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Cyclists beware, highly realistic painting of hole ahead
Ruth Bloomfield17.06.09
A crevasse in the middle of the Regent's Canal towpath forces cyclists to take evasive action.
The optical illusion in Islington was commissioned by British Waterways for national Bike Week. Staff had reported some cyclists riding carelessly and endangering pedestrians.
They hope the image will make riders slow down.
Joe Hill and Max Lowry, artists who specialise in 3D images, have painted two of the crevasses on the path.
Joseph Young, British Waterways' towpath manager, said: "The majority of cyclists share the space amicably. However, a handful refuse to slow down. We hope this art will shock."
Waterways staff will wait by the crevasses to advise cyclists on safe riding.
Reader views (9)
"The majority of cyclists share the space amicably. However, a handful refuse to slow down. We hope this art will shock." No Mr Young, the speeding maniacs should
be prosecuted and if convicted fined heavily, or have
their bikes confiscated.
- Lb, Bromley
Nik Cholerton has the right idea.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx
Great idea. Now, how about doing similar on the roads to slow down the drivers who kill or seriously injure nearly 500 cyclists every year...?
- Rob, London, UK
Would them barriers stop a bike falling in the drink?
I actually love the concept and wish we could more of this around the capital. Down the bottom of the hole I would expect to see Gollumish Brown screaming for help
- Gary, brentwood
Nik Cholerton, London - Excellent !!!!!!
- Anticyclist, London
I'd paint a few potholes- far more realistic - but intersperse them with some real potholes, in case a cyclist gets too cocky. The other day on my way home, I saw a cyclist knock a woman over on the footpath. He didn't stop, so I jammed by brolly between his spokes. The bike stopped instantly. He didn't!
- Nik Cholerton, London
Given that the 'hole' can only be viewed through the lense of the camera, this is not likely to be a very effective deterrent!
- Benjamin, London
Well , if this fools you, you need your eyes tested & should not be on a bike.
- Dom, London
Um, I wouldn't say that was highly realistic to be honest. Most commuting cyclists are sensible on the towpath, I use it and slow right down, there are dog walkers and joggers. I don't understand why kids bomb along the towpath- why don't they use the road if they want to go fast? Along the Victoria Park section you often get people, grown adults, on those mini motorbikes zooming up and down, the barriers installed don't stop them. It's a lovely ride apart from the idiots, I've seen herons and carp and wagtails and kingfishers.
- Ben Potter, London
