on a temporary cycleway of very good quality</a> before <a href="https://i.imgur.com/yE1tQNF.jpg">rejoining the old cycleway</a>. I've no doubt that once this widening / junction reconstruction work is complete that there will be an entirely new cycleway, along with underpasses or dedicated cycle crossings, whilst in the meantime anyone cycling through will continue to have a safe but temporary arrangement. I <a href="https://i.imgur.com/hNyGIiL.jpg">crossed under the A44 motorway</a> and into Stevenshof, a suburb of Leiden which I have <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/10/visiting-new-developments-in-netherlands.html">written about before here</a>. I spent several hours exploring this neighbourhood until it was time to check into my hotel on the other side of Leiden.<br />
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Distance: Approx 35km / 22 miles<br />
Time: Approx 3 and a half hours<br />
Photos taken: 579<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=13w-Wx2rnl5OpOFRVEh78Ac-0pQRYzdof&usp=sharing">Map of the route</a><br />
Gallery: 64 photos <a href="https://imgur.com/a/9u5bYAv">here</a><br />
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An analysis of this trip by <a href="https://twitter.com/jitensha_oni">Jitensha Oni</a>:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8_cb2yyyrYAXWEFIH_tazk8Z1f7JkXWCpjhr-I0aHZOP-iVT-aRLOEl-Ed8KzKzUD0Tnjm7MrF_7ULaGiQB053ChsJ6FEYwkdDGuvcFOeI4tCll66FcuGmnlMdWQeYUkHgSRk8N8ocYj/s1600/JAGci_6y.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="815" data-original-width="961" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia8_cb2yyyrYAXWEFIH_tazk8Z1f7JkXWCpjhr-I0aHZOP-iVT-aRLOEl-Ed8KzKzUD0Tnjm7MrF_7ULaGiQB053ChsJ6FEYwkdDGuvcFOeI4tCll66FcuGmnlMdWQeYUkHgSRk8N8ocYj/s640/JAGci_6y.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Next Post:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2019/02/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_6.html">Part 15: Leiden to Amsterdam</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Previous Posts:</b><br />
<br />
<b>2015:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_11.html">Part 1 - Hook of Holland to Rotterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/il3bu">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 2 - Rotterdam to Gouda via Delft</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/uJixr">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_13.html">Part 3 - Gouda to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/0bcjF">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 4 - Utrecht to Amsterdam</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/huvBy">Photo Gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_19.html">Part 5 - Amsterdam to Hook of Holland via The Hague</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/RJ1MD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2016:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_17.html">Part 6 - Hook of Holland to Breda</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/TFkWX">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 7 - Breda to Eindhoven via Tilburg</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/Yepnl">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_86.html">Part 8: Eindhoven to 's-Hertogenbosch</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/V6UQD">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_3.html">Part 9: 's-Hertogenbosch to Nijmegen</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/ixnI0">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2016/11/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_22.html">Part 10: Nijmegen to Utrecht</a> / <a href="http://imgur.com/a/WiGPR">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<b>2017:</b><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands.html">Part 11: Hook of Holland to Gouda via Delft and Zoetermeer</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/bBq5m">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_10.html">Part 12: Gouda to Utrecht, via a different route </a>/ <a href="https://imgur.com/a/3Rio8">Photo gallery of this journey</a><br />
<a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/01/cycling-between-cities-in-netherlands_15.html">Part 13: Utrecht to Nijmegen via Veenendaal, Ede and Arnhem</a> / <a href="https://imgur.com/a/gBEA9">Photo gallery of this journey</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-68080724091617112792019-01-30T19:58:00.001+00:002019-01-30T19:58:27.918+00:00An upgrade to Quietway 2 on Queensbridge RoadQuietway 2 runs between De Beauvoir Town and London Fields via Middleton Road. One of the obstacles of this long popular cycling route has always been crossing the busy Queensbridge Road, which usually involved a wait for a gap in traffic to cross, and often a risky manoeuvre between two streams of moving traffic. There was a pedestrian crossing just south of the junction and so this did help, providing a pedestrian pressed the button, although I've also witnessed people cycling down to the pedestrian crossing via the footway on occasions, to cross there instead.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndOw9Ed76iMz29-IefN4OIrQ3QaYXC2KD8qigW8a8Pj0HGJCG6_zYAUmPjpACHe8kavjfome-08G0fl1M-9VilJ6pylE1lQKUNJVLUbL7qsjjWJIIYcpqfLD6UtX84KeP4EJfem6ULkU6/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="828" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndOw9Ed76iMz29-IefN4OIrQ3QaYXC2KD8qigW8a8Pj0HGJCG6_zYAUmPjpACHe8kavjfome-08G0fl1M-9VilJ6pylE1lQKUNJVLUbL7qsjjWJIIYcpqfLD6UtX84KeP4EJfem6ULkU6/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Middleton Road (quietway 2) running East / West across Queensbridge Road</span></td></tr>
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A year ago Hackney Council ran a consultation on installing traffic lights at these crossroads, following eleven recorded collisions over the previous five year, four of them involving cyclists. The consultation also included some changes to Queensbridge Road just south of the junction, with all of these changes carried out in 2018.<br />
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Hackney Council have been looking at <a href="https://twitter.com/mayorofhackney/status/956526579139608577">installing protected cycle tracks on Queensbridge Road</a> for some time now. It's an obvious road to choose as it is very wide road<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWdQpmkVnWL6x3xKuFdK4Fv0pX92sRJksP3aeW8iIF4r4EJmXj1Ya8e_f3B2I9eUewcoJCqVAuOCD2uSvUBvnjDfzGEN1jaZutZ7N0aWntiS5H8OUJSrHbwcMv0DTDYS8lslYTXew5Okq/s1600/qbr1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1600" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyWdQpmkVnWL6x3xKuFdK4Fv0pX92sRJksP3aeW8iIF4r4EJmXj1Ya8e_f3B2I9eUewcoJCqVAuOCD2uSvUBvnjDfzGEN1jaZutZ7N0aWntiS5H8OUJSrHbwcMv0DTDYS8lslYTXew5Okq/s640/qbr1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Queensbridge Road in 1983, via <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/alandenney/2443895842https://www.flickr.com/photos/alandenney/2443895842">Alan Denney on flickr </a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTu6Ve3j-ltgIyz1scolaUSSiYKpfLt4Lp67nAgA6frJLEBna_OWHsMALVQ2dfDy_6XW5eBXC9yesghiwAG6-omCT0pv6cChvuN9mtuJ5WT-CU4CHO3YxfVEhEgiQZmOZNce4RbBtAChIW/s640/qbr2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The same location on Queensbridge Road today, with the Holly Lane Estate demolished and a wide road remaining. The houses on the left and Queensbridge Primary school in the distance, remain</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTu6Ve3j-ltgIyz1scolaUSSiYKpfLt4Lp67nAgA6frJLEBna_OWHsMALVQ2dfDy_6XW5eBXC9yesghiwAG6-omCT0pv6cChvuN9mtuJ5WT-CU4CHO3YxfVEhEgiQZmOZNce4RbBtAChIW/s1600/qbr2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
Queensbridge Road remains wide all the way down to Hackney Road (with the exception of where it crosses the Regents canal) and so suffers from motor traffic (including lorries) travelling at high speed and making it an unpleasant road to cycle on<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTu6Ve3j-ltgIyz1scolaUSSiYKpfLt4Lp67nAgA6frJLEBna_OWHsMALVQ2dfDy_6XW5eBXC9yesghiwAG6-omCT0pv6cChvuN9mtuJ5WT-CU4CHO3YxfVEhEgiQZmOZNce4RbBtAChIW/s1600/qbr2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys_j0fx3pRW0Kxyxox-l04HtgeV7KoCsn4q42RCWeglwVrfVFSEfgRt95JvJY4RzYboinGPvlelryf_H_rvrZy7uavardHAYgdITDXdVVnKX9KmwSN83ItsLDU4K1haw0s4noJM3EmtEV/s1600/qbr3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys_j0fx3pRW0Kxyxox-l04HtgeV7KoCsn4q42RCWeglwVrfVFSEfgRt95JvJY4RzYboinGPvlelryf_H_rvrZy7uavardHAYgdITDXdVVnKX9KmwSN83ItsLDU4K1haw0s4noJM3EmtEV/s640/qbr3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Queensbridge Road further south from the Middleton Road junction </span></td></tr>
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Therefore Queensbridge Road is an easy target for Hackney Council to upgrade as creating the space for cycle tracks could be achieved with no reduction in motor traffic capacity, as well as maintaining car parking, trees and street furniture. Another advantage is dealing with cycle tracks at the bus stops, as it carries just one bus route, the lightly used 236 to Hackney Wick, along the northern section of the road, with no buses at all using the southern end of the road.<br />
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In the consultation last year Hackney Council correctly described Queensbridge Road as a "busy distributor road" with "above average wide lanes, high traffic speeds and volumes for a 20mph road" and took the opportunity to create changes to a small section of it at the same time as upgrading the Quietway 2 crossing. This involved extending the pavements outside Queensbridge Road Primary School to "create a quiet space"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuZSYzUQUxHTmt8gvUtULUXeSD-2y47vD9WiT9wcgHNna9tilIxwo6H7DOd4arp6-kZORMsnKgvbTu0RBjP45Cf2XG4IsJl2jhRBt-emkNWy21oM6zsM4Yar22Jz7jwy1XzsNxj5cEwmg/s1600/qb2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuZSYzUQUxHTmt8gvUtULUXeSD-2y47vD9WiT9wcgHNna9tilIxwo6H7DOd4arp6-kZORMsnKgvbTu0RBjP45Cf2XG4IsJl2jhRBt-emkNWy21oM6zsM4Yar22Jz7jwy1XzsNxj5cEwmg/s640/qb2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2ewFF1P5wNgy638p8SolztsuXTEai2YN3pzhTxPmrD9eK7zs1Gz3SthVYN3yOhL6aY6jPbolHGRvgc5ddMlwAO9tP4Uzw5cUYCZDOdb4Z4Sp4mYVTHLQWyEDC1M7rGHK0do_0Wz5c1p8/s1600/qb2e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2ewFF1P5wNgy638p8SolztsuXTEai2YN3pzhTxPmrD9eK7zs1Gz3SthVYN3yOhL6aY6jPbolHGRvgc5ddMlwAO9tP4Uzw5cUYCZDOdb4Z4Sp4mYVTHLQWyEDC1M7rGHK0do_0Wz5c1p8/s640/qb2e.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before and after the changes on Queensbridge Road</span></td></tr>
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I'm not sure how extended the footway slightly helps to create a quiet space, as the road remains just as busy as it was before. Very little extra space has been added for pedestrians as most of the space taken from the roadway has been reallocated to "greenery"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJBgdTS46rUJWsbL_87FBbJ-tZ8zSlgQCCXdGTNmWCy8Jb2pibW__a-wl6N0HiKdnVGQLZLhrOC8WCwgsmkWuMsudMbIUoQBp3LK0rJNtp_CIH9J9OpjKJRs-RW6s_CKp_4MIz01Wv5ks/s1600/qb4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKJBgdTS46rUJWsbL_87FBbJ-tZ8zSlgQCCXdGTNmWCy8Jb2pibW__a-wl6N0HiKdnVGQLZLhrOC8WCwgsmkWuMsudMbIUoQBp3LK0rJNtp_CIH9J9OpjKJRs-RW6s_CKp_4MIz01Wv5ks/s640/qb4a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV_pB7GWuyNAlnZpXzZE8n8pwNSUmfpwd1JxYPkzl7EvKXa5V7PNdKI5IM3Edd-Zs8p4pobb09hYLXLopRuarheqo_sbUevN65a3HCyjCZAQUqaE7Gc1DfywyBnO2Pb6rm26TPwW1bOIF/s1600/qb4c.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKV_pB7GWuyNAlnZpXzZE8n8pwNSUmfpwd1JxYPkzl7EvKXa5V7PNdKI5IM3Edd-Zs8p4pobb09hYLXLopRuarheqo_sbUevN65a3HCyjCZAQUqaE7Gc1DfywyBnO2Pb6rm26TPwW1bOIF/s640/qb4c.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Which makes Queensbridge Road much worse if you're on a bike, as you now have to negotiate pinch points as you approach the school and are pushed closer towards lorries on the road </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_z60uASO5qZkut3DKGASBx9wgTV8Lnhzi43NhgKkPtO4YltMFj_F0k3GbtEut9fYMfquNb00hPs_WCwsRVu0dnmc4G8xpp7Mbve4ey6QNaHLnCSAE4piZ0Ku6yuM7nIfFJlts2chb4KTn/s1600/qb6a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_z60uASO5qZkut3DKGASBx9wgTV8Lnhzi43NhgKkPtO4YltMFj_F0k3GbtEut9fYMfquNb00hPs_WCwsRVu0dnmc4G8xpp7Mbve4ey6QNaHLnCSAE4piZ0Ku6yuM7nIfFJlts2chb4KTn/s640/qb6a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7P0IRVlBRF-UdO3ne2p5Itb9XWNkP8mrFlPkjoDmAtVW5PTT4BcNcq2ATBjAIULk6NZntiCUzwwDbZclzROATEdT1O-lsf1YSMXZKaNERX7HB2hcidA92xFA1EXGibm4J0ggOd4d_CLf/s1600/qb6e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7P0IRVlBRF-UdO3ne2p5Itb9XWNkP8mrFlPkjoDmAtVW5PTT4BcNcq2ATBjAIULk6NZntiCUzwwDbZclzROATEdT1O-lsf1YSMXZKaNERX7HB2hcidA92xFA1EXGibm4J0ggOd4d_CLf/s640/qb6e.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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It wasn't so long ago that <a href="https://collage.cityoflondon.gov.uk/view-item?key=SXsiUCI6eyJ2YWx1ZSI6InF1ZWVuc2JyaWRnZSByb2FkIiwib3BlcmF0b3IiOjEsImZ1enp5UHJlZml4TGVuZ3RoIjozLCJmdXp6eU1pblNpbWlsYXJpdHkiOjAuNzUsIm1heFN1Z2dlc3Rpb25zIjozLCJhbHdheXNTdWdnZXN0IjpudWxsfX0&pg=91&WINID=1548616960582#4ZKj9ACJu7kAAAFokMOFdw/188950">there were four lanes of traffic</a> outside this school so it seems a real wasted opportunity that this space was not instead used for protected cycle tracks to allow children, and their parents, to cycle safely to school here. <span style="text-align: center;">A wide road still remains and children and most parents instead cycle on the pavement, rather than alongside lorries</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhae5VeM59rRfdOEkqxeEYDjx9M-AMD3X1HfgFzEyObxgTSnb8t_4Lbf7HYBqcZkMrjM8-vQi6YcG9poIGRo7sT_R_luqyHcpFYIS_4Qj60MiIckrROaQHtL8qjgiyYWDcU5LVK_l1ieTIp/s1600/qb9a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhae5VeM59rRfdOEkqxeEYDjx9M-AMD3X1HfgFzEyObxgTSnb8t_4Lbf7HYBqcZkMrjM8-vQi6YcG9poIGRo7sT_R_luqyHcpFYIS_4Qj60MiIckrROaQHtL8qjgiyYWDcU5LVK_l1ieTIp/s640/qb9a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJjrU4ujMb78jhybN8dClnGfY_ha9cNHKS60w9r06fkBi8CyB_HSfvNv81jxZ4y34b6qf31xdzTw1fBQhxaC3abH0TAdsG-6s7sgI_hde2EMkXBBowaQcLZzoDoeElE1w1yr8ycjjYuJ4/s1600/qb9b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJjrU4ujMb78jhybN8dClnGfY_ha9cNHKS60w9r06fkBi8CyB_HSfvNv81jxZ4y34b6qf31xdzTw1fBQhxaC3abH0TAdsG-6s7sgI_hde2EMkXBBowaQcLZzoDoeElE1w1yr8ycjjYuJ4/s640/qb9b.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before and after: a child cycles on the pavement on one side of the road and visible in the distance is a parent cycling on the pavement on the other side of the road, with a child on the back of their bike. I don't blame them. </span></td></tr>
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Even with the extended pavements the road does still remain wide, showing how there was ample space to create protected cycle tracks here </div>
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In the delegated powers decision documents Hackney Council claimed that:<br />
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<i>"narrowing the road will help change the nature of the road from a busy distributor road to a calmer road with reduced speeds but this might not be the ideal situation for cyclists"</i><br />
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Narrowing the road could have been achieved by creating protected cycle tracks of course, which actually could have resulted in an even narrower road here as the proposals:<br />
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"<i>were designed with minimum lane widths of 4.0 metres and meet the minimum requirements of the London cycling design standards. These were changed to 4.2 metres at the detailed design stage"</i><br />
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The consultation also states that the road was 11.8m wide before the narrowing, so instead of designing an 8.4m wide carriageway to accommodate cyclists on the road the vehicle lanes could have been 3m wide in order to create a 6m wide carriageway (the same width as <a href="https://www.sustrans.org.uk/article/inspiring-infrastructure-old-shoreham-road-brighton">Old Shoreham Road in Brighton</a>). This would have left nearly 6m to create cycle tracks on both sides of the road, with a buffer or even some added greenery between the cycle tracks and the roadway<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-es2c5lqlFG-cRiHAjyva5oGm6lKGdEfI70ZCTaXu-ikKTv0oKsJNZ1Ifz8dipu-Nv76e643A_54yn_zC3nCHeNiE_AoSF_xP0SuB6fh97UGXenBtIZ3H7uFnX_75GLbjaP3Df_vQVVVa/s1600/qb7b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-es2c5lqlFG-cRiHAjyva5oGm6lKGdEfI70ZCTaXu-ikKTv0oKsJNZ1Ifz8dipu-Nv76e643A_54yn_zC3nCHeNiE_AoSF_xP0SuB6fh97UGXenBtIZ3H7uFnX_75GLbjaP3Df_vQVVVa/s640/qb7b.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Hackney Council also claim that:<br />
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"<i>an overall cycling level of service for Queensbridge Road would achieve a high level of service of 70+ if the proposed Central London Cycle Grid scheme is implemented"</i><br />
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Which is a different scheme entirely, for a much larger area, and hasn't been consulted on yet. The kerb build out was raised as an issue by members of the public in the consultation who were concerned about the future implementation of segregated cycle lanes here, and the council responded that<br />
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<i>"this section will be traffic calmed and this rules out future segregated cycle lanes"</i><br />
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Which I'm pleased to hear the <a href="https://twitter.com/mayorofhackney/status/966658229584449537">Mayor of Hackney disagrees with</a>, but it does seem an odd decision to implement a narrower carriageway with these kerb build outs if they are only going to be demolished at a later stage to build protected cycle tracks. Surely the sensible option would be to build the cycle tracks here and then extend them the entire length of Queensbridge Road at a later date?<br />
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In their <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2014/10/hackney-council-cycling-plan-2014-2024.html">2014-2024 ten year cycling plan</a> Hackney Council stated that they want it to be second nature for anyone to cycle, no matter what their age, with a target of 5% of all school children cycling to school by 2024. We're now halfway through that plan and I don't see how Hackney will get anywhere close to that target with terrible schemes like this, directly outside a school, or how this fits in with creating <a href="https://twitter.com/feryaldemirci/status/1089549052050636800">"clear safe space for cyclists</a>"<br />
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On Queensbridge Road Hackney Council have deliberately created poor road design in an attempt to force people cycling into a position very few people want to cycle in (also known as "primary position"). Children will not and should not be expected to cycle on narrow roads with thousands of drivers per day<br />
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The extended pavements (Queensbridge Road) will help reduce traffic speeds while the trees and shrubbery will help create a barrier to emissions and improve the air quality outside the school. <br />
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It is often damn scary to ride a bike on Queensbridge <a href="https://t.co/dpc0TQVFFh">pic.twitter.com/dpc0TQVFFh</a></div>
— filter more streets (@iambrianjones) <a href="https://twitter.com/iambrianjones/status/1034416158806560768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">28 August 2018</a></blockquote>
As for the Quietway 2 crossing, it is now much safer and more comfortable to have a dedicated crossing over Queensbridge Road. However it was fantastic for several weeks last year, when these changes were being put in place, as Middleton Road was closed both sides of Queensbridge Road, resulting in a very quiet quietway<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfvEjvRQtbDx5Nk8PWOhVo0R1H8K-rCSvzT283r9McgsBHkSd1wM17FDVJ2djKEUozusYebd2Rht21mhVOA-q0se8eaYfLvfFi2zrX45nOcqywnJM0xY_EnSwMRScER3obuFpYSDP2r1U/s1600/qbr4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfvEjvRQtbDx5Nk8PWOhVo0R1H8K-rCSvzT283r9McgsBHkSd1wM17FDVJ2djKEUozusYebd2Rht21mhVOA-q0se8eaYfLvfFi2zrX45nOcqywnJM0xY_EnSwMRScER3obuFpYSDP2r1U/s640/qbr4.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Since Middleton Road has reopened and the traffic lights have become operational I've been a regular user of this route and the main downside is just how busy Middleton Road is. Usually several motor vehicles will overtake you, only for you to overtake them at the Queensbridge Road traffic lights to get to the ASL (which are heavily favoured towards the busier Queensbridge Road meaning if you're on a bike you almost always seem to get a red light). Only for the same pattern to repeat itself over the second half of Middleton Road until you then have to overtake all the same vehicles again once you get to the lights at Kingsland Road. In an ideal world Middleton Road would have remained closed to motor traffic to allow a tiger crossing to be built over Queensbridge Road, giving cyclists priority<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7HbeWXALrRi6wxGRpm5OmWJf7QWoeGIA75TYx1K63RX-XaD9OJrzjlU6wnHZWgWhu9R-93a7UrxcYDTgpSt8aviEQaxwZyGEGJDwlwZGWCD-gsmigrQzpbAI5OxjPDWDFRO2AZdVTc-t/s1600/DD_uWp0XYAENDKN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7HbeWXALrRi6wxGRpm5OmWJf7QWoeGIA75TYx1K63RX-XaD9OJrzjlU6wnHZWgWhu9R-93a7UrxcYDTgpSt8aviEQaxwZyGEGJDwlwZGWCD-gsmigrQzpbAI5OxjPDWDFRO2AZdVTc-t/s640/DD_uWp0XYAENDKN.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A cycle route I used in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands, which has priority over the main road, with a cycle track on the main road as well. </span></td></tr>
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On the whole though, this is a much improved crossing on Quietway 2 and probably the best that could have been achieved at this location at the present time. It's encouraging to see Hackney Council continue to make improvements to Quietway 2 and they should be applauded for this. However the changes on Queensbridge Road are baffling and a real step backwards if you use this road on a bike<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_qerQtp3lutpNbDIEdmSiaTMB1PBbnU-3LUjsRt0Hk1lYRjarNWwmowu8z_3WonwOreZqZImGslN5QV4akZoAtIOVtuyX54wtGrN_xqHQWkutode18SBd_4DDyuQH0pwicGbQi4tX-nr/s1600/qbr7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="673" data-original-width="1051" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_qerQtp3lutpNbDIEdmSiaTMB1PBbnU-3LUjsRt0Hk1lYRjarNWwmowu8z_3WonwOreZqZImGslN5QV4akZoAtIOVtuyX54wtGrN_xqHQWkutode18SBd_4DDyuQH0pwicGbQi4tX-nr/s640/qbr7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This was an opportunity to enable more children in Hackney to be able to safely cycle to school and improve a small section of Queensbridge Road. I look forward to future proposals to create this along <a href="https://twitter.com/RossiTheBossi/status/1063537662731186176">the rest of the road</a> but this is an opportunity missed to create safe space for cyclists.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-6919903446590743442019-01-14T17:28:00.000+00:002019-01-14T18:57:59.850+00:00The Greenway is now Quietway 22The Greenway is a footpath and cycleway running for nearly five miles <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jGOEKkonbIo0ajUMf-jyq9Joyhe-Kyat&usp=sharing">from Old Ford to Beckton</a>, located on top of the Northern Outfall Sewer, which was built in the mid to late 1800's. Recently this five mile stretch has been renamed "Quietway 22", <a href="https://www.london.gov.uk/questions/2018/5134">at a cost of £4.5m</a>, and I suspect that TfL are declaring this upgrade as part of their <a href="https://twitter.com/willnorman/status/1082645747462520832">"we've doubled the amount of protected space delivered under the previous mayor" claim</a>.Whilst that would be a very dishonest thing for them to do there have been some improvements to the Greenway recently as part of the re-branding.<br />
