The camera angle probably makes it look narrower than it is; yes a % of the total space, but the footway is actually a decent size. Usually narrowed by people having to avoid cars parked in the cycleway.

Tbf no this is a purpose built, grade separated cycleway, laid in the 1930s; the footpath is just adjacent. It’s not been very well maintained; the other side has just been modernised (slightly). Agreed on the usability, and general lack of maintenance which reduces their effectiveness.

Yeah I was pleasantly surprised. Had no idea what to expect but it was lovely.

Thanks to the brilliant new Northumberland line, I then took a train from Newcastle to Newsham, and cycled south to Whitley Bay, rather than east along the coast Road cycleway (which is functional, but relentlessly noisy thanks to the dual carriageway it follows).

Then it was home from Hartlepool to Newcastle via Northern Railway, with lovely views along the Durham coast.

Then a trip via the Marina to see the (rapidly decaying) Wingfield Castle, which not only shares a name with my in-laws, but it used to ferry them across the Humber in their courting days.

Riding around the Headland at Hartlepool was a little gem too, especially as it’s being repurposed from its primarily industrial past.

I was grateful of the partial shade!

This was my first ride on the sections between Sunderland and Ryhope, Ryhope-Haswell and the Haswell to Hart cycleways. There are a LOT of A-frames and barriers which is frustrating, even for narrow handlebars like mine. But the route is otherwise fantastic; mostly paved, off road and scenic.

It never stops being fascinating that the ferry is officially part of the National Cycle Network. There were a few decent sized vessels on the Tyne too.

❤️😂

Haha yeah the Milan metro is generally mostly standing capacity.