Infrastructure

“People who cycle don’t use cycle paths because they aren’t very safe”: Plans for traffic-free cycle route criticised due to prospect of dog walkers and pedestrians “having to jump out of the way of cyclists trying to do Personal Best times”

“We aren’t going to get people cycling down there at 30mph weaving in and out of people with pushchairs”

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Bicycle road safety markings burnt off Dublin residential street because they were “too big and intrusive” and “confusing” drivers, councillor says

The painted logos were added as part of the construction of a nearby greenway and to warn motorists to expect a higher number of cyclists using the street – but residents complained they were “too big for such a small area”

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“Why do cyclists believe that they have a right to endanger pedestrians?” Council promises to install anti-bike barriers in foot tunnel, as locals and politicians claim “speeding” cyclists are “almost hitting” families and “abusing” pedestrians

“We take people’s safety extremely seriously and recognise that some cyclists are making pedestrians feel unsafe,” a Greenwich Council spokesperson said in response to the latest complaints

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Fuming former Conservative MP says cyclists “must dismount” on paths and slams “dangerous, irresponsible, and unnecessary” decision to protect cyclists with bollards on busy road – weeks after calling for all bikes to have number plates

Cones and bollards have been put in place on the busy carriageway following the collapse of a nearby bridge used by cyclists and pedestrians – but one outspoken councillor is worried about removing “essential road space” for lorry drivers

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“Nasty and unsafe” road plans that will force cyclists to use backstreets “overrun” with lorries referred to Active Travel England, as councillors slam “compromise” scheme that sees drivers “not losing out in any way”

“The officers have essentially said, ‘it isn’t worth spending money on people who’d like to cycle, we should spend it on people who drive instead’”

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“You need a degree to work out the system”: Local business owners welcome decision to rip out “absolute disaster” cycle lane which led to “lots of customers” getting parking tickets

A consultation to remove the controversial bike lane, the scene of several injuries to cyclists and pedestrians tripping over separators or dodging parked cars, begins this week, with one local mayor describing the infrastructure as “hated” and “hideous”

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More than 30 new low traffic neighbourhoods could be implemented in London as LTNs remain a “key part” to improve public health by encouraging active travel

Transport for London said that it will continue to support boroughs’ implementation of LTNs with both “funding and technical support”, after a poll showed 58% Londoners support them with only 17% in opposition

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Political spat between Conservative and Labour mayors finally comes to an end as both reach agreement to remove “unpopular” cycle lane that “simply hasn’t worked”

The four-week long consultation period to remove the £1.7 million bike lane in Middlesbrough is set to begin this week seeking views on plans to reinstate the road’s previous layout

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“Is this what anyone wants?”: Council goes back on promise and scraps cycle lane plans without any consultation to move “line of trees closer to kerb”

A cyclist accused the council of being “very sneaky” and hiding the news in a press release, however a Conservative councillor has said that “cyclists will be pleased with what they see when the scheme is finished”

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“Cyclists dismount” sign put up as roadworks begin on “ham-fisted” bike lane repeatedly targeted by “brazen” cone-stealing vandals, despite road being open to motor traffic

Thieves had stolen over 600 cones from the cycle lane earlier to turn it into a third motor lane, with a Conservative councillor claiming that the bike lane had been done in “ham-fisted way” 

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“Such derogatory remarks have no place in a civilised society”: Councillor slammed for branding cycling campaigners “the Active Travel Taliban” and for “spreading unwarranted misinformation” about bike lane scheme

The local Conservative leader also claimed the project was a “monumental waste of taxes” and opposed by residents – but the Labour-run local authority says the scheme “encompasses more than just a cycle lane”

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British cyclists feel less safe and more dissatisfied with their cycle lanes compared to European riders, research finds

New survey finds British cyclists are less satisfied with cycle lane design and maintenance, feel less safe, and feel they face more barriers to making bicycle journeys than riders in the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Germany

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“Who the hell is going up there on a daily basis, unless they happen to be Chris Froome?”: Councillor slams hilly cycle path plan and claims those who do use it will be “flying up and down” using it as “racetrack”

The new route has been approved by the council who stressed it will provide "a safe, comfortable and attractive alternative" to a busy, narrow road nearby — however one outspoken local claimed "security" and "anti-social behaviour" are a "major concern"

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Furious former Ferndown fish fryer fumes at fietsers — chippy owner blames bike lane for takeaway’s demise, despite roadworks ending last year and several negative reviews for “dreadful” food online

While some locals weren't convinced — one reviewer calling the food "the worst fish and chips I have ever had" — the shop's owner claims its demise is all down to bike lane construction stopping people coming in, works the council said ended last year

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Anti-cycling campaigners “spreading misinformation” say councillors, after “factually incorrect and negative” rumours that trees are set to be cut down for new cycle lane quashed

The local authority says all trees will be retained, and an additional tree planted, during the bike lane’s construction

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Tesco tells cyclist who complained about broken and blocked bike racks outside shop that “working racks are never full” and “not considered high priority”

UPDATE: Tesco has told road.cc that the cycle rack outside the supermarket giant’s Stalham branch will now be repaired, after first being reported as cracked and broken in March 2023

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“Bicycles are very narrow and they’re not going to get wider”: Councillors slam plans to widen “dangerous” cycle lane, asking “why are we spending money on things they don’t use?”

