Cycling in and around Birmingham England

Selly Oak New Road

Is now open apparently if anyone wants to check it out for cycle friendliness.

Tags: Selly, oak

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Permalink Reply by CKS on August 21, 2011 at 13:13

Is that the one that goes under the new canal viaduct?

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Permalink Reply by LS on August 21, 2011 at 13:42

Yes. Looks like cyclists are expected to ride on the pavement...
http://www.sellyoaknewroadphase2.co.uk/

Chris S said:

Is that the one that goes under the new canal viaduct?

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Permalink Reply by Philip Whiteman on August 22, 2011 at 8:02

Cycle Friendless: Depends upon which direction you are travelling. Effectively, left turns at the roundabout are not a problem as the path keeps users off the highway. Right turns require cyclists to negotiate the roundabout about or sod around with the pedestrian crossings and stick to the cycle paths. I do not relish the idea of using the highway at peak periods.

Harborne Lane - Bristol Road (Tesco): Poor. Cyclists either need to use pedestrian crossings or use the tricky new roundabout

Bristol Road (Tesco) - Harborne Lane: Good. Uninterupted path albeit the usual street furniture located on the path.

Bristol Road (Tesco) - Hospital: Poor. Cyclists either need to use pedestrian crossings or use the tricky new roundabout

Hospital - Bristol Road (Tesco): Good. Cycle path starts just short of the new roundabout and takes you through the University South Gate.

Hospital - Harborne Lane: Poor. Dodgy roundabout with poor visibility. Inconveniently placed crossings linking the paths.

Harborne Lane - Hospital: Good. Chord lane avoids roundabout and the cycle path is throughout.

The new pedestrian crossing out of the Grange Road entrance of the University have a cyclist's filter. The new cycle paths in this area are fairly wide and will be of benefit to cyclists accessing the campus.

Unfortunately, I suspect that once the holidays are finished the new spine road from the Hospital to the Harborne Lane will become a location for frequent grid-locks. Even without the final section of road under the Canal being open, the Harborne Lane roundabout has become increasingly congested with vehicles. However, I do use the cycle track on such occasions which does provide welcome relief.

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Permalink Reply by Ian Wacogne on August 22, 2011 at 14:54

Does anyone know if they've taken a few pence in their millions of pounds spent to provide some ramp access to the canal there? I reckon there's not a half hour in the daylight that someone isn't struggling to carry their bike up or down the steps from or to the canal beside University Station. Would be nice to have a bit more access. My breath, however, is not held...

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Permalink Reply by LS on August 22, 2011 at 14:56

No they haven't.

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Permalink Reply by LS on August 22, 2011 at 15:05

I particularly like the slalom poles in the cycle lane. Nice touch.

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Permalink Reply by Darren Cash on August 23, 2011 at 11:21

Great photo's. When I see something like that I begin to wonder if any one takes cycling seriously. It looks like the posts have gone in AFTER the path judging by the coloured tarmac around the posts. Suggests a lack of co-ordination. Perhaps the Road part of the Highways authority have absolutely no interest in cyclists or pedestrians. Sad thing is, from the photo's the road looks plenty wide enough to have had a decent width, properly marked, no parking cycle lane along it.

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Permalink Reply by Robert Holland on August 23, 2011 at 11:24

Another indication, as if we needed it, that 'car is king' in this fair city!

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Permalink Reply by Philip Whiteman on August 23, 2011 at 11:28

The also having a laugh in terms of the bus stops on the latest section of opened road. I could not believe my eyes when I noticed that the timetable boards face outwards onto the carriageway rather than onto the pavement. As a consequence, travellers will need to balance on the kerb to read to find out their bus time.

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Permalink Reply by Rachel Gillies on August 23, 2011 at 12:23

I cycled the section from the Bristol Rd up to the hospitals yesterday and it's what you'd expect from a segregated cycle path. There were a few spots where I wasn't sure where the path was going, particularly turning right at the roundabout to head up to the hospitals. Apparently a roundabout is far too dangerous for a cyclist to attempt to go round so you're forced into heading straight on at the roundabout on the cycle lane, cross at the lights and then backtrack on the other side of the road. Frustrating but I'm sure less confident cyclists will welcome it.

On the whole, a massive opportunity missed for an on-road cycle path and proper consultation on street furniture and signing - but I'm sure it will come into its own once students return.

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Permalink Reply by LS on August 23, 2011 at 12:44

Apparently Birmingham Post have seen this and may write a story. I was asked for a comment but have declined. It would probably be unprintable anyway ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Robert Holland on August 23, 2011 at 13:26

Oh dear, oh dear, oh.......

Philip Whiteman said:

The also having a laugh in terms of the bus stops on the latest section of opened road. I could not believe my eyes when I noticed that the timetable boards face outwards onto the carriageway rather than onto the pavement. As a consequence, travellers will need to balance on the kerb to read to find out their bus time.