The kerb prevents cyclists from getting into the Primary Position early, and it (and the blue lane beyond) encourages the idea that cyclists should always keep left.
The whole kerb and the whole cycle lane should be removed. Cyclists should be encouraged to ride in the middle of the lane near and through the junction, and at the junction motorist should be limited to 10mph and be banned from overtaking cycles.
While given the current state of our roads I'll agree that a cyclist approaching this junction or any other should be getting into the primary position in order to vehicular cycle round the roundabout or junction, I've been considering a different point of view of late. That point of view is that i'm prepared to do that because I've been on the bike for years, since I was a kid and I'm fairly confident that If I have to I can drop the hammer speed wise to get round and force my way into primary through sheer force of will.
There is a class of cyclists that often don't feel confident enough to do this though and they are more important that those of us who consider ourselves experienced cyclists. They are novices and non-cyclists. Yep non-cyclists, people who could cycle and quite like the idea but won't because they are absolutely terrified of have to dice with traffic. Which is where the Dutch really win, they don't need to have to worry about, getting into primary or avoiding obstacles or motorists not paying attention because the road has been properly designed so that anyone could walk or cycle not just the experience cyclists.
I like to use my Girlfriend as a test case, she's bought a little folding bike and is about to have cycling lessons with the council
. This is a win, but not quite. There is no way in hell I could get her to take primary on that roundabout even with me playing tail end charlie, or after her training course, nor my mum who cycles to work everyday, nor any multitude of everyday folk who would like to use their bikes to get to places.
Asking motorists to stick to a speed limit and pay attention and be nice is like trying to put a fart back in, pointless. There's no will to enforce their crimes to any serious degree, so the only solution is to reduce their numbers by presenting a serious, safe alternative so the not-yet-cyclists can get out of their cars and join us on bikes.
