The Route of All Evil

Is it me or have the rules for cycling changed?

Every day I seem to be ducking and diving to avoid being run down by various villainous velocipedes. I find myself having to check one way streets the wrong way and once the sun goes down take evasive action from the hordes of stealth bikers hunting down innocent pedestrians in total unlit anonymity.

It appears that the 225,000 miles of roads in the UK are no longer enough for the self-obsessed pedal pushers and they’ve decided to encroach on the circulation routes of walkers.

Approximately 105 million bicycles are made every year, double the number of motor cars, and it is estimated that 20 million bikes are owned in the UK alone, which means that 1 in 3 adults is a potential hazard. Now I’m all for cycling where it makes sense to cycle but not on my patch. Pavements are for pedestrians. Right, glad that’s off my chest, deep breaths, off the old soap box and move on…

Circulation space in offices

Circulation and how you move around is critical to success in all walks of life, be it on bike paths or in the work space. How you move through a building, access facilities and chance upon colleagues will influence the general happiness of the users and productivity of a space.

When you consider that the recommended amount of primary circulation space is between 10 and 15 per cent of the overall floor area you realise what a costly mistake badly designed circulation in an office could be. It’s not only about productivity or connecting functions, it’s also about safety (are you listening cyclists?). Obstacle free circulation space is necessary for fire safety and compliance with regulations.

Road signs are there for a reason

Unlike the road signs and traffic lights which supposedly don’t apply to cyclists anymore, clear signage within corridors and open plan routes will help staff and visitors navigate their way around the building. Changes to finishes on the walls, floors and ceilings are a subtle but effective way to enhance the routes and assist with orientation.

Finally a note for the ninja cyclist who nearly got his comeuppance for jumping a red light the other evening:

At night your cycle MUST have white front and red rear lights [Law RVLR regs 13,18 & 24]

It is illegal to cycle on a pavement unless, it is marked as shared use cycle path [Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129]

Cycling on pavements can lead to a fixed penalty notice of £30. This is also the law and ignoring said law may result in a violent reaction from a tired and possessive pavement utilising office designer.