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I first cycled on the Greenway back in 2003 when the section from Old ford, which currently cuts through the Olympic Park, went through the Marshgate Lane industrial estate instead. Back then this section was just a narrow shared path, in a pretty poor condition and littered with burnt out mopeds. Fast forward a few years and construction of the Olympic Park began, with the Greenway <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/loopzilla/754521250">freshly resurfaced</a> as it was used as a route for construction workers to access the park via Pudding Mill Lane DLR station, as well as a destination for people to view construction of the park, with a <a href="https://theviewtube.co.uk/">cafe</a> built out of shipping containers opening in late 2009. During the Olympic Games there were plans for the Greenway to form two of the entrances for spectators to the games; for those on bike coming from Victoria Park and also for people coming via underground from West Ham station. Therefore in preparation the entire stretch from Old Ford to West Ham was upgraded prior to the Olympics, with separate paths for those on foot and on bike<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSR0Io6bi8NEBupeTdUsHtlBKnmulMGmzv7QjdQEgEl5BrzcXvKN4BGjwK3ftQCVF3vrLYPVqkvBtbnx5Y2L8Buo_9UZmUQza_2EoWqJjqQY409LvM06ZEbgsW-uHi-RuhNVAeT72Ukog/s1600/gw1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlSR0Io6bi8NEBupeTdUsHtlBKnmulMGmzv7QjdQEgEl5BrzcXvKN4BGjwK3ftQCVF3vrLYPVqkvBtbnx5Y2L8Buo_9UZmUQza_2EoWqJjqQY409LvM06ZEbgsW-uHi-RuhNVAeT72Ukog/s640/gw1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As part of Quietway 22 lightning and CCTV has recently been installed to allow this route to be used 24 hours a day<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzD1srxR80zxKZcw8YKzQKDX97qj_6JJh1gPwckdlYbF-EPAaCWT8g_tLLXf-ca1dbiEB37KdNHxWbEiTAvOYDkVVeYMfkxCeeiLqCo4T33xKXAofnGCvz3J3b2Dei4QS_Xd550uja2-U/s1600/gw3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="1597" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQzD1srxR80zxKZcw8YKzQKDX97qj_6JJh1gPwckdlYbF-EPAaCWT8g_tLLXf-ca1dbiEB37KdNHxWbEiTAvOYDkVVeYMfkxCeeiLqCo4T33xKXAofnGCvz3J3b2Dei4QS_Xd550uja2-U/s640/gw3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Greenway is dissected as the Great Eastern Railway and DLR lines cross it, this used to require a short diversion down to Marshgate Lane, before rejoining the Greenway immediately after the railway bridge<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyh407cUxZKTL0iMe4HshV5X1S_D2a2Ed8hHy52_Z78Bj4NjAU3CAOkEluoY0oeEHCwTDyl_PN4h4fKnKpV-VsmCvpx8d9DFkj0xrXVMBhdmsa3lyv6c2rBRHH6woJswg4fAwk_oWnnR6/s1600/MGL1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1057" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyh407cUxZKTL0iMe4HshV5X1S_D2a2Ed8hHy52_Z78Bj4NjAU3CAOkEluoY0oeEHCwTDyl_PN4h4fKnKpV-VsmCvpx8d9DFkj0xrXVMBhdmsa3lyv6c2rBRHH6woJswg4fAwk_oWnnR6/s640/MGL1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marshgate Lane at the bottom of the Greenway in 2007</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGjjL9g4XU_mWKIABZ9UrH2dJ508cLdYJgrCxbWLhyHye-aUq7mfSPzWiglpXxzp3w1hNj7-LJ8yIHNMOGMz0pfqmPUsj0vgYZ-FNSIVCqtOcNAVHGQQGeRwinVvt0ejzWbqrIo_fmqbJ/s1600/MGL2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZGjjL9g4XU_mWKIABZ9UrH2dJ508cLdYJgrCxbWLhyHye-aUq7mfSPzWiglpXxzp3w1hNj7-LJ8yIHNMOGMz0pfqmPUsj0vgYZ-FNSIVCqtOcNAVHGQQGeRwinVvt0ejzWbqrIo_fmqbJ/s640/MGL2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marshgate Lane at the bottom of the Greenway in 2019</span></td></tr>
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However this section of the Greenway, from Marshgate Lane to Stratford High Street, has been closed since 2009; initially for Olympic Park construction works, Crossrail then kept it closed and now Thames Water have taken over, meaning this stretch will soon notch up a decade of being closed, with no reopening date in sight. A new ramp was built several years ago from Marshgate Lane to the Greenway but remains fenced off<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5PpSQereChL2eZTn8VbaOuIRQyDma5awkBwKtJxQEYuaYQkY4LbamaetRbA_UjxSJrtJ7wuwSycfASMDiet9F-zw1vbhRCRShp3mto4p6PQwDGFHUjIFRRmr2JjED-xJDY5KzAOUoCGI/s1600/gw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1375" data-original-width="1529" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5PpSQereChL2eZTn8VbaOuIRQyDma5awkBwKtJxQEYuaYQkY4LbamaetRbA_UjxSJrtJ7wuwSycfASMDiet9F-zw1vbhRCRShp3mto4p6PQwDGFHUjIFRRmr2JjED-xJDY5KzAOUoCGI/s640/gw2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Prior to the closure of this section of the Greenway there was another barrier at Stratford High Street, literally <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/q7KUyuTbCp32">barriers in the middle of a six lane road</a>, meaning you had to cycle on the shared use pavement to Abbey Road to use the staggered crossing and return on the pavement on the other side of the road. The Olympic transport planners really wanted spectators to travel via West Ham and walk to the park along the Greenway, rather than use the Central or Jubilee line and risk overcrowding at Stratford. Therefore the West Ham route was heavily publicised, with the green sections of the greenway completely <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sludgeulper/7775098768/">covered in asphalt</a> and a <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/7610236152">new footbridge</a> installed over Stratford High Street (<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/9nKusLyqQvt">visible on Streetview here</a>) as well as a brand new <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/dgeezer/7154091695/">direct pedestrian crossing underneath</a> for those in wheelchairs or other mobility problems. A real shame then that the footbridge and direct crossing were only there for a few weeks of games time. The bridge was moved to the former coach park alongside for a few months before being dismantled and the direct crossing was reconfigured as a staggered crossing. Whilst a crossing does now exist for when the Greenway reopens at Stratford High Street, it'll take quite a bit longer to cross than it did during the games<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
It takes 1min 52secs to cross Stratford High Street to access the Greenway - AKA ‘Quietway 22’ <a href="https://t.co/oz5ltYZPyp">pic.twitter.com/oz5ltYZPyp</a></div>
— RossiBike (@RossiTheBossi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RossiTheBossi/status/1080530361417981953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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I feel it is a missed opportunity that the bridge here was not constructed as a permanent walking and cycling bridge, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sludgeulper/5208623594">as has been achieved over Eastway</a>, between Hackney Marshes and the northern section of the Olympic Park. On the bright side Stratford High Street does now have protected cycle tracks on it, <a href="https://lcc.org.uk//articles/mayors-cycle-superhighway-2-extension-the-first-step-towards-going-dutch-for-london-cyclists%20link">constructed in 2013</a>, extended <a href="https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/cycle-superhighway-2-boris-johnson-announces-25m-upgrade-to-notorious-bow-whitechapel-cycle-route-9750149.html">to Aldgate</a> in 2016 and currently being <a href="https://twitter.com/StratfordTownC/status/1082582709178941440">extended into the centre of Stratford </a><br />
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The (rather narrow) separate cycling and walking paths continue to West Ham station, with green mostly restored<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ntD0GKMxuNDOWyG4-3tji6HKrfDg8CG9zRdYHxTgKVemIjKkVKxcp9j4_Dg1HuI9z1-EZtX43PtOrlpkascBkbWsqUeWLGS_d4Sjh_ylNXGX6DC4c5r9nSXZF9Gj2eQQCwTPeMajnxqx/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ntD0GKMxuNDOWyG4-3tji6HKrfDg8CG9zRdYHxTgKVemIjKkVKxcp9j4_Dg1HuI9z1-EZtX43PtOrlpkascBkbWsqUeWLGS_d4Sjh_ylNXGX6DC4c5r9nSXZF9Gj2eQQCwTPeMajnxqx/s640/1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Shortly before West Ham station the steps at Abbey Road have been replaced with a ramp<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrLFYRSjIl5w3bDRIUevl8O1gmWIaufcOuigJhqRrp2wWvucpLZzvOK70WZObAF947_EiNYX2_QRJqfqvYW2b6Q2Ql73vYtV0UmYpm9WbIEcDTcO972octatJJhR_ViB7AMg-oMeTnzNZ/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrLFYRSjIl5w3bDRIUevl8O1gmWIaufcOuigJhqRrp2wWvucpLZzvOK70WZObAF947_EiNYX2_QRJqfqvYW2b6Q2Ql73vYtV0UmYpm9WbIEcDTcO972octatJJhR_ViB7AMg-oMeTnzNZ/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Leading to a new toucan crossing which links up with a resurfaced Channelsea path, on top of the culverted <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Channelsea_River%20link">Channelsea River</a>, which (almost) links up with Stratford High Street<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBWAhc1lwRUuJmtaO3_Z8VoTAGsSSgenZgzKlM_f1P1M4KqsHrbk-oaJwgFCCcDj4fWe8lvbF8StIc3fUOTSuwPsroKBMptkHI9hw_o2Au08Wl9Q1FTFA5wzAeoCgtCJO5T7B4MATExZn/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1600" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBWAhc1lwRUuJmtaO3_Z8VoTAGsSSgenZgzKlM_f1P1M4KqsHrbk-oaJwgFCCcDj4fWe8lvbF8StIc3fUOTSuwPsroKBMptkHI9hw_o2Au08Wl9Q1FTFA5wzAeoCgtCJO5T7B4MATExZn/s640/9.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Back on the Greenway and the separate cycling and walking paths stop as soon as you pass the steps and long ramp to West Ham station and the Greenway looks very much the same as it did when I first cycled here over 15 years ago, except with lightning added and the odd "Q22" sign added to the light columns</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcR6J6Dv6wYzk-56DTFANfpWjwUNHsHuYIi_fRMi9srLd-u1uYZPZg-OddEIKj4Kx8qXWGtFClyt3HD1vinOG8GTj-GIcgbLpKI_mbhiYs1S9gRLzgIBNMlQVRI5b4EcklhdkRrd4qggs/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcR6J6Dv6wYzk-56DTFANfpWjwUNHsHuYIi_fRMi9srLd-u1uYZPZg-OddEIKj4Kx8qXWGtFClyt3HD1vinOG8GTj-GIcgbLpKI_mbhiYs1S9gRLzgIBNMlQVRI5b4EcklhdkRrd4qggs/s640/2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And a new ramp down to the path through rugby pitches and the Plaistow memorial recreation ground<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MoQAc2M3eIFEjo0ojKnRYDro2Rv3AOWidoX-N8wZAhwFUmIcnYB-Wud7RwPhp1iG5g6gW3DIwo7JLMTwTC8mkTCF__Ynl9ten-nZ3xfxxq0nSLAj4Bn4JUmPwm4BG3f880gqFVW0FCFh/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1600" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MoQAc2M3eIFEjo0ojKnRYDro2Rv3AOWidoX-N8wZAhwFUmIcnYB-Wud7RwPhp1iG5g6gW3DIwo7JLMTwTC8mkTCF__Ynl9ten-nZ3xfxxq0nSLAj4Bn4JUmPwm4BG3f880gqFVW0FCFh/s640/20.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We then come to Upper Road where a toucan crossing greets us, after negotiating the various barriers designed to keep motor vehicles out<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay88TtcAR22aZgKVm05mGQgeh98wAGUyJ9EDYJhQ_d5ruEOcynmsnLdkrXS0TmopjgjHnFFt8qP0z-S_x6TTwmV4etQIcET90AIE7rVoPBKgOd_2BpBGIAo5J6wk4xhnabyorOvC1Z6W5/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjay88TtcAR22aZgKVm05mGQgeh98wAGUyJ9EDYJhQ_d5ruEOcynmsnLdkrXS0TmopjgjHnFFt8qP0z-S_x6TTwmV4etQIcET90AIE7rVoPBKgOd_2BpBGIAo5J6wk4xhnabyorOvC1Z6W5/s640/13.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Most people don't bother to push the button and wait for the green man, instead opting to cross this not-very-busy road unassisted. It isn't a main road so a disappointment that as part of the quietway upgrade a tiger crossing wasn't installed, giving pedestrians and cyclist priority over motor vehicles.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU0IvM_Rb-847KqIil4Nrc9Blfa5vNVSAKyKPwN7N5aVbqhFLp8z_9195dgT4cROI8ItobLzspEdCs5p4-qCsl1YhURo3wS3hBmNhELDIypQ0t9tJH2Mcq2aKyjApta8-nVDUEhqRFm6V/s1600/lower+clapton+road+xing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxU0IvM_Rb-847KqIil4Nrc9Blfa5vNVSAKyKPwN7N5aVbqhFLp8z_9195dgT4cROI8ItobLzspEdCs5p4-qCsl1YhURo3wS3hBmNhELDIypQ0t9tJH2Mcq2aKyjApta8-nVDUEhqRFm6V/s640/lower+clapton+road+xing.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A tiger crossing on the much busier Lower Clapton Road in Hackney, as part of <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2017/07/a-trip-along-quietway-2-in-hackney.html">Quietway 2</a></span></td></tr>
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500m later we cross Balaam Street, where barriers force you to cycle a short distance along the pavement to reach the crossing, which is very mush favoured towards motor traffic on the road rather the pedestrians and cyclists on the greenway, so a lengthy wait can ensue<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-Q7Hqk2nVxeVLLY26KRsBoI2YHdgqr3zyKb81by574yeD-NtorSNDPtPWY-ZKaenjpAWkfTDTEjkwI1J5bKU_34o_8jclaT8MSnzfCHLCXmG3X2i1uXAIGl2EH05BAh9Qu4OLL2cKOep/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1555" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-Q7Hqk2nVxeVLLY26KRsBoI2YHdgqr3zyKb81by574yeD-NtorSNDPtPWY-ZKaenjpAWkfTDTEjkwI1J5bKU_34o_8jclaT8MSnzfCHLCXmG3X2i1uXAIGl2EH05BAh9Qu4OLL2cKOep/s640/14.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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A helpful local resident has felt the need to install warnings that you might well be mugged at knifepoint here, a reminder that quietways are not always the best solution and why protected cycle tracks are required on main roads nearby also.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_AStDeQwrE7eD89jrvMfWCUrhDCkHd7aawWY0t7G3qoq7LwEiTxLJk4RA-4TOajfZAJAJY0q84LobEYEZV-hHKgW0KwuXWfWejeJ-DIlGT6uGsWzxt_de5wUhxXAIG_PIz35279AIGmk/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1166" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_AStDeQwrE7eD89jrvMfWCUrhDCkHd7aawWY0t7G3qoq7LwEiTxLJk4RA-4TOajfZAJAJY0q84LobEYEZV-hHKgW0KwuXWfWejeJ-DIlGT6uGsWzxt_de5wUhxXAIG_PIz35279AIGmk/s640/15.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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200m later we have to cross Barking Road, quite a busy road, again requiring you to cycle a short distance on the pavement to reach the crossing<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj63zGDvM4tAIfya3T3i11gwOtRRWc3F6VQ_CU6wVZw0X8u9S7mxk-sotDCvUvULfaPY9e5e9OVSs6yKPc-kqP1UlalwdCmdcFK_-7UCSY-DxIxbRUVuHH8enir-nwQd6TRoYoqh4taXkQ/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj63zGDvM4tAIfya3T3i11gwOtRRWc3F6VQ_CU6wVZw0X8u9S7mxk-sotDCvUvULfaPY9e5e9OVSs6yKPc-kqP1UlalwdCmdcFK_-7UCSY-DxIxbRUVuHH8enir-nwQd6TRoYoqh4taXkQ/s640/3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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and less than 200m on we have to cross Prince Regent Lane, our 4th signalled crossing in less than a kilometre<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbg4B43_RYam-AyhbrqN4GpgNVf1s0TCJEVWRIMOgmvcNPT6YzZwTWcMXYbA7uwuD9gfFztwNk_UoItUztpCoD7ErhZR5mt9ymz9vI49sdf8QuBVwQLCwqdU-QGa4a0oKBmKTrLvnObdk/s1600/35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsbg4B43_RYam-AyhbrqN4GpgNVf1s0TCJEVWRIMOgmvcNPT6YzZwTWcMXYbA7uwuD9gfFztwNk_UoItUztpCoD7ErhZR5mt9ymz9vI49sdf8QuBVwQLCwqdU-QGa4a0oKBmKTrLvnObdk/s640/35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The route does then continue for the next 2km to the A13 junction at Beckton, where it meets Cycle Superhighway 3, obstruction free, except for one road crossing on a bus only route to Newham General Hospital, so a very quiet road but I still think priority should be given to the Greenway here, rather than the road.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r3-hyeIzuHOqL8p9Zt5nchlJGMUvkQxpcham5lJypw3_MMk2jP-1X92eMhOx42YfjE70KXQCrtZQlHMgJiWwuI0bMsIm622S9pomjIMdzASNpkp0R7rKhx5B1UwRNqXJL1lO_4QDpHxO/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r3-hyeIzuHOqL8p9Zt5nchlJGMUvkQxpcham5lJypw3_MMk2jP-1X92eMhOx42YfjE70KXQCrtZQlHMgJiWwuI0bMsIm622S9pomjIMdzASNpkp0R7rKhx5B1UwRNqXJL1lO_4QDpHxO/s640/18.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Another new ramp has been constructed down to Lonsdale Avenue </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg9KnoUl2_PVzbRdX8cQVAMe9XA_-o1v3fxuXrxO-WwYtOlX9w9Mj5pkZhzF8M3rYi1YsNIYyjEouVPLJuqWpOsanNvuIGFygzBdppqjgCMyqRxmv4at1O_DMFUt7oRmAoJ8ho-bjGR4K/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlg9KnoUl2_PVzbRdX8cQVAMe9XA_-o1v3fxuXrxO-WwYtOlX9w9Mj5pkZhzF8M3rYi1YsNIYyjEouVPLJuqWpOsanNvuIGFygzBdppqjgCMyqRxmv4at1O_DMFUt7oRmAoJ8ho-bjGR4K/s640/16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The new ramp under construction in the summer of 2018, now complete</span></td></tr>
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Queitway 22 ends at the A13 Beckton Junction (although the Greenway continues onto Beckton sewage works) so connects up with Cycle Superhighway 3, which runs alongside the A13. This can take you to Barking heading east and to Canning Town if going west (or even as far as Paddington if you're willing to mix it with traffic on <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/865891573904572416">Poplar High Street</a>). Unfortunately it'll take you some time to reach it as you have to stop and wait at seven different shared crossings to get to <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1079401244098285568">the other side of the road</a><br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
It took 2mins 57secs to cross this junction. <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Hackneycyclist</a> <a href="https://t.co/PzAfqA1PwN">pic.twitter.com/PzAfqA1PwN</a></div>
— RossiBike (@RossiTheBossi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RossiTheBossi/status/1080524485378359296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">2 January 2019</a></blockquote>
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The ideal solution here would be a walking and cycling underpass linking the Greenway and CS3 under the A13 and also under Woolwich Manor Way, which would improve conditions for those on CS3 as well. An expensive solution but one that would be <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1069907000790802432">a routine upgrade</a> for a junction like this in the Netherlands<br />
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Quietway 22 has brought a few small improvements to the Greenway, especially the lightning. However the lack of priority over roads and shared pavement facilities at Beckton and on Wick Lane at either end are a disappointment.<br />
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A safe, convenient traffic free walking and cycling route? Yes, the Greenway has been that for decades.<br />
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An increase under the Khan administration <a href="https://twitter.com/willnorman/status/1065900999058079744">of the amount of protected space for cyclists</a>, comparable to major road transformation projects such as those on Embankment, Whitechapel Road or Vauxhall Bridge under Boris Johnson? Absolutely not.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0_ar9YHY9czJm3jyi6Wyl8zYJ5lFOuZiezkBvahOJJ7kq7NsFp-djaNtP9I8upqWh-hThFJBtWUytIhCh8qyUp5Q_fJ_3rdr79u3XokYo8GJDdS_8eE-K6mEg0PkpPmZmqUQ9T4qy9Dq/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0_ar9YHY9czJm3jyi6Wyl8zYJ5lFOuZiezkBvahOJJ7kq7NsFp-djaNtP9I8upqWh-hThFJBtWUytIhCh8qyUp5Q_fJ_3rdr79u3XokYo8GJDdS_8eE-K6mEg0PkpPmZmqUQ9T4qy9Dq/s640/6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-27008790622885978152018-11-26T20:09:00.000+00:002018-11-26T20:09:34.466+00:00The removal of the Stoke Newington Gyratory Transport for London <a href="https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/stoke-newington-gyratory/">are currently consulting</a> on the removal of the Stoke Newington Gyratory, having worked with Hackney Council on the plans <a href="https://twitter.com/feryaldemirci/status/1053338220958748674">for over a decade</a>. They state that the main aims of this scheme are to remove a barrier to cycling, create new traffic-free public spaces and creating a more attractive and less traffic-dominated environment for people.<br />
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The proposal is to create a shared bus and cycle lane southbound on Stoke Newington High Street, which is currently one way (northbound) for all vehicles and also to create a cycle track northbound. The cycle track is needed as most people would be unwilling to cycle on this road if it were open to all motor traffic; any children currently cycling here usually do so on the pavement, rather than mixing it up with buses and lorries on the main road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8O5e_xKvmSBqPS_w9lqQQMTvyvINgA_MPciDW_qBv4HOPTivisYnPMDhiNdLNCIa7r0X2ZgDKZUd1YCCJBwZ0WiT1dRVfnKf-CHBWKl_IFKOlsE800p8RUSqM2wjgC81HJ7kK4VTnR0Xb/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1437" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8O5e_xKvmSBqPS_w9lqQQMTvyvINgA_MPciDW_qBv4HOPTivisYnPMDhiNdLNCIa7r0X2ZgDKZUd1YCCJBwZ0WiT1dRVfnKf-CHBWKl_IFKOlsE800p8RUSqM2wjgC81HJ7kK4VTnR0Xb/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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However no cycle track is proposed on the southbound carriageway, with a "bus and cycle lane" planned, even though it appears there is plenty of space along the southern half of this road to accommodate cycle tracks along both sides of the road<br />
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It seems that there is ample space to provide two lanes for motor traffic, including space for loading, whilst maintaining two cycle tracks and wide pavements, which already exists<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWzdLvWnGcN1CureM-UZJLFf8zQoRhz9fk6mdK3lv0Rya3UmL3N7ict0BUirclHdonvFCMC-cpyuRPixYlP76-G5fcADUlyRiSaymbscEEHAm7nbPQfekpBO3_czPolil5DrfaXi8bji2/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyWzdLvWnGcN1CureM-UZJLFf8zQoRhz9fk6mdK3lv0Rya3UmL3N7ict0BUirclHdonvFCMC-cpyuRPixYlP76-G5fcADUlyRiSaymbscEEHAm7nbPQfekpBO3_czPolil5DrfaXi8bji2/s640/7.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Creating this bus and cycle lane will ensure a more direct and shorter journey for those who already travel south on the A10 by bike, as well as giving direct access to the shops on the high street for those coming from the north to visit Stoke Newington via bike. However expecting the majority of people to cycle with buses in a bus lane is a misconception and will do little to encourage more people to shift to cycling, especially children, families cycling together, or the elderly. Cycling with buses in a narrow bus lane would be uncomfortable and <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/02/cycling-with-buses-in-hackney.html">more dangerous</a> than having a separate cycle track, as well as less convenient for bus passengers, who would surely be delayed by cyclists in the bus lane, especially at peak times.<br />
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The Northbound cycle track does appear to be adequate and it is good to see a floating bus stop, although is inconsistent with regards to its treatment to loading bays, being routed behind one and in front of the other, with vehicles crossing the cycle track to get to the loading bay. I see no reason as to why the cycle track cannot go behind both loading bays.<br />
