Cyclists want muddy tracks made safer in icy weather (From The Oxford Times)

Oh dear god, are these people aware that budgets have been cut, meaning a reducion in services in far more important areas such as support networks for the elderly etc and then they demand a bike route is gritted....this winds me up as much as thoses demanding a bike route from Eynsham to Botley when there is already a bike route to Oxford down the A40.
(by the way, i'm a keen cyclist myself, but a sensible one with my expectations)
Not all roads are gritted, how about when it snows you make a few changes to how you travel like the rest of the country do - it's called personal responsibility.

Your having a laugh, complaining about gritting muddy tracks !!.My local roads are not gritted or plowed and we live at the bottom of a hill. I have had to take nine days holiday leave because we have been unable to get up the hill in previous winters.

This is not as silly as it sounds. The more people that cycle, the less congested the roads are. If more people are to cycle then it needs to be an option that can be done every day. It makes sense to improve the level of service for cyclists as in the long run it can save money. That is without taking into account the cost savings to NHS through a healthier population.

You would have thought that when there's snow and ice on a cycle path they are obviously unusable and that cycling on the gritted road is the only option.

Apparently not. During the last cold spell I had several people shout and drive aggressively towards me for refusing to attempt to cycle on a snow covered track.

Sometimes I'm at a loss as to how rude and stupid people can be.

Is it April 1st already?

I was very surprised that the cycle track between Marston and Summertown wasn't cleared. There are many young cyclists using the route to get to Cherwell School on a daily basis.

Get a grip (ha!) and read what the petition says (click link at end of the article). This is in fact a very good idea and not an unreasonable request at all.
Most of the people using the Marston Ferry cycle track and the Marston Road cycle track off the road are school children, aged from 5 to 18. There are literally hundreds of them! The pavements in central Oxford and South Parks Rd were very well gritted by the city works with their pavement-cleaning vehicles with a box of grit on the back. They could easily send them over the main cycle routes too. It would benefit cyclists, pedestrians and leave the road clearer for drivers. Cheaper than treating all the broken limbs from people slipping on ice and packed snow, which stays on the cycle tracks for days. If the cycles and pavements are icey more people choose to drive the children short distances to school - the roads around the area were much more clogged with cars because the children couldn't cycle to school for about a week, even though the roads were clear the cycle track was not. It's a no-brainer. Sign the petition.

A Reader wrote:
Get a grip (ha!) and read what the petition says (click link at end of the article). This is in fact a very good idea and not an unreasonable request at all.
Most of the people using the Marston Ferry cycle track and the Marston Road cycle track off the road are school children, aged from 5 to 18. There are literally hundreds of them! The pavements in central Oxford and South Parks Rd were very well gritted by the city works with their pavement-cleaning vehicles with a box of grit on the back. They could easily send them over the main cycle routes too. It would benefit cyclists, pedestrians and leave the road clearer for drivers. Cheaper than treating all the broken limbs from people slipping on ice and packed snow, which stays on the cycle tracks for days. If the cycles and pavements are icey more people choose to drive the children short distances to school - the roads around the area were much more clogged with cars because the children couldn't cycle to school for about a week, even though the roads were clear the cycle track was not. It's a no-brainer. Sign the petition.

No

Now look you drivers, one minute you want us all off the road, next you don't want to clear the paths we are cycling on instead. Do you want us off the road or not? Maybe you would prefer us all in cars, sat in front of you in the large queue?

And here is why.... http://www.oxfordmai
l.co.uk/news/1023818
9.COUNCIL_CUTS__Moto
rists_and_tenants_wi
ll_be_feeling_the_pi
nch/

natox78 wrote:
Now look you drivers, one minute you want us all off the road, next you don't want to clear the paths we are cycling on instead. Do you want us off the road or not? Maybe you would prefer us all in cars, sat in front of you in the large queue?

In the snow there are hardly any cars on the road anyway...

Whitto wrote:
And here is why.... http://www.oxfordmai

l.co.uk/news/1023818

9.COUNCIL_CUTS__Moto

rists_and_tenants_wi

ll_be_feeling_the_pi

nch/

Rest assured in Oxfordshire the amount spent on cycling is next to nothing - 0.2% of the transport budget.

http://www.ctc.org.u
k/oxfordshire-spends
-just-02-of-transpor
t-budget-on-cycling

PS - please do keep on posting comments on cycling stories. It only encourages the Oxford Mail to publish more!

I don't think I'll ever understand the people of this country in the 21st century, even though I'm 100% British, a few flakes of snow, and life stops, everything becomes impossible.........
........Get a grip! The rest of the world copes perfectly well, with far more snow than us, as have previous generations in this country, myself included.
The Government is destroying the NHS and the economy, forcing people into slavery with large corporations, allowing tax evasion on a massive scale, crippling the Police force, the coastguard, forcing employed disabled people onto benefits, by closing Remploy factories all over the country, and at the same time cutting benefits.....
.....and people are complaining about a bit of snow and ice!

