Cycle lanes can make roads more dangerous for cyclists

It will come as little surprise to anyone who rides a bike, but cycle lanes can make roads more dangerous for cyclists. A study by Leeds and Bolton universities has come to the conclusion that ‘cycle lanes do not appear to provide greater space for cyclists in all conditions’.

The researchers attached a camera to the back of a bicycle and rode along roads that had stretches with and without cycle lanes. They found that when there was no cycle lane, drivers tended to give riders a wider berth. When there was a cycle lane, motorists drove closer to the bikes.

Most of Britain’s cycle lanes do not comply with the width of 1.5m (5ft) recommended by the Department for Transport.

The study suggests that reducing the speed of traffic would do more to improve cycle safety than narrow cycle lanes.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “All too often, cycle lanes end up little more than a cheap and nasty way of promoting cycling – they take circuitous routes, are poorly maintained and often parked in by cars so it is little wonder that most experienced cyclists tend to avoid them.”