Video: Collision on Wilmslow Road Cycleway – was it down to poor junction design?

The junction's about 5 minutes from my front door, quicker if I ride, and you couldn't pay me to use that route. Following the 111 bus route, or Princess Road (very busy dual carriageway) are both quicker and safer.

I go past this spot regularly and agree the new routes have been designed very poorly.

Separate cycle lanes give the cyclist priority UNTIL a junction, when anyone turning or pulling out will not be focused on the apex of the cycle/pull out to the wrong line.

Separate cycle lanescannot be cleaned or maintained.

Separate cycle lanes are blocked by parked cars.

Separate cycle lanes put cyclists in conflict with pedestrians by going around the back of bus stops.

Separate cycle lanes around bus stops merge back into the road in an unsafe manner,

Separate cycle lanes are opened for one section when another is still being surfaced, don't force me to weave in and out of cones because you can't plan your works properly.

The only virtue of the work has been that the main carriageway has been resurfaced. If I am cruising along at 30kph then the last thing I am going to do is be diving behind bus stops.

The lady in the video is perhaps the sort of person that this scheme is aimed at protecting but as people have said it may have given her a false sense of protection. On the open road I always think if you are 'undertaking' cars at a junction this could happen. You should match your speed to the traffic flow and position yourself beside the gap between vehicles to give yourself a fighting chance of stopping. (Advise, not victim blaming)

By all means have a clean green well maintained route that cars should not drive in and be fined for parking in, but don't make them separate from the rest of the road. It is cheaper and safer for all. 

Often motorists will pull in tight to the kerb anyway to stop me overtaking on the inside so I try to over take queues on the outside when I can. 

The comment about these routes not being designed by cyclists is spot on. In my area both Sefton and Liverpool Council have no interest in consulting with cyclists about routes. They are making some progress but every route they put in could be improved for no extra cost with pre consultation with those actually wanting to use the route. It's very frustrating but that's council culture for you - they don't tend to attract genuine long term thinkers. 

This is another of those "we will probably never know" situations, posted here for no other reason than hits and possibly advertising revenue from clicks.
There seems to be a massive audience on this site that hate cars, period, and feel that cyclists can do no wrong.
I'm afraid things aren't as black and white as that.

In this instance there is a general assumption that the van didn't indicate, but there is zero evidence to prove or disprove that, we just can't see.
As for the cyclist, she does approach the junction at a fair speed and one would assume that she would only see the indicator quite late on too, if it was working, possibly too late to stop.
One could assume that due to her lack of remonstrations she is fully aware that she was in the wrong, again, that would be an assumption, we have no way of knowing.
On another site folk were protesting that the driver should have used his mirrors, perhaps he did, but mirrors do have big blind spots and, being a van, he wouldn't be able to check over his shoulder.

It is all too easy to be an internet lawyer, but villifying drivers because they drive helps no one.
I'd hazard that a lot of the most vociferous anti car members on this site don't actually have a driving license.

Cars are a neccessity in modern society, whether we like it or not, cyclist and drivers should work together to achieve compromise instead of pointing fingers and insult hurling.

Do I drive?
Yes, but not at the moment as I don't have a car, which is a pain given my nearest supermarket is a 8km round trip and no regular public transport to speak of, so I walk.
I am without a car simply for reasons of economy, not living in a city they are pretty essential, I just can't afford one at the moment, but won't hesitate to get another when money isn't so tight.
Do I cycle?
Yes, around 50km a day on average, including quite frequent trips along the road featured in this article.
Oh, until recently I also averaged 20,000km a year by motorcycle, though this was when living in Paris so not that relevent to a UK debate.

The point of this long rant is that articles such as these inflame debates, even if, so far, this has remained civilised, and serve no real purpose other than sensationalism.
Instead of spouting on internet forums that, lets be realistic, are only read by Cyclists with a capital C, direct the energy elsewhere, lobby those that can make a change, and above all, stay rational and civilised.
Road CC need to focus more on Cycling related issues other than youtube videos of collisions, as I mentioned earlier, on here these serve no purpose other than incitement and division.
Bring on the reviews

/endofslightrant

This probably won't go down very well but I don't like cycle lanes.  I've been cycling on the road for almost 30 years and have always gone by the principle that you shouldn't pass a vehicle on the inside, much like I wouldn't whilst driving.  I was taught that if you wanted to overtake you should do so with caution on the outside.

