tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post4452718778759633298..comments2024-03-18T08:51:07.314+00:00Comments on i b i k e l o n d o n: Oxford cycle styleibikelondonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-39352729755501842282013-03-11T15:58:18.391+00:002013-03-11T15:58:18.391+00:00Bumped here by your post on Mother's day; a ve...Bumped here by your post on Mother's day; a very accurate account of Oxford! I think it is certainly apparent for anyone who lives in Oxford that its high rates and wide variety of cycling is entirely despite infrastructure provision rather than due to some mediocre attempts at it. <br /><br />Is this a problem? Could there be more people cycling?<br /><br />I think so. Although anyone heading in from the areas directly around the centre would be likely to cycle, there are a number of peripheral areas with large pools of employment, major supermarkets and leisure facilities, where cycling becomes deeply unattractive. <br /><br />Up 'the hill' to Headington is potentially a bit of hard work but compounded by some appallingly laid-out roads that pit cyclists against rapidly accelerating and swerving cars, buses and lorries- diving in and out of parked traffic on either side or simply racing between lights alongside narrow, faded cycle lanes. Many people get off and push. Others don't bother and get the bus. Others drive. <br />With uphill speed differentials and acres of space (albeit currently used for random parking) these routes are crying out for proper 'off road' provision. <br /><br />Things get far worse towards the noose that is Oxford's ring road. Often there are no crossings for hundreds of metres either way along this dual-carriageway and cyclists are forced alongside on low-grade, polluted paths until the inevitable roundabout or underpass where they can dismount and attempt a multi-stage crossing. <br /><br />For me, the undeniable joy of dutch-style school runs and grannies on shoppers in the city back-streets is soured by the knowledge that this is one UK city where cycling is already a widespread cultural norm. How pathetically this has been furthered or encouraged. Oxford should be a shining beacon for simple, utilitarian cycling. Unfortunately, outside the student and inner city population, the car is king and Oxford is no different to any other part of Southern England. <br /><br />For a leisurely pootle to the library you can't beat it but for the lengthy commute on a drizzly Monday give me London and it's luxurious bus lanes every time.<br /><br />(Oh, and as in Cambridge, I think it is a misconception that a ban on student parking makes any real difference. Residential parking is already so tight that it is very difficult to park in the areas where students generally live. Mostly impossible near the ancient colleges. No University enforcement is necessary.)Colinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-77972908990620575362012-12-05T15:42:38.055+00:002012-12-05T15:42:38.055+00:00As an Oxford resident who almost never cycles I wo...As an Oxford resident who almost never cycles I would love to see more provision for bicycles and motorbikes in Oxford. More cycle parking is really needed. On the other side we need more responsibility from some people. It is such a lovely place too often ruined by cycles dumped in door ways, and also cars parked on pavements.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-9084942767284200932012-11-02T15:37:55.193+00:002012-11-02T15:37:55.193+00:00I visited Oxford last year and hired a bike to get...I visited Oxford last year and hired a bike to get about, and really enjoyed myself. It's noticeable that despite the high number of cyclists, there isn't much in the way of infrastructure, but drivers were generally fairly patient and respectful.<br /><br />While some of the roads leave a lot to be desired, Oxford is a striking example of what can happen if you limit the amount of car ownership. Because students at the colleges are prevented from keeping cars, they use bikes, and that critical mass helps to support a healthy and diverse bike culture. <br /><br />Given that bikes and pedestrians make up the majority of street users, I think better provision really should be a no-brainer, but it often comes down to political will, and I imagine that local businesses and non-college residents may feel that they're being restricted by proposals to reallocate space. In the long run, though, it will make things better for everyone!lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04516483442612121049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-55977439536556295982012-10-31T10:49:31.659+00:002012-10-31T10:49:31.659+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15898014560359608505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-42882405544367271362012-10-31T10:49:05.572+00:002012-10-31T10:49:05.572+00:00Why are Network Rail so lazy that they don't r...Why are Network Rail so lazy that they don't regularly clean-up bike parking stands and get rid of abandoned bikes?Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15898014560359608505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-60332685161248222142012-10-31T10:44:04.839+00:002012-10-31T10:44:04.839+00:00Well done Mark.
