Otley Road - Space Reallocated to Motor Vehicles at Harlow Moor Road Junction
17th October 2021
Cycling in Yorkshire
17th October 2021
Government Cycle Infrastructure Design guidance says cycle tracks should be created by reallocating space from motor vehicles. The level of service for pedestrians should not be reduced.
At the junction with Harlow Moor Road, Otley Road is being widened for motor vehicles. Pedestrians and cyclists will be squeezed into the remaining space.
In mitigation:
Still, at the Harlow Moor Road junction we've ended up with a scheme that gives most of the space to motor vehicles, and leaves people on foot or on bikes to fight over the scraps. That is exactly what we're supposed to have stopped doing.
Travelling west, you can understand the reason for a right-turn lane into Harlow Moor Road.
Going east, a left turn lane doesn't even serve a purpose; no one going straight on is delayed by left-turning vehicles.
West of the Harlow Moor Road junction available space is reduced by the widening of the road, as can be seen from the photo at the top of the page. The path will be 2m 20cm wide.
As I understand it, in the 2m 20 will be a footway for pedestrians and a two-way cycle track.
The Desirable Minimum width of a two-way cycle track is 3m, and the Absolute Minimum at constraints is 2m. A footway should 2m wide, according to Inclusive Mobility.
Having given most of the space to motor vehicles, there is nowhere near enough left for pedestrians and cyclists.
There have been a lot of complaints from local residents about the prospect of an Otley Road Cycleway. One of the most common reasons is loss of grass and trees.
In fact, it is widening the road for motor vehicles that has meant the loss of grass and (I believe) twelve trees. Have there been complaints about the road-widening? No, not a peep.
Why have the complaints been directed at the wrong target? There are two possibilities:
Further west towards Beckwithshaw, there is plenty of space for a two-way cycle track, segregated from pedestrians - for now.
There are plans for vast housing estates either side of the Otley Road, though. Developers are putting forward road designs with right-turn lanes. That would once again squeeze the space available to people on foot and and on bikes. That can't be allowed to happen.
Transport links to future housing developments must be properly
planned. That means a cycleway segregated from the footway. And
it means North Yorkshire County Council must stop reallocating space
from active travel to motor vehicles.
Crank Brothers multi tool from Amazon at £28.48 (as at 17th October 2021).
Bike Rides in Harrogate and Nidderdale is a book of family, mountain and road bike rides.
"This guide is a wonderful companion whether you ride alone, with family or friends. Don't set out without it."
Read more about Bike Rides in Harrogate and Nidderdale .
Bike Rides In and Around York starts a city tour of York, then there are wonderful family, road, and mountain bike rides.
It's intended to inspire you discover York and the surrounding countryside on two wheels.
Each ride comes with a map and GPS files that you can upload to a device.
'This book is simply a treasure trove not only of great rides but also as a travel guide to the area.' Reader review, July 2021.
Find out more about Bike Rides In and Around York, and buy a copy.