Liverpool's West Derby Road has become a "lawless" and "deadly" route for cyclists since a pop-up cycle lane — installed during the pandemic — was ripped out, local riders have said.
The full-lane segregation was introduced in 2020 (pictured below in September of that year), but following complaints from councillors and members of the public, it was removed last July.
Replaced by a narrower lane (pictured below in April 2021), cyclists say the route is regularly blocked by drivers parking to use the shops or with motorists pulling out across it.
One local rider described the route as "deadly", adding cyclists "take your life in your hands riding along it". Another, Stephen O'Connor, told the Liverpool Echo he may never ride again after being left bloodied by a crash on the route.
O'Connor was riding home in April when he braked sharply to avoid a man walking in the cycle lane who he had not seen because of cars parked around it. The 48-year-old commuter suffered cuts to his face and was treated in hospital.
After a decade of commuting by bike into the city, O'Connor told the local newspaper he is unlikely to cycle again unless road safety improves.
"I think the council seriously needs to look at this," he told the Liverpool Echo. My crash happened because cars were parked everywhere around the cycle lane, the bollards had been removed. I couldn't see the man walk out and when I swerved to try and avoid him I flew over the handlebars.
"There are no barriers or signs to tell people there is a cycle lane there. I'm really worried something bad could happen. My helmet was cracked down the middle, if I wasn't wearing it I might not be here now.
"They [West Derby Road's previous segregated cycle lanes] felt safe, this situation isn't safe. The council needs to take a look at it before someone else gets hurt."
This. If you can't see what's coming, you don't overtake.
Educate yourself bellend.
The screw on port cover seems good, the rubbery things are often a weak point on my lights....
I think this post is mdae up in response to the police post !...
I expected Vine to be the leader at UAE and that cost me. Cameron Scott was a bad choice, I expected him to sprint for the Aussie Team....
That doesn't follow at all. Reading a few news feeds and reshaping that into a story for the website requires considerably less resource than it...
40 pedestrians a year are killed by drivers on pavements in the UK. The solution is simple - remove all the pavements!
So should everyone who owns a smartphone therefore be expected to buy bikes, cars and everything else they want or need from China?...
My work here is done...
I have a 10 year old set of shamals and a 20 TWENTY! year old set of Zondas still going strong.