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Whilst buses currently have their own bus lane northbound with two lanes for general motor traffic all of this will be reduced into a single lane, which will surely increase delay to buses. Instead it would surely be more beneficial for both bus passengers and pedestrians in the area if private motor traffic were excluded from this stretch of road and sent onto Rectory Road (the current southbound route for all traffic) instead, with some exceptions for some vehicles, or at certain times<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib66ra5pBC_eAXvlgzQurbvu-PBzOoqMNwL0Ts5cVRUoqNcwvr6zcYgrBnEPe1t4mUhQ7G109Wg5rS8c91rm_FLMhFDQrcKD72YLVM3EExCOd6rnBZ8Tsxqwn2yW30A-XJovP4LSAsIOkB/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib66ra5pBC_eAXvlgzQurbvu-PBzOoqMNwL0Ts5cVRUoqNcwvr6zcYgrBnEPe1t4mUhQ7G109Wg5rS8c91rm_FLMhFDQrcKD72YLVM3EExCOd6rnBZ8Tsxqwn2yW30A-XJovP4LSAsIOkB/s640/10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Why should all this private motor traffic continue to be allowed to use this stretch of road north but not south? The <a href="http://www.dft.gov.uk/traffic-counts/cp.php?la=Hackney#58160">most recent</a> DfT traffic counts show that nearly 75% of all vehicles traveling along this road were cars </span></td></tr>
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Batley, Hollar and Tysen Roads are also planned to be closed at the A10 and whilst calling them "pocket parks" may be a slight over exaggeration it will create better conditions for pedestrians as well as some space for seating, trees and cycle parking.<br />
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The cycle track briefly pauses at Brooke Road and I'm unsure why, as it seems there is space for it to be continuous without hindering buses turning onto the road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFIL8EiPIv_eBvQCAdEtNTRZbS3JzSPZfafbdxV8r5WhRqrefnkDgHGY6W_NCmbI9C566s7xbQ0rbE0nNzNy_KnevHSG7Ry8Yk-KSbC4V8DuQS7ajKADX13UqsdswYDa74v-rM0GGy60g/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1029" data-original-width="1311" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFIL8EiPIv_eBvQCAdEtNTRZbS3JzSPZfafbdxV8r5WhRqrefnkDgHGY6W_NCmbI9C566s7xbQ0rbE0nNzNy_KnevHSG7Ry8Yk-KSbC4V8DuQS7ajKADX13UqsdswYDa74v-rM0GGy60g/s640/4.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The space available then narrows from here to Stoke Newington Church Street, approximately 140m away. The space is currently used for three lanes of motor traffic (some of which contain loading bays) and narrow footways<br />
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A northbound cycle track is planned here, roughly where the people are cycling in the picture below, with one lane northbound for motor traffic and a bus & cycle lane southbound </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlph_XCZhYfQbqW7or8VBZ82VTSdwBf9ialTpNXKd5EQSB3lxsJa3avdfNbquszzE3L51tLu7Dx8BAXqIhzjm9f2-vVP_YqzQDawDlgQlHmbWR0ThV-r2mP4aVw_-XxI7sIga6f_X9YfEN/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1427" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlph_XCZhYfQbqW7or8VBZ82VTSdwBf9ialTpNXKd5EQSB3lxsJa3avdfNbquszzE3L51tLu7Dx8BAXqIhzjm9f2-vVP_YqzQDawDlgQlHmbWR0ThV-r2mP4aVw_-XxI7sIga6f_X9YfEN/s640/5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However the loading bay is to remain here, located on the cycle track, with loading only allowed to take place from 7-10am. Whilst the logic behind this can be appreciated (as most people currently cycling here in the morning peak will be travelling south, towards Central London) this excludes many of the kind of people TfL are hoping to switch to cycling from other modes. In particular children cycling to school, instead of being driven there. I also remember being informed that the planned protected cycle track on Cycle Superhighway 2 alongside Whitechapel Market would not be going ahead but loading for the market would be restricted to 20 minutes at a time. Well everyday I cycle past Whitechapel Market (the worst stretch of CS2 by far) and the same vans are parked in the same places, hour after hour, day after day. I suspect enforcement of this cycle track would be similar with vehicles parked in it at all hours of the day.<br />
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I appreciate the difficulty TfL and Hackney council have encountered here but I do think there could be space for stepped cycle tracks and bus only lanes along here, with loading moved further south or north where the carriageway is wider. A similar example can be found on Nobelstraat in Utrecht<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGWW0b1eTa79QxHwqKkG7LgDTxcScGxuRJ8GlzMvVFUwVK4LhgcbTe0JOmJDCqgnKpwK7zW-u0jhmXe_bUeC2UffAec7qj1Gg9f8Y6T4NcqDOrq-eobfxGwQ4K4Yw4Jj8DOpTI6VDIkqG/s1600/utrecht.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1191" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGWW0b1eTa79QxHwqKkG7LgDTxcScGxuRJ8GlzMvVFUwVK4LhgcbTe0JOmJDCqgnKpwK7zW-u0jhmXe_bUeC2UffAec7qj1Gg9f8Y6T4NcqDOrq-eobfxGwQ4K4Yw4Jj8DOpTI6VDIkqG/s640/utrecht.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nobelstraat in Utrecht</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfLPS6CRn4ikuAUncUgxGzNnkPZ0tw9Q9N4cflA1oXyqrD48JVBOlQfLJEiTj9AcpBhtcPylWnGOcnOriZYqBYGE-8qcQzZoUiVEuUvxUa5BegZHs2j_Prklx_iLvDq1XOS4m_LO-_gGT/s1600/stokey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1185" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfLPS6CRn4ikuAUncUgxGzNnkPZ0tw9Q9N4cflA1oXyqrD48JVBOlQfLJEiTj9AcpBhtcPylWnGOcnOriZYqBYGE-8qcQzZoUiVEuUvxUa5BegZHs2j_Prklx_iLvDq1XOS4m_LO-_gGT/s640/stokey.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stoke Newington High Street in Hackney </td></tr>
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This street isn't ideal, both for people on foot or cycling, but it does provide safe conditions to cycle into the centre of Utrecht for people of all ages<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71wgW24cfKFiu9pNYWsYHr4iXa3aVObfLV9MVyjcU6NPkF2H4iDwxkj0xT-LC9G4LpBKPAfyWZfYVbLuyKQlakMHj4d5gVyMb72dP3Zd2gfmVMe0NVgezrK7FB-G7X18EFlvbYPWpKXKA/s1600/utrecht3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj71wgW24cfKFiu9pNYWsYHr4iXa3aVObfLV9MVyjcU6NPkF2H4iDwxkj0xT-LC9G4LpBKPAfyWZfYVbLuyKQlakMHj4d5gVyMb72dP3Zd2gfmVMe0NVgezrK7FB-G7X18EFlvbYPWpKXKA/s640/utrecht3.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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This is also a busy bus route and it would be unthinkable for the many young children who use this road on a bike everyday to cycle in the same lanes as buses.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaI9TvgqDMMQz8wni4vMvbR5bCIHXzpTpo-3-FL9IeHXLMot42bgBoxAWIseEYT5PSrIWLmFhG_bnRbxOpfMR2EBYAQuFnKfevoMu7-9kz7eoi79VN5gevABGrX9mrn0ueE-Io_aKqhA7/s1600/utrecht2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1175" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaI9TvgqDMMQz8wni4vMvbR5bCIHXzpTpo-3-FL9IeHXLMot42bgBoxAWIseEYT5PSrIWLmFhG_bnRbxOpfMR2EBYAQuFnKfevoMu7-9kz7eoi79VN5gevABGrX9mrn0ueE-Io_aKqhA7/s640/utrecht2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The road is also restricted to buses only in one direction and as an exit from the City Centre from certain routes to other motor traffic, reducing any delays to buses who almost always have a clear, empty road to drive down. Interestingly Nobelstraat also used to be one way for motor traffic as part of a gyratory system, which you can <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2015/09/08/cycling-into-the-city-centre/">read more about here</a> by <a href="https://twitter.com/BicycleDutch">Mark Wagenbuur</a>.<br />
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The added advantage of a tight bus road also means buses would proceed at a slower speed at this particular section, increasing safety for all. The footways along this stretch are already very narrow so perhaps having the street lamps strung between buildings, as is the case on Nobletstraat, would free up footway space.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKS5G7Y6gDDTXBKRe2FqQu67HzG4NzlUz2uZAlTAz3QLrDFuzY1Zz9uJCnTUDrCPhBezUm-eJwcj9Vy-Qn3YXKChiCxYILYO5LXwuJAR_7A8efVtMD8MIhKPxSW5LzJ6i1m5rRKs-bcgg/s1600/IMG_2458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKS5G7Y6gDDTXBKRe2FqQu67HzG4NzlUz2uZAlTAz3QLrDFuzY1Zz9uJCnTUDrCPhBezUm-eJwcj9Vy-Qn3YXKChiCxYILYO5LXwuJAR_7A8efVtMD8MIhKPxSW5LzJ6i1m5rRKs-bcgg/s640/IMG_2458.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There still might not be the space for stepped tracks and a bus only road of course and <a href="https://twitter.com/RantyHighwayman">The Ranty Highwayman</a> has suggested <a href="https://therantyhighwayman.blogspot.com/2018/10/priorities-who-is-street-for-at-stoke.html">in his blog</a> that buses could pass each other via a single track road. It certainly sounds like a radical proposal but would actually return the road to how it was a century ago, when trams did exactly that for a short distance on this narrow street<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhdSP77m9teVut54QPiiCcF9Qj4SxxZw6DHOECiD4XlSMKdeEj2mMxdY2sf4d5wp9c3IUZb_jgP5BWJKFRN-9tJ2_BLM5uEUKs2r9ByLUzbV6ez0mu9Zcpl6xu1WMBlBYFXtlJbjZJoOm/s1600/10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="739" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRhdSP77m9teVut54QPiiCcF9Qj4SxxZw6DHOECiD4XlSMKdeEj2mMxdY2sf4d5wp9c3IUZb_jgP5BWJKFRN-9tJ2_BLM5uEUKs2r9ByLUzbV6ez0mu9Zcpl6xu1WMBlBYFXtlJbjZJoOm/s640/10.JPG" width="500" /></a></div>
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A similar layout can be found today on <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/ueyu2U6yWVA2">Leidsestraat in Amsterdam</a>, although the Dutch have since removed the private motor traffic from this street! </div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Making streets car-free is the easy bit.<br />
Turning them into <a href="https://twitter.com/thehappycity?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@thehappycity</a> is not!<br />
~Leidsestraat, 1967 vs 2016<br />
by <a href="https://twitter.com/FlorisLok?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FlorisLok</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/parool?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@parool</a> <a href="https://t.co/fwsYphiIkE">pic.twitter.com/fwsYphiIkE</a></div>
— Cycling Professor (@fietsprofessor) <a href="https://twitter.com/fietsprofessor/status/842413266206879744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Once past Stoke Newington Church Street (which would see a drastic reduction in motor traffic if Stoke Newington High Street were to be turned into a through route for buses only) the cycle track disappears, with bicycles expected to go around a loading bay and a bus stop, rather than inside them<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-Gj4XXWUVJVFJj9sugcPt7k5Sv6FL8P7MRLQafSq6vZ-ya7l5e0TSP_Nn10u_baJBDZgRp2-PPp0ycp3k8m6IaKbwH_ggSBmCMjEa8DJ9su0dchDGSEz3FSy_Bsmo2gL2t62MDQUkrn7/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1064" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-Gj4XXWUVJVFJj9sugcPt7k5Sv6FL8P7MRLQafSq6vZ-ya7l5e0TSP_Nn10u_baJBDZgRp2-PPp0ycp3k8m6IaKbwH_ggSBmCMjEa8DJ9su0dchDGSEz3FSy_Bsmo2gL2t62MDQUkrn7/s640/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Clearly a floating bus stop would be possible if the bus stop were located in the carriageway, which would provide continuous cycle tracks the full length of Stoke Newington High Street and be in keeping with Hackney's road user hierarchy</div>
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Meanwhile on the eastern side of the gyratory, currently southbound for all traffic, Northwold Road is to be closed to traffic westbound and replaced by a bidirectional cycle track, at least for part of the way before cycles and pedestrians are expected to share a gigantic footway, or "public realm improvements" as the consultation calls it<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aiIEhkTbkm8LOHKeNT8yyF0zwztPrE8TSpwty2tRxOMqdPbB47HGYfer5VMZQPk0lmEnX-l4SSrPuRDvOczoDIjlQQrk3coDbeGJJKHyTyhUVKROViXv8eGwtKVtQR7kJIVi4ci9CajG/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1138" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aiIEhkTbkm8LOHKeNT8yyF0zwztPrE8TSpwty2tRxOMqdPbB47HGYfer5VMZQPk0lmEnX-l4SSrPuRDvOczoDIjlQQrk3coDbeGJJKHyTyhUVKROViXv8eGwtKVtQR7kJIVi4ci9CajG/s640/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I really don't understand why, with all the complaints of pavement cycling that exist, that the cycle track does not simply continue all the way to the toucan crossing, providing clear separate space for people on foot and on two wheels, reducing the chance of conflict</div>
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There is an awful lot of space to play with here, as was evident when the carriageway and footways were hidden under water during the burst water main flooding almost exactly two years ago<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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The Stoke Newington flood water has been drained. Were you affected? We'd like to hear from you if so... <a href="https://t.co/H5RqYRjR6M">https://t.co/H5RqYRjR6M</a> <a href="https://t.co/BjuUCZEywC">pic.twitter.com/BjuUCZEywC</a></div>
— Hackney Gazette (@hackneygazette) <a href="https://twitter.com/hackneygazette/status/808253288537845760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 12, 2016</a></blockquote>
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And finally the plans for Rectory Road are two way single lane carriageway with median strip, designed so people cycling do so in primary position, in the middle of the carriageway. The <a href="http://www.dft.gov.uk/traffic-counts/cp.php?la=Hackney#38434">most recent DfT traffic counts</a> showed that nearly 17,000 motor vehicles used this road per day southbound with less than 700 of those buses. Clearly cycling along here with this design would be horrific and if the central median is to stay then perhaps a bidirectional cycle track could be constructed alongside the road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_6aa0jqKNMI4hh__j8UgwQ36vXjnh1AS3A_ut_a8kWDxmPliAJfnUVqYYrLVpIiUlbU79AZeh1j4PrIMNSyrCxNduacl8_09ifk9II9nsJ-p9UAQxsWjTug2DmHBqP73c4r9U1AR9cVt/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1600" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy_6aa0jqKNMI4hh__j8UgwQ36vXjnh1AS3A_ut_a8kWDxmPliAJfnUVqYYrLVpIiUlbU79AZeh1j4PrIMNSyrCxNduacl8_09ifk9II9nsJ-p9UAQxsWjTug2DmHBqP73c4r9U1AR9cVt/s640/12.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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This consultation has been a long time coming but unfortunately looks unlikely to achieve the Mayor of London's <a href="https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/safety-and-security/road-safety/vision-zero-for-london">Vision Zero target</a> or his promise to make London a byword for cycling. It does not put people walking or cycling at the top of the transport Hierarchy and provides far too much space for the private car to enable healthy streets or a less traffic-dominated environment for people.<br />
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The consultation closes this Friday 30th November. <a href="https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/roads/stoke-newington-gyratory/">You can respond here.</a><br />
<span style="background-color: #e6ecf0; color: #14171a; font-family: "segoe ui" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-52158841430056474942018-11-01T20:31:00.001+00:002018-11-01T20:31:12.428+00:00The evolution of Westfield Avenue in the Olympic Park<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/GMS6ovDpbam">Westfield Avenue</a> is less than a third of a mile long and runs from Waterden Road to Montfitchet Road within the Olympic Park. Built on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratford_Works">former railway sidings</a> it opened in 2011 and was constructed with six sets of toucan crossings along its length<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYAFGG-u74DeQfavzzlurB4RmSdIA2bMEkVuFP4ZOfqtjRe6-3D1UhZPIk7iUkUE0HSEinSJT_XDNUEmlxozx3ud9pcwGjPzAJcN8pJIG94tslUufFNAOK05Y55aH5vn95skeCf9ccYAp/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="938" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYAFGG-u74DeQfavzzlurB4RmSdIA2bMEkVuFP4ZOfqtjRe6-3D1UhZPIk7iUkUE0HSEinSJT_XDNUEmlxozx3ud9pcwGjPzAJcN8pJIG94tslUufFNAOK05Y55aH5vn95skeCf9ccYAp/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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all of these were originally staggered, and so required a couple of stages to cross most, with up to six stages to cross from one side of the road to the other at the crossing by International Way<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTOQS5l2JCTM9_ixErFtsmyUqdEPr_WJln9e4FH3ARhvDDaBQp-CZLYLI4qRy6BEe8Wf0F0M-BoJYvwVmdfmI4hQnRv9GW6FdeVE6t5slNCiOUPYct7VXcjgBlKYl3MG2pZC3oQCSZSUE/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="802" data-original-width="923" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTOQS5l2JCTM9_ixErFtsmyUqdEPr_WJln9e4FH3ARhvDDaBQp-CZLYLI4qRy6BEe8Wf0F0M-BoJYvwVmdfmI4hQnRv9GW6FdeVE6t5slNCiOUPYct7VXcjgBlKYl3MG2pZC3oQCSZSUE/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The section between Waterden Road and International Way was, I think, unique in London by having a bidirectional cycle track on both sides of the road. The cycle track on the north side is completely useless, linking nothing together and almost always full of obstructions<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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<a href="https://twitter.com/westfieldstrat?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@westfieldstrat</a> why build cycle lanes if you are going to fill them with car signage? <a href="https://twitter.com/hackney_cycling?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@hackney_cycling</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/londoncyclist?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@londoncyclist</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MayorofLondon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MayorofLondon</a> <a href="https://t.co/anrmjWWF3o">pic.twitter.com/anrmjWWF3o</a></div>
— Tim Benson (@bilboben) <a href="https://twitter.com/bilboben/status/870999568539844609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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the cycle track on the south side is more useful and one that I use on a regular basis. It joins up with a continuous and, fairly decent, cycle track on Waterden Road but immediately decreases in quality once Waterden Road turns into Westfield Avenue. It vanishes at each of the pedestrian crossings and also, when initially constructed, for a bus shelter<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVSyeH8q0bdOmh7X-FjypPT0BOvfTRr8FFF0znbQwfqk5cuAMU3CAuRR9WyChjuM_jr-1BY_LGrFhBQwblsd8ITZ41BVo-qB2assR1tp3dvkMiEDSPIEnQTL03ywN7opWYfJgoMPyRQXK/s1600/westfield1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1245" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVSyeH8q0bdOmh7X-FjypPT0BOvfTRr8FFF0znbQwfqk5cuAMU3CAuRR9WyChjuM_jr-1BY_LGrFhBQwblsd8ITZ41BVo-qB2assR1tp3dvkMiEDSPIEnQTL03ywN7opWYfJgoMPyRQXK/s640/westfield1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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It then used to run all the way down to Montfitchet Avenue in order to join up with the cycle track there, although on the opposite side of the road via another set of staggered crossings<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8xBV8a_nbS8CrRrVHYDyAsbMKauo1QK30MQiJsyMbam_vwxQjKcYSgHZYU74Rr29eSibTdfHTOdjUMF_jDzgXWpURbxYCl9moAw0VHAi78QJ0DL2eytzYin3jUNjahHWPdoERPFKkKYY/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="913" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM8xBV8a_nbS8CrRrVHYDyAsbMKauo1QK30MQiJsyMbam_vwxQjKcYSgHZYU74Rr29eSibTdfHTOdjUMF_jDzgXWpURbxYCl9moAw0VHAi78QJ0DL2eytzYin3jUNjahHWPdoERPFKkKYY/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Whilst it was a useful route to get to Westfield Avenue both it, and the footway, did not go anywhere else that was useful up until 2014 when the Southern section of the Olympic Park was finally opened up to members of the public, following almost two years of post Olympic conversion works. It was then that the cycle track giving way to both pedestrians crossing and pedestrians waiting to cross became an issue<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09nDEPMo0kkROgDc4W_4HYH5ZpKTYlu45FcAs54JHyEdHRaDOytTZYVSna_0FmdV0pB-JB6EHv-eLbOtQICDUthQi0Pzqk5VbQ3sreiajo3K7_DYHTuH_1lsAvi5SGJDTv-B2h-urSBsf/s1600/westfield2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09nDEPMo0kkROgDc4W_4HYH5ZpKTYlu45FcAs54JHyEdHRaDOytTZYVSna_0FmdV0pB-JB6EHv-eLbOtQICDUthQi0Pzqk5VbQ3sreiajo3K7_DYHTuH_1lsAvi5SGJDTv-B2h-urSBsf/s640/westfield2.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The pedestrian crossing here was staggered with a narrow pen to wait in which proved problematic when there were a lot of visitors to the park, especially as this was a toucan crossing; trying to cross with a bike (or indeed a pushchair), could be very difficult<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkJXW_tfEQFWb9VRM5OWLMFgB08pXOBU0X_6iKWgcLe6-GOD9CAXOuGIVEFCAuoPfomBqmFLsw3C7fa_CT8mqq5j1y02mWLf4XjMykdpxoHLktoijjOyDZr1TEz4h2Y_hAxLTlwPL5I1p/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1310" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnkJXW_tfEQFWb9VRM5OWLMFgB08pXOBU0X_6iKWgcLe6-GOD9CAXOuGIVEFCAuoPfomBqmFLsw3C7fa_CT8mqq5j1y02mWLf4XjMykdpxoHLktoijjOyDZr1TEz4h2Y_hAxLTlwPL5I1p/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The staggered crossing captured by Google streetview in 2014. You can imagine how difficult it was to navigate by bike on busy days</span></td></tr>
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With four wide traffic lanes and acres of space to play with it was obvious that this type of road design should not have any place in a modern city, especially in a new development, and so plans were being drawn up very quickly to change this road, released back as far as 2015<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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<a href="https://twitter.com/johnstreetdales?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@johnstreetdales</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Hackneycyclist</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Jono_Kenyon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Jono_Kenyon</a> happy to. Here's a taster of the proposed layout for Westfield Ave <a href="http://t.co/ZbXhlDtZr1">pic.twitter.com/ZbXhlDtZr1</a></div>
— Robin Reed (@Rob_reedie) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rob_reedie/status/614496519480324096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2015</a></blockquote>
