Cyclists are being encouraged by council officials to ignore a dedicated cycle path and use a busy main road instead in an attempt to force traffic in the town centre to slow down.
Although cyclists have the use of the 7ft wide bike lane alongside the A35 in Bournemouth, Dorset, large bike symbols have been painted on the main road as well.
Town hall officials want cyclists to take a ‘more prominent position’ in the middle of the road – which is located in the suburb of Boscombe – in order that passing traffic will notice them and be forced to slow down.
But the move has angered motorists, who claim the council has made the bike lane redundant while making cyclists think ‘they own the road’.
Steve Martin said: ‘You put cycle lanes in and then paint cycle symbols on main carriageway. Cyclists now seem to think they own all the road and won’t move over.’
Rob Copson said: ‘So now they’re encouraged to NOT use the cycle lane right next to them then?’
Donna Clarke said: ‘It should be in the Highway Code that cyclists must use cycle lanes if available.
‘This is utterly ridiculous, causing tailbacks, delayed emergency vehicles and frayed tempers.’
Nick Beck said: ‘If there’s a dedicated cycle lane, why are they being directed to cycle in the main carriageway?’
Natalie Alexander said: ‘Any room left for cars?’
Cyclists in Bournemouth, Dorset, are being encouraged by the council to ignore a dedicated cycle path and use an entire main road instead
A spokesperson for Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council said: ‘We recently undertook carriageway resurfacing and have widened the cycle lanes in line with current standards.
‘The road markings highlighted are there to encourage cyclists to take a prominent position in the lane so therefore make them more visible to other motorists.’
Motorists believe the new road layout is the latest move by the authorities to drive cars off the road.
In 2019, BCP Council declared a climate emergency, pledging to make all its operations carbon neutral by 2030.
On its website officials boast to have ‘improved the safety of cyclists and walkers at key transport locations using the £312,000 Government Emergency Active Travel grant.’
And following a survey of its staff, there has also been a decrease in them commuting to work as they prefer to work from home on the back of the pandemic.
Last year, BCP Council caused more controversy by spending £102m on building two cycle lanes alongside a main road that motorists claim leaves them with no room to make way for emergency vehicles.
The two new bike lanes are protected from traffic by 6ins tall raised kerbs.
Drivers say the new narrow road layout leaves them hemmed-in and have nowhere to go when an ambulance or fire engine needs to get past.
Earlier this year changes in the Highway Code came into force that allow cyclists to ride in the middle of quieter roads and ride two abreast.
Although cyclists have the use of the 7ft wide bike lane alongside the A35 in Bournemouth, Dorset, large bike symbols have been painted in the middle of the road as well
BCP Council’s spokesperson added: ‘As part of our works to improve the A35 Christchurch Road, we’ve taken steps to make the route safer for all road users and support more sustainable travel through the area.
“The original cycle lane markings were typically 1.5m, with some as little as 1.1 meters in width, which is below current national standards and allowed for close passing of vehicles. They were also frequently being parked on by motorists.
‘To address these issues and improve safety, we have adjusted the cycle lanes to 2m in width in most areas. There is a very short section of 1.5m wide lane and some lengths of 1.7m wide. We’ve also made them mandatory where possible to prevent vehicles parking and to create a safer space for people cycling.
‘At pinch points along the road, we have added painted signs on the centre of the carriageway to alert motorists that cyclists are likely to be using the main carriageway at these points.
‘This will give people living and travelling through the area more confidence to get out about on their bikes, travel sustainable on this important route and leave their cars at home.’
