I agree with Ms. Kelly that cycling does bring many health and fitness benefits - sadly - not on the roads in Bolton though. I most definitely would not send my children to school by bicycle. As opposed to providing a health benefit, this would infact pose a health risk. Has Ms. Kelly seen the number of cars on the roads? Providing extra cycle lanes does not reduce the number of motorists. I think it is more the motorist that this education should be aimed at, because until we can all learn to drive considerately, the cyclists have no chance on our roads.

I can remember the Cycling Proficiency Test back in the 50's when lots of kids learned to ride bikes, it was OK then, a lot less traffic on the road and a lot less selfish 'don't hold me up' drivers.
I don't think it would work now.
Quote - In addition, the money will build 250 safe links to schools, connecting around 500 more schools to the National Cycle Network, and create an extra 10 cycling demonstration towns in England.
I can't see how that would help, how many schools are there in the country?

I agree with JooBee, Bolton's road system could not easily be adapted for a great number of cyclists. If school starting hours were half an hour later than they are now and British Double summertime was introduced (like during the war)Giving more daylight hours perhaps it would be safer for children to cycle to school. Children that don't cycle could use a walking bus as they do in other parts of the country. The council are famous for inventing non jobs, why not Walking Bus organisers? just a thought.

RagReader wrote:
I can remember the Cycling Proficiency Test back in the 50's when lots of kids learned to ride bikes, it was OK then, a lot less traffic on the road and a lot less selfish 'don't hold me up' drivers. I don't think it would work now. Quote - In addition, the money will build 250 safe links to schools, connecting around 500 more schools to the National Cycle Network, and create an extra 10 cycling demonstration towns in England. I can't see how that would help, how many schools are there in the country?

My lads both did a something similar to the CPT at primary here, but they were among a lucky group. However, the training seemed better than in my day as the instructors used a real road (appropriately signed to warn drivers) as part of the training which hopefully got across the potential dangers out there.

500 schools isn't a lot in the grand scheme but then the cycle network doesn't cover the country. It's a start I guess.

I'd like to see ALL motorists ride a bike once a week just to make them more aware of cyclists, when driving.

Well of course its OK in theory but anybody who rides a pushbike will know the roads are full of potholes near the kerb and of course school opening/closing time fills the roads with Women charging about often recklessly in extra large 4WD's full of there own self importance and not looking out for kids on bikes as their kids are safely in the Wagon, yes its aimed at getting rid of these unnecessary 'school run' Mum's and their 4WD's but how come us 1970's kids managed to walk to School but today's kids can't, not like nasty men are everywhere trying to snatch them. could it be about an opportunity they can't miss to show off the size of their vehicles ?

My kids would love bikes. Unfortunately we have had them stolen four times in as many years from our shed (the bikes not the kids!). We alarmed the shed and the thieves stole that too! Not that it was any use because our neighbours (one of whom happened to have a bikes spares factory running from their back yard) did nothing. Police failed to attend on each occasion so what's the point!

Disgusted wrote:
Well of course its OK in theory but anybody who rides a pushbike will know the roads are full of potholes near the kerb and of course school opening/closing time fills the roads with Women charging about often recklessly in extra large 4WD's full of there own self importance and not looking out for kids on bikes as their kids are safely in the Wagon, yes its aimed at getting rid of these unnecessary 'school run' Mum's and their 4WD's but how come us 1970's kids managed to walk to School but today's kids can't, not like nasty men are everywhere trying to snatch them. could it be about an opportunity they can't miss to show off the size of their vehicles ?

Has anyone tried going off bury road to the entrance to leverhulme park ... get a reporter down there for a photograph the road looks like it's been in a war zone its got that many potholes.

PLEASE BOLTON NEWS GO HAVE A LOOK YOU WILL BE SHOCKED.

Disgusted wrote:
Well of course its OK in theory but anybody who rides a pushbike will know the roads are full of potholes near the kerb and of course school opening/closing time fills the roads with Women charging about often recklessly in extra large 4WD's full of there own self importance and not looking out for kids on bikes as their kids are safely in the Wagon, yes its aimed at getting rid of these unnecessary 'school run' Mum's and their 4WD's but how come us 1970's kids managed to walk to School but today's kids can't, not like nasty men are everywhere trying to snatch them. could it be about an opportunity they can't miss to show off the size of their vehicles ?

it isnt 4wd that cause potholes its the crap repair job that's done and the quality of the tarmac and finishing.


Everyone in the construction trade knows it.

This is yet another re-cycled (pardon the pun) idea that comes up every few years. It hasn't worked before and it won't work this time.
It will only work when we invest more than the cost of a few white lines and build proper off road cycle routes to schools.
I for one wouldn't dream of letting my kids cycle along any of Bolton's main roads.

Before even starting a campaign to get more people on their bikes, the safety of bicycles in Bolton needs to be addressed.

First and foremost, there is nowhere at all in Bolton to safely store your bike.
I thought the place outside Albert Halls was safe, but since my bike was nicked from there back in 06, I was made aware of the fact that there was no CCTV looking at that area.

..maybe if I rode a colourful elephant things might change.

Riding bikes in most towns is not very healthy. Car, bus and lorry fumes are deadly.