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The first opportunity to do this was in late 2014, when construction of the 30 and 17 storey Glasshouse Gardens twin apartment towers began. Both the footway and cycle track were removed from the crossing through to Montfitchet Road, along with most of the younger-than-three-year-old trees and lane one of the westbound Westfield Avenue<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvUnIvPCjtxom1v42l-khGCU8aPQtwOFtSLUaWP9G7EZoY0hdRD_bqHE9AQZvqTbRNbtcbZ8lM05oU4K8BLLzRG_82u8C4XU9AMSDOHwTtF_sfbgojf4JmOTi9PtpXsL3OzQKQ6NiPMS9/s1600/westfield3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1411" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvUnIvPCjtxom1v42l-khGCU8aPQtwOFtSLUaWP9G7EZoY0hdRD_bqHE9AQZvqTbRNbtcbZ8lM05oU4K8BLLzRG_82u8C4XU9AMSDOHwTtF_sfbgojf4JmOTi9PtpXsL3OzQKQ6NiPMS9/s640/westfield3.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Then in the summer of 2015 International Quarter office construction work commenced alongside Glasshouse Gardens with the main pedestrian and cycle access route from Westfield / Stratford station into the Olympic Park closing. The main entrance to the park was moved further west to the next crossing along, close to John Lewis, which was reconfigured from staggered to a direct crossing just before this occurred<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStqy8Ef6mgNcCbUDTR76S0Lhb4UaKBMgrlKe3AZ8Z55I6ZmsUIsgORFvnS9RgBePo-8clvajEqO7uJdeQTL-ob2uWbZMBsCeMnzNb5kW20CbKel4_U4JFV52WY9VdBPBeKbIy9c7rwNMR/s1600/westfield4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="987" data-original-width="1293" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhStqy8Ef6mgNcCbUDTR76S0Lhb4UaKBMgrlKe3AZ8Z55I6ZmsUIsgORFvnS9RgBePo-8clvajEqO7uJdeQTL-ob2uWbZMBsCeMnzNb5kW20CbKel4_U4JFV52WY9VdBPBeKbIy9c7rwNMR/s640/westfield4.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Which made it much easier for the crowds of families visiting the park to cross on foot, with pushchairs or on bikes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfwSACHvuNHqh4eTPQ7fX9tZ52VgOenxQcg8Gis5MdimBv_1KZYY8uFYI5ux054_ubv3TAWigTcxOcYXL2kqZd80bD94iRIkQPhbqkC9ioLD-rTKlIKkU9LuLnpA9uFRS_Cc7fZG1OhA5/s1600/westfield7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="951" data-original-width="1571" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfwSACHvuNHqh4eTPQ7fX9tZ52VgOenxQcg8Gis5MdimBv_1KZYY8uFYI5ux054_ubv3TAWigTcxOcYXL2kqZd80bD94iRIkQPhbqkC9ioLD-rTKlIKkU9LuLnpA9uFRS_Cc7fZG1OhA5/s640/westfield7.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Although most of the cycle track was removed as the footway was reconstructed, leaving what must be the shortest cycle track in existence in London<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV4WTRaFX1DwTjjO9DnvclAyS9j1VeWgQ0MpUeRt3enlbvl3NWZslAxI2Wko0rT1iXQ3AzkhAVgGO8f8ODuLwN_Ibjg4DqMA3KMLB9M7UmBB9NjtHpnfuO6lVCqn-U-cUrbjJ9GogeL2s/s1600/westfiled6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1229" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOV4WTRaFX1DwTjjO9DnvclAyS9j1VeWgQ0MpUeRt3enlbvl3NWZslAxI2Wko0rT1iXQ3AzkhAVgGO8f8ODuLwN_Ibjg4DqMA3KMLB9M7UmBB9NjtHpnfuO6lVCqn-U-cUrbjJ9GogeL2s/s640/westfiled6.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The bus shelter was also removed but the bus stop remained, so waiting bus passengers now had no where to sit and people cycling on the shared footway to access the cycle track further along still had to navigate around them<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxFnmdw9MuTNm9ob0Fli9yfRkf9VU89DEaOU6M1AdxL8xQ_Mbu9NIasVtiPz0oy6GOnzH4QwRSL8EVJ1FQVJux2UZsBEIf8PuyDecUa5dwWKETdcxpM3Ce4xxgTi08pOJZUIrWxFfuA-2/s1600/westfield5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1381" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqxFnmdw9MuTNm9ob0Fli9yfRkf9VU89DEaOU6M1AdxL8xQ_Mbu9NIasVtiPz0oy6GOnzH4QwRSL8EVJ1FQVJux2UZsBEIf8PuyDecUa5dwWKETdcxpM3Ce4xxgTi08pOJZUIrWxFfuA-2/s640/westfield5.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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In Early 2017 the Glasshouse Gardens apartment towers were competed, so the stretch of Westfield Avenue outside was opened up again. Although lane one of the main carriageway was reinstated to restore the dual carriageway, the cycle track was removed and replaced by car parking<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTdSZEJ5AT1OnZy3L7nArPObQdijjg0RL25nofmitP5V4sKa9AW9azGsnhRPfsM9THcsABnmslZ6x0DZdDJQDb5gPuzemuhzGpTADlAYjoULQdlOqJtElm2f7afG7mMKz2haAFJQekCgD/s1600/westfield13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="889" data-original-width="1239" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTdSZEJ5AT1OnZy3L7nArPObQdijjg0RL25nofmitP5V4sKa9AW9azGsnhRPfsM9THcsABnmslZ6x0DZdDJQDb5gPuzemuhzGpTADlAYjoULQdlOqJtElm2f7afG7mMKz2haAFJQekCgD/s640/westfield13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Westfield Avenue in 2013</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1210" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaYAqOunNp0sM7mLxL7lpoVBYodK6u-k92z7_FjccRm4OJ9fex5iTBFq-qGx9dDmBBhyMLU6Hx_wPKMo6B0WHmMvEC0JuqAH0iSL-qrq9veUU0qheLXgpnXosyxas6OGHgnwnBEzEzFAx/s640/westfield14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Roughly the same location on Westfield Avenue in 2017</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaYAqOunNp0sM7mLxL7lpoVBYodK6u-k92z7_FjccRm4OJ9fex5iTBFq-qGx9dDmBBhyMLU6Hx_wPKMo6B0WHmMvEC0JuqAH0iSL-qrq9veUU0qheLXgpnXosyxas6OGHgnwnBEzEzFAx/s1600/westfield14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaYAqOunNp0sM7mLxL7lpoVBYodK6u-k92z7_FjccRm4OJ9fex5iTBFq-qGx9dDmBBhyMLU6Hx_wPKMo6B0WHmMvEC0JuqAH0iSL-qrq9veUU0qheLXgpnXosyxas6OGHgnwnBEzEzFAx/s1600/westfield14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
In between the two apartment towers is a short waiting bay which can fit no more than three motor vehicles, yet both narrow side roads leading into and out of here have been equipped with pedestrian crossings, both of which even have countdown timers<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYo5o4hYmhaWG8Qyadlooc05UYA9ShdUx9F21x77lHZWaS5Jb6LJ2G2eJ1eUp6yC5orcvXLx7sf5tOMExeNDtFM7IG25nzfnL41Z6WTqQtuH2C2j4yal-ogT2o58vzZun2BwSAC63Ax_D/s1600/westfield15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYo5o4hYmhaWG8Qyadlooc05UYA9ShdUx9F21x77lHZWaS5Jb6LJ2G2eJ1eUp6yC5orcvXLx7sf5tOMExeNDtFM7IG25nzfnL41Z6WTqQtuH2C2j4yal-ogT2o58vzZun2BwSAC63Ax_D/s640/westfield15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The office block alongside, the first in the Olympic Parks new business district to be completed, has been leased entirely by Transport for London and was completed in late 2017. Pedestrians and cyclists using the shared footway again have to cross a side road leading to it, rather than a <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/931906525173551104">continuous footway</a> (although this time without a countdown timer). Although a reinstalled cycle track does at least resume after this side road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0oP3wrH9192YgXB2wbLRpjom3VmyP5-G3KRFZ7-Cu0YzwwxWA1J7tEh5JjXlZrMbWiRVqSy6z9lSY_XXKIXqI76m5cvABU7QFuvUnNPQBHc0QmDgEsV0L-idshXCqYQH5Ms1U8aglyp9/s1600/westfield_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1173" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0oP3wrH9192YgXB2wbLRpjom3VmyP5-G3KRFZ7-Cu0YzwwxWA1J7tEh5JjXlZrMbWiRVqSy6z9lSY_XXKIXqI76m5cvABU7QFuvUnNPQBHc0QmDgEsV0L-idshXCqYQH5Ms1U8aglyp9/s640/westfield_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Below is the same location in 2013<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfJalKhMP2s5mmIeTCJ4mxv936WBdBcKrDnifZkWe04TJ1loczsuNeDiHGJ_dWwyA6avFqI238Nqv-wQin-cfVal3tOE9jTy-pXWm1Lx6DiP-4QeR3yNyEgGI4oSnWPria68PSn-edfzL/s1600/westfield_2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="980" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtfJalKhMP2s5mmIeTCJ4mxv936WBdBcKrDnifZkWe04TJ1loczsuNeDiHGJ_dWwyA6avFqI238Nqv-wQin-cfVal3tOE9jTy-pXWm1Lx6DiP-4QeR3yNyEgGI4oSnWPria68PSn-edfzL/s640/westfield_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The side road that has been constructed here leads to 50 car parking spaces for TfL staff, which takes up the majority of the ground floor of the building<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1reWm3b39xjB9zXWLiiqYzS42_x00AXhAMH8Ds7jO43MPm3vtaTp_iTH4FOQBynm6tqQXSBDhJ02fqWWptV9k0fE7BogEcY23TvbKoAkNtfRUaSvCaehXo01p-4DtrXTZJ_P42qc0ZXd/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="1021" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1reWm3b39xjB9zXWLiiqYzS42_x00AXhAMH8Ds7jO43MPm3vtaTp_iTH4FOQBynm6tqQXSBDhJ02fqWWptV9k0fE7BogEcY23TvbKoAkNtfRUaSvCaehXo01p-4DtrXTZJ_P42qc0ZXd/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The layout is not so convenient for those cycling to TfL's new headquarters, with cycle parking located on the first floor, accessed via a staircase, making it an impossible task for those on adapted bicycles<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Comical access up a very steep ramp to secure cycle parking facilities brand new <a href="https://twitter.com/TfL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TfL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Stratford?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Stratford</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EndeavourSquare?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EndeavourSquare</a> ! Surely this can’t meet any sort of accessibility standards?! <a href="https://twitter.com/bricycle?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@bricycle</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/2018WACCC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#2018WACCC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cycling?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#cycling</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/londoncycling?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#londoncycling</a> <a href="https://t.co/ac5hrBKnYP">pic.twitter.com/ac5hrBKnYP</a></div>
— anna gudaniec (@anna_g) <a href="https://twitter.com/anna_g/status/1042698847544385536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
On the Westfield Avenue side of the new TfL building are some new much needed bicycle stands, specifically requested by the management team at Westfield shopping centre who have at least recognised that removing all of their cycle parking at the most popular entrance for people on bikes was a bad idea<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbleu0fh0-93ITZ7FD9zdVaN9l5t3CrS3O5LX8FDLeZAUGOJuVlRzchcW1apKuY2BBzBXEGQEpUOd2d0RKiJUQhIrqj7ijQmRVWbLBLIZM7RxOD0KA3GyXtmEPLKcpilQW2y-MI1fiaoE/s1600/westfield6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1309" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbleu0fh0-93ITZ7FD9zdVaN9l5t3CrS3O5LX8FDLeZAUGOJuVlRzchcW1apKuY2BBzBXEGQEpUOd2d0RKiJUQhIrqj7ijQmRVWbLBLIZM7RxOD0KA3GyXtmEPLKcpilQW2y-MI1fiaoE/s640/westfield6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The very popular former cycle parking at Westfield, removed near to the end of 2017</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1355" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSrKeqHPthmaOG2ljF1NwJCs-tSBzhWZETqNdfPa7PfWiNl67QclbnN_zw_vlZXEGMsdnyQxNIhj_zZrXYWTFW2IEnMspFuKuuAItncoD8z75yAfgRVDLXS8DjpkIiLStBKpDw3ad4neq/s640/westfield8.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Westfield Christmas shoppers had to make do with finding their own cycle parking last year </span></td></tr>
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Whilst this is a welcome move by Westfield there are unfortunately still not enough stands here to cater for demand, especially at peak times. I've noticed fewer people on bikes parking near Westfield over the last year and must admit I find myself going there less than I used to. Since the changes to the road layout and cycle parking I'm finding it much less convenient to visit.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYSrKeqHPthmaOG2ljF1NwJCs-tSBzhWZETqNdfPa7PfWiNl67QclbnN_zw_vlZXEGMsdnyQxNIhj_zZrXYWTFW2IEnMspFuKuuAItncoD8z75yAfgRVDLXS8DjpkIiLStBKpDw3ad4neq/s1600/westfield8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><br />
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In early 2018 the main toucan crossing was rebuilt, this time as another direct crossing to replace the previous staggered crossing, although I noticed the old "green light" for pedestrians and cycles has been replaced by one just for those on foot so I think this technically is now not a toucan crossing, although plenty of people on bikes still use it of course.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FLHn9rRuB8fudmYRxFnj06GcmEmo3lxqtpJoS7mn0dFaWnKfMqr7-JaYxc0LcB5scYUOtYGw_xYq2Dkr3xNJceKplntgkV0QWUtSB0BDHHV9EegBFNdzFCwr9ZREPdS6f_l1R4-VyTzx/s1600/westfield12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FLHn9rRuB8fudmYRxFnj06GcmEmo3lxqtpJoS7mn0dFaWnKfMqr7-JaYxc0LcB5scYUOtYGw_xYq2Dkr3xNJceKplntgkV0QWUtSB0BDHHV9EegBFNdzFCwr9ZREPdS6f_l1R4-VyTzx/s640/westfield12.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Lessens have not been learnt as the reinstated cycle track was built to the same design as the previous track, with people on bikes again having to once again give way at this crossing. This will surely be more of an issue now as thousands of employees based in the new office buildings make their way to and from work<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP5dtgU9_roirfxLEhPkwvsx_QhKWiKObiRcO8Z_uw0xR_gkh9tOXamsWo0jW6P-3O3dXX3LOdx63oPwuLQabEtMEIIHADodHbPwbW5aRmmQEoZ8oGR3rIP92__q05wRj98f0QxLQAjbB/s1600/westfield19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1593" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNP5dtgU9_roirfxLEhPkwvsx_QhKWiKObiRcO8Z_uw0xR_gkh9tOXamsWo0jW6P-3O3dXX3LOdx63oPwuLQabEtMEIIHADodHbPwbW5aRmmQEoZ8oGR3rIP92__q05wRj98f0QxLQAjbB/s640/westfield19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The main walking and cycling route from the Olympic park into Westfield and Stratford station was also reopened at this time and renamed "Endeavour Square", with cyclists dismount signs initially installed<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW60Zdcj-kkM_10Llrt3_hYbHozRgvnXYJE0QOT3kkRYjGEotf_R4EFhASyQM043ilpJtD7v32gm999EFv51-GG3i4dJeBfEJicFrSjkwG86uJYBNcsJqFvq1QYsCJsbfhalW_TxAXgLVC/s1600/westfield10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1285" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW60Zdcj-kkM_10Llrt3_hYbHozRgvnXYJE0QOT3kkRYjGEotf_R4EFhASyQM043ilpJtD7v32gm999EFv51-GG3i4dJeBfEJicFrSjkwG86uJYBNcsJqFvq1QYsCJsbfhalW_TxAXgLVC/s640/westfield10.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Thankfully these were quickly removed but were replaced by large rows of hedges in planters, presumably to slow people cycling down, with the added advantage of being able to attach posters reminding you that you are on private property where the rules are only available by emailing or phoning.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pa2aXXwDfi94QUTP3gbw9_Xmq6_N7fyrgGsh6177uIRwHSDuP20irRuAS73nN_r4n7gfL9ofTkucRtM-rLKNmmyRzM1HkAPCXtRDOyNEL-qJE44r_lUE7EUpZd5xOhYUJ4GRzdMLVPnL/s1600/westfield_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="1167" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Pa2aXXwDfi94QUTP3gbw9_Xmq6_N7fyrgGsh6177uIRwHSDuP20irRuAS73nN_r4n7gfL9ofTkucRtM-rLKNmmyRzM1HkAPCXtRDOyNEL-qJE44r_lUE7EUpZd5xOhYUJ4GRzdMLVPnL/s640/westfield_3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In reality these stupid planters are just an obstruction and cause more conflict by pushing people walking and cycling into tight spaces<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRtPGgKuWFmY4C5RLoqeR3G1z0VHQMnLR48eziPBJ6ijVrCV10OZY5uWA27hPFRO5MFE9xx1M7xlhW573Hf_Zf32Ckd2lk8jXo5Wio6CGoSTeJ8kWYthqerNsepxUafhBhLCLNUOBaWA1/s1600/westfield_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1026" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRtPGgKuWFmY4C5RLoqeR3G1z0VHQMnLR48eziPBJ6ijVrCV10OZY5uWA27hPFRO5MFE9xx1M7xlhW573Hf_Zf32Ckd2lk8jXo5Wio6CGoSTeJ8kWYthqerNsepxUafhBhLCLNUOBaWA1/s640/westfield_4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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So much so that it is actually better to visit now when West Ham are playing or other major events are on in the park as the planters are always removed on these dates to allow more space for the crowds but annoyingly put back the following day. Endeavour Square is very wide and so it is a shame that a cycle track wasn't included when the entire area was rebuilt and paved earlier this year, rather than a shared space approach<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Good Facility Redux <a href="https://t.co/9ucQPiyUjV">https://t.co/9ucQPiyUjV</a> Bi-directional cycleway running directly through banking district, Amsterdam, NL <a href="https://t.co/0dcvniqrbS">pic.twitter.com/0dcvniqrbS</a></div>
— GB Cycling Embassy (@GBCycleEmbassy) <a href="https://twitter.com/GBCycleEmbassy/status/1002488687769374720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">1 June 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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Alongside the TfL building is another newly completed office block, with more bicycle stands and a cycle track outside This cycle track gives way to a service road named Turing Street<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tInjoW4Mmp0v63sSz2koinPrsLDHUs0H9cayVPM1XQIl-65MDXa1NkBgvSXJ-AkatJTLt5SNA8kyqDD5rY81yLZDIKmGCN6btr-8Qy6wx2xetN0pkBCGA8HZ7dMQ3o1uG50S7gIuH0Cx/s1600/westfield_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tInjoW4Mmp0v63sSz2koinPrsLDHUs0H9cayVPM1XQIl-65MDXa1NkBgvSXJ-AkatJTLt5SNA8kyqDD5rY81yLZDIKmGCN6btr-8Qy6wx2xetN0pkBCGA8HZ7dMQ3o1uG50S7gIuH0Cx/s640/westfield_5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXsT7nm0Z5q7X4fpbttnMJL5oIJHbdP6mLu09298qB05bLlDxQ2EsY8JZuGzLyD-C8oznFQ5tcDJsu7qIFLD4xKq13V92hsm5qQIRB-7f9evSySQ9Ti9zQ5uawemtwjBN3TEEqP2-_WtT/s1600/westfield_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXsT7nm0Z5q7X4fpbttnMJL5oIJHbdP6mLu09298qB05bLlDxQ2EsY8JZuGzLyD-C8oznFQ5tcDJsu7qIFLD4xKq13V92hsm5qQIRB-7f9evSySQ9Ti9zQ5uawemtwjBN3TEEqP2-_WtT/s640/westfield_6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Above - the same location a few months apart earlier this year, with a new service road cutting through the cycle track</span></td></tr>
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Turing Street isn't even open for all motor vehicles but has solid security barriers<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjsSg76UmwsxQ99RCp6p3hoVyYfvMODetOoVsFmFCvRkdoIeaf7gE7eQaCe95EvDmdyjXLv6Fo-REy4P3p6msSUXo4CEZsu156YYRQ4zcDiBQ2jNN-e-xLlZk1esUBzMRk-HOL88ENeZR/s1600/westfield16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1369" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjsSg76UmwsxQ99RCp6p3hoVyYfvMODetOoVsFmFCvRkdoIeaf7gE7eQaCe95EvDmdyjXLv6Fo-REy4P3p6msSUXo4CEZsu156YYRQ4zcDiBQ2jNN-e-xLlZk1esUBzMRk-HOL88ENeZR/s640/westfield16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've never seen a motor vehicle use it and most vehicles tend to park in lane one of the two lane Westfield Avenue alongside (or sometimes on the cycle track)<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
How does <a href="https://twitter.com/noordinarypark?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@noordinarypark</a> manage to make everything they do so low quality? Not only does the new cycle lane give way to a minor office service entrance, but they didn't even have the courtesy to build a dropped kerb. <a href="https://t.co/5BPsy42jSo">pic.twitter.com/5BPsy42jSo</a></div>
— Francis Gaskin (@MisterFrancis) <a href="https://twitter.com/MisterFrancis/status/1003003769276297216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Literally everything about this is terrible; the cycle track and footway giving way, the radii of the corners, the change in kerb height, I could go on. For the moment it doesn't matter as the newly opened cycle track has been closed<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdk3v-qpWbcDpFWVXc9x4DXPfgXCpN6wuB1k-wPmI6_TSD16YVKX0CkUcAE8y2SD_GuTe3vYAWs3Z4cZQ8V8k4hQoNGNx-_MmdhUOn57-dSesENs9kfeRLXrmuZgmurNGkG1r7Jcb5wCa/s1600/westfield17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1387" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdk3v-qpWbcDpFWVXc9x4DXPfgXCpN6wuB1k-wPmI6_TSD16YVKX0CkUcAE8y2SD_GuTe3vYAWs3Z4cZQ8V8k4hQoNGNx-_MmdhUOn57-dSesENs9kfeRLXrmuZgmurNGkG1r7Jcb5wCa/s640/westfield17.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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All the way down to International Way, as the next phase of International Quarter is constructed<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DBwQzzlnsFQjALZJIt5iYMYU7XmJAkwt9fByUiUQHg0vjT2XwHZinVhX-Cer30nneiAvoLcr57ILnuhluNuzBGDY1orGjOXL4Ej0fICcosV8AOIkdDkzzqTksJURBupJiLprteKvMbn9/s1600/westfield18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1041" data-original-width="1413" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2DBwQzzlnsFQjALZJIt5iYMYU7XmJAkwt9fByUiUQHg0vjT2XwHZinVhX-Cer30nneiAvoLcr57ILnuhluNuzBGDY1orGjOXL4Ej0fICcosV8AOIkdDkzzqTksJURBupJiLprteKvMbn9/s640/westfield18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Normally I would welcome the opportunity to rebuild the cycle track here and construct a proper bus stop bypass but this is the London Legacy Development Corporation and so I expect any changes to the road layout will be for the worse, at least if you're on a bike.<br />
<br />
These construction works should have provided the perfect opportunity to reconstruct Westfield Avenue as a single lane road, with cycle tracks along both sides, along with plenty of cycle parking. There is an argument that through motor traffic could be removed from this road altogether as traffic is already fairly light here. It does not serve any car parks or service areas of Westfield and does not go anywhere particularly useful as the railway lines and Stratford station form a barrier, meaning a lengthy drive on Montfitchet Road to get anywhere useful. I find it depressing to see the changes along here over the years at what was a wasted opportunity to create an Olympic legacy, especially when you compare it to <a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/10/visiting-new-developments-in-netherlands.html">new developments elsewhere</a>. Another opportunity missed.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-9466161857609922992018-10-15T09:36:00.000+01:002018-10-15T09:36:38.689+01:00Five years of the Goldsmith's Row cycle counter August 2018 marked five years since a cycle counter was added onto the newly reconstructed Goldsmith's Row and so it is time for my <a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2015/10/goldsmiths-row-cycle-counter.html">annual</a> <a href="https://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2017/10/four-years-of-goldsmiths-row-cycle.html">update</a> on the numbers of people cycling along this bicycle only road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOr2GxSCJcucHlObDp97z9jA2l1vXXQNNri3hyAvz58DwU567FbpwnCWqxfhTnEzT3yjvSNAaCLcVizbyXnR-KZ1NnX_BP7QfAOwdElFZYURsIf3KJgJNm-rDAsONT8vEfdYWMJbb9FFDO/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="713" data-original-width="1034" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOr2GxSCJcucHlObDp97z9jA2l1vXXQNNri3hyAvz58DwU567FbpwnCWqxfhTnEzT3yjvSNAaCLcVizbyXnR-KZ1NnX_BP7QfAOwdElFZYURsIf3KJgJNm-rDAsONT8vEfdYWMJbb9FFDO/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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2017 to 2018 was a tale of two halves, separated by a malfunction. The end of 2017 continued as the previous months had - a significant lower number of people cycling along Goldsmith's Row. Fewer than 100,000 cycled along here in September 2017, the first time it had dipped below 100k in any September and down from over 122k in September 2014. October was another record low and November was down on last year but still the second highest number of users in any of the five November's so far. December saw just over 56,000 bicycle trips, down from over 74,000 in December 2015 and setting a new low record as the first time less than 60,000 bicycle trips have been recorded in any calendar month.<br />
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2018 began in much the same fashion with the lowest number of bicycle trips in any January and the first January to see less than 80,000 trips. February saw just over 70,000, down over 10% on the year and down from a record 87,000 in February 2016. The "beast from the East" hit the UK at the end of February<br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en-gb">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
And CS2 today <a href="https://t.co/sleHGJdgxT">pic.twitter.com/sleHGJdgxT</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/968821138754297856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">28 February 2018</a></blockquote>
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and this was reflected with less than 1000 cycle trips on February 28th (when the average weekday number would normally be over 3,000) and then just 542 cycle trips on March 1st. The cold weather must have affected the sensor buried in the roadway as the cycle counter then stopped working for over a month and a half, which unfortunately means I will have to completely remove March and April from this years' count.<br />
