Chichester cyclists share their views on new route

A group of Chichester cyclists have shared their view on the new cycle way.
ChiCycle ahead of their first trip along the routeChiCycle ahead of their first trip along the route
ChiCycle ahead of their first trip along the route

The group 'ChiCycle' came together to test out the new route with many saying it gave them more confidence on the road and hailed it as a 'tremendously valuable experiment'.

A spokesman for the group said: "Generally, people felt the Pop-Up cycle lanes gave feelings of greater confidence when riding between junctions. In temporary cycle schemes, junctions are always going to be tricky to get exactly right and indeed most people interviewed believed that junctions were where weaknesses lay with the scheme.

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"The project looks like a tremendously valuable experiment in re-allocation road carriageway space towards use for cycling and even the imperfections in the scheme teach us something valuable about making future walking and cycling plans for our City."

Individual riders also shared their views.

Gabby Adams cycled in from old Fishbourne and said: "I'm really impressed to see that we've got pop-up cycle lanes and I feel much safer coming through the town now and less likely to be carved up by traffic.

"I'm a little bit concerned at the roundabouts, I'm not really sure who has got right of way now? I normally ride a bike with a trailer on when I'm circumnavigating to do my shopping, so some of the bollards make the lanes a little bit narrow. Overall its a big step forwards, it's a big step in the right direction.

"I wish the whole of the journey from Fishboune to the Chichester centre could be made a little bit safer with possibly lower traffic speeds.

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"Particularly during the Covid 19 pandemic now that the traffic levels are becoming really severe. Traffic dangers encountered ariving into the city might unfortunatly detere people from getting here and using this cycle-scheme.

Ping Jiang from Chichester said: "It is excellent. It is wider than it was previously and it appears safer, particularly for me because I am not an experienced cyclist and I am often scared of cycling on the road.

"Now I feel much safer, more comfortable and confident. It would be even better if priority was maintained at junctions so I didn't have to stop."

Valerie Briginshaw from Orchard Street Chichester Said: "I cycle a lot around Chichester. I don't have a car and my bicycle is may main form of transport (apart from walking). I'm really delighted to see that there has been an attempt to give cyclists more space on the road.

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"It makes me feel safer and that's great. I was a little bit confused at the beginning because at first I thought this was roadworks then I was not sure where I was supposed to go but I understand there will be some clear signs put up and that will help tremendously.

"I live in Orchard Street and one of the biggest problems for me is that I have to frequently use the Northern Gyratory and it is better as I have more space going around but I still have to stop at every junction and turn around to see if cars are turning off or not.

"Drivers rarely indicate if they are going to turn left or go right and continue on the roundabout. If they indicate it would help tremendously and cyclists could get across more safely.

"In the future, what we really need is something like the Dutch style roundabout system where cyclists have right of way to go all the way around and I believe in London there are roundabouts like this where cyclists have priority.

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"Avenue De Chartres that I also use is great, much better with a big space for buses and cyclists."

Carley Sitwell of Chichester said: "I cycle a lot because I have found for years that cycling in and out of the town is so much nicer than driving and parking a car. I'm trying to keep the pollution down.

"Two years a go I had an ankle operation and I'm just starting up cycling again. I came here to find out what is going on and I do find it slightly confusing but I'm very glad to hear there is going to be more signage because when you get older and things seem to come so fast, you worry.

"If I'm supposed to go through those tiny spaces on the New Park roundabout I just can't, It's just too small for me and I need a bit more room. Still I'm glad that the local authorities have been breve enough to make these changes. I'm sure there is going to be a lot of criticism but for us cyclists it is going to be wonderful."

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Tom Broughton from the New Park area was taking his first look at the cycle-scheme and said: "I love the space for cyclists, there's a lot more room but there are some not so good bits.

"The Northgate Gyratory is still not very safe ore sensible for cyclists. It is very difficult to know what they are trying to make you do at the New Park roundabout. It is very difficult to turn right out of Oakland's Way and I find it easier to cycle around with the traffic. I will use it when it is convenient for me."

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