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When cyclists have to share space with pedestrians, it can be really scary when a fast bike passes you as a pedestrian. But the changes of actually being hit and hurt are really low, though it does happen anecdotally.
Imagine being a cyclist having to share space with 50kph faster, 2 ton machines. The chances to be hit are quite high and the chances of being hurt near 100%.
One other big difference is that bicyclists can become pedestrians temporarily (by walking their bike) and then go back to being different. Cars cannot do this.
This is built into a lot of the designs i see, where there might be a wide road/path which accommodates both pedestrians and cyclists, but then to cross a preexisting narrow bridge, a pedestrian access only gate can ask cyclists to dismount and walk across.
You are correct that it cannot force people to take the bridge; they could turn around and go back the way they came, although it does usually force bicyclists to dismount if they want to get across the river.
I’ve personally tried to “trials ride” through them, when no one else is around, but it is very difficult, if not impossible, to make such tight short turns.
There is nothing preventing a bicyclist from hopping back on their bike on the bridge, once they’re through the gate, and then hopping off again to pass the gate at the other side. But since they had to dismount, that removes most of the dangerous momentum and starts pedestrians and bicyclists off on equal footing as they cross the bridge, instead of leaving it 100% up to the bicyclist for deciding when to slow down and become a pedestrian.
I’m not sure what you mean by “take the road instead” – everybody is in the road, until it gets to the bridge, which the road doesn’t cross.
Wheelchairs, like pedestrians, have close to a zero turn radius capability. A person riding a bike does not. So put some right angle turns close to each other, and some one can walk through with their bike, but not easily ride through. (Although it is a fun challenge.)
I get putting them strategically to gate places where bicyclists and pedestrians will mix. I don’t like when planners use them to gate road (auto) crossings – the auto should be the one slowed down, not me. Or at the very least, it should be equal.
I did a quick search to find some images, and found a site explaining that some of these types of gates ARE sometimes impassible barriers to different types of bikes, bikes with trailers, etc, and there are better ways to slow bicyclist speed at an intersection.
When cyclists have to share space with pedestrians, it can be really scary when a fast bike passes you as a pedestrian. But the changes of actually being hit and hurt are really low, though it does happen anecdotally.
Imagine being a cyclist having to share space with 50kph faster, 2 ton machines. The chances to be hit are quite high and the chances of being hurt near 100%.
It’s almost as if faster vehicles need to be kept away from vulnerable travellers… Hmmm…
I don’t think it’s that important to keep biikes away from pedestrians. They can usually coexist fine and fear doesn’t actually hurt anyone.
It’s way more important to keep cars far away from humans of all types.
As long as the path is suitable for it I would agree. Also depends on how many people use it.
One other big difference is that bicyclists can become pedestrians temporarily (by walking their bike) and then go back to being different. Cars cannot do this.
This is built into a lot of the designs i see, where there might be a wide road/path which accommodates both pedestrians and cyclists, but then to cross a preexisting narrow bridge, a pedestrian access only gate can ask cyclists to dismount and walk across.
It can ask, but then don’t be surprised when many people don’t do that or some take the road instead.
The footbridge is the only way across.
You are correct that it cannot force people to take the bridge; they could turn around and go back the way they came, although it does usually force bicyclists to dismount if they want to get across the river.
I’ve personally tried to “trials ride” through them, when no one else is around, but it is very difficult, if not impossible, to make such tight short turns.
There is nothing preventing a bicyclist from hopping back on their bike on the bridge, once they’re through the gate, and then hopping off again to pass the gate at the other side. But since they had to dismount, that removes most of the dangerous momentum and starts pedestrians and bicyclists off on equal footing as they cross the bridge, instead of leaving it 100% up to the bicyclist for deciding when to slow down and become a pedestrian.
I’m not sure what you mean by “take the road instead” – everybody is in the road, until it gets to the bridge, which the road doesn’t cross.
If its so difficult you can’t cycle through it, could you even get a wheelchair through it?
Although sounds like this is more a one off single bridge rather than a general thing.
No it is very common here.
Wheelchairs, like pedestrians, have close to a zero turn radius capability. A person riding a bike does not. So put some right angle turns close to each other, and some one can walk through with their bike, but not easily ride through. (Although it is a fun challenge.)
I get putting them strategically to gate places where bicyclists and pedestrians will mix. I don’t like when planners use them to gate road (auto) crossings – the auto should be the one slowed down, not me. Or at the very least, it should be equal.
I did a quick search to find some images, and found a site explaining that some of these types of gates ARE sometimes impassible barriers to different types of bikes, bikes with trailers, etc, and there are better ways to slow bicyclist speed at an intersection.
https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/cycling-guide/barriers-on-cycle-paths