Commuters offer split opinions on cycle lanes in city

READERS SHARE THEIR VIEWS ON CONTROVERSIAL SCHEME

A ROW over the cycle lanes has media.

Commuters are divided, with many cyclists supporting the scheme and drivers blaming them for an increase in traffic.

The scheme has seen dedicated cycle lanes set up on some of the city’s busiest roads, causing widespread anger.

Some have taken issue with cyclists not making use of the new lanes, while others have commended the scheme. One has even suggested the council should “double them” in a bid to make Hull a “cycling capital” like Amsterdam.

Just last week, gridlocked traffic brought traffic on key roads including Beverley Road, Spring Bank, Freetown Way and Main Road to a halt. Attention inevitably returned to the controversial lanes.

The council has said the “temporary” cycle lanes, blamed by many motorists for the heavy congestion, will be reviewed and there will be a public consultation.

Hull Live asked its readers on its Facebook page if the city’s cycle lanes should stay for good. It prompted hundreds of responses, with many believing that they should be removed, but others supported them.

“Even as a cyclist the lanes are ridiculous. Restricting traffic flow in favour of cycle lanes is madness,” said one man.

“No, especially the ones on Freetown Way. Twice I’ve seen ambulances with city’s controversial erupted on social their blue lights on having to wait their turn to get to the turn off to Ferensway because of the black poles that help protect the bike lane,” said one woman.

Another added: “No, as a cyclist and driver, the local infrastructure simply isn’t there to accommodate the volume of motor traffic and cyclists. If the infrastructure was there then I’d be up for them staying.”

And a parent said: “My son has been knocked off his bike twice so they are a great idea, but then again they are causing so much traffic congestion along with all the other roadworks that seem to have been going on at the same time and lasting forever.”

Another commentator said: “No, I think they are terrible they have caused so much congestion and not many cyclists even use them, defeating the object of them. What a waste of money and everybody’s time too.”

But a few readers did support keeping the cycle lanes permanently. One person said: “Stay for good. Cyclists should feel safer on roads.”

Another added: “If at all possible, move them to quieter roads as they do in parts of London, rather than on already congested main roads.

“Or if they do stay, then time limit them to outside of peak time perhaps? As a road user in both camps, I get the frustration from both sides.”

Another man said: “Yes. Double them, if possible. Far too many unnecessary car journeys still. The city is flat as a pancake, absolutely ideal for cycling.

“Start ripping up junctions and creating cycle-segregated routes there too.”