The purpose of the the chicanes was to allow cyclists and walkers through, but as you can see from the wheeltracks on the ground, the geometry of the chicane forces cyclists to make quite a difficult turn, involving slowing down to walking pace. These chicanes are simple to make, effective, demountable for maintenance access, and ensure that cyclists slow down at critical locations.
Today we hear of a lady hospitalised with a fractured spine after being hit by a cyclist who didn't stop at a red pelican crossing. And a small minority of cyclists continue to ride at dangerous speeds on the towpath without any way of slowing them down. it is shameful to think that it is unlikely anything will be done about this until someone gets seriously hurt.
Cycle chicanes are not rocket science. They are normal. Anyone cycling at a civilised speed on the towpath should not object to them. How long will it be before the Canal and River Trust realise that physical barriers like this are a sensible and necessary safety feature on the towpath, and the only practical way of preventing intimidation and injury?
