7 Points about the Cycle Improvements on Tadcaster Road York

The cycle improvements on the Tadcaster Road in York appear to be finished. Here are seven comments on them.

1) Kerbs and Wands

Where they have been installed, the kerb and wand arrangements are a definite improvement and make you feel safer. The fact that hard kerbs have been used rather than plastic orcas is a distinct plus.

My one criticism is that there aren’t nearly enough of them on the way out of the city, and none at all on the way in.

Let’s have 100 more, so that the route is far better protected.

2) Painted Cycle Lanes

Some of the cycle lanes are mandatory (solid line) and of a decent width (see image above).

Most of them are advisory and around 1m wide (image below). Those are pretty poor, and mean that this route definitely doesn’t meet the 8 to 80 year old standard.

3) Pedestrian Refuges

I spoke to a chap who regularly cycles this route, and asked if he was pleased with the recent improvements.

He was, but he highlighted the pedestrian refuges as the most unsafe elements, because drivers insist on overtaking at the pinch points created by the refuges.

Replacing the refuges with zebra or light-controlled crossings should be the top priority to further improve cycle safety on Tadcaster Road.

4) Bus Stop Bypass

The bus stop bypass is quite good. There’s lots of space, which makes it feel safe for everyone.

Where it spits you out, back into a narrow advisory cycle lane, feels dodgy. The design has probably been compromised by the mature tree which stands at the critical point.

5) Moor Lane Roundabout

The off-carriageway arrangements at the Moor Lane roundabout are too inconvenient to be usable.

There are multiple crossings of roundabout arms, without priority or with beg buttons, making the time taken just too long.

6) Shared Use Near the Askham Bar Park & Ride

The shared use footway immediately north of Askham Bar Park & Ride is far too narrow, and doesn’t not always have good sightlines.

Widening the path should be a priority.

7) Low Level Cycle Signal

There’s a low-level cycle signal at the junction with St Helens Road, which is an opportunity for early release for cyclists.

In fact, the low-level light just changes at the same time as the main traffic light, so the opportunity has been missed.