Rocky wrote:

Disgusted wrote: Well of course its OK in theory but anybody who rides a pushbike will know the roads are full of potholes near the kerb and of course school opening/closing time fills the roads with Women charging about often recklessly in extra large 4WD's full of there own self importance and not looking out for kids on bikes as their kids are safely in the Wagon, yes its aimed at getting rid of these unnecessary 'school run' Mum's and their 4WD's but how come us 1970's kids managed to walk to School but today's kids can't, not like nasty men are everywhere trying to snatch them. could it be about an opportunity they can't miss to show off the size of their vehicles ?

it isnt 4wd that cause potholes its the crap repair job that's done and the quality of the tarmac and finishing. Everyone in the construction trade knows it.

Yeah I wasn't implying it was the 4WD's causing the Potholes, they're all over the place and very dangerous for Cyclists causing them to either veer further into the road or even fall off and damaging to Cars too. The situation might of improved a little bit in Bolton but the Council should have a team out everyday filling these Potholes in.

Dont agree.

4wd (wheel drive) cars are far safer as not only are they 4 wheel driven on bigger cars like say 4 x 4 they are even safer because the view of people driving 4x4 is les restricted.

In fact you will find most 4x4 drivers are safer drivers.

It's a nonsense to suggest that the bigger the car the more dangerous the driver.

It's entirely down to the skills and anticipation of the driver.

What I'm saying is on 4x4s the driving position is higher up therefore you can see the road ahead more clearly and also the pedestrians or cyclists.

That's why I believe its safer to drive a 4x4 than a car.

4WD is known to make a car more stable.

Disgusted wrote:

Rocky wrote:

Disgusted wrote: Well of course its OK in theory but anybody who rides a pushbike will know the roads are full of potholes near the kerb and of course school opening/closing time fills the roads with Women charging about often recklessly in extra large 4WD's full of there own self importance and not looking out for kids on bikes as their kids are safely in the Wagon, yes its aimed at getting rid of these unnecessary 'school run' Mum's and their 4WD's but how come us 1970's kids managed to walk to School but today's kids can't, not like nasty men are everywhere trying to snatch them. could it be about an opportunity they can't miss to show off the size of their vehicles ?

it isnt 4wd that cause potholes its the crap repair job that's done and the quality of the tarmac and finishing. Everyone in the construction trade knows it.

Yeah I wasn't implying it was the 4WD's causing the Potholes, they're all over the place and very dangerous for Cyclists causing them to either veer further into the road or even fall off and damaging to Cars too. The situation might of improved a little bit in Bolton but the Council should have a team out everyday filling these Potholes in.

Sorry yes the potholes are a danger I do agree with that.

A swerving cyclist or car for that matter is the last thing anyone wants.

Its not very safe for adults never mind children,look what happened to that poor man Mr Kay,and he was just on his way to work,very early in the morning with not much traffic on the road,what will it be like in the rush hour,

another 100 mill plus thrown away by this govt this govt should look at the cycle networks in countries like germany where the cyclist has total right of way over all vehicles on the roads only pedestrians have the ultimate right of passage over everything else we need these laws introducing to protect the vulnerable cyclist and re-educate the drivers of all vehicles i used to cycle 20 miles a day when i was in germany and the cycle path only hit the road for the last couple of miles the rest of the way it was seperate from the main roadway giving a feeling of total saftey plus the car and wagon drivers know the laws and adhere to them.

Lets face it though, we are far behind with any form of public transport or any efficient form of travel over here.

I wouldn't let my kids ride a bike on the road for anything...way too dangerous.

Much more interesting when people print sensible comments.
Thank goodness the earlier stupid ones were removed.
Well done Bolton News.

I agree. Much better without Andy.

chas wrote:
I agree. Much better without Andy.

I don't want to start an off topic debate but the idiot wasn't called Andy, any way it worked because he's since posted sensible ones.
On this thread anyway.

chas wrote:
I agree. Much better without Andy.

Think it was Eric anyway

You would have to be on some kind of death wish to cycle on the roads of Bolton.
Cycle lanes cut across busy roads putting cyclists between lanes of traffic. Some times they come to an abrupt end, because the lane has obviously been put in without any proper planning. Leaving both cyclists and motorists confused.
Add to this the fact that many drivers are obviously in a constant state of confusion - Probably shouldn't be driving at all - Throw in street furniture and unneccessary road markings, flashing speed signs, speed camaras, and a liberal sprinkling of signs for everything and it's a recipe for disaster for anyone brave enough to pull on the yellow jersey.

Our roads aren't safe for cyclist. Any adult who ventures into Bolton on a bike is taking their life in their hands. Bearing this in mind how many parents could wave little Johnny of to school, on his bike and then not spend all day worrying if he survived the journey.

Come next election there will be at least one more person on their bike.

Ruth Kelly.

Sun Tzu wrote:
You would have to be on some kind of death wish to cycle on the roads of Bolton.
Cycle lanes cut across busy roads putting cyclists between lanes of traffic. Some times they come to an abrupt end, because the lane has obviously been put in without any proper planning. Leaving both cyclists and motorists confused.
Add to this the fact that many drivers are obviously in a constant state of confusion - Probably shouldn't be driving at all - Throw in street furniture and unneccessary road markings, flashing speed signs, speed camaras, and a liberal sprinkling of signs for everything and it's a recipe for disaster for anyone brave enough to pull on the yellow jersey.

Our roads aren't safe for cyclist. Any adult who ventures into Bolton on a bike is taking their life in their hands. Bearing this in mind how many parents could wave little Johnny of to school, on his bike and then not spend all day worrying if he survived the journey.

Come next election there will be at least one more person on their bike.

Ruth Kelly.

Well said sun, I agree with you 100% there.