The local authority says the redesigned scheme will help eradicate the “all-too-often toxic cyclists versus motorists polemic”, that it claims has been fuelled by “poor design and hurriedly installed cycleways”

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“Ham-fisted” cycle lane cones to be replaced with protected cycling infrastructure — as councillor resists urge to “individually remove each traffic cone by drop-kicking”

Investment of £2m to build a permanent, protected cycle route — as well as improving walking and wheeling infrastructure — has been approved

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“Ridiculous” bike hangar “will cause more accidents” on street where “there have been more than five car crashes”, resident claims — but council defends “popular” bicycle storage

The local authority emphasised that there were "no objections" prior to its installation and there had been "hundreds of requests from across the city" asking for more secure on-street bike storage

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UK’s cycling infrastructure “seriously lagging behind” bike-friendly European cities, according to new safe cycling ranking

Cambridge topped the UK list of best cycling cities but sits 11th in Europe, while Greater Manchester and the West Midlands scored almost half the points of their European equivalents, People for Bikes’ global survey revealed this week

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Air quality improved both inside and on boundary roads of low traffic neighbourhoods, but Labour MP claims more LTNs will worsen congestion

A report has shown that low traffic neighbourhoods had an impact in reducing NO2 pollution by 14%, however incumbent Labour MP expressed her concerns about “LTNs’ ability to displace traffic onto arterial roads”

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Cyclists “incredibly disappointed” as councillors vote to reopen formerly notorious junction to taxis – despite casualties dropping to “virtually nil” seven years since restrictions introduced after cyclist’s death

“There’ll be increased road danger for those walking and cycling, and we’ll see fewer people ambling, sitting, snacking and a wall of cabs instead,” Simon Munk from the London Cycling Campaign said in response to the proposed trial at Bank Junction

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“Trams should replace cars, rather than people cycling”: Fears new tram route will be built on popular active travel path

There has been disagreement over the most suitable site for the new transport link amid concerns "a fantastic green space and active travel corridor" might be impacted

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Cycling levels up and “positive” reaction to new cycle lane celebrated by council, one month on from outspoken critics claiming it was “accident waiting to happen for pedestrians” and would “cause carnage on the roads”

The infrastructure, built in the same city where a cyclist was recently incorrectly fined £100 for riding on a shared-use path, could "revolutionise people's journeys" according to a local cycling group

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“It will be like living next to a motorway!”: Residents oppose school’s BMX cycle track project out of fears that they’d lose their “peace” and “privacy”

The school insisted that it wants to encourage healthy lifestyles and active travel for its pupils, but the £150,000 project hasn’t gone down well with the nearby residents

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“Do they ever tell drivers to get out and push?” Locals slam ‘Cyclists Dismount and Use Footway’ signs as cycle lane closed due to roadworks, leading to “horrifying” close passes – but council insists signs “comply to required legal standards”

“It’s so easy to sort out. But instead of telling drivers not to overtake cyclists because there isn’t room, they’ve told the cyclists to get out of the way and get on the pavement”

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Irish politician compares cycle lanes to Berlin Wall in “jaw dropping” attack on bike lanes branded “the worst reactionary anti-cycle rant”

Regina Doherty claimed cycling infrastructure has turned Dublin into a "spaghetti junction of cycle lanes that have divided the city like East and West Berlin", comments that caused disbelief among her rivals

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Council rubbishes concerned residents’ claims new cycle route will attract crime and increase insurance premiums

"A formalised route is unlikely to cause an increase in antisocial behaviour or have an impact on insurance premiums"

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Cyclists urge councillors to “take control” and stand by their active travel commitments after report recommends scrapping of divisive low traffic neighbourhood “as soon as possible”

“The inconvenience of some drivers should not override the benefits available from building active lives and reducing road danger and carbon pollution”

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MPs should be punished for spreading disinformation, think tank says, after “crackpot conspiracy theory” prompted government to slash active travel funding in “dangerous dereliction of responsibility”

The Demos report also found that a “democratic chasm” and lack of information has pushed people towards toxic social media debate on issues such as low traffic neighbourhoods

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