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This coldwave was followed by a heatwave and the figures for the rest of the year reflect this warm weather. May saw 109k trips, the second highest May total, June saw 115k (third highest June), July had 125k trips (up over 13% on last year and second highest month of all time) and August saw 106k trips.<br />
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There is no change to the highest daily totals with no days in the past 12 months making the top ten, which is surprising given the very hot weather we experienced:<br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">Ten highest daily totals:</b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></b>
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 152px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2596; mso-width-source: userset; width: 53pt;" width="71"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 2962; mso-width-source: userset; width: 61pt;" width="81"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; width: 53pt;" width="71">03/06/14</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; width: 61pt;" width="81">6624</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 12.75pt;">09/07/15</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">6380</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 12.75pt;">20/08/13</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">5825</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 12.75pt;">19/07/16</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">5817</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 12.75pt;">21/08/13</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">5785</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 12.75pt;">17/09/13</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">5778</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 12.75pt;">13/09/16</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">5706</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 12.75pt;">06/08/15</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">5643</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 12.75pt;">20/07/16</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">5630</td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top: none; height: 12.75pt;">01/07/15</td>
<td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left: none; border-top: none;">5490</td>
</tr>
<!--EndFragment-->
</tbody></table>
<br />
although we do now have a new record low with just 251 cycle trips made on Boxing Day last year. Christmas Day 2017 also just made the top ten lowest totals with 372 cycle trips:<br />
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">Ten lowest daily totals:</b><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></b>
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 152px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2596; mso-width-source: userset; width: 53pt;" width="71"></col><col style="mso-width-alt: 2962; mso-width-source: userset; width: 61pt;" width="81"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><td class="xl64" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; width: 53pt;" width="71"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 152px;"><colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 2596; mso-width-source: userset; width: 53pt;" width="71"></col><col style="mso-width-alt: 2962; mso-width-source: userset; width: 61pt;" width="81"></col></colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; width: 53pt;" width="71">26/12/17</td><td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left-style: none; width: 61pt;" width="81">251</td></tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top-style: none; height: 12.75pt;">01/01/14</td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none;">256</td></tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top-style: none; height: 12.75pt;">26/12/14</td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none;">292</td></tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top-style: none; height: 12.75pt;">25/12/15</td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none;">300</td></tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top-style: none; height: 12.75pt;">01/01/17</td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none;">318</td></tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top-style: none; height: 12.75pt;">26/12/13</td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none;">321</td></tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top-style: none; height: 12.75pt;">26/12/16</td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none;">349</td></tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top-style: none; height: 12.75pt;">26/12/15</td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none;">359</td></tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top-style: none; height: 12.75pt;">25/12/16</td><td align="right" class="xl67" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none;">369</td></tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><td class="xl66" height="17" style="border-top-style: none; height: 12.75pt;">25/12/17</td><td align="right" class="xl69" style="border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none;">372</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The grand total for the year is also a record low of just over 1 million trips, however this is with almost two months of missing data and so is not an accurate figure. The same applies for the total number of cycle trips for the five year period, which officially stands at 5,861,429 but is likely to be close to 6 million.<br />
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Hopefully the sensors will continue to work for the next 12 months so we can see if the decrease in numbers or people cycling along Goldsmith's row is a blip or a long term trend.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr2HM3l-wF6b58_xehN6-N5cKJNaoER1Zlop-S5RssVbVHyF3je0OwYpRKhJ4r_Ur9FeJMaYx5ggZl5U65aDsBEkFA7CLffNxizRAi17-RGGnpD4Etc9U6iWVzpPEzk80iuhIR1qSfdrt/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="782" data-original-width="1182" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWr2HM3l-wF6b58_xehN6-N5cKJNaoER1Zlop-S5RssVbVHyF3je0OwYpRKhJ4r_Ur9FeJMaYx5ggZl5U65aDsBEkFA7CLffNxizRAi17-RGGnpD4Etc9U6iWVzpPEzk80iuhIR1qSfdrt/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chart created by <a href="https://twitter.com/Al__S">Al?</a></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-90005140688848750432018-10-02T22:01:00.001+01:002018-10-02T22:01:17.406+01:00Visiting new developments in the Netherlands For the fourth year in a row I spent a week this summer cycling around the Netherlands. I'll share my experience of some of those <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/search/label/Cycling%20between%20cities%20in%20the%20Netherlands">cycle rides between cities</a> later in the year. One thing I have made an effort to do on the last couple of visits is to visit new residential developments, which are usually located on the edge of cities. Today I will write about two of those developments I visited this year and try, as best I can, to show you what these are like. Bear in mind I visited both of these places at the weekend and my visits were short, therefore I only saw a brief snapshot and did not see many daily activities such as the school run, or use routes that might look great to me but actually cause issues for local residents.<br />
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The first place I visited was Stevenshof, home to around 12,000 people located on the outskirts of Leiden, which I visited within a few hours of arriving in the country. Whilst it could be argued that Stevenshof is not really a "new" development, as construction started in 1982 with the district completed in the mid-1990s, it is still a modern planned development. It is also a good example of how cycle infrastructure was planned from the outset, along with the road network which is laid out to ensure that, whilst all properties can be accessed by car, driving through or within the development is made very difficult, whilst riding a bike is the quickest and shortest transport mode to use. The architecture is very 1980s, certainly nothing like the Dutch-postcard-looking narrow houses in the centre of the city. Most properties here are houses, often with gardens, and it felt very much like a place for families. All streets in Stevenshof are named after well known Dutch women.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNN6P88k7EOCkFNiHPoS-JueXIVmYv-o5ycS-Z92yows-2atHP_UZazMxA5SFFIVwV8ZovP6-Pb2MpxVX4zYk1l_m7-cVw2q8VR4DbiAOhrJcFYS3ETKmIGvvmIxdV6Xe1Lv5SS2kXMzk/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="835" data-original-width="955" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNN6P88k7EOCkFNiHPoS-JueXIVmYv-o5ycS-Z92yows-2atHP_UZazMxA5SFFIVwV8ZovP6-Pb2MpxVX4zYk1l_m7-cVw2q8VR4DbiAOhrJcFYS3ETKmIGvvmIxdV6Xe1Lv5SS2kXMzk/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stevenshof. <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.1503839,4.4454147,15.5z?hl=en">Click here to see it on google maps</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Stevenshof is bordered to the East by the Old Rhine river, to the north by the A44 motorway, to the south by the railway line, and with the countryside forming a border to the west. Entering Stevenshof by car there are only two entrances from the East, one bridge at the very north with a separate bidirectional cycle track alongside<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCRujAxYDbAjSbcKN0xBgFMs-zcnFog-15FE4-7cWr63cv6H9vEP0_wgDZtUztLIzoRgbQGuseel4FLS_PkzM5D7C0j9KXB9n7fUr9-EAA_PCCdI3uOE17M3nJphjcTH_5Q92F08R4v_X/s1600/2018-06-23+11.59.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1281" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCRujAxYDbAjSbcKN0xBgFMs-zcnFog-15FE4-7cWr63cv6H9vEP0_wgDZtUztLIzoRgbQGuseel4FLS_PkzM5D7C0j9KXB9n7fUr9-EAA_PCCdI3uOE17M3nJphjcTH_5Q92F08R4v_X/s640/2018-06-23+11.59.09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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and to the south one bridge to carry motor vehicles with a separate bridge alongside accommodating a very wide cycle track<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzhxbhIOX3XKPH5aK3YvY03I0bQi92s0aM3Ds14M8uq-hNMvAdrxWeMSfSnG0I_rtmbN-pvil8yxCoTkNx4bHiwzam_X6oHi3cGnNgHNza19NKkzMig3HHqEcTPkIlB8SZuwU2lS7H9C6/s1600/2018-06-23+13.33.45.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1220" data-original-width="1600" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzhxbhIOX3XKPH5aK3YvY03I0bQi92s0aM3Ds14M8uq-hNMvAdrxWeMSfSnG0I_rtmbN-pvil8yxCoTkNx4bHiwzam_X6oHi3cGnNgHNza19NKkzMig3HHqEcTPkIlB8SZuwU2lS7H9C6/s640/2018-06-23+13.33.45.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Both of these are linked by the main road, Stevenshofdreef, which runs north to South through as the main distributor road<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IatPqKu4EwUczowodTvSF0CqiafxpYe1QKzdM8fM0Q2pNFZos7yHE3UhdjK16YPM9OsQ05zVizWkkLKCtgtsVOjtgP41yW4GFMtQohxjCOnUhqy5Sk6az4ufafGdoc9JAeEZv6DaI3AP/s1600/2018-06-23+12.28.54.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1241" data-original-width="1563" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-IatPqKu4EwUczowodTvSF0CqiafxpYe1QKzdM8fM0Q2pNFZos7yHE3UhdjK16YPM9OsQ05zVizWkkLKCtgtsVOjtgP41yW4GFMtQohxjCOnUhqy5Sk6az4ufafGdoc9JAeEZv6DaI3AP/s640/2018-06-23+12.28.54.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stevenshofdreef, viewed from a walking and cycling bridge which spans the road linking two residential areas </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There is also another route in from the East via a cycling and bus only bridge, which motorists cannot use<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsySgDHwjRnYtGrn4fNEzcK-sftbTywiWpU1xruXM-FB18VH0DHd1gKArMfOZpsuu_HzXP8zVc0KG93xZO42meXesFFHiufoJXZ-a6I-TJWT4WNb3pTmdnYiNvRng5SzxifL8yoy1BZ10T/s1600/2018-06-23+13.42.29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1533" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsySgDHwjRnYtGrn4fNEzcK-sftbTywiWpU1xruXM-FB18VH0DHd1gKArMfOZpsuu_HzXP8zVc0KG93xZO42meXesFFHiufoJXZ-a6I-TJWT4WNb3pTmdnYiNvRng5SzxifL8yoy1BZ10T/s640/2018-06-23+13.42.29.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjTXvZ1BPb7Nik4KYPVR70wYEOUc0EP-lXGOFBs0HAfxWv2_G3BppHl6n4T7taiEsIEHA8OQ2JIY6OE8zyfAviPrjVMmjDUvRQJ0b3_cbnP78h_fMzDw3wFLolkaikuQ5OCsCHme_akQN/s1600/2018-06-23+13.42.45.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1157" data-original-width="1405" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjTXvZ1BPb7Nik4KYPVR70wYEOUc0EP-lXGOFBs0HAfxWv2_G3BppHl6n4T7taiEsIEHA8OQ2JIY6OE8zyfAviPrjVMmjDUvRQJ0b3_cbnP78h_fMzDw3wFLolkaikuQ5OCsCHme_akQN/s640/2018-06-23+13.42.45.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
The prioritisation of both cycling and public transport is also evident to the south; the only route under the railway by car is via Stevenshofdreef, but at the local railway station, De Vink, an underpass only for buses and cycles can also be found<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd__4FVvEJRBAmoGPxVfmOjV37X9yCmKo8ewydSuvV-rXYNGdXvgvsJz_aGpIxTW_J86NJso52qMZ0Uk0bDrHy5LMGn9cTMP1Cdci2CHCiYQ_4YuZ8ZkccB4BncmC2k94-xgcV179u1EPP/s1600/2018-06-23+12.50.43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="1600" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd__4FVvEJRBAmoGPxVfmOjV37X9yCmKo8ewydSuvV-rXYNGdXvgvsJz_aGpIxTW_J86NJso52qMZ0Uk0bDrHy5LMGn9cTMP1Cdci2CHCiYQ_4YuZ8ZkccB4BncmC2k94-xgcV179u1EPP/s640/2018-06-23+12.50.43.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ebv_UdGESLm1dyiJDfW7vrKOGxq1u6IphwV30WpU5uUIkxuOqq9MSPG3JTZ1NYkrNjLNjzsrJWGmzUhgxZqBjoG2i_Z2Ix2IRB_26BhQIW92BwXkiYlgso6jXnONdj2gek97B5POZHq4/s1600/2018-06-23+12.43.07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ebv_UdGESLm1dyiJDfW7vrKOGxq1u6IphwV30WpU5uUIkxuOqq9MSPG3JTZ1NYkrNjLNjzsrJWGmzUhgxZqBjoG2i_Z2Ix2IRB_26BhQIW92BwXkiYlgso6jXnONdj2gek97B5POZHq4/s640/2018-06-23+12.43.07.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
It also has ample cycle parking on both the north side<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKfBbQY6VVRN1yH4Ff-hLWmucd4SYF5JWQ4Gr8ryPI_zpeEL272IAhrDuODIM9oRhRtvSnpxRJJIhCJYWS175bMXVP7rH41Om08MuGWvJhheiKUC-ci31QeICsq20Jx08LeuPqekOtO5d/s1600/2018-06-23+12.41.20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="1600" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsKfBbQY6VVRN1yH4Ff-hLWmucd4SYF5JWQ4Gr8ryPI_zpeEL272IAhrDuODIM9oRhRtvSnpxRJJIhCJYWS175bMXVP7rH41Om08MuGWvJhheiKUC-ci31QeICsq20Jx08LeuPqekOtO5d/s640/2018-06-23+12.41.20.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
and to the south<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvlBcbXpvNVKiLPrsMIFo_TlLCHMMDzMs2puxZd-Dkk__lfhj5VfvaoXjmEv9fkze_3pOa648BBxO1pAhDlHHXRLZ9iMduO1HjpHHvs7U51Z_HLjRAGKsbv4VShYMwVcRw_mV2-KS0-O3/s1600/2018-06-23+12.43.01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvlBcbXpvNVKiLPrsMIFo_TlLCHMMDzMs2puxZd-Dkk__lfhj5VfvaoXjmEv9fkze_3pOa648BBxO1pAhDlHHXRLZ9iMduO1HjpHHvs7U51Z_HLjRAGKsbv4VShYMwVcRw_mV2-KS0-O3/s640/2018-06-23+12.43.01.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Cycling away from the train station into Stevenshof there is a pedestrian and cycle crossing over the main road<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sv5L6-FCLH-NE_7YJ-v4t394V0QvyBm5gS_ZHap4y3F3VdjSweEYXcmhppXkbZ823GfYIOlYOzhyOXY96QLdMqO23miKq9TyRJNYJMQai29tMxV_kHVcT4DMXcK6YEDO8zP3jF70Bu0f/s1600/2018-06-23+12.43.54.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sv5L6-FCLH-NE_7YJ-v4t394V0QvyBm5gS_ZHap4y3F3VdjSweEYXcmhppXkbZ823GfYIOlYOzhyOXY96QLdMqO23miKq9TyRJNYJMQai29tMxV_kHVcT4DMXcK6YEDO8zP3jF70Bu0f/s640/2018-06-23+12.43.54.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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To access a residential area via a cycle track opposite the station<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapt0Qkr7AyuPrgo60QO8sDqV2J5Mh0uP58R5kGx8BTlnObbAFmoCEBvQOEp7s_BUecOuq54ylVetoFjNZL7upf2ZJeO0cZcjkhj_Awd9JwDGG_-DSMGcnrRZdEQFz1MdKKgwSZOoPl83B/s1600/2018-06-23+12.40.42.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapt0Qkr7AyuPrgo60QO8sDqV2J5Mh0uP58R5kGx8BTlnObbAFmoCEBvQOEp7s_BUecOuq54ylVetoFjNZL7upf2ZJeO0cZcjkhj_Awd9JwDGG_-DSMGcnrRZdEQFz1MdKKgwSZOoPl83B/s640/2018-06-23+12.40.42.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Or over a bridge to a cycle route directly through housing (with access only roads for cars on the opposite side)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnVgpI9biyI1QTG4ez7gEuhzbhyphenhyphenHpDlMtXlQJHCoAwrw2af4aCCBmeTOLQkn3IMacZnelfScjoO2-6smdv4kUJ1jVEfOyjdpCN4ewhnL8yDZSLaQSloVcJGoIgiOgbqN1aSqjgpPH45LV/s1600/2018-06-23+12.49.11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1194" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnVgpI9biyI1QTG4ez7gEuhzbhyphenhyphenHpDlMtXlQJHCoAwrw2af4aCCBmeTOLQkn3IMacZnelfScjoO2-6smdv4kUJ1jVEfOyjdpCN4ewhnL8yDZSLaQSloVcJGoIgiOgbqN1aSqjgpPH45LV/s640/2018-06-23+12.49.11.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
to a six way junction, but only for bikes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMdonQrQFIrN8q0bTAf-_1Vw7I3C-vxTcrm8kwHdzVZpquX3rPeqKaXAutJdLCYCj4HVg0CgZ5PQfvcRhGhw1x7EF46F57PjgMFXvx9GBO8u7g7nz0WVWsum9QAnPDWNPF4XRT3ZmZRar/s1600/2018-06-23+12.44.47.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1565" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMdonQrQFIrN8q0bTAf-_1Vw7I3C-vxTcrm8kwHdzVZpquX3rPeqKaXAutJdLCYCj4HVg0CgZ5PQfvcRhGhw1x7EF46F57PjgMFXvx9GBO8u7g7nz0WVWsum9QAnPDWNPF4XRT3ZmZRar/s640/2018-06-23+12.44.47.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Six cycle tracks meet at this location, no motor vehicles allowed <a href="https://t.co/QhZSvtJLPO">pic.twitter.com/QhZSvtJLPO</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1010580862398881794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 23, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
<br />
<br />
I stood here for a while watching numerous families cycling by (<a href="http://bertram.bourdrez.org/panorama/panorama.jpg">click here</a> for a panorama of this junction via <a href="https://twitter.com/bz2">Bertram Bourdrez</a>). Below you can see the different routes you would have to take from the station to this junction if you were on a bicycle or driving<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkWtG1fGocqPSOxEFUmQ5uAdqzM0Gr7LLQszDhpD8NMIOjFCLbKVWu8_5eioAXdKb2Q8MfVbQuhi8ZVTnpCeAHAk_22o8q-Kif5vcTW2IfEAdnWF8TSpGYtD4MZRy6ueT9BTwlJ1tzjVC/s1600/2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="730" data-original-width="959" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTkWtG1fGocqPSOxEFUmQ5uAdqzM0Gr7LLQszDhpD8NMIOjFCLbKVWu8_5eioAXdKb2Q8MfVbQuhi8ZVTnpCeAHAk_22o8q-Kif5vcTW2IfEAdnWF8TSpGYtD4MZRy6ueT9BTwlJ1tzjVC/s640/2.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxLQL_aOGNzV0luMfywi9s1V6prPvX3pNsMd7PBfvL3hzDhQxBs1hn9Mq1pgyPW34h4n9RlatPn23lT3ujLc4KViz38FH3OvKSYM_Kfo1dxkxWyzOHoLyfJ6TDwuuthUnFkOvanjBJNas/s1600/1.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="858" data-original-width="1140" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxLQL_aOGNzV0luMfywi9s1V6prPvX3pNsMd7PBfvL3hzDhQxBs1hn9Mq1pgyPW34h4n9RlatPn23lT3ujLc4KViz38FH3OvKSYM_Kfo1dxkxWyzOHoLyfJ6TDwuuthUnFkOvanjBJNas/s640/1.PNG" width="640" /></a><br />
These cycle routes are spread throughout the town, linking different residential areas and amenities together<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwI4OAd-h8ir3p4R5Li7cm3KZg07QDum0vzYp-jphSALUMNaaYvUeuJ9FMBFprmrsulGnn2BVSCr0CT4-9GrBQp7svnDiHJ07vsIeEHVbM6mPAMq9cCQYIqQGhls6-5m-sKM0521QfUDIJ/s1600/Capture.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1039" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwI4OAd-h8ir3p4R5Li7cm3KZg07QDum0vzYp-jphSALUMNaaYvUeuJ9FMBFprmrsulGnn2BVSCr0CT4-9GrBQp7svnDiHJ07vsIeEHVbM6mPAMq9cCQYIqQGhls6-5m-sKM0521QfUDIJ/s640/Capture.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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running directly through housing<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgZnyWni7V8jixBzjl7g5kLK95c69GCRfUriWfdS9alRTpLZZlOHcvRCqNmWa2W9n53_IWjm8z3bY0Q8JrdQbdQQ0FZpbQi3TcHKUQ6kna3j6D01u2iGt7P3PPeo06mNKQkGT6rt3ySq8/s1600/2018-06-23+12.29.06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgZnyWni7V8jixBzjl7g5kLK95c69GCRfUriWfdS9alRTpLZZlOHcvRCqNmWa2W9n53_IWjm8z3bY0Q8JrdQbdQQ0FZpbQi3TcHKUQ6kna3j6D01u2iGt7P3PPeo06mNKQkGT6rt3ySq8/s640/2018-06-23+12.29.06.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
out to the outskirts of Stevenshof<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfb25x-LBLzp8N_xy98q3KW6odkJIF8Fk68n1mVn0zVgmI2KOy2PlbyhsY6QePtsVjRxcQuy7sHhjYJEHJvg3LNWcRQQt0HH9f07xquvs5CdkAjApZStNAdAiZTfqqhcoNtA9KoiC34uU/s1600/2018-06-23+12.34.09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="855" data-original-width="1167" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfb25x-LBLzp8N_xy98q3KW6odkJIF8Fk68n1mVn0zVgmI2KOy2PlbyhsY6QePtsVjRxcQuy7sHhjYJEHJvg3LNWcRQQt0HH9f07xquvs5CdkAjApZStNAdAiZTfqqhcoNtA9KoiC34uU/s640/2018-06-23+12.34.09.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
they even continue around the edge of the development, just like a ring road but only for bikes<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRO6O6m4Wv-kpbPx1XiWeVJGGOE4DjNOAHwbVSmIsA_vjEctXq_Y8_HaP5Zl58TMbjGW6D6cwvKWMbzsaOSrVPuHICh_j0lp9M3f8nkwVpZoW51W5Z6wqkVMsi_1MFhIByHmoD6RZqGoFD/s1600/2018-06-23+12.34.57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRO6O6m4Wv-kpbPx1XiWeVJGGOE4DjNOAHwbVSmIsA_vjEctXq_Y8_HaP5Zl58TMbjGW6D6cwvKWMbzsaOSrVPuHICh_j0lp9M3f8nkwVpZoW51W5Z6wqkVMsi_1MFhIByHmoD6RZqGoFD/s640/2018-06-23+12.34.57.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
with the routes coming back in again at various points, such as between housing (with direct access to people back gardens)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnGfbtVegbpuBbm5S2AZ47UVMcPDACrOb1sjG0YURnMPnxfHKsnfoXtVY81cen_75eAXo8sd8SiMoI-7-JvFC7pqnnThnkfuQ4svuzbi-jyeYNFXufmx0uF1eHglnLvkzUoXJltvnIy0G/s1600/2018-06-23+12.36.54.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1144" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQnGfbtVegbpuBbm5S2AZ47UVMcPDACrOb1sjG0YURnMPnxfHKsnfoXtVY81cen_75eAXo8sd8SiMoI-7-JvFC7pqnnThnkfuQ4svuzbi-jyeYNFXufmx0uF1eHglnLvkzUoXJltvnIy0G/s640/2018-06-23+12.36.54.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
and also alongside football pitches or basketball courts<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqxNGwx82iy7pQSVcG_HmZT8cLpQx4zLpKSUKNV0lxCv8qa3vGmyvx4cW80hytzBKo5xWMkdsARJwTjVX9GgrDaGTkeYIsqYf-EJdFA0bCTbYYjmqT0NCph_5_eodE59HRW65RJ0f7Wpg/s1600/2018-06-23+12.37.22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqxNGwx82iy7pQSVcG_HmZT8cLpQx4zLpKSUKNV0lxCv8qa3vGmyvx4cW80hytzBKo5xWMkdsARJwTjVX9GgrDaGTkeYIsqYf-EJdFA0bCTbYYjmqT0NCph_5_eodE59HRW65RJ0f7Wpg/s640/2018-06-23+12.37.22.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
and playgrounds too, giving children safe routes to cycle here together with friends after school, as well as back home alone afterwards<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gfyJBh0jV_CvKgoOx70rSNwEUNFBnwmNmoaJHneNGEg0JTBsLTndG86NnydG2cWWyQuRQ7_vDMAVx6LVNdwpCemG9mBBCf9MVKsw5w2CR3ZTf6Sp0OTyk7Rz_cQGtV8dc6Hp7iXa-Wqm/s1600/2018-06-23+12.40.01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gfyJBh0jV_CvKgoOx70rSNwEUNFBnwmNmoaJHneNGEg0JTBsLTndG86NnydG2cWWyQuRQ7_vDMAVx6LVNdwpCemG9mBBCf9MVKsw5w2CR3ZTf6Sp0OTyk7Rz_cQGtV8dc6Hp7iXa-Wqm/s640/2018-06-23+12.40.01.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
In a few places I found these cycle tracks continued to also run alongside the residential roads<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowxdBwh2daOG0GPKAIABerTjJiyvpNVIUrXAdLW9IDjadQfHqqBNm9m_wA2-fkyV3LY3itpwpJYLNYYsNAQGdMQYSiBXG7tuD3lpYCp6ekxfvUHlkj1yM1mE4dKRHrW2y5ta-n9IDQ3DA/s1600/2018-06-23+12.26.43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1545" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowxdBwh2daOG0GPKAIABerTjJiyvpNVIUrXAdLW9IDjadQfHqqBNm9m_wA2-fkyV3LY3itpwpJYLNYYsNAQGdMQYSiBXG7tuD3lpYCp6ekxfvUHlkj1yM1mE4dKRHrW2y5ta-n9IDQ3DA/s640/2018-06-23+12.26.43.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
