The first of 13 Dutch-style cycle lanes taking cyclists behind bus stops has opened on Manchester’s Oxford Road opposite Whitworth Park. The bypass lanes will form part of the Wilmslow Road Cycleway which will see infrastructure improved all the way down to Didsbury Village.
The new-style bike lane is designed to make it safer for cyclists on what is Europe’s busiest bus route. Rather than overtaking when buses pull over, the rider instead cycles behind the bus stop. The Manchester version of these bypass lanes also includes a zebra-style crossing for pedestrians – arguably a clearer layout than that used on equivalent lanes in London.
From Monday, a two-week survey will be carried out by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) with cyclists, bus passengers and pedestrians asked to give feedback. Comments will be used to review and improve the design before it is rolled out at other stops.
Student Flora Winstanley, who commutes to the University of Manchester from Fallowfield by bike every day, told the Manchester Evening News: “It’s so much better – I bike to uni every day and this bit of Oxford Road is a nightmare. It makes so much sense, if you’re coming along this part of Oxford Road you’re constantly looking out for the buses.”
The plan is that by the end of 2016 every bus stop but one on Oxford Road from Moss Lane East to Portland Street will have the new lane and rather than cutting into pavements, roads will be made narrower. The one exception is the stop near the Temple of Convenience pub where a bypass lane will not be possible.
The scheme, which will include over 4km of segregated cycle lanes, will also see traffic restrictions imposed. Between 6am and 9pm, general traffic will turn off Oxford Road at Hathersage Road with only buses, taxis, cyclists and emergency vehicles permitted beyond.
Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, said:
“This is an exciting scheme that will revolutionise sustainable travel along one of the busiest routes into Manchester city centre, with better access to the universities, healthcare and businesses along the route.
“It’s part of a major investment in our infrastructure that will help us make travel greener and more sustainable while also providing huge benefits for the city’s economy.”
Councillor Chris Paul, Cycling Champion on the TfGM Committee, said he hoped that the introduction of safer, segregated cycling facilities would encourage more people to cycle along Oxford Road.
Where have the squirrels gone? And many of the birds too? ...
They will only get caught if they do something really dumb (like operating a vehicle not specified on their licence in an area with ANPR)...
As much as I hate the idea maybe it's time to monetise close pass videos the same way they do speed camera's?...
That's why I find myself featuring the comments like on the Land Rover pavement story - "fair play to him...Most of us are just doing our best,...
I just want to thank road.cc for bringing us that fantastic clip of Michael Hordern's early wartime experiences! I have never heard of that...
If I've got my maths right 35mm minimum leaves out a lot of skinny tubed road bikes and steel tourers/MTB's?
How sympathetic, especially as I'm sure you don't know the full details of the accident. I hope the cyclist recovers quickly.
What a wonderful comprehensive review. My thoughts - not in David Icke turquoise. And I thought that an "eay-pee solution" was some sort of chemical !
Sorry, going to take the bait....
TBF, it is a lubricant, just not a very good one. It also does have a use in rescuing corroded and abused bike parts, for example brake calipers...