Thursday, April 22, 2010

Council’s bicycle lane is wider than car lane

A council has introduced a cycle lane that takes up more than half of the road. The area reserved for pedal-powered transport measures 6.5ft (2m) wide, leaving just 4.5ft (1.4m) for cars, lorries and buses to squeeze through. Stretching up a steep hill in Poole, Dorset, the road markings have bemused motorists, who struggle to fit their cars in the space provided.

It has also raised safety concerns with the AA, which is worried it will confuse conscientious drivers and force them into the opposite carriageway. The cycle lane, which appears only on one side of the road, comes to an abrupt stop before the top of the hill and disappears entirely.



Jonathan Mears, a 39-year-old architect who lives nearby, said: "It's utterly ridiculous. The cycle lane is wide enough to stage the Tour de France. It's astounding that much of the road has been designated for just a few cyclists, when it's relatively narrow anyway. They've given over more room to the cycle lane than they have to the road - there isn't even enough room for an average sized car to drive in the space designated. I haven't seen anyone cycling up there yet, but I hope they appreciate it when they do."

Brian Kerry, another local resident, said: "It's ludicrous. When I first saw it, it didn't occur to me it was a cycle lane because it's just too wide. It just seems stupid. A few people cycle up there but most of the cyclists dismount and walk up the pavement." But the lane has been defended by Poole Borough Council, which said the lines are for guidance only and drivers were permitted to cross them.

4 comments:

arbroath said...

High time cyclists get priority on the road above motorists!

That, or "How to justify the mistakes of the Council-road-painter...

arbroath said...

tour de france? give me a break, that looks like the width of a normal bicycle lane here in finland. the problem is that theres just not enough room for a proper road..
to me the solution looks simplöe enough, just get rid of the sidewalk on the other side of the road. then you should have enough room for the car lanes.

arbroath said...

Motorists pay how much to drive on the roads?

Cyclists pay how much to ride on the road?

arbroath said...

I have a feeling the guys with the paint messed up, and the council is just making excuses for them.