Dilligaf2010 wrote:
I don't think I'll ever understand the people of this country in the 21st century, even though I'm 100% British, a few flakes of snow, and life stops, everything becomes impossible.........
........Get a grip! The rest of the world copes perfectly well, with far more snow than us, as have previous generations in this country, myself included.
The Government is destroying the NHS and the economy, forcing people into slavery with large corporations, allowing tax evasion on a massive scale, crippling the Police force, the coastguard, forcing employed disabled people onto benefits, by closing Remploy factories all over the country, and at the same time cutting benefits.....
.....and people are complaining about a bit of snow and ice!

Does that mean you'd like Oxford CC to stop gritting our roads?

Floflo wrote:

Dilligaf2010 wrote:
I don't think I'll ever understand the people of this country in the 21st century, even though I'm 100% British, a few flakes of snow, and life stops, everything becomes impossible.........
........Get a grip! The rest of the world copes perfectly well, with far more snow than us, as have previous generations in this country, myself included.
The Government is destroying the NHS and the economy, forcing people into slavery with large corporations, allowing tax evasion on a massive scale, crippling the Police force, the coastguard, forcing employed disabled people onto benefits, by closing Remploy factories all over the country, and at the same time cutting benefits.....
.....and people are complaining about a bit of snow and ice!

Does that mean you'd like Oxford CC to stop gritting our roads?

Not at all, I just wish the country would accept that snow is an annual feature of the British weather, and learn to expect it, and cope with it.
Heathrow spent £50 Million on snow clearing equipment, but still had to close, because they didn't have a clue what to do.
Every year it's the same in this country, it's pathetic, every other country I've lived in, including the Falkland Islands, manages to cope when it snows, why can't the British Isles?

Dilligaf2010 wrote:

Floflo wrote:

Dilligaf2010 wrote:
I don't think I'll ever understand the people of this country in the 21st century, even though I'm 100% British, a few flakes of snow, and life stops, everything becomes impossible.........
........Get a grip! The rest of the world copes perfectly well, with far more snow than us, as have previous generations in this country, myself included.
The Government is destroying the NHS and the economy, forcing people into slavery with large corporations, allowing tax evasion on a massive scale, crippling the Police force, the coastguard, forcing employed disabled people onto benefits, by closing Remploy factories all over the country, and at the same time cutting benefits.....
.....and people are complaining about a bit of snow and ice!

Does that mean you'd like Oxford CC to stop gritting our roads?

Not at all, I just wish the country would accept that snow is an annual feature of the British weather, and learn to expect it, and cope with it.
Heathrow spent £50 Million on snow clearing equipment, but still had to close, because they didn't have a clue what to do.
Every year it's the same in this country, it's pathetic, every other country I've lived in, including the Falkland Islands, manages to cope when it snows, why can't the British Isles?

Because Dilly my friend, cyclists keep on slipping over in the snow, and as a result want all resources re-directed to a dirt track instead of keeping The British Isles working. And because people these days are a bunch of woosies, I would love to have seen them try to cope during 1939-45

zimmer, Wolvecote. wrote:

Dilligaf2010 wrote:

Floflo wrote:

Dilligaf2010 wrote:
I don't think I'll ever understand the people of this country in the 21st century, even though I'm 100% British, a few flakes of snow, and life stops, everything becomes impossible.........
........Get a grip! The rest of the world copes perfectly well, with far more snow than us, as have previous generations in this country, myself included.
The Government is destroying the NHS and the economy, forcing people into slavery with large corporations, allowing tax evasion on a massive scale, crippling the Police force, the coastguard, forcing employed disabled people onto benefits, by closing Remploy factories all over the country, and at the same time cutting benefits.....
.....and people are complaining about a bit of snow and ice!

Does that mean you'd like Oxford CC to stop gritting our roads?

Not at all, I just wish the country would accept that snow is an annual feature of the British weather, and learn to expect it, and cope with it.
Heathrow spent £50 Million on snow clearing equipment, but still had to close, because they didn't have a clue what to do.
Every year it's the same in this country, it's pathetic, every other country I've lived in, including the Falkland Islands, manages to cope when it snows, why can't the British Isles?

