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apc - where is this small town route? It could make a good case study. Most UK traffic engineers are unaware of the poor safety record of two way cycle tracks beside roads, especially one way roads. The problem is that at junctions drivers only look in the direction they expect traffic to be coming from and so hit the cyclists coming the other way. EU research has shown the 'wrong side' junctions have much higher casualty rates than normal junctions.
One of the reasons for replacing the two way track on Camden's Royal College St/St.Pancras Way route was the high level of casualties, including one fatality, at junctions with cross streets. The new route with one way tracks on each side of the road puts cyclists where drivers expect to see them.
Two way tracks can work well where there are no or very few cross streets, for example on the new East-West Cycle Superhighway along the Thames embankment.
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charlie_lcc
@apc
reading the first several pages of this thread and thought it was relevant given that my small town has just put inplace a 2 mile cycle lane from the edge of town to the train station.
I am against it - I have never felt unsafe on that road, ever. The road has now been converted into one-way traffic with the other half a 2 way cycle line (I think, its still a WIP)
Anyway as feared the first thing I over hear in the pub is "yeah theyre making that road one-way for those bloody cyclists!"
Segregated cycle line to encourage people who cant cycle to cycle. But all it will do is cause friction between cyclists and drivers rather than educating drivers that cyclists also share the road. Drivers will now have to take a 2 min detour every morning to get to the station. Cyclists will no longer get over taken by 4-5 cars in the space of 2 miles during peak hour. Result.