This was despite the roads being access only by motor traffic with very low levels of people driving here<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JCbM9f_SI03lv-lNnookWR5DVV22kV6VQJJDOiZYIEeXHzCLpRVwrwckpRlEcFJxZpNyKEzfHWRATEbck6gDeZx6mUlWVHe48A78XrCYEWJ-MSDwBmjSu_agVx-P6PWOs-_Uh1BNzRDi/s1600/2018-06-23+12.25.01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1600" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5JCbM9f_SI03lv-lNnookWR5DVV22kV6VQJJDOiZYIEeXHzCLpRVwrwckpRlEcFJxZpNyKEzfHWRATEbck6gDeZx6mUlWVHe48A78XrCYEWJ-MSDwBmjSu_agVx-P6PWOs-_Uh1BNzRDi/s640/2018-06-23+12.25.01.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
these roads are only accessible for cars going to or from housing on this street or a few surrounding streets but the continuation of the cycle tracks made it much easier to continue cycling, with direct safe routes and it was clear and self-explanatory of where to go. The cycle track above went past a primary school, with the next road alongside also filtered to through traffic<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0N9XFReJOf9bJEmv1_B6F_6UhEgLc5qtzuNHceA1h_PtGifFOBRZtwc4GFqpNPenN05wQu1i_Vyuhx5bZP4fRBYN4uYk7eb_4KmEfpar9GW7StfH4rd4f9TfP_3gY39i2kzgsjO36qjlw/s1600/2018-06-23+12.26.18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1227" data-original-width="1537" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0N9XFReJOf9bJEmv1_B6F_6UhEgLc5qtzuNHceA1h_PtGifFOBRZtwc4GFqpNPenN05wQu1i_Vyuhx5bZP4fRBYN4uYk7eb_4KmEfpar9GW7StfH4rd4f9TfP_3gY39i2kzgsjO36qjlw/s640/2018-06-23+12.26.18.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://goo.gl/maps/PwqGWNr7qr62">Click here </a>to see this cycle track, filtered road and primary school entrance on google streetview</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1141" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwgr7Pemj4ltTTaQ7-5X2TdGrTjwSi9HCZImAz1oj1Bufcexl2Rn7UdRKKbc4ciaBsUnYQatsQGde_ge6vY6UPIO2xTQrMw9CWE5ejso83fDOjrt6Buyxrwa9EGt51cne1DVyf2GA7BEx/s640/2018-06-23+12.24.00.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">A cycle track running between a canal and homes, with access only cul-de-sacs on the opposite side. Walking and cycling bridges linked the cycle tracks and residential areas together but with very few bridges for cars - they would have to take the long way round</span></div>
<div>
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwgr7Pemj4ltTTaQ7-5X2TdGrTjwSi9HCZImAz1oj1Bufcexl2Rn7UdRKKbc4ciaBsUnYQatsQGde_ge6vY6UPIO2xTQrMw9CWE5ejso83fDOjrt6Buyxrwa9EGt51cne1DVyf2GA7BEx/s1600/2018-06-23+12.24.00.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><br />
The main park, Stevenspark, is located directly in the middle of the development, with cycle routes through it. Although important to point out that people don't have to divert to the park to use this "quietway" - there are quiet cycle routes all around it too!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMbkwn4EE1nuAukdhaCPFGF3OUGAQbawPhZe3HQc4bn9374ukur073pTjU_kLAS26SPPTvacV0hC4WLM4bHq0k0S3BxUUCifcFJ7WaCzDyARmtP2vBfOOMf3y1ipzp8393LEJy2pqUhLJ/s1600/2018-06-23+12.30.47.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1259" data-original-width="1600" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMbkwn4EE1nuAukdhaCPFGF3OUGAQbawPhZe3HQc4bn9374ukur073pTjU_kLAS26SPPTvacV0hC4WLM4bHq0k0S3BxUUCifcFJ7WaCzDyARmtP2vBfOOMf3y1ipzp8393LEJy2pqUhLJ/s640/2018-06-23+12.30.47.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<br />
These routes are also suitable for all<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7dpvgIdSr5k_7gsI8gMpwqlni79VQr9_tcF4Gn0ZY393Y58qddBM86PYLaBhENaL0dyJge5eMFjq1KIvdJf6hV2x1g0Aa03_QGYjwlJN4mecBxwSq1pihDUX_bSHviMNwgdtw6abraKB/s1600/2018-06-23+12.30.59.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1287" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK7dpvgIdSr5k_7gsI8gMpwqlni79VQr9_tcF4Gn0ZY393Y58qddBM86PYLaBhENaL0dyJge5eMFjq1KIvdJf6hV2x1g0Aa03_QGYjwlJN4mecBxwSq1pihDUX_bSHviMNwgdtw6abraKB/s640/2018-06-23+12.30.59.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Opposite the park is the main shopping centre. This is accessible by car via Stevenshofdreef, with a large car park (with a cycle track along Stevenshofdreef too of course) but there was also another entrance on the other side, which could be reached only on foot or bike.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1vaHtvD086FktLTMtasyF_BjFIEgJsmFK7hXpf1O1iRZuPf_IbL1i9SJrkjG8mtnRli_HkahIfFIFxh1XhFGxbTsvHK9JA35g4ErAyZHCcQgaOlKoqPgjM7F_fDH2WUNCp7gArn644Gd/s1600/2018-06-24+10.06.59.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie1vaHtvD086FktLTMtasyF_BjFIEgJsmFK7hXpf1O1iRZuPf_IbL1i9SJrkjG8mtnRli_HkahIfFIFxh1XhFGxbTsvHK9JA35g4ErAyZHCcQgaOlKoqPgjM7F_fDH2WUNCp7gArn644Gd/s640/2018-06-24+10.06.59.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I saw many people, of all ages coming and going by bike here, some carrying large bags of shopping home in their baskets or panniers<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggoOqHXYyAz4yqh8hiFQ4-ZumRIOdC-hnYZxhUSH-HLszSFMbgFfHXiFk0Ndo5rZhhT-xutKWpO6ufzRlEwqozLvb0m0nTQaKt15KmMPbA89cB0ypYVXTNFFEyhcjgSarWc5ZPhp037kb/s1600/2018-06-24+10.09.55.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1535" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggoOqHXYyAz4yqh8hiFQ4-ZumRIOdC-hnYZxhUSH-HLszSFMbgFfHXiFk0Ndo5rZhhT-xutKWpO6ufzRlEwqozLvb0m0nTQaKt15KmMPbA89cB0ypYVXTNFFEyhcjgSarWc5ZPhp037kb/s640/2018-06-24+10.09.55.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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For those that need to visit more shops then the centre of Leiden is just a couple of kilometres away, with most cycling along the southern bridge I mentioned earlier<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eG8dwIR-J0nVg5S-dW9NeVnVVlRd-YqXGCdtz3SUUhDrklAqCre6htzsZeynhDOMzX8Q9WnQqnx0PGPutuZ5Gh3ipMt_Ku13q_p1exdWjVoin_zjqQdCJY9MCI96EC8WZLMRS-JRVe2g/s1600/2018-06-23+13.34.24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4eG8dwIR-J0nVg5S-dW9NeVnVVlRd-YqXGCdtz3SUUhDrklAqCre6htzsZeynhDOMzX8Q9WnQqnx0PGPutuZ5Gh3ipMt_Ku13q_p1exdWjVoin_zjqQdCJY9MCI96EC8WZLMRS-JRVe2g/s640/2018-06-23+13.34.24.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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via a very busy (access only for cars) service road alongside the main road<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gz02lMeZIQAmgsXmEiwM-O57Gn3gUNQy3m8aiKvKplU9XEh6fRODAPL_fWIlWA3L29uw77tU4KcKoigv2zjW0VwO18PswEFXkLXrLSug_dKhnoEgBJpKydXyN7HVUTh-Ff9XYO4GFj0d/s1600/2018-06-23+13.28.35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1119" data-original-width="1401" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gz02lMeZIQAmgsXmEiwM-O57Gn3gUNQy3m8aiKvKplU9XEh6fRODAPL_fWIlWA3L29uw77tU4KcKoigv2zjW0VwO18PswEFXkLXrLSug_dKhnoEgBJpKydXyN7HVUTh-Ff9XYO4GFj0d/s640/2018-06-23+13.28.35.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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and then via a pointless <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1010893308321849344">bicycle roundabout</a> and protected cycle tracks all the way to <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1017442669486919682">the main shopping street</a>. Access to local leisure facilities is much closer, by turning right directly after the underpass under De Vink railway station to cycle less than a kilometre through parkland<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfcptti67up-gI8LPTc_WacSmVpcssGQPKn7exBUNCNK42nXK-bbUtrpKbsbZoY-G9cVT05RTayUCWJhAyOajeikQrOI38WbnS1JeuAC0aQHNeyZqaLo2NsY4vicymvX9_4Bs_2qo-qyG/s1600/2018-06-23+12.51.10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1503" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfcptti67up-gI8LPTc_WacSmVpcssGQPKn7exBUNCNK42nXK-bbUtrpKbsbZoY-G9cVT05RTayUCWJhAyOajeikQrOI38WbnS1JeuAC0aQHNeyZqaLo2NsY4vicymvX9_4Bs_2qo-qyG/s640/2018-06-23+12.51.10.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9njVsHBWO8mvINNW8eV4f63Lundo63XhixVvuhx8riuAcnJatsULVsUktVFtJjB8Kd-e5imQhIgb5pUq6SybF-hpniAW2tE1RWWYpqpTvcfzzMUI3g2BfDp83Q5rz1oOXIe00ahHSF86c/s1600/2018-06-23+13.07.58.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9njVsHBWO8mvINNW8eV4f63Lundo63XhixVvuhx8riuAcnJatsULVsUktVFtJjB8Kd-e5imQhIgb5pUq6SybF-hpniAW2tE1RWWYpqpTvcfzzMUI3g2BfDp83Q5rz1oOXIe00ahHSF86c/s640/2018-06-23+13.07.58.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Out to a Hockey club, which was being well used by dozens of local teenagers (if you've visited the Netherlands you'll know that teenagers cycling with hockey sticks is a regular sight)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85JJ7nrDAGhY6fTCQ8bhyphenhyphenp81AuOTXthvf5gJCvPnnmqwqpXfKsoEeiDqyzQcmGigo_b4V-j6EiBG7ciYv83oMtz7x3q7TmNKdBi8YYVaGXwWpk2e1mNswr5szOVS9opY3cLnCkvmggN8D/s1600/2018-06-23+12.59.46.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="1600" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85JJ7nrDAGhY6fTCQ8bhyphenhyphenp81AuOTXthvf5gJCvPnnmqwqpXfKsoEeiDqyzQcmGigo_b4V-j6EiBG7ciYv83oMtz7x3q7TmNKdBi8YYVaGXwWpk2e1mNswr5szOVS9opY3cLnCkvmggN8D/s640/2018-06-23+12.59.46.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">a small section of cycle parking outside the Hockey Centre</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With also a local swimming pool, again with ample cycle parking available outside. There is also a car park but anyone driving from Stevenshof would have to do so by driving twice the distance (and only via main roads, which also have separate cycle tracks)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NzHQ9R2SoadAvt7pRpietVg2jDkMMSdFK-LzLbrAdxUlhDzoEo_0WhoMhUMXx2PgRBCQypR7LM4YXzI1_eadZEw_OYKUy_h-3VoDRHFABmTrKH8JPRpVQaoK1hBd0gi2foJpON2fQFhA/s1600/2018-06-23+13.05.59.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NzHQ9R2SoadAvt7pRpietVg2jDkMMSdFK-LzLbrAdxUlhDzoEo_0WhoMhUMXx2PgRBCQypR7LM4YXzI1_eadZEw_OYKUy_h-3VoDRHFABmTrKH8JPRpVQaoK1hBd0gi2foJpON2fQFhA/s640/2018-06-23+13.05.59.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The other new development I visited was Stadshagen, a new suburb of Zwolle. This development is newer than Stevenshof, with construction beginning in the mid-1990s, the shopping centre opening in 2004 and, with over 17,000 residents already living here, construction continues on new housing at the edge of the development. Stadshagen will eventually have between 30,000 and 40,000 residents.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ0I3qTC9tt3T70ztzI4S4diyUJx_lrdIg_M7unYFYn08BUf71vycEii7qZuhlrkk7mg3KrLVVMjUd25rqsYaNK0fXv0Nd6CwTuM-tM1Kiag1jtyu6mh7hlictQeZvoLPgiThPsobg-UC/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="873" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHJ0I3qTC9tt3T70ztzI4S4diyUJx_lrdIg_M7unYFYn08BUf71vycEii7qZuhlrkk7mg3KrLVVMjUd25rqsYaNK0fXv0Nd6CwTuM-tM1Kiag1jtyu6mh7hlictQeZvoLPgiThPsobg-UC/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stadshagen. </span><a href="https://www.google.com/maps/@52.5338564,6.0471412,14.65z">Click here to see it on google maps</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Just as with Stevenshof, Stadshagen is separated from Zwolle by water and so only has a few connections via bridges. Mastenbroekerbrug to the north, which is open to motor vehicles with a cycle track alongside<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDcDDgc4WnvEg1PuH7sBavGZaGyB1weOo9gsuqFZFTjoEMlMXoF-z50ijM7T3siRxRQ6QmZcRV63zx9pLboLiM9mg5Nem33e4ZE548YZQeeIXfA71QGwUG9T-XVYg-mshpD_KPruhD3NP/s1600/2018-06-30+14.58.24-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1393" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZDcDDgc4WnvEg1PuH7sBavGZaGyB1weOo9gsuqFZFTjoEMlMXoF-z50ijM7T3siRxRQ6QmZcRV63zx9pLboLiM9mg5Nem33e4ZE548YZQeeIXfA71QGwUG9T-XVYg-mshpD_KPruhD3NP/s640/2018-06-30+14.58.24-3.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Further south is Twistvlietbrug, which is only only open to cyclists and buses<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOrSF482BeC2nUZ4qSFYOAag830JK-E9UEKaeHhyphenhyphenkB14Jt8_aeGqRc61mygf6u8qZ6WJHAy4gUwDvUZZkeVPGuLjyGrzXDGBrbVlTVyymA1RubbR01LNB1QTj-JhW2DtLnh9vyh69i5M1/s1600/2018-06-30+09.32.53-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="1385" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOrSF482BeC2nUZ4qSFYOAag830JK-E9UEKaeHhyphenhyphenkB14Jt8_aeGqRc61mygf6u8qZ6WJHAy4gUwDvUZZkeVPGuLjyGrzXDGBrbVlTVyymA1RubbR01LNB1QTj-JhW2DtLnh9vyh69i5M1/s640/2018-06-30+09.32.53-1.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
with bus gates either side of it<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7vtPjL9ux1t1llDeOO-jmasdeTkb54jxitEktzOfIJDyVn0jLEP5lQUhpaXSXcSUuFMZSMYioeM-LjiHNxLW-mp6rB_fpcyPSekCyBieu_pxQ4F5DW6MAqNLc9A-UXTwsgMptiIe_ZV_/s1600/2018-06-30+09.33.50-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1179" data-original-width="1445" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7vtPjL9ux1t1llDeOO-jmasdeTkb54jxitEktzOfIJDyVn0jLEP5lQUhpaXSXcSUuFMZSMYioeM-LjiHNxLW-mp6rB_fpcyPSekCyBieu_pxQ4F5DW6MAqNLc9A-UXTwsgMptiIe_ZV_/s640/2018-06-30+09.33.50-1.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
To the very south access is via Voorsterbrug, a dual carriageway with a wide separate cycle track<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigslxBsNaKYukZUkuR2lMtCjQInYnRLvebeaGsJgo8rv8rVwU0a3DkCSjoUZ8xFh1KeFZRELAqGP3n1EXI5WfS_QmK_TjhyWKZRCRAxqOlObCvpBcH2ny_Sc2edO5QlCzoo2k7mc5-fgcX/s1600/12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigslxBsNaKYukZUkuR2lMtCjQInYnRLvebeaGsJgo8rv8rVwU0a3DkCSjoUZ8xFh1KeFZRELAqGP3n1EXI5WfS_QmK_TjhyWKZRCRAxqOlObCvpBcH2ny_Sc2edO5QlCzoo2k7mc5-fgcX/s640/12.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Which then leads onto the Westonholter Bridge, which <a href="https://twitter.com/BicycleDutch">Mark Wagenbuur</a> has previously written about <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2018/05/22/a-huge-cycle-bridge-in-zwolle/">here</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTUyNoX3VHkxuAGMedb2r8HuwQdrz5CCde6uBJNx7Vqej0SBE5kqKKEYvm4bfHEyTWzPK3U1iA-ErGhbogUWOpivLFRCw-bveN_OFLhWQ9NquKFNVOC5Ja_8aTXEvKIU9DntpbNVWyj35/s1600/2018-06-30+11.05.38.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1345" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYTUyNoX3VHkxuAGMedb2r8HuwQdrz5CCde6uBJNx7Vqej0SBE5kqKKEYvm4bfHEyTWzPK3U1iA-ErGhbogUWOpivLFRCw-bveN_OFLhWQ9NquKFNVOC5Ja_8aTXEvKIU9DntpbNVWyj35/s640/2018-06-30+11.05.38.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
although that actually leads into Westenholte. The cycle track splits just before the bridge with the main route into Stadshagen running under the bridge, where the photo below was taken<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Good Facility Redux <a href="https://t.co/5moiRuqeQJ">https://t.co/5moiRuqeQJ</a> Cycle bridge providing direct route across large junction, Zwolle, NL <a href="https://t.co/b4VRfL08CD">pic.twitter.com/b4VRfL08CD</a></div>
— GB Cycling Embassy (@GBCycleEmbassy) <a href="https://twitter.com/GBCycleEmbassy/status/1018793436617592832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
Although residents in Westenholte can easily cycle to Stadshagen via a bicycle underpass underneath the railway station and road alongside<br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<div dir="ltr" lang="en">
Good Facility Redux <a href="https://t.co/oWbrlWDHmx">https://t.co/oWbrlWDHmx</a> ‘Underpass’ cycle route, bypassing several main roads, with clear sight lines and open light - Zwolle, NL <a href="https://t.co/jY5Wvehdpg">pic.twitter.com/jY5Wvehdpg</a></div>
— GB Cycling Embassy (@GBCycleEmbassy) <a href="https://twitter.com/GBCycleEmbassy/status/1020215029919027203?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
which is much quicker than driving a car between the two areas<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSp9CQzVbR4T1DWtiAHEgyuvg95Ruz3Rzp_OiLojmk4P5stc53pMuAIpkOzVG-vP8NXxWGxIVZ05mDtJA-FS5gXToET6gBvX9mX_3PJnvpT7k-YvhoIxqYKMnvsQR7HcZeksaI3DhT6JR/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="917" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSp9CQzVbR4T1DWtiAHEgyuvg95Ruz3Rzp_OiLojmk4P5stc53pMuAIpkOzVG-vP8NXxWGxIVZ05mDtJA-FS5gXToET6gBvX9mX_3PJnvpT7k-YvhoIxqYKMnvsQR7HcZeksaI3DhT6JR/s640/1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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From this underpass the cycle track runs directly past a primary school (with ample cycle parking outside) and then service roads alongside the main road<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn60YbOSxUtu5L1El1hkwjul6Hz_0bP_uhqO6oSlqQ6hIttYiclf0c5MnzT9X5zfiVU9iNphhxG8S1LB36s62aGpKlWWtUl0f1FHP2F73JDtN6I0sMltKjxySMxpgjIs3SKwvBcyaDRaT/s1600/2018-06-30+10.48.56-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1337" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfn60YbOSxUtu5L1El1hkwjul6Hz_0bP_uhqO6oSlqQ6hIttYiclf0c5MnzT9X5zfiVU9iNphhxG8S1LB36s62aGpKlWWtUl0f1FHP2F73JDtN6I0sMltKjxySMxpgjIs3SKwvBcyaDRaT/s640/2018-06-30+10.48.56-3.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Which have several barriers which ensure they are only used to access a small number of properties but continue as cycle routes with priority over side roads<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiStUHfUcqhNbYpjgDInxFbHeBoxjNEELeL8x6e6T3S8A53nb14nwea2b5YEPobrkDPVPGgHTpbjRjHwSS-Z9NLmtBhZmy9Uto2520Ji0nydM3WMbQaDlLLEVrQLM5SWDSQt5nG_wJo1M/s1600/2018-06-30+10.58.33-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="1243" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmiStUHfUcqhNbYpjgDInxFbHeBoxjNEELeL8x6e6T3S8A53nb14nwea2b5YEPobrkDPVPGgHTpbjRjHwSS-Z9NLmtBhZmy9Uto2520Ji0nydM3WMbQaDlLLEVrQLM5SWDSQt5nG_wJo1M/s640/2018-06-30+10.58.33-3.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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The cycle track then runs on a bridge over water, alongside the road<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_D6RszwccLQmwggpvGVuga2rcyGpciNBrqXGOK_oYfnym5i4ADKZA-bdABaYZvYVReE2DPvGIRCa6z5t-2YntUMmBXgH2zl_-hib2yJbjDyRFqkbz_X91bJm5oTYG1zI_1yv6s6Aqovl/s1600/2018-06-30+10.41.17-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="847" data-original-width="1117" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_D6RszwccLQmwggpvGVuga2rcyGpciNBrqXGOK_oYfnym5i4ADKZA-bdABaYZvYVReE2DPvGIRCa6z5t-2YntUMmBXgH2zl_-hib2yJbjDyRFqkbz_X91bJm5oTYG1zI_1yv6s6Aqovl/s640/2018-06-30+10.41.17-3.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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With a large shopping centre (with apartments on top) to the right<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4BpVNZBfOS28GbMVoIJWr0Y4BEEhCOxkczkk3wCLi6GTMS2IlKrz9DZxmsoNJpo2Xyu3gryqL4G5DFMyw71gnzloNLQqVSuWvW5BM57zI1i0IOQfqHrr2ygDb_vtRM8fhIxa4WJsX8GG/s1600/2018-06-30+09.48.02.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1223" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4BpVNZBfOS28GbMVoIJWr0Y4BEEhCOxkczkk3wCLi6GTMS2IlKrz9DZxmsoNJpo2Xyu3gryqL4G5DFMyw71gnzloNLQqVSuWvW5BM57zI1i0IOQfqHrr2ygDb_vtRM8fhIxa4WJsX8GG/s640/2018-06-30+09.48.02.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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The shopping centre has only been open for 14 years but the cycle routes to it are still being upgraded, it was originally just painted cycle lanes, as seen here on google streetview<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvJ3ZgrIVJZyqGOb1lLxXV9jTA6zqiKEKSoR403HJFBCSQBCRUm2krjiFQh92kPkGOsnrRzS-_amWVYt2ORqbBy5M_93UQ65ksDgFHKlAB07seXvFdUnTkJFJxZCyq2nkUWKLaiAZiGFM/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="1050" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvJ3ZgrIVJZyqGOb1lLxXV9jTA6zqiKEKSoR403HJFBCSQBCRUm2krjiFQh92kPkGOsnrRzS-_amWVYt2ORqbBy5M_93UQ65ksDgFHKlAB07seXvFdUnTkJFJxZCyq2nkUWKLaiAZiGFM/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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the cycle track then leads directly to the shopping centre, or splits off to the West to access the residential areas to the north of the shopping centre<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq0Y4s8GNHiPqGbgHF5-_557r1OFaDr-t7kyYeEMKeuRYUZUlGh9WotaUMbSRVE4Dxqw1gGp7OfklgsLElbJmq6OEi57GiPvTQSgtjV_OiShT9yJ-LKFjuLEsTpN57_B1rxDhtaxc1Auc/s1600/2018-06-30+09.48.53.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1281" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq0Y4s8GNHiPqGbgHF5-_557r1OFaDr-t7kyYeEMKeuRYUZUlGh9WotaUMbSRVE4Dxqw1gGp7OfklgsLElbJmq6OEi57GiPvTQSgtjV_OiShT9yJ-LKFjuLEsTpN57_B1rxDhtaxc1Auc/s640/2018-06-30+09.48.53.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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via a bus gate to reach the access only (for private motor traffic) residential streets<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWp4u-4DKAyvfv79F2HSPVS8b3SXyF0TvNEzoIxhz7raHYdMxHfK4HxX5X5qz8_8g_cxRMyW0TtF8Bezyh4C7z6CGjNpo9Qw6H3A83gazbfyJ8pxpEn0Z-lhjq_ebqOaq45jAoCybywkt/s1600/2018-06-30+10.02.16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1467" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWp4u-4DKAyvfv79F2HSPVS8b3SXyF0TvNEzoIxhz7raHYdMxHfK4HxX5X5qz8_8g_cxRMyW0TtF8Bezyh4C7z6CGjNpo9Qw6H3A83gazbfyJ8pxpEn0Z-lhjq_ebqOaq45jAoCybywkt/s640/2018-06-30+10.02.16.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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This is because, whilst there are plenty of North-South cycle routes through Stadshagen there are no routes that allow you to drive from South to North or vice-versa. All motor traffic is directed via the ring road along the very edge of the development.<br />
<br />
Back at the shopping centre there is plenty of cycle parking within the car park - just under 200 cycle parking spaces, 40 of them covered. Alongside this cycle parking the exact same space fits in 18 cars.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeUHyZYnB6rVzpuXtHVYiaWobPwI8SBU6z8R_DEDnJsXMB1A8ohr-bP6et1PYVa5vVPMlj-kyFn3ookRTCFJ5zt3l3Q85VBvSZdXqUe115jGoACftTleCkGfTR300_sUUwpFY5ZvuGD50/s1600/2018-06-30+09.56.09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1461" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHeUHyZYnB6rVzpuXtHVYiaWobPwI8SBU6z8R_DEDnJsXMB1A8ohr-bP6et1PYVa5vVPMlj-kyFn3ookRTCFJ5zt3l3Q85VBvSZdXqUe115jGoACftTleCkGfTR300_sUUwpFY5ZvuGD50/s640/2018-06-30+09.56.09.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP2flxoWp27jyiO53gjCcEB-55YBmowPd9M25sF0WxIwcsIeJLTQgp7QUHUnRIRFhpp-vmSA5Ge2x2B3BWmiWiKrn111cE3S0njZMWyLi7SkpnrUAxvf7jajL2UpG5SDO1cg9wQfrN1mO/s1600/2018-06-30+10.32.30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1223" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP2flxoWp27jyiO53gjCcEB-55YBmowPd9M25sF0WxIwcsIeJLTQgp7QUHUnRIRFhpp-vmSA5Ge2x2B3BWmiWiKrn111cE3S0njZMWyLi7SkpnrUAxvf7jajL2UpG5SDO1cg9wQfrN1mO/s640/2018-06-30+10.32.30.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cycling with your young child and a brand new barbecue? No problem on a normal Dutch bike with a basket</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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As well as the cycle parking in the car park there are over 70 heavy duty cycle stands on the footway directly outside, providing parking for (at least) 140 bikes<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58TzxsuMM19es4KO_pgEOM6SeINv-cqRPrSOuefS8GuJZM1IewIXQGNsA1VIt1ga7kqBFonRMHL11J2e_gaPGkC6Wm65VX6QnLkZzTFA-SehCQBz2bPA24zvtROsLJkeYJ-3h-Nkxx94K/s1600/2018-06-30+10.43.17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="977" data-original-width="1441" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58TzxsuMM19es4KO_pgEOM6SeINv-cqRPrSOuefS8GuJZM1IewIXQGNsA1VIt1ga7kqBFonRMHL11J2e_gaPGkC6Wm65VX6QnLkZzTFA-SehCQBz2bPA24zvtROsLJkeYJ-3h-Nkxx94K/s640/2018-06-30+10.43.17.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
