By: Mike Reys

Mike Reys — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:09:25 +0000

The issue with many cycle lanes is that they ‘appear’ and ‘disappear’ most awkwardly. Unless you know the route you’re taking by heart, many cycle paths start without clear indications and if you’re not ‘in the know’ you keep cycling on the main road (putting yourself in danger while cycling amongst drivers who are angry and don’t understand why you’re not on the cycle path).
Getting on/off a cycle path often requires to go partially on the footpath which shifts the danger from the cyclist to the pedestrian.
And the biggest bug bear in the safety is the British mentality to avoid pedestrians/cyclists/cars using a crossing at the same time. On these ‘safe routes’ the cyclists are often asked to turn in two stages for example. With 3 or more stages of lights, cyclists who follow this might encounter a 5 minute wait to turn. Lime bikers often can’t wait for 5 seconds, let alone 5 minutes!
It might seem awkward, but putting a little danger into the traffic usually makes road users more attentive to their environment. Look at how regular crossings on the continent are only in 2 stages with pedestrians/cyclists/cars all crossing in one direction at the same time. It means that anyone in/on a vehicle making a turn must look out for pedestrians who might be crossing. It instills a behaviour of always being on alert for other road users. Especially drivers here think that green gives them priority over all other traffic, even when turning and therefore forget to look out for cyclists to their left.

Comments on: There’s now 435km of cycle routes in London, but are they safe?

By: Mike Reys