Because Dilly my friend, cyclists keep on slipping over in the snow, and as a result want all resources re-directed to a dirt track instead of keeping The British Isles working. And because people these days are a bunch of woosies, I would love to have seen them try to cope during 1939-45

Well said....I couldn't have put it better myself ;-)

Dilligaf2010 wrote:

Floflo wrote:

Dilligaf2010 wrote:
I don't think I'll ever understand the people of this country in the 21st century, even though I'm 100% British, a few flakes of snow, and life stops, everything becomes impossible.........
........Get a grip! The rest of the world copes perfectly well, with far more snow than us, as have previous generations in this country, myself included.
The Government is destroying the NHS and the economy, forcing people into slavery with large corporations, allowing tax evasion on a massive scale, crippling the Police force, the coastguard, forcing employed disabled people onto benefits, by closing Remploy factories all over the country, and at the same time cutting benefits.....
.....and people are complaining about a bit of snow and ice!

Does that mean you'd like Oxford CC to stop gritting our roads?

Not at all, I just wish the country would accept that snow is an annual feature of the British weather, and learn to expect it, and cope with it.
Heathrow spent £50 Million on snow clearing equipment, but still had to close, because they didn't have a clue what to do.
Every year it's the same in this country, it's pathetic, every other country I've lived in, including the Falkland Islands, manages to cope when it snows, why can't the British Isles?

So to summarise you write a post complaining about people who complain about snow and ice. And then you go on to complain about snow and ice.

You also complain about a whole load of other stuff that seems to be wrong with this country - and it's all related to our roads being gritted , or not being gritted I lost track of what way around it was to be honest.

Lime Walk Lady OX3 7AB wrote:
I have finally got a house for me and my two children to live in last year and am so happy. I don't understand Flo why you are so angry, just be happy that you like me now have a house to live in. This story means nothing compared to real life for the likes of us. Feeding and taking care of a family that is important

What makes you think I'm angry? What do you mean by 'the likes of us'?

Floflo wrote:

Dilligaf2010 wrote:

Floflo wrote:

Dilligaf2010 wrote:
I don't think I'll ever understand the people of this country in the 21st century, even though I'm 100% British, a few flakes of snow, and life stops, everything becomes impossible.........
........Get a grip! The rest of the world copes perfectly well, with far more snow than us, as have previous generations in this country, myself included.
The Government is destroying the NHS and the economy, forcing people into slavery with large corporations, allowing tax evasion on a massive scale, crippling the Police force, the coastguard, forcing employed disabled people onto benefits, by closing Remploy factories all over the country, and at the same time cutting benefits.....
.....and people are complaining about a bit of snow and ice!

Does that mean you'd like Oxford CC to stop gritting our roads?

Not at all, I just wish the country would accept that snow is an annual feature of the British weather, and learn to expect it, and cope with it.
Heathrow spent £50 Million on snow clearing equipment, but still had to close, because they didn't have a clue what to do.
Every year it's the same in this country, it's pathetic, every other country I've lived in, including the Falkland Islands, manages to cope when it snows, why can't the British Isles?

So to summarise you write a post complaining about people who complain about snow and ice. And then you go on to complain about snow and ice.

You also complain about a whole load of other stuff that seems to be wrong with this country - and it's all related to our roads being gritted , or not being gritted I lost track of what way around it was to be honest.

I've not once complained about snow and ice, it doesn't bother me in the slightest, I've driven on treated, and untreated roads, and am yet to have an accident.
What I'm complaining about is the fact that so many people in this country can't cope with snow and ice, year after year, it happens, it's nature but people can't cope, and seriously need to get a grip.
You want to try driving in the Austrian Tyrol, even when the snow is thick on the ground people cope, I've been there in the height of winter, and driving wasn't a problem.

The Marston cycle path seems to spend more time underwater than under snow.

I don't see the pressing need for it to be gritted, in the depths of winter the cycle paths are usually just covered in a layer of compacted snow rather than sheet ice. If you take your time it's not particularly perilous to cycle over.

Accelebrate wrote:
The Marston cycle path seems to spend more time underwater than under snow.

I don't see the pressing need for it to be gritted, in the depths of winter the cycle paths are usually just covered in a layer of compacted snow rather than sheet ice. If you take your time it's not particularly perilous to cycle over.

It's underwater - until it freezes!

Dilligaf2010 wrote:

Floflo wrote:

Dilligaf2010 wrote:

Floflo wrote:

Dilligaf2010 wrote:
I don't think I'll ever understand the people of this country in the 21st century, even though I'm 100% British, a few flakes of snow, and life stops, everything becomes impossible.........
........Get a grip! The rest of the world copes perfectly well, with far more snow than us, as have previous generations in this country, myself included.
The Government is destroying the NHS and the economy, forcing people into slavery with large corporations, allowing tax evasion on a massive scale, crippling the Police force, the coastguard, forcing employed disabled people onto benefits, by closing Remploy factories all over the country, and at the same time cutting benefits.....
.....and people are complaining about a bit of snow and ice!