There is also underground car parking, although a continuous footway crosses the car park entrance, giving pedestrians priority<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDK4EAILp0YWNDxMZcwIZRghbmo-Lz4fB7Ofge3imv1xwZP46srwJl3MXF6mTEwnoVp56I98HBlquMf-YGWdtyfUoEULe33LeM-KREYQjGTwi0QQSLUw-DTpCzgIxOgNq6IEq9AgH6L3y_/s1600/2018-06-30+10.56.51.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1439" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDK4EAILp0YWNDxMZcwIZRghbmo-Lz4fB7Ofge3imv1xwZP46srwJl3MXF6mTEwnoVp56I98HBlquMf-YGWdtyfUoEULe33LeM-KREYQjGTwi0QQSLUw-DTpCzgIxOgNq6IEq9AgH6L3y_/s640/2018-06-30+10.56.51.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Compare it to this supermarket in Tottenham, London, built in 2013, nearly a decade after this Dutch shopping centre, where pedestrians must wait for the green man before they cross the car park entrance<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiWlkNhB5bDKTOkf2a8GHS1_c6BJyLz_MWrprJ1PEcU1-Q7i5_MX979BnzDldbL3IdzTT7bgxN-mXEw-WAe-CCTHJ6OQ27cEIRsUIN6kAjEGlvTieYsYlE2sxH_HRS9-NGkdo1oZoKaXx/s1600/DVL9FZvXUAEotb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNiWlkNhB5bDKTOkf2a8GHS1_c6BJyLz_MWrprJ1PEcU1-Q7i5_MX979BnzDldbL3IdzTT7bgxN-mXEw-WAe-CCTHJ6OQ27cEIRsUIN6kAjEGlvTieYsYlE2sxH_HRS9-NGkdo1oZoKaXx/s640/DVL9FZvXUAEotb1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Below is a map of the area surrounding the shopping centre where I have attempted to highlight how much easier it is to navigate this area by bicycle (or on foot) than it is by car. The green routes are cycle tracks or walking and cycling only bridges with the main access routes by car highlighted in black. You can also see bus gates in red to the North and West of the shopping centre, and also over Twistvlietbrug in the Southeast corner of the map (the bridge and main cycle route leading into Zwolle I mentioned earlier)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fXjiufXvuXdseZpEV8f_-6DP7JFEueXc9ofWhfAVMZtlZk3ttIGEm9PzmTtqJyUAfMzEopVX0YFHKVgDjsQZ2c_ErQkgyaoVwnVxxRgjJHzpzilTZIRXYT-PySSPvGnM5UYqqLoD6-uF/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="1042" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fXjiufXvuXdseZpEV8f_-6DP7JFEueXc9ofWhfAVMZtlZk3ttIGEm9PzmTtqJyUAfMzEopVX0YFHKVgDjsQZ2c_ErQkgyaoVwnVxxRgjJHzpzilTZIRXYT-PySSPvGnM5UYqqLoD6-uF/s640/Capture.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Note how the residential areas have just one or two access points for motor traffic but people cycling and walking have many different routes to choose from. Whilst it is possible to access all areas by car you cannot drive West to East or North to South through the area; cars must take the longer route and so cycling or walking is always the most convenient option.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq61-9y6Pckj-iBjfGEhyphenhyphenD_paH4x0SnTqcrPMhBcom7_BN5LrzCsYU4wna1bknd-OlWUyzemnSOXjqleOr_GzAOGID5MsEebm7nFNfDFuaW387N3Uz3wrduMXZ-ShJ6AApE3ZxWCn8Z54d/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="888" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq61-9y6Pckj-iBjfGEhyphenhyphenD_paH4x0SnTqcrPMhBcom7_BN5LrzCsYU4wna1bknd-OlWUyzemnSOXjqleOr_GzAOGID5MsEebm7nFNfDFuaW387N3Uz3wrduMXZ-ShJ6AApE3ZxWCn8Z54d/s640/2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cycling to the outdoor car park at the shops</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTiEvGEMzineR1ouQR7p1PwdB4dMQDnpeS8ZXbHVDCox5dvrcBdxW07cdT_zasJUa1X1yshgvUZomY9ndWzmt_keQfopvJmV1jubhupkOXjuXgVwRaUa770G1TOL3ay6pLhtIFsFQXatm/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="897" data-original-width="1024" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTiEvGEMzineR1ouQR7p1PwdB4dMQDnpeS8ZXbHVDCox5dvrcBdxW07cdT_zasJUa1X1yshgvUZomY9ndWzmt_keQfopvJmV1jubhupkOXjuXgVwRaUa770G1TOL3ay6pLhtIFsFQXatm/s640/1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Driving to the outdoor car parking at the shops</span></td></tr>
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A quick look at those East - West cycle routes. The one north of the shopping centre and park runs along a canal<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_99M-AWsWBSDdkBASyfGWFaeyO8_R9lrtlyrtSjT5KehTW2fEgeih3uvm7F4XZG80tNltNjtL84H9kBRiePxtq2F2A_36RCsKdUDJ1VZFYS4ofP-BVLj37zfEDv5QO86ygZHjM8vUJfX/s1600/2018-06-30+10.23.40-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1403" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_99M-AWsWBSDdkBASyfGWFaeyO8_R9lrtlyrtSjT5KehTW2fEgeih3uvm7F4XZG80tNltNjtL84H9kBRiePxtq2F2A_36RCsKdUDJ1VZFYS4ofP-BVLj37zfEDv5QO86ygZHjM8vUJfX/s640/2018-06-30+10.23.40-2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Seven bridges connect it to the houses north of the canal (you can see one in the distance on the picture above). Only two of these can be used by motor vehicles. It runs directly past a primary school, located directly in the middle of the park surrounding it<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzoUUy-kkauIE6Xur_pGP3EPyp-RZmzIsvtlUqh6NvWfVb2y6IjI1oxHEs0DoZ4lA6XvQiSlezGnT7jt5mOL9rqRO3yWAWIAx2s7hHxvHAUMNsyVJQeeog7j9qoO_ImFMXdNxM24sdE9P/s1600/2018-06-30+10.26.27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1309" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLzoUUy-kkauIE6Xur_pGP3EPyp-RZmzIsvtlUqh6NvWfVb2y6IjI1oxHEs0DoZ4lA6XvQiSlezGnT7jt5mOL9rqRO3yWAWIAx2s7hHxvHAUMNsyVJQeeog7j9qoO_ImFMXdNxM24sdE9P/s640/2018-06-30+10.26.27.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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No roads serve this primary school so the only way to reach it is on foot or by bike. You could drive but would have to park some distance away and walk. As this cycle route crosses a road it is continuous and has priority<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEior5JP_7OOck5lz3kBIA4u_tax0b9hs0wfYhCCtCC_KJimeuaZhMz2wbNGpRwJ7hzKhQhVzGtahsIg_MvdhyCMVCplEw6ERomRqpbq8muvcvslaTJR2tehEV1jMxUpDVQgKQ7ut0hlFfqc/s1600/2018-06-30+10.28.46.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1043" data-original-width="1193" height="558" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEior5JP_7OOck5lz3kBIA4u_tax0b9hs0wfYhCCtCC_KJimeuaZhMz2wbNGpRwJ7hzKhQhVzGtahsIg_MvdhyCMVCplEw6ERomRqpbq8muvcvslaTJR2tehEV1jMxUpDVQgKQ7ut0hlFfqc/s640/2018-06-30+10.28.46.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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On the opposite side of the canal a road does run parallel to the canal but it is only a through route for buses and people cycling, whilst being access only for motor traffic<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAWHbTpHorqxd4jJILDS6N5zEzp5Vtwu5Vb61nzIy6csE6M1RfG171FLIPFFmaiP4oFe-XolpGKxu4RMSzK6v-ioOra9wY2kqOGHoFYZtKjRlNTHaAQu62CXJd3sKiPvlXcQmjJSVfxGv/s1600/2018-06-30+10.22.31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1139" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAWHbTpHorqxd4jJILDS6N5zEzp5Vtwu5Vb61nzIy6csE6M1RfG171FLIPFFmaiP4oFe-XolpGKxu4RMSzK6v-ioOra9wY2kqOGHoFYZtKjRlNTHaAQu62CXJd3sKiPvlXcQmjJSVfxGv/s640/2018-06-30+10.22.31.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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The other, much busier, East - West cycle route runs south of the shopping centre and park and connects to Twistvlietbrug, the cycle and buses only bridge I mentioned earlier, so is one of the main routes between Zwolle and Stadshagen for those on bicycles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKhQmxRz6oLvBBngZAceVP1OwO3CO9RHsvFDuTZsR9cJEW0n_BcrhjlAqsbjON2fH65LnPTMStd0CatvcsTFlHfhg-Woj32Gwlli9Vvi6Pg64uZeAd1P9Blkba5Md1J-Qu-omGgosKaXA/s1600/2018-06-30+15.27.46.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1169" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKhQmxRz6oLvBBngZAceVP1OwO3CO9RHsvFDuTZsR9cJEW0n_BcrhjlAqsbjON2fH65LnPTMStd0CatvcsTFlHfhg-Woj32Gwlli9Vvi6Pg64uZeAd1P9Blkba5Md1J-Qu-omGgosKaXA/s640/2018-06-30+15.27.46.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The park lies to the north of this route, with residential housing to the south. It links up with the residential streets via filtered cycle streets</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGf1Moo7C2GwUlh0MLHw_2lTsKWIbylOXR0k1i9l001dZkcB7k7LuJZEQqY8bbPWdqfArHcK8vooylcnBQUAELkP3gKCa1dq5Y38j3kH69s2kd8w-E6g1C9veVjE2Xb0yK7JHBtlNiBSuf/s1600/2018-06-30+10.39.36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="817" data-original-width="1109" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGf1Moo7C2GwUlh0MLHw_2lTsKWIbylOXR0k1i9l001dZkcB7k7LuJZEQqY8bbPWdqfArHcK8vooylcnBQUAELkP3gKCa1dq5Y38j3kH69s2kd8w-E6g1C9veVjE2Xb0yK7JHBtlNiBSuf/s640/2018-06-30+10.39.36.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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and also links to the back of the shopping centre via a bridge<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkbaRTleX_lo23IGITXeZZnC5tQUtcdUP701AXtBadMJOHqbW9yCtgwIKvaN6xZC0Dla0QRN_0xsTt5Zmzumd07iWZ_P9U_Vs4ZIBPoxSYkmFSwP7ljbtjRB_MZYfL0X0qXhkURkUBMYN/s1600/2018-06-30+10.36.52-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="1433" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkbaRTleX_lo23IGITXeZZnC5tQUtcdUP701AXtBadMJOHqbW9yCtgwIKvaN6xZC0Dla0QRN_0xsTt5Zmzumd07iWZ_P9U_Vs4ZIBPoxSYkmFSwP7ljbtjRB_MZYfL0X0qXhkURkUBMYN/s640/2018-06-30+10.36.52-2.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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To more cycle parking. I rode behind this girl, who could not have been older than ten years old, as she cycled to the shopping centre on her own<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzz5EfL0pkhjjJCQ0D22jxSW-lGwn1sGNMEdxcgSjBqLYGA-yC94rCFrDuyChX29-OQx7Dz_zbk3ibr9o-0JjOEhiiUXOjqtonPbfTdYdtDheIrSjU4Jubsq7g0MDWGOtoB7yRY6krO-2/s1600/2018-06-30+10.37.33.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1281" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzz5EfL0pkhjjJCQ0D22jxSW-lGwn1sGNMEdxcgSjBqLYGA-yC94rCFrDuyChX29-OQx7Dz_zbk3ibr9o-0JjOEhiiUXOjqtonPbfTdYdtDheIrSjU4Jubsq7g0MDWGOtoB7yRY6krO-2/s640/2018-06-30+10.37.33.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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It then crosses the North - South route between the underpass and the shopping centre I mentioned earlier<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFIFvUJIclVlt140wspSDcpNoySPVXYo0EuOihTQusNy4Djy6Qo_DZVimEbYMUXunPR0JyPGS4IDINBOnEYwc-mcxXLeF3FUG52xFJz_5X9Af76IumQ7h5KZGYyngK-y4nCEmh3a7aET0/s1600/2018-06-30+10.05.11-4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="1523" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXFIFvUJIclVlt140wspSDcpNoySPVXYo0EuOihTQusNy4Djy6Qo_DZVimEbYMUXunPR0JyPGS4IDINBOnEYwc-mcxXLeF3FUG52xFJz_5X9Af76IumQ7h5KZGYyngK-y4nCEmh3a7aET0/s640/2018-06-30+10.05.11-4.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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before heading north as a fietstraat to the residential area further north<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisywtKdnmgEPzTLylFR70TCUNuGya8ygDgVn7lrP2Tec5-sXWCMxefBJk-R3w7ZbMvVcQ7MXP-FjeR0WNRcFmePnoCOGdncfbnDoDcF3vSR2EgFFy_8yT41uW9RLKWqozbWj1TNGrpV_u/s1600/2018-06-30+10.06.20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="785" data-original-width="1101" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisywtKdnmgEPzTLylFR70TCUNuGya8ygDgVn7lrP2Tec5-sXWCMxefBJk-R3w7ZbMvVcQ7MXP-FjeR0WNRcFmePnoCOGdncfbnDoDcF3vSR2EgFFy_8yT41uW9RLKWqozbWj1TNGrpV_u/s640/2018-06-30+10.06.20.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Some cycle only routes cross it, such as this cycle track below, crossing from a primary school to the right of the picture, on the opposite side of the water<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTB8uaVXCRmJHNfAOwQDJK9oyjSA753acPnsimZHft59jHZMCUbJ0Gt5h1LOYzFNhJIsQVkmnqTbV_13CSD_v8w6zltuiWZjU6JCLYBMsrTz9BhGfyoz6s6gKCCuVenmABhIElGrT2hMk8/s1600/2018-06-30+10.06.52.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="939" data-original-width="1307" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTB8uaVXCRmJHNfAOwQDJK9oyjSA753acPnsimZHft59jHZMCUbJ0Gt5h1LOYzFNhJIsQVkmnqTbV_13CSD_v8w6zltuiWZjU6JCLYBMsrTz9BhGfyoz6s6gKCCuVenmABhIElGrT2hMk8/s640/2018-06-30+10.06.52.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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The next road to cross it is restricted to buses and cycles only<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaA8ySZ0ypu85PwZWaYI_1no73N3f_OQgo9jkbs7Gx0J5sAvWZ37nWow4sk1yWqxoQj7akGW-gsQ7qVea_qkrUOKRVNWo07fhpGh_csCQp5QMMj4_fdi_I4f-7uD3M3T2F8l2X_qVbhyP/s1600/2018-06-30+10.09.04.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="791" data-original-width="1113" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggaA8ySZ0ypu85PwZWaYI_1no73N3f_OQgo9jkbs7Gx0J5sAvWZ37nWow4sk1yWqxoQj7akGW-gsQ7qVea_qkrUOKRVNWo07fhpGh_csCQp5QMMj4_fdi_I4f-7uD3M3T2F8l2X_qVbhyP/s640/2018-06-30+10.09.04.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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cycle tracks lead off it to housing at the side of this route<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhXLHz4vBQSQX9b65ZkBe-YnTUTQ8jDGNLBpTRP_u1ed69ovlf-FXtHzpXatmVgUea12knMX24eFHfYtD9b83UPL1d65X_kKpY2w-j1zBJiE4vmTlg7daejXGglNRwtnYOAuurt4KBCxf/s1600/2018-06-30+10.12.15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="921" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhXLHz4vBQSQX9b65ZkBe-YnTUTQ8jDGNLBpTRP_u1ed69ovlf-FXtHzpXatmVgUea12knMX24eFHfYtD9b83UPL1d65X_kKpY2w-j1zBJiE4vmTlg7daejXGglNRwtnYOAuurt4KBCxf/s640/2018-06-30+10.12.15.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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In the picture below you can see a school to the right and a sports centre to the left. This must be a very busy cycle route during the school run!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBBYJZwgLPKermWsS5XloynTmhGDrT4Ip3xE5Ym9wC8cRkytKlfELL2N9Hmu4k7ss9JI6trDxBjXVzoedMwxwQo8cJmQnFU5zGquPZKDyrAJ3OqqLjcJde9pjxURT6MBur3QYuHuwFtZG/s1600/2018-06-30+10.12.51-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1143" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBBYJZwgLPKermWsS5XloynTmhGDrT4Ip3xE5Ym9wC8cRkytKlfELL2N9Hmu4k7ss9JI6trDxBjXVzoedMwxwQo8cJmQnFU5zGquPZKDyrAJ3OqqLjcJde9pjxURT6MBur3QYuHuwFtZG/s640/2018-06-30+10.12.51-2.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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And finally a look at the North of Stadshagen. The main distributor road, Mastenbriekeralle, runs through here and, <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/k17pP2s3yFS2">as you can see from this google streetview link</a>, it has wide grass verges between single carriageways so it is not possible for cars to overtake each other. Every junction is a roundabout, <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2011/05/12/priority-for-cyclists-on-roundabouts-in-the-netherlands/">the safest type of junction design for cyclists</a>, with separate cycle tracks and priority for people on foot or bikes at all of them. Some of these roundabouts are only three arm junctions for cars with an exit only for people cycling<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJGfN8aeZDsgzg6X3JhQ4bV_St1bwXRHIGIXMSFZQC4hqDTybSmTzLm4NRBKyJtFwbvU4xiHe3AZytdcNeM1L4wDLX-F7s1B55Vdpe1uVizWpCBLKMJZLtH4Z2FJPvQhQNOoZisi6fhD4/s1600/2018-06-30+15.13.29-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJGfN8aeZDsgzg6X3JhQ4bV_St1bwXRHIGIXMSFZQC4hqDTybSmTzLm4NRBKyJtFwbvU4xiHe3AZytdcNeM1L4wDLX-F7s1B55Vdpe1uVizWpCBLKMJZLtH4Z2FJPvQhQNOoZisi6fhD4/s640/2018-06-30+15.13.29-1.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Using a roundabout in Stadshagen, Zwolle <a href="https://t.co/xOAFsxhaZX">pic.twitter.com/xOAFsxhaZX</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1047113500202545152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Once again all the residential neighbourhoods are easily explored on foot or bike but the streets are designed to deter through motor traffic using them wherever possible. Below is one example:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaenKwBVtqtt3m8LipBelEkNLr4pU1O-N5eZJcrqaV-UsnvAgy085W6gwpGQtEbFstfAWWY3R_34rKqfVb2pdyUy3OehnLpWY6gdFSOe9sCcpEFcqWg308hPmZ0bD4WZ_tdrWXLlLxul1T/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="725" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaenKwBVtqtt3m8LipBelEkNLr4pU1O-N5eZJcrqaV-UsnvAgy085W6gwpGQtEbFstfAWWY3R_34rKqfVb2pdyUy3OehnLpWY6gdFSOe9sCcpEFcqWg308hPmZ0bD4WZ_tdrWXLlLxul1T/s640/Capture.JPG" width="570" /></a></div>
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A cycle track runs along the Eastern edge of the development<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrQUWIbL6LSXwHgbxcyUaoI7NXg5u0GGje0TLqb6b9WO_qWe-iJo4hqCSp8L9tHLGTQP99lyJRylc6-Ti6nxBlhr8fhaeV-1LSwy0FDkmc4-g7VkN9KDsnxhGd1NGptqt3MuBp_ZUcTQ0/s1600/2018-06-30+15.05.01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1251" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNrQUWIbL6LSXwHgbxcyUaoI7NXg5u0GGje0TLqb6b9WO_qWe-iJo4hqCSp8L9tHLGTQP99lyJRylc6-Ti6nxBlhr8fhaeV-1LSwy0FDkmc4-g7VkN9KDsnxhGd1NGptqt3MuBp_ZUcTQ0/s640/2018-06-30+15.05.01.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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and through the middle<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jVoyxcMRjHZ4G4yOQdVI7Z5lSDaRStshTKcKv5khYS6smqiDo6qWPbjsUTNC6EIVjCcH3h_REY-7OIY42qbOIULA_o6nenLXGjbBdbKrTSyo1rmqJ62r46CUxbXMufjvf-u5UWkTh_Ic/s1600/2018-06-30+15.07.09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="1397" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6jVoyxcMRjHZ4G4yOQdVI7Z5lSDaRStshTKcKv5khYS6smqiDo6qWPbjsUTNC6EIVjCcH3h_REY-7OIY42qbOIULA_o6nenLXGjbBdbKrTSyo1rmqJ62r46CUxbXMufjvf-u5UWkTh_Ic/s640/2018-06-30+15.07.09.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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With almost all the horizontal streets filtered to cars </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xSofz_bb3DPOs-JMGKSgghXMjPffUKfQAKQZcK_BZLluklUo2yMoHgyFdtfyRDaADm833x_O0siNV0NjJ5Pf4WjFBubVPSjP5q0ZP1SqszzdmeYRJ68XXMDGY4J27A2t_No3NVwt-NUl/s1600/2018-06-30+15.05.58-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1010" data-original-width="1251" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3xSofz_bb3DPOs-JMGKSgghXMjPffUKfQAKQZcK_BZLluklUo2yMoHgyFdtfyRDaADm833x_O0siNV0NjJ5Pf4WjFBubVPSjP5q0ZP1SqszzdmeYRJ68XXMDGY4J27A2t_No3NVwt-NUl/s640/2018-06-30+15.05.58-1.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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For those that need to travel into the centre of Zwolle it is just a couple of kilometres away, either via the cycle and bus only Twistvlietbrug, quiet direct low traffic streets and cycle tracks along main roads, with underpasses to ensure crossing main roads on the way is quicker and safer<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxE4JyGToDtKAPozA14aFzaMqB3sJP3T65pqC7lyikHJXXwdo4Ku8pbbIZNuGQO0riasuZM3LkB1bPqN-YIovtF2zRGXh8YBLKo1FiIIg_eOSHSYakDzlmq_UbJs-Z7nkIhPrtuW5f3HbM/s1600/2018-06-30+15.44.41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1133" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxE4JyGToDtKAPozA14aFzaMqB3sJP3T65pqC7lyikHJXXwdo4Ku8pbbIZNuGQO0riasuZM3LkB1bPqN-YIovtF2zRGXh8YBLKo1FiIIg_eOSHSYakDzlmq_UbJs-Z7nkIhPrtuW5f3HbM/s640/2018-06-30+15.44.41.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Or via Voorsterbrug and cycle tracks all the way to the centre of the city. It even has this bridge over a road junction, built in 2015 to make crossing the main road safer and to eliminate the inconvenience of being delayed by traffic lights </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaf3kLYfMCXabMVvGK_4uygFLjXbSBYvdmfIMkczzqy7uO4yi950a4GoI6KdGj6TixZ0pxIi7bMEomSz97u8KHxJga6qxfwKVQxHJTrYw0LZBAdyalyHexvpGJTUOPWYYlyClqN9AbLUN/s1600/2018-06-30+11.11.52-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAaf3kLYfMCXabMVvGK_4uygFLjXbSBYvdmfIMkczzqy7uO4yi950a4GoI6KdGj6TixZ0pxIi7bMEomSz97u8KHxJga6qxfwKVQxHJTrYw0LZBAdyalyHexvpGJTUOPWYYlyClqN9AbLUN/s640/2018-06-30+11.11.52-3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/AsEasyAsRiding">Mark Tresaure</a> has written about it <a href="https://aseasyasridingabike.wordpress.com/2015/12/10/a-new-bridge-in-zwolle-to-remove-some-minor-incovenience/">here</a></div>
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I've also visited new developments in Amsterdam, Utrecht, s'-Hertgenbosch, Zoetermeer and a few other areas of the Netherlands; they are all very similar to what I have tried to show here. The design of these developments ensures that walking and cycling is not only safe but also very convenient. Every area can be safely and easily reached by bicycle, meaning even primary school aged children can cycle to their school and back home again. The networks of where people drive and where they cycle are completely different; through traffic is kept away from the residential areas, which only have one or two access points. If you're cycling it is the exact opposite; cycle routes go through the neighbourhoods. </div>
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It's not just about the bicycle of course, with cycling being made so convenient the share mode of people driving is low and cars are kept away from the neighbourhoods leading to quieter, less polluted streets for residents. Young children can not only cycle anywhere they want to but can also play in the street directly outside their homes. <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/1010580326274555904">This is something you often see in the Netherlands</a></div>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
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De eerste bewoners van het <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Stettineiland?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Stettineiland</a> maken de straat al typisch Amsterdams.<br />
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09.09 16:36<a href="https://t.co/4AQ16xuBQq">https://t.co/4AQ16xuBQq</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Amsterdam?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Amsterdam</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Houthavens?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Houthavens</a> <a href="https://t.co/82o46BO6Ub">pic.twitter.com/82o46BO6Ub</a></div>
— Thomas Schlijper (@schlijper) <a href="https://twitter.com/schlijper/status/1039261187396001793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2018</a></blockquote>
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I found it deeply depressing to cycle through the Olympic Park in London near my home less than 48 hours after cycling through Leidsche Rijn, a new development in Utrecht. In the Olympic Park driving is made the most convenient way to get around by default with many new wide through roads constructed or in the planning stages. There are many different routes drivers can take, <a href="http://hackneycyclist.blogspot.com/2018/04/chobham-manor-newest-neighbourhood-in.html">rat running directly through residential areas</a>, despite there being main roads right alongside. </div>
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School run in the Olympic Park @MPSOlympicPark <a href="https://t.co/JK4uKZ4t2B">pic.twitter.com/JK4uKZ4t2B</a></div>
— Hackney Cyclist (@Hackneycyclist) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hackneycyclist/status/861979663874371584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">9 May 2017</a></blockquote>
