75 years ago today

[Zipperhead]

What was?

Britain's first cycle lane

[clarion]

Also from the Nothing New Dept, Butterfly noticed a reference to Bicycle Polo (remember - invented by couriers, according to endless lazy press pieces) in the 1936 Clarion CC Handbook.

[Salvatore]

Also from the Nothing New Dept, Butterfly noticed a reference to Bicycle Polo (remember - invented by couriers, according to endless lazy press pieces) in the 1936 Clarion CC Handbook.

Devised in 1891 by an Irishman according to this article. So not long after the invention of the Safety Bicycle.

[Cue Hilldodger to say it was played on pennyfarthings in 1848].

[David Martin]

What was?

Britain's first cycle lane

Lane maybe, but not the first dedicated cycle path.

..d

[Cudzoziemiec]

The A40 lane received a "frigid welcome" from cyclists' groups, the Guardian noted in December 1934. They were worried that such innovations marked an attempt by a then-tiny minority, drivers, to push everyone else off the roads.

Unfortunately it doesn't say in what way motorists were then a tiny minority, and how, seeing as they were so few, they managed to "push everyone else off the roads." Simply by force majeure, or because they were a wealthy elite? Or because even then a burgeoning industry depended on them?

[Charlotte]

Ever tried cycling alongside the A40 recently?  A part of my route to one of our offices takes in the cycle path between Perivale and Greenford.

It's a glass-strewn, overgrown, unkempt piece of crap and quite representative of the rest of the "facility", from Uxbridge up to White City.

I'll often choose to cycle in lane one instead.  It's not unusual that I'm the fastest thing on the road anyway...

[Cudzoziemiec]

So what if the original 2.5m wide (I bet it was 8'3" actually  ) concrete lane had survived? Would it be good, would it worth using? Or would it also have become overgrown, cracked and full of glass and litter, through underuse, lack of maintenance, and general vandalism? What do people reckon?

[David Martin]

If it is like the cycle paths alongside the A240 at Tolworth, then they will be fine on an MTB but dire on a road bike. Plus having to give way at every junction.

..d

[fred the great]

Even 65 years ago, where I lived,  cycling lanes were quite unnecessary.

Those were the days of trams, Austin 7's, Morris Minors, Standard 9's, Riley Kestrels,, Wolsely Hornets? and lot's of cobbles. Most engines were side valve and hardly any cars could reach 60 mph in 5 minutes  The posher people usually had a Rover, Daimler or Jaguar.

Our coal was delivered by horse and cart and milk by a small electric vehicle.

Hence cycling and cycle racing were an absolute pleasure.

And the Copper's wore a big hat.

I could go on of course............

[ScumOfTheRoad]

Even 65 years ago, where I lived,  cycling lanes were quite unnecessary.

Our coal was delivered by horse and cart and milk by a small electric vehicle.

In 65 years time if we're lucky things will be delivered by horse and cart and milk by a small electric vehicle. Coal will be exhibited in museums like diamonds are today.