Good to see that all elderly (i.e...Well done Mark.<br /><br />Good to see that all elderly (i.e. wise) riders do not wear helmets.<br /><br />@amyuncorked. Don't blame tourists, i.e. foreigners. The fault lies with the authorities which, as Mark clearly shows, do not provide adequate space for pedestrians.Andreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15898014560359608505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-13651962403906651472012-10-31T10:29:10.411+00:002012-10-31T10:29:10.411+00:00Ah takes me back! It looks like nothing has change...Ah takes me back! It looks like nothing has changed since the twenty-*cough* years since I was there. When I was a student everyone had a bike - you didn't think anything of it, it was just the only practical way to get around.townmousehttp://cityexile.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-46469927631757296322012-10-31T05:27:23.238+00:002012-10-31T05:27:23.238+00:00I enjoyed this post. I spent in week in Oxford thi...I enjoyed this post. I spent in week in Oxford this time last year and was inspired by the number of people on bikes. I agree that the conditions could be improved. I wonder if a large portion of Oxford cyclists are transient students who tolerate the conditions because they know that they will be moving on after a few years.perthbikerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10087986958528051511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-89020008521998267242012-10-30T13:57:30.793+00:002012-10-30T13:57:30.793+00:00Great pictures. I love seeing all the cyclists ar...Great pictures. I love seeing all the cyclists around that area of the world.<br /><br /><br />DarrylLoving the Bikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18292939935753753863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-44377370627395828522012-10-30T13:16:34.607+00:002012-10-30T13:16:34.607+00:00Thanks everyone for your kind comments.
@hellibir...Thanks everyone for your kind comments.<br /><br />@hellibird This is the second time someone has recognised a random subject in one of my photographs! When I visited Copenhagen I captured a socialist politician riding their bike on the camera - I had no idea who he was but the people of CPH seemed pleased to see him on a bike! I'm glad that Prffsr Chapman will put a smile on Vole's face.<br /><br />@AmyUncorked Thanks for your kind comment. I think you'll have to make a return visit - with a bike - and see how those new London cycling skills translate to Oxford and its gaggle of tourists!ibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-19699482714698607062012-10-30T13:03:31.858+00:002012-10-30T13:03:31.858+00:00Ach, quiet town, obviously. Sorry for typo.Ach, quiet town, obviously. Sorry for typo.Amy Uncorkedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18377255309245189127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-81776584399010648412012-10-30T13:02:14.018+00:002012-10-30T13:02:14.018+00:00Great post Mark, a really interesting look at the ...Great post Mark, a really interesting look at the city. When I was a student in Oxford I never cycled because I was struck by how congested it was, and how it didn’t seem ideally designed for pedestrians, cars OR bikes. (or to be completely honest because I knew it was only a matter of time before I got on a bike significantly worse for wear after a party or the pub, which would have ended in disaster, or at least significant bruising the next day….)<br /><br />But now I’ve been cycling happily in London for a good few years I’d probably be less trepidatious. I think the main danger in Oxford is exactly what you spell out – people who imagine that it will be like cycling in a small provincial quite town, rather than in the busy, badly-designed city centre that it is. Also, the large numbers of tourists, often in groups, who wander aimlessly into the road without looking or just generally clog up the small passages and tighter corners of the city for pedestrians and road users alike.Amy Uncorkedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18377255309245189127noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-31477051393890553652012-10-30T12:40:02.376+00:002012-10-30T12:40:02.376+00:00Old don on penultimate picture is Professor Alan C...Old don on penultimate picture is Professor Alan Chapman, an expert on the history of astronomy. The Vole will be happy to see him on a bicycle!hellibirdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10799805593345736706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-52628383504816298692012-10-30T10:43:04.657+00:002012-10-30T10:43:04.657+00:00lovely photos, especially the last one, very copen...lovely photos, especially the last one, very copenhagenizediscoaddicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16780797407310481018noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-21410703164841152882012-10-30T10:21:39.876+00:002012-10-30T10:21:39.876+00:00Bike - Medicine for a traffic jam.
Love kid in tr...Bike - Medicine for a traffic jam.<br /><br />Love kid in trailer :)lavinkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12121055586855735835noreply@blogger.com