The problem with cycle lanes is they encourage users to pass on the inside and almost create a false sense of right and safety.  As a motorist its drilled into you to overtake on the outside and not pass on the inside so most don't expect this to happen.  It doesn't make it right and as a cyclist I'm aware of this when I'm driving but right or not it's not wise to pass on the inside through a junction. Better to live than prove a point.

I also believe that increased attempts to make big junctions safer are actually making things worse.  Roads used to be simple but some layouts are becoming so complicated that they are bewildering and users have to focus so hard on how to get through that they'll miss impending danger.

On a final note, I've cycled in France quite a few times and cycling is in the blood over there. You are accepted on the road and even encouraged on climbs but the one region I cycled in that had cycle paths was horrible. The paths were covered in debris and pine needles and you had to give way at every junction so as a serious roadie I chose the road instead. No flat tyres, quicker progress and actually safer.  Only problem is that I got honked at and abused for not using the cycle lanes!

I moved to Brussels over the Christmas holiday, and it is interesting to see how drivers there deal with cyclists and pedestrians. At traffic lights when the drivers get a green light, they have to give way to cyclists and pedestrians if turning left or right. Consequently as you approach a junction (with or without traffic lights) you are having a good look out for cyclists and pedestrians, and if you are not clear then stop before swinging in to make sure. I also make very good use of my mirrors. I suspect the layout above requires more thought than the majority of drivers are giving it in order to be considerate of cyclists on the cycle lane.

My daughter is studying in Manchester, and cycles down Oxford road. I will send her this link to give her an indication of the risks she may be facing.

Unfortunately Manchester's cycle lanes seem to have been designed by non cyclists. There are sections which resemble the Olympic giant slalom course. Long sections in which no drainage has been installed so that rain causes them look like the canals of Venice. On two sections which are fully open down Wilmslow road I've never seen a cyclist on then. We all use the road it's so much safer and quicker. 

There are a few good sections but the majority is very disappointing. It has unfortunately made my everyday commute more dangerous. 

I don't understand why there is confusion. Cars on roads with 2 lanes do not assume they can turn left from the right lane with priority over cars in the left lane.

This is no different, except for motons attitudes to vulnerable road users.

Also clary no mirror or signal on that manoeuvre. How can anyone expect priority without even signalling their intent?

The new changes to Wilmslow Road and Oxford Road really worry me.  I ride this section almost every day.  The work being done in Rusholme right now is of particular concern. There is a section from Great Western Street to Moss Road East that has just opened.  I used it twice this week and was almost knocked off on both occasions.  Once by a driver coming out of the petrol station who crossed the cycle lane and stopped waiting to join the main carriageway and secondly by a van driver doing exactly what is shown in this video.

As it stands I will take my chances on the main highway and won't be using the cycle lanes I think.  I find the traffic much more predictable that way.

Nice of the driver to get out and check she was OK.

What is on the radio? Sounds like a chipmunk or someone on helium.

I agree the van could not have been indicating. The van's steering wheel would not have been spun back to release the indicator. If you step through the video, even before hitting her, there is clearly no flashing indicator.

Fault is with the driver 1st, city planners 2nd.

The van was not indicating. If it would you would see it while he was doing the manuever. The van is in the wrong, but I do understand that the layout migh be a little confusing. It's alrigth to keep cycle lane through the main road when the only left turn is to building block parking or something similar. In this situation she would slowed down even if the van was not indicating as she would start to merge with the traffic. She would be able to continue on cycling path after the junction. This is a rare concept. Probably haven't noticed them, but this is the first time I a single lane having cycling priority through the junction. At least nobody got hurt.

Rule 183 - give way to any vehicles using a bus lane, cycle lane or tramway from either direction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2qNup7YNSY