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Cycle routes are not planned and cycle tracks are laid down as an after thought, often with obstacles in them making them unusable. Walking is not convenient; in some places you have to use five separate crossings and wait in four pedestrian pens just to get from one side of the road to the other. It is a real shame that with a blank canvas the Dutch can create truly liveable neighbourhoods, but in the UK we don't. There are many examples of how to do it and the benefits it can bring, right on our doorstep. I wish we'd take notice.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3410982774062066015.post-8689265037133528042018-09-12T21:31:00.001+01:002018-09-12T21:32:31.811+01:00The redevelopment of Hackney Wick Station My local train station, Hackney Wick, was built in 1980 by British Rail when passenger trains returned to the North London line between Camden Road and Stratford. In 2007 TfL took over the Silverlink Metro services along this line, rebranded it London Overground, and passenger <a href="http://orr.gov.uk/statistics/published-stats/station-usage-estimates">usage has rocketed</a> from 366k entries and exits in 2006/2007 up to 2.1m entries and exits in 2015/16. Access to the platforms was via ramps, with the Westbound platform having three sets of lengthy elevated ramps to climb. I can't tell you the amount of times I've seen a train pull into the platform as I'm on the ramp and not been able to sprint quick enough to reach the platform before the doors close, resulting in a frustrating ten minute wait at times. Halfway up the ramp to the eastbound platform there were half-a-dozen bicycle stands but no facilities for anyone arriving at the station by bicycle wanting to travel West, with "bicycles attached to these railings will be removed" signs plastered all over the handrails of both ramps. As a result the railings outside the westbound platform ramp were almost always full of parked bikes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEUYPDwo3FEKGCGFtIEcLTY7pBxV6uI5K-z50wGuiA4gyK-omnXsm-ZYrPemxW25g6RgAS5zTz1EpJKdH8NHPW7rZY4otML9RRyxbYkDSVY6aZ71HgntDVuFc2ACdPJUwUxjrW1NSOx7G/s1600/bikes+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1502" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEUYPDwo3FEKGCGFtIEcLTY7pBxV6uI5K-z50wGuiA4gyK-omnXsm-ZYrPemxW25g6RgAS5zTz1EpJKdH8NHPW7rZY4otML9RRyxbYkDSVY6aZ71HgntDVuFc2ACdPJUwUxjrW1NSOx7G/s640/bikes+outside.jpg" width="600" /></a><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0ECLEUHOO3_fVKP0qpTCeaBRGG7oJ_ooLTBz54RQyH4jkkq39OSpe8Kjev6QkaKUqmj0I4jHldDE-VsuMGRiIT-vSTQ_vb8J7gX1U6PkJW5t6mPf805Yn0RJJvp5pvB7t4VFa9sEVICn/s1600/bikes+outside2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="1316" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0ECLEUHOO3_fVKP0qpTCeaBRGG7oJ_ooLTBz54RQyH4jkkq39OSpe8Kjev6QkaKUqmj0I4jHldDE-VsuMGRiIT-vSTQ_vb8J7gX1U6PkJW5t6mPf805Yn0RJJvp5pvB7t4VFa9sEVICn/s640/bikes+outside2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The former <a href="https://pubshistory.com/LondonPubs/Hackney/LordNapierWhitePost.shtml">Lord Napier Public House</a>, alongside the westbound platform ramp with a collection of locked bicycles outside</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Each platform had a basic waiting room with a small ticket office on the Eastbound platform and a footbridge linking the two<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQIK1OP41IO01vuKivGHl9bXz-AvLyXDjNHtt71lWt8uSaGON7BLFqmjVpJqE_0BGjs5oWzDuJtw1IXL6zmwxAGCs7JiVu5Ph5VyzQo0Yvmd6Ot0QFIQm60H4ygQK1mOo9AB0DDgnCT95/s1600/before4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1443" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQIK1OP41IO01vuKivGHl9bXz-AvLyXDjNHtt71lWt8uSaGON7BLFqmjVpJqE_0BGjs5oWzDuJtw1IXL6zmwxAGCs7JiVu5Ph5VyzQo0Yvmd6Ot0QFIQm60H4ygQK1mOo9AB0DDgnCT95/s640/before4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hackney Wick station, a few days before the footbridge was demolished</td></tr>
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The station was clearly due a rebuild, especially with the huge amount of new residential developments <a href="http://affordablewick.com/hwfi-developments-map/">either under construction or planning in the immediate area</a>. The railway line through Hackney Wick station marks the boundary between two boroughs, with the Eastbound platform and everything north of it in Hackney, and the Westbound platform and the south side of the station in Tower Hamlets. However all of this area falls within London Legacy Development Corporation land and so planning and construction falls under them, rather than the two boroughs. It also mean that TfL did not have to pay for the station reconstruction, as the LLDC coughed up the £25m instead. The new ticket hall has been built in Tower Hamlets, on long empty land south of the station<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWmsRXTR136LPA9RWfERgQBV4fAcpf4PEdZTVXpDv98qO6Z9H_P-IdArszI82sP3Dn6uDIOu2aC-oB17sLbz1nNblZKuMMS4EKGJiwW7G1PL5ebMSuB_4y-v4LjZJQn4wUVeekqD8oJrc/s1600/before6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1037" data-original-width="1306" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBWmsRXTR136LPA9RWfERgQBV4fAcpf4PEdZTVXpDv98qO6Z9H_P-IdArszI82sP3Dn6uDIOu2aC-oB17sLbz1nNblZKuMMS4EKGJiwW7G1PL5ebMSuB_4y-v4LjZJQn4wUVeekqD8oJrc/s640/before6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The plot of land as it was prior to station upgrade construction </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqUMcP5Xwyfid6B9ChpAcmQfv83UDBarPwl9s-qI-7MOH5sS9GID0gRiE7b8oUnl_J1S1mc1CFs7g_mcQj9UZdppzSnXaNnk52P2aCwFYO0McmoLi5M8dBMphYqmq_-YQ4-SVhCYE6jNN/s1600/before3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqUMcP5Xwyfid6B9ChpAcmQfv83UDBarPwl9s-qI-7MOH5sS9GID0gRiE7b8oUnl_J1S1mc1CFs7g_mcQj9UZdppzSnXaNnk52P2aCwFYO0McmoLi5M8dBMphYqmq_-YQ4-SVhCYE6jNN/s640/before3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Building work begins</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnUyJtl9fdSDPeoX3rwhc_OPKYAmpUe7tPphr3CNTTNB0zMvYX1H8Re9fJwebO_9g4jLAodYwbuWxdHZE6v6V2LFvC5pO-1EAsZ5_fUlfjPth1HZQcBNRSTHfay0AtseNS5hTjhpP31dE/s1600/completed+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1167" data-original-width="1556" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVnUyJtl9fdSDPeoX3rwhc_OPKYAmpUe7tPphr3CNTTNB0zMvYX1H8Re9fJwebO_9g4jLAodYwbuWxdHZE6v6V2LFvC5pO-1EAsZ5_fUlfjPth1HZQcBNRSTHfay0AtseNS5hTjhpP31dE/s640/completed+outside.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The completed new ticket hall and station entrance </span></td></tr>
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During construction White Post Lane was closed directly outside for over a year and became part of the construction area</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rZaOwpiLw9KCoDYbRAxrpGM2eVuxEtnY8nIuu4b-41qLmlvzFJoNC7MzqKeAWLykXAemqXeT5dLMmSFvTSHcWnqTlpa5Fjj61N1pUrP6S4o71pW13S7HKbUyhtKrN0Dy7pjaJBA6QTJo/s1600/road+outside+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1194" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8rZaOwpiLw9KCoDYbRAxrpGM2eVuxEtnY8nIuu4b-41qLmlvzFJoNC7MzqKeAWLykXAemqXeT5dLMmSFvTSHcWnqTlpa5Fjj61N1pUrP6S4o71pW13S7HKbUyhtKrN0Dy7pjaJBA6QTJo/s640/road+outside+2.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
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This caused no issues at all, <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/g2c95qD5MC52">as this map validates</a>, motor traffic was easily able to divert via Rothbury Road and Hepscott Road with access to all local businesses and Queens Yard car park remaining for those on four wheels. The most impressive engineering feat was the construction of a new underpass under the railway line, <a href="https://www.volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk/en/news/detail/pedestrian-subway-installed-under-railway-line-at-hackney-wick-in-four-day-weekend">built in four days over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend</a>. Although passengers using the station on the Tuesday after it reopened couldn't really tell from Platform level that anything had changed </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tdDRMrEaYSLs-VSaU4hn0P09iuP0waGv9FgNoSDWeg73cz0cKWB6HHyDbu-85-JHLNiFRK3xsCaUsq9amBLhD1L-YAjirFMt7iK5svfzphGSjoKR4JIkNZeRiJSXjASKrR0IlDi6u2QV/s1600/underpass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="888" data-original-width="1166" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9tdDRMrEaYSLs-VSaU4hn0P09iuP0waGv9FgNoSDWeg73cz0cKWB6HHyDbu-85-JHLNiFRK3xsCaUsq9amBLhD1L-YAjirFMt7iK5svfzphGSjoKR4JIkNZeRiJSXjASKrR0IlDi6u2QV/s640/underpass.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The newly built underpass under the North London line, constructed in four days last year </span></td></tr>
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The construction of an underpass under a railway line is such a short space of time is something I've been <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUC_xW_AEDE">alerted to several times before</a>, but only ever in the Netherlands </div>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en-gb">
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In 3 days a railway underpass for the Cycling highway Cuijk - Nijmegen was constructed by <a href="https://twitter.com/MobilisTBIinfra?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MobilisTBIinfra</a> This timelapse shows the result! <a href="https://t.co/CFrMhUw4Hf">pic.twitter.com/CFrMhUw4Hf</a></div>
— Sjors van Duren (@Sjoess) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sjoess/status/923127369300430848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">25 October 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>
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Cycling underpasses under railway lines are a very common sight in the Netherlands, both <a href="https://twitter.com/GBCycleEmbassy/status/646953289175703552">in rural areas</a> and at train stations themselves </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimrwOrV197bOCEvSOMU9BSww64kLFdayJja1pRbqr5RivD4L7lqhSpNlsKCC5IQw3OjYOe23atzOB777oWbKIUWKLTOjgUAv64POZ6Z6I1S5Utx6AJlYhi1w48CmMz5oMQ6yBRctY2FDR/s1600/2015-09-21+19.23.32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1333" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimrwOrV197bOCEvSOMU9BSww64kLFdayJja1pRbqr5RivD4L7lqhSpNlsKCC5IQw3OjYOe23atzOB777oWbKIUWKLTOjgUAv64POZ6Z6I1S5Utx6AJlYhi1w48CmMz5oMQ6yBRctY2FDR/s640/2015-09-21+19.23.32.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A walking and cycling underpass under Rotterdam Centraal station, built in 2014 as part of the <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2014/08/07/bicycle-parking-at-rotterdam-central-station/">station reconstruction </a></span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1KZDjWGAXsLKOMEYGFVDq4rxKzIgEfoHRt2_J_mt-YDVQviKaHuccjtP2I2UvkaWLylqzD8DmJluRlYrDpE-sGZ7-LSF6V61aPXZGUaqV5HXBQvmQw7tpL8w1f8GOxen0cb5bwkAGfj5/s1600/2016-07-02+14.46.18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1347" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1KZDjWGAXsLKOMEYGFVDq4rxKzIgEfoHRt2_J_mt-YDVQviKaHuccjtP2I2UvkaWLylqzD8DmJluRlYrDpE-sGZ7-LSF6V61aPXZGUaqV5HXBQvmQw7tpL8w1f8GOxen0cb5bwkAGfj5/s640/2016-07-02+14.46.18.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A walking and cycling underpass through Amsterdam Centraal station, <a href="https://bicycledutch.wordpress.com/2015/11/24/amsterdam-central-station-tunnel/">opened in 2015</a></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRhyphenhyphenhXDtUG1hNYfqgMJ2w3AIOob2orMoEjrtMX9ZFjrMD28RJ5LRsHpbEFJSbX0R0o95mRmo8PFmwtH3YQCFJWPm_iykpZcaAKphJ-VoOjKGAXqleIxGqmTWoxqN0gLWltb_4mvK9H7If/s1600/2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1029" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRhyphenhyphenhXDtUG1hNYfqgMJ2w3AIOob2orMoEjrtMX9ZFjrMD28RJ5LRsHpbEFJSbX0R0o95mRmo8PFmwtH3YQCFJWPm_iykpZcaAKphJ-VoOjKGAXqleIxGqmTWoxqN0gLWltb_4mvK9H7If/s640/2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinY6rPoOplw2Kgk7umbe1wfM3hfH23zyATt3k7gPY3-Vst6coc9GQvBPOPOxO62HlXt2OyzdHwa-4YXzADGvJUa3aV6F1YSEe564lJbZSwTP2gysNheGWIuC7wHDUL9A_BpSWqHkl8gR_X/s1600/1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1105" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinY6rPoOplw2Kgk7umbe1wfM3hfH23zyATt3k7gPY3-Vst6coc9GQvBPOPOxO62HlXt2OyzdHwa-4YXzADGvJUa3aV6F1YSEe564lJbZSwTP2gysNheGWIuC7wHDUL9A_BpSWqHkl8gR_X/s640/1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before and after from Google streetview: Utrecht Lunetten station, a road and car parking removed to create a walking and cycling underpass allowing quicker access to the train station, with the car park reduced in size to accommodate relocated buses and more cycle parking</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FbtQFKSJgcIUGXVBYnrSJOwAnxoqCHjF5Yk03NpSnhpBYM9bam994Evi5CNi40Y5N98gC2VSzWNZhifY3vdMKBQsYBN43KaL4eye_nfG-Vy6RHJ_n2ygnlLY0iQHAjhsa9hIJkhFw-Ro/s1600/2017-06-27+10.47.56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1339" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FbtQFKSJgcIUGXVBYnrSJOwAnxoqCHjF5Yk03NpSnhpBYM9bam994Evi5CNi40Y5N98gC2VSzWNZhifY3vdMKBQsYBN43KaL4eye_nfG-Vy6RHJ_n2ygnlLY0iQHAjhsa9hIJkhFw-Ro/s640/2017-06-27+10.47.56.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Utrecht Lunetten station, a view from a bicycle</span></td></tr>
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However there is no cycling in the new underpass at Hackney Wick station. Just under half of the underpass is currently a link between the only open entrance on White Post Lane and the Eastbound platform</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4mGfZ5lN2skxupjuQUWGQ3ZAgbRnTXcoqqpR4urQmfwLB_R2aXoFkvnBPYExW0XrZ_ZzyVZLew6CimyEVD6q907-DF0A5NN7FJHMY_DcxYF7I8rK9I_IQtxbB_JUcK9mo9x6UhM9f6PL/s1600/inside+subway2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="1280" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4mGfZ5lN2skxupjuQUWGQ3ZAgbRnTXcoqqpR4urQmfwLB_R2aXoFkvnBPYExW0XrZ_ZzyVZLew6CimyEVD6q907-DF0A5NN7FJHMY_DcxYF7I8rK9I_IQtxbB_JUcK9mo9x6UhM9f6PL/s640/inside+subway2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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On the other side of the removable glass wall lies what will become a pedestrian route through the station </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYMcLKGmnhjt7-z-5kEbRo0rEHOTGCxWnGDUEFHOZaurAmGopob8EZ6dsySAh4ep6c1pV5lyW0pzdarCXMOx5d3eZVSxUN43vA0SQmZA1-R0P3kpOpQRbzcAWBqzqzHPLSNUDdQy6ZBqG/s1600/closed+underpass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1399" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYMcLKGmnhjt7-z-5kEbRo0rEHOTGCxWnGDUEFHOZaurAmGopob8EZ6dsySAh4ep6c1pV5lyW0pzdarCXMOx5d3eZVSxUN43vA0SQmZA1-R0P3kpOpQRbzcAWBqzqzHPLSNUDdQy6ZBqG/s640/closed+underpass.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The closed underpass a few days after the upgraded Hackney Wick station opened. It has since been securely closed with hoardings, presumably to prevent anyone sleeping or spray painting inside</span></td></tr>
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Almost all buildings either side of the new station will eventually be demolished to create <a href="http://karakusevic-carson.com/work/hackney-wick-central-masterplan">Hackney Wick Central</a>, a new mixed use neighbourhood with a pedestrianised north-south route surrounded by retail units, all animated as either coffee or bike shops in the visualisations pinned to the outside of the station</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5tQZNwi3wPD-2cUrWgs5skLG5iY9RoOOTgPkd5yG1hRxVQKZpbUKssWSA0UW7lN0rCy2-6Da60PitPLhXXMojqa1r2MDxoKrK6Jevm40FgC63OBQmmkb24JMXFFP_fs5M2YW3gjNQ0W9/s1600/Capture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="761" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5tQZNwi3wPD-2cUrWgs5skLG5iY9RoOOTgPkd5yG1hRxVQKZpbUKssWSA0UW7lN0rCy2-6Da60PitPLhXXMojqa1r2MDxoKrK6Jevm40FgC63OBQmmkb24JMXFFP_fs5M2YW3gjNQ0W9/s640/Capture.JPG" width="582" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The route of the new pedestrianised road which will run through the station</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNBZYZCBFxZlaG-0A_ZRWn73cjjWgLk9czQ7UI8tXoJXkrcAlbEJuICHJ0iNccRUMmo-p89BuAPDnaCayeFp-PfW4mbF2jV0ivE_wdpP6qJW5xKB0SifakZDCY2Xn7KD1WKgm1nceDce5/s1600/IMG_1249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPNBZYZCBFxZlaG-0A_ZRWn73cjjWgLk9czQ7UI8tXoJXkrcAlbEJuICHJ0iNccRUMmo-p89BuAPDnaCayeFp-PfW4mbF2jV0ivE_wdpP6qJW5xKB0SifakZDCY2Xn7KD1WKgm1nceDce5/s640/IMG_1249.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">From the Eastbound platform you can view where the new pedestrian route will run, with most of the warehouses soon to be replaced by flats and retail units </span></td></tr>
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It'll also link up with the cycle and footbridge from Wallis Road into the Olympic Park, part of quietway 6, and will allow residents of <a href="http://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/the-park/homes-and-living/east-wick">East Wick</a> quicker access to their local station. It is of course entirely possible that cycling will be allowed through this underpass and along this route once it opens, however it would clearly be better for everyone if a cycle track was built to clearly separate walking and cycling, rather than a shared space design</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm1SsJt3wawXsXftg8Uco_axshg2wgIhVJxlhS8I_yowPQg9gcJyynvsMulipv1BNNB0sfRwjBlrQ39JkLe3hqE6e7QwYOh-u-ZbY7FituesFNkW1MrapDh2uT3TgndMCew17Jyz3GB8H/s1600/IMG_6172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1299" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAm1SsJt3wawXsXftg8Uco_axshg2wgIhVJxlhS8I_yowPQg9gcJyynvsMulipv1BNNB0sfRwjBlrQ39JkLe3hqE6e7QwYOh-u-ZbY7FituesFNkW1MrapDh2uT3TgndMCew17Jyz3GB8H/s640/IMG_6172.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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However this is the LLDC who are not very keen on creating cycle routes but are keen on "cyclists dismount" signs, so it is unlikely this will become a walking and cycling route. </div>
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As for cycle parking there are currently seven new bike stands outside the new entrance on White Post Lane with another inaccessible eight behind fencing at the, as yet unopened, northern entrance. The current seven stands are clearly nowhere near enough as they are always full and were from day one, with lamp posts and railings nearby often used as well. If 15 stands will be the eventual total bike parking at Hackney Wick station then clearly that will be nowhere near enough </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWsgbnzCS4TAaZOM1X7wLm6T6YNlclzLTfY0IwbkZiM6BVoDUhegKhWA7TDCkINlvaE3OAFfBaEdth4qJn5iZeJTv08EhRu6tougXhQgWXlnDtdl9BzD8dAo4HwDXGaYpvLUELz3qMUxk/s1600/2017-06-27+12.56.28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="1145" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWsgbnzCS4TAaZOM1X7wLm6T6YNlclzLTfY0IwbkZiM6BVoDUhegKhWA7TDCkINlvaE3OAFfBaEdth4qJn5iZeJTv08EhRu6tougXhQgWXlnDtdl9BzD8dAo4HwDXGaYpvLUELz3qMUxk/s640/2017-06-27+12.56.28.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Typical cycle parking under a railway station in the Netherlands where 40% of all train passengers arrive by bike. Clean, light and spacious with room for thousands of bicycles to park for free. Hackney Wick does not need thousands of spaces but it does need more than 15 bike stands and with the new station due to be surrounded by new buildings with spacious basements it would have been great to have seen more ambitious bike parking facilities at Hackney Wick </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8gw9hYdvjH-mQIBXsu8tKZ4Em4CSp54005Ktumr3V_itGxH9t8pqwjjvyxJUWgSvUFKDhfTSI_xz0_HxKKMu6iaZMCvcPoRDCnnF3Ofr82Er9yIZASlofqMdaFRWR9tOZcEAgNEBLlsM/s1600/Cycle+parking+at+bus+stop+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1066" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8gw9hYdvjH-mQIBXsu8tKZ4Em4CSp54005Ktumr3V_itGxH9t8pqwjjvyxJUWgSvUFKDhfTSI_xz0_HxKKMu6iaZMCvcPoRDCnnF3Ofr82Er9yIZASlofqMdaFRWR9tOZcEAgNEBLlsM/s640/Cycle+parking+at+bus+stop+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bicycle parking at a bus stop in the suburbs of Amsterdam. With large unused space outside the new station could something like this have been built at Hackney Wick? </span></td></tr>
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It was disappointing to see that as soon as the new station opened so did White Post Lane following a closure of more than a year, despite being a little used road and alternative routes for through motor traffic <a href="https://goo.gl/maps/g2c95qD5MC52">in the area</a>. This would have been a great opportunity to filter it directly in front of the station and create a new public space and improve the safety of those leaving the station on foot</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ffYTZ3-F7L5FIJZUQHvUN3VqG09P_hL6IYMMx_Oo49T494EhdwLXAnLp65uoANeJXalBQzSIHGYNoCFORUofm5ZL8cLINw3sqr9HFgY2Jwr_cHA1wVuZBdDUIwcb3kAPePjlZgG5v9Bh/s1600/car+outside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="1364" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ffYTZ3-F7L5FIJZUQHvUN3VqG09P_hL6IYMMx_Oo49T494EhdwLXAnLp65uoANeJXalBQzSIHGYNoCFORUofm5ZL8cLINw3sqr9HFgY2Jwr_cHA1wVuZBdDUIwcb3kAPePjlZgG5v9Bh/s640/car+outside.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The new Hackney Wick station, with on street car parking retained directly outside</span></td></tr>
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Indeed as White Post Lane is currently the only way to access or exit the station it is a shame that this road was not even resurfaced and remains in a terrible state. It is particularly unpleasant as a pedestrian, with high kerbs remaining at no longer existing side entrances; if you're in a wheelchair or have a pushchair walking in the road may be the only option to get to the station<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAIE4922qk6ZclF2F2_S_3pvtcFN_jSTqrxdtzv2MIYp_jA8CV0Stu2dt-i6DMlcYhdbQCN9EfwOvNwdY3cqSTgxw1th3flIjPe0pVI4rUfY-S62AwRoAfu7VtztkzPouiPi7nOFYAB_t/s1600/IMG_1269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1241" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAIE4922qk6ZclF2F2_S_3pvtcFN_jSTqrxdtzv2MIYp_jA8CV0Stu2dt-i6DMlcYhdbQCN9EfwOvNwdY3cqSTgxw1th3flIjPe0pVI4rUfY-S62AwRoAfu7VtztkzPouiPi7nOFYAB_t/s640/IMG_1269.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQ4yYlnVxTV07H4noiJlsea9IMQp9zEbhLUBwSVAXrKG-l3nAvWbeP5sdonHu3gzj4ZoOa_UOQlL-4UhGdmJYi6837jYpdSRJhoT6lUY0BCdujHX6O7lK9bLWRBARZsmARHqGNMfQ8tUO/s1600/IMG_1271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1235" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQ4yYlnVxTV07H4noiJlsea9IMQp9zEbhLUBwSVAXrKG-l3nAvWbeP5sdonHu3gzj4ZoOa_UOQlL-4UhGdmJYi6837jYpdSRJhoT6lUY0BCdujHX6O7lK9bLWRBARZsmARHqGNMfQ8tUO/s640/IMG_1271.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Pedestrian activity will increase here considerably in the near future, with huge apartment blocks very close to the station <a href="https://www.bagelfactory.london/">nearing completion</a> and <a href="https://www.ashsak.com/projects/wickside">even bigger ones</a> still going through the planning process. However Hackney Wick will also be the local station for residential areas such as <a href="http://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/the-park/homes-and-living/east-wick">East Wick</a> and <a href="http://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/the-park/homes-and-living/sweetwater">Sweetwater</a> in the Olympic Park and the developments under construction on <a href="https://www.peabody.org.uk/fish-island-village">Fish Island</a> which will all be a good 10 to 15 minute walk away. Hackney Wick is also my local station and is at least a 10 minute walk; I usually do walk it but on occasions use the bike, especially if I know I'll be coming back with shopping and a child which is much easier to transport home from the station by bike than on foot. I suspect many residents in the North of the Olympic Park will prefer a short bike ride home from the station, rather than a longer walk too.</div>
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As a local resident I'm grateful for the station upgrade and it is a stunning addition to the area but I can't help feel this was a missed opportunity not to create new cycling routes. Meanwhile the next time you see a Dutch video of a new cycling underpass being built over the course of a weekend please remember we can also do that in the UK too, we just choose not to. </div>
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