I queried this with the council and received the following response:
To clarify on the cycle provision within Broadgate the restrictions in place currently allow cycling in all directions through the square and cyclists are permitted to gain entry at the two access points.
You are however quite correct that the regulatory signage at the High Street access point does state No Entry and does not have the appropriate "Except Cyclists" supplementary plate associated with it. This supplementary plate was omitted as a departure from standards to maintain the decluttered look within the area and negate the need for larger street furniture to be provided to accommodate the larger sign plate.
Therefore whilst you are right that technically the signage in place does provide a mixed message to cyclists, extended observations on site clearly show that cyclists are choosing to freely use Broadgate and we are not aware of any issues where cyclists have deviated from their chosen route because of absence of this supplementary plate.
Accordingly the intention is to monitor the new layout to determine whether this omitted sign plate is an specific issue, and should this be identified then appropriate action will be taken to mitigate this issue.
As somebody who tries to comply with road signs I have taken to cycling along Bayley Land and Trinity Churchyard to avoid the "No Entry". A more scenic route despite the cobbles.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed that the official council view is for cyclists to ignore road signs, I'm not sure the police would share it.
Perhaps a blue pedestrian/cycle sign on the bollards to either side would clarify the situation.
Peter.
I've just sent this to the council:
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prompt reply concerning the signs at the southern entrance to Broadgate.
I have to say I find your reply unsatisfactory.
Firstly although observations on site may indicate that some cyclists choose to ignore the signs, there is no evidence that all ignore them. Soon after posting your reply on the Coventry Cyclist blog, a local cyclist responded with the comment that he had taken to cycling along Bayley Lane and Trinity Churchyard to avoid the "No Entry" signs. See http://coventrycyclist.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/broadgate-signs.html#comment-form
Secondly the effect on broader public opinion needs to be taken into consideration. Popular prejudice against cycling will be reinforced by the sight of cyclists ignoring signage. This will be a factor on those occasions when the council attempts to improve cycling infrastructure; the lower the status of cyclists the greater the justification citizens will feel in opposing changes which encourage cycling at the expense of their own interests (e.g. car parking).
Is it not possible to add an unobtrusive cycling excepted sign somewhere? One possibility might be to place small “Except cycles" signs over part of the lower half of the "No Entry" signs. Although a departure from standards, it would convey the right message.
Having similar problems dealing with North Yorkshire County Council over cycle lanes in Harrogate. We just seem to get fobbed off. Keep up the good work we will all win.
ReplyDeletehttp://cycleharrogate.org
There was a letter in the telegraph on 5 November having a whine about the cycling event being in Broadgate as it is a pedestrian only zone.
ReplyDeleteMagnificent bollards. www.bollardsinmovies.com
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