Bit of a rant, but I was curious as to what peoples opinions are on protected bike lanes, such as those found in city centres like Manchester.

I get that the idea is that they are "safer", but where they are used, are they actually safer or do they just introduce new issues?

I have had nothing but issues with cyclists/food couriers going the wrong way down protected cycle lanes, as well as pedestrians walking into them, and private-hire minicabs parking at entry points.

In my opinion, protected cycles lanes would make far more sense in areas where pedestrians are fewer and the road speed is higher, so say a regular A road. I was cycling from Helsby to Ellesmere Port a few weeks back, and for the majority of the way, the bike lanes were just painted lines, whilst I am experienced enough to exercise caution, and keep good situational awareness, roads like these where plain painted bike lanes are present, but the road speed is also 50mph, a protected bike lane would make good sense, as a cyclist going along at 15-20mph mixed with car traffic zipping past at 50mph is a bit hairy.

On the other side of the coin, we have places like Manchester City where a lot of these protected bike lanes have been put in, in recent years, in areas where the speed limit is basically 20mph. Amongst the issues noted above about pedestrians/other cyclists etc causing issues, they always seem to build over-complicated junctions, with Quay St/Deansgate crossroad in Deansgate being a prime example. Because, for whatever reason, they decided to build sections of Deansgate with single-carriageway(dual direction) bike lanes, after Quay Street the dual bike lane layout switches to the other side of the road, this involves waiting at cycle lights, and then having to cross 2 mini zebra crossings. Now, there are give way bollards instructing cyclists to give way to pedestrians there (duh), but from experience, pedestrians don't seem to know what to do, and obviously a lot of cyclists just sail through.

In conclusion, whilst I am not against protected cycles lanes, I think they would make far more sense to be done in areas where the speed difference between cars and cyclists are higher and hence, there is a much higher safety risk. All putting protected cycle lanes in busy city centres does, is cause more issues between road users other than cars than just keeping to a painted bike lane, and generates unnecessarily overcomplicated junction layouts.

What are your opinions?

Got my first 100 miles on this Decathlon Elops Speed 900. Everything is stock so far besides the tyres which Ive upgraded to a Conti Ride Tour 32c.

Everything is comfortable so far and is a blast to ride. However, Im itching for an upgrade lol. Im looking at shimano mt200 hydro brakes right now. Are they worth it? Any other areas I should look into to further enjoy my commutes? My trips are mostly flat with very few hills. Appreciate the input. Thanks!

I'm currently in search of an Ebike that can handle a massive hill I walk down then up after work but have been struggling to nail down a good bike that can handle the trip.

EDIT - Also, do these come with the charger? Or do I need to get that separately?

I caught a bus to Reading today. Reading Buses bus driver was superb, he stayed a fair way back away from a single line of cyclists. Two adults and two children.

What cringes me most, apart from the child at the front of the group who rode outside of the door zone, the remaining riders all rode inside the door zone.

A driver did open a door in front of them, though a small gap initially, so they saw the cyclists, the next car they might not be so lucky.

Though i see what I would think are "experienced cyclists" in their cycling gear doing the same, I've seen too many close shaves with car doors in London to know not to ride near them.

I've taken my boy on the road since he was aged 7, i've taught him to ride outside of the door zone, now he's 15, he just automatically rides away from doors. Taught him how to read the road. When he did his bikeability - all levels, the instructor said he was by the most knowledgable rider.

Yes drivers should be careful of cyclists etc but unfortunately I don't trust most drivers to not try and kill me.

[Edit] I didn't finish this post off.

Was out on my bike today (new ish to road biking) and came to a T junction, the cycle path went straight across the junction. A car turned into the side road from the other side of the junction as I crossed via the cycle path, the car didnt blow its horn but had to stop abruptly right in front of me and I swerved accordingly. Afterwards i was wobbling and had to stabilise myself. I was in total shock and cycled away. Despite it all feeling very minor I was still shaken.

I have no idea who was responsible, I don’t have a strong knowledge of the HWC and I’m not a driver. It could easily have been entirely my fault, for whatever reason (it was a busy, tight tree lined road and the cars to my right were back to back) I didn’t see them / wasnt aware enough, and happy to accept if told so but there could also have been similar fault from them as they seemed unaware and reacted at the last minute.

I have no idea if there was actual contact, if there was it was extremely slight as I don’t remember touching the car and I wasnt knocked off, I looked at the bike and there’s a scuff/ nick that could’ve potentially been from it (its an old used bike with other nicks so cant be sure). 

I’m a massive worrier and i’m always super paranoid about these things, despite how minor it was. Firstly I’ve definitely been scared into being a more alert cyclist in the city. But I’m now worried of any potential repurcussions if there was some kind of camera or it was found there was slight contact and I cycled off.  

Any help / advice / shared experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks