Delivery Difficulties

Helen Godwin's new West of England Transport Vision is myopic when it comes to seeing the problem of trying to get round Bristol on a bicycle. This, so called, vision focuses entirely on personal mobility and has absolutely nothing to say about the impact of the delivery of goods and services. A walk round most parts of Bristol will reveal the negative impact that delivery vehicles have on out transport infrastructure, from damaged pavements to blocked cycle routes as well as adding to air pollution, road danger and congestion.

While a small number of cargo cycle firms operate in Bristol, the vast majority of goods are still delivered by vans, lorries and motorbikes.

Most of the drivers see nothing wrong with obstructing cycle routes in the course of their work, even drivers who work for companies which also use quad-cycles in the city like Priority Express. 

 

 

Then there are firms like dpd who's electric vans are just as environmentally unfriendly when it comes to blocking cycle lanes.  

 

 

 

Local firms like Ruby and White also see nothing wrong with using a clearly marked contraflow cycle lane on Colston Street to park their van.

 

 

 

In this case it is especially dangerous as it forces people cycling uphill out into the path of oncoming traffic. 

 

 

 

While this example in Corn Street does not have the same level of oncoming traffic, it is yet another example of a delivery vehicle blocking a contraflow cycle lane.

 

 

 

Then there is the failure of plastic wands/bollards to provide any deterrent.

 

Any gap in the bollards is considered a legitimate parking space by delivery drivers, even if it means blocking a vehicle entrance as these two examples in Park Row illustrate. 

Delivery vehicles are a major issue in this city and Helen Godwin has ignored the negative impact they have on cycling in Bristol.