Here’s a plan for cycle lanes that may work

Sir, – The cycle lanes in Perth are dangerous and narrow; they are not joined up and come to an abrupt end, forcing cyclists to rejoin the flow of traffic.

Unfortunately they persist with the new bike lane out to Willowgate, surely one of the most dangerous designs I’ve ever seen, where cyclists dice with death either crossing two lanes of fast traffic or trying to rejoin the flow.

But most of all these cycle lanes create a perception that cyclists must cycle in them, and that it’s OK to pass them within inches, even if there is little space to do so. The danger was so tragically confirmed with the recent dreadful accident in Bridgend.

It is little known that cyclists are allowed to cycle in what is known as “the primary position” or sometimes referred to as “taking the lane”. This is where a cyclist cycles in the middle of the lane.

Contrary to what many may think, it is often safer to cycle in this position where you can see better and also be seen more easily, particularly in busy town centres.

It can also discourage vehicle drivers from performing dangerous manoeuvres like overtaking when there isn’t enough room or there is an oncoming vehicle.

Cycling Scotland, the government and the Ministry of Transport via the Highway Code could do a lot more to raise awareness of this, which would perhaps lead to less animosity between the various road users and eventually, the roads would become safer.

Unless cycle lanes are segregated, continuous and joined up they are not fit for purpose, but resource constraints mean it is unlikely this is ever going to happen.

So here is an alternative solution for Perth which may sound controversial – get rid of the current cycle lanes and paint a logo (like in the bus lanes) on the road every so often to remind everyone to share the road.

We also need to be more tolerant of each other. Bikes and vehicles are inanimate objects. They don’t cause accidents, it is the person operating them who does. We need to think of each other as people, not objects, who are all entitled to use the highway.

We need to share the road, not claim it.

Susan Morrison. 9 Pitcullen Terrace, Perth.

A correspondent suggests getting rid of cycle lanes would be a good solution to road sharing.