Does that mean you'd like Oxford CC to stop gritting our roads?

Not at all, I just wish the country would accept that snow is an annual feature of the British weather, and learn to expect it, and cope with it.
Heathrow spent £50 Million on snow clearing equipment, but still had to close, because they didn't have a clue what to do.
Every year it's the same in this country, it's pathetic, every other country I've lived in, including the Falkland Islands, manages to cope when it snows, why can't the British Isles?

So to summarise you write a post complaining about people who complain about snow and ice. And then you go on to complain about snow and ice.

You also complain about a whole load of other stuff that seems to be wrong with this country - and it's all related to our roads being gritted , or not being gritted I lost track of what way around it was to be honest.

I've not once complained about snow and ice, it doesn't bother me in the slightest, I've driven on treated, and untreated roads, and am yet to have an accident.
What I'm complaining about is the fact that so many people in this country can't cope with snow and ice, year after year, it happens, it's nature but people can't cope, and seriously need to get a grip.
You want to try driving in the Austrian Tyrol, even when the snow is thick on the ground people cope, I've been there in the height of winter, and driving wasn't a problem.

Yes, we could learn some lessons from our European neighbours. For example you could look up 'heated cycle lanes' and 'glow in the dark roads'!

James Styring, chairman of Oxford cycling campaign group Cyclox said: “This is something which is on our radar. We are going to be chasing up this in the autumn.”
Obviously not on his list of priorities......he would rather be on the roads jumping red lights

Floflo wrote:

Dilligaf2010 wrote:

Floflo wrote:

Dilligaf2010 wrote:

Floflo wrote:

Dilligaf2010 wrote:
I don't think I'll ever understand the people of this country in the 21st century, even though I'm 100% British, a few flakes of snow, and life stops, everything becomes impossible.........
........Get a grip! The rest of the world copes perfectly well, with far more snow than us, as have previous generations in this country, myself included.
The Government is destroying the NHS and the economy, forcing people into slavery with large corporations, allowing tax evasion on a massive scale, crippling the Police force, the coastguard, forcing employed disabled people onto benefits, by closing Remploy factories all over the country, and at the same time cutting benefits.....
.....and people are complaining about a bit of snow and ice!

Does that mean you'd like Oxford CC to stop gritting our roads?

Not at all, I just wish the country would accept that snow is an annual feature of the British weather, and learn to expect it, and cope with it.
Heathrow spent £50 Million on snow clearing equipment, but still had to close, because they didn't have a clue what to do.
Every year it's the same in this country, it's pathetic, every other country I've lived in, including the Falkland Islands, manages to cope when it snows, why can't the British Isles?

So to summarise you write a post complaining about people who complain about snow and ice. And then you go on to complain about snow and ice.

You also complain about a whole load of other stuff that seems to be wrong with this country - and it's all related to our roads being gritted , or not being gritted I lost track of what way around it was to be honest.

I've not once complained about snow and ice, it doesn't bother me in the slightest, I've driven on treated, and untreated roads, and am yet to have an accident.
What I'm complaining about is the fact that so many people in this country can't cope with snow and ice, year after year, it happens, it's nature but people can't cope, and seriously need to get a grip.
You want to try driving in the Austrian Tyrol, even when the snow is thick on the ground people cope, I've been there in the height of winter, and driving wasn't a problem.

Yes, we could learn some lessons from our European neighbours. For example you could look up 'heated cycle lanes' and 'glow in the dark roads'!

And you could look up the state of the British Economy.
I agree, some of our Continental counterparts are better off in certain aspects, but we're still 25 years behind them when it comes to recycling, which a large percentage of the population still refuse to do, so it'll be a long time before we see such things over here.

What amazes me about snow and ice is how most people do actually deal with it. The only people I came across in the recent bad weather who couldn't do anything 'because of the weather' worked for Cherwell Disrtict Council and the NHS! Most of us can't actually afford to be affected by the weather so do our very best to deal with it! Too many people listen to the media who think the country actually shuts down, it doesn't! When Heathrow were having problems recently it didn't help that most short haul flights could take off but not land! Frankfurt and Paris were virtually shut but very little was mentioned of this and Heathrow got the blame!

There is absolutely no way that either the Greens or the CPRE will ever agree to the local authority "tarmaccing over the countryside".

perhaps the cyclists could pay a fee similar to the road fund licence, to help with these sort of developments, Very vocal at getting others to pay for their needs, there is no such thing as a free lunch.

Anything that slows down cyclists rushing to work along a footpath is a blessing. I've had enough injuries on the Thames towpath thanks

@faatmaan The tax car drivers pay doesn not go towards maintaining the roads. This is done by council tax. So cyclists do pay for the roads.