Paul Troop
@paultroop.bsky.social
Academic, barrister, builder, campaigner. Rides bikes from A to B where possible.
Founder and Secretary, Bicester Bike Users' Group
Founder and Secretary, Bicester Bike Users' Group
This weather is messing with the poor medlar tree! Autumn colours, fruit, and spring blossom!
November 9, 2025 at 11:56 AM
This weather is messing with the poor medlar tree! Autumn colours, fruit, and spring blossom!
August 17, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Have #EastWestRail overlooked public transport accessibility in their designs for the closure of the #LondonRoad #rail #levelCrossing in the centre of #Bicester? Stops and turning areas either side will be necessary as buses won't be provided with a means to cross the railway.
June 6, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Have #EastWestRail overlooked public transport accessibility in their designs for the closure of the #LondonRoad #rail #levelCrossing in the centre of #Bicester? Stops and turning areas either side will be necessary as buses won't be provided with a means to cross the railway.
Hit by a driver not paying attention. Fortunate the consequences were not more serious. A reminder that bikes and vehicles don't really mix.
May 4, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Hit by a driver not paying attention. Fortunate the consequences were not more serious. A reminder that bikes and vehicles don't really mix.
From the designers...
March 3, 2025 at 10:40 AM
From the designers...
Another issue that was not addressed, despite being reassured that it would be, was the sharpness of the exit slip lanes. These are quite oblique, requiring cyclists leaving the highway to slow down in the teeth of the traffic, rather than on the slip lane. So frustrating!
March 3, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Another issue that was not addressed, despite being reassured that it would be, was the sharpness of the exit slip lanes. These are quite oblique, requiring cyclists leaving the highway to slow down in the teeth of the traffic, rather than on the slip lane. So frustrating!
A massive bug-bear is the use of non #LTN1/20 compliant path separation. Despite raising this with the designers and #OCC repeatedly, we were left with painted white line separation. The justification was claimed to be that 200m of Cambridge Kerb would cost £500,000 to install!
March 3, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Instead, we get a narrow coloured area marking the edge of the path. Fine for adult cyclists, but troubling if you are a parent cycling with vulnerable young children. Another issue is that the coloured area obscures the kerb, such that a partially sighted user might not be aware of the kerb.
March 3, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Instead, we get a narrow coloured area marking the edge of the path. Fine for adult cyclists, but troubling if you are a parent cycling with vulnerable young children. Another issue is that the coloured area obscures the kerb, such that a partially sighted user might not be aware of the kerb.
Not so good is the unholy mix of shared and segregated provision which we were told was unavoidable due to lack of space. Unavoidable? Judge for yourself...
March 3, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Not so good is the unholy mix of shared and segregated provision which we were told was unavoidable due to lack of space. Unavoidable? Judge for yourself...
We lobbied hard for small improvements, such as access to the public right of way having smooth corners suitable for cyclists and this was delivered.
March 3, 2025 at 8:05 AM
We lobbied hard for small improvements, such as access to the public right of way having smooth corners suitable for cyclists and this was delivered.
Another good point is that cyclists can make both crossings in a single movement while pedestrians are making a single crossing. This will vastly expedite cycle crossings and make them as quick as a vehicle movement.
March 3, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Another good point is that cyclists can make both crossings in a single movement while pedestrians are making a single crossing. This will vastly expedite cycle crossings and make them as quick as a vehicle movement.
Thus, while initial designs had pedestrian and cycle crossings over each of the 4 arms, 2 lower demand crossings were removed to increase vehicle capacity. This is tolerable now, but short sighted given that demand to cross the other arms will increase when the new developments are built.
March 3, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Thus, while initial designs had pedestrian and cycle crossings over each of the 4 arms, 2 lower demand crossings were removed to increase vehicle capacity. This is tolerable now, but short sighted given that demand to cross the other arms will increase when the new developments are built.
Quick review of @oxfordshirecc.bsky.social 's brand new half-Dutch junction, something that #Bicester Bike Users' Group has been campaigning on for years. It opened this week. First point is that it's primary purpose is to significantly increase vehicle capacity in advance of new development.
March 3, 2025 at 8:05 AM
Quick review of @oxfordshirecc.bsky.social 's brand new half-Dutch junction, something that #Bicester Bike Users' Group has been campaigning on for years. It opened this week. First point is that it's primary purpose is to significantly increase vehicle capacity in advance of new development.
Council has funding from ATE for segregated walking & cycling paths. Currently there is a 0.5m buffer, but they say it's not wide enough to grow anything in. Any established, or creative, solutions to adding some greenery?
February 25, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Council has funding from ATE for segregated walking & cycling paths. Currently there is a 0.5m buffer, but they say it's not wide enough to grow anything in. Any established, or creative, solutions to adding some greenery?
And look what's happening in the background!
February 4, 2025 at 5:21 PM
And look what's happening in the background!
Not looking good so far... 😢
February 4, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Not looking good so far... 😢
So if the pedestrian crossing was in 2-phases, like this, it would be better?
February 3, 2025 at 9:59 AM
So if the pedestrian crossing was in 2-phases, like this, it would be better?
Could somebody please explain to me why they think this sort of Dutch pedestrian and cycle crossing arrangement would be illegal in the UK?
February 1, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Could somebody please explain to me why they think this sort of Dutch pedestrian and cycle crossing arrangement would be illegal in the UK?
Anybody aware of a priority give way design (see below) combined with a pedestrian crossing?
January 30, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Anybody aware of a priority give way design (see below) combined with a pedestrian crossing?
Cutting edge cycling infrastructure from the Oxfordshire County Council highways team!
December 23, 2024 at 10:02 PM
Cutting edge cycling infrastructure from the Oxfordshire County Council highways team!
I don't feel this is communicating the message as clearly as it might
December 14, 2024 at 2:53 PM
I don't feel this is communicating the message as clearly as it might