‘Optical illusion’ cycle lane blasted by locals… but can YOU spot the problem
AN “optical illusion” cycle lane has been blasted by locals after nearly 60 people were injured on it over the course of a year.
The lane was opened a little over 12 months ago and in that time a whopping 59 Bristol locals have toppled off their bikes on it.
Due to the oddly high number of cyclists injured the winding lane has been dubbed an “optical illusion“.
The lane, which is bordered by two kerbs in places, was said to have got that title due to having white lines that looked similar to each other.
It also used to be the same colour of the road, until one councillor called for it to be painted.
That councillor was Alan Hale, who said the cycle lane, which was installed by Bath and North East Somerset Council, has been an issue “since day one”.
Alan recently found out how many people had been injured on it – and warned someone could be killed.
The Keynsham South councillor told SomersetLive: “There can be no other local authority in the country that has created a development that has succeeded in seriously injuring 59 people at least and have done nothing to address the situation.
“We are elected to make our community safe, not to inflict significant injuries.
“To make it safe we need the administration and officers to take positive action, not sit on their hands.”
The lane was painted red in August last year – after 46 people were injured.
Alan continued: “At my suggestion they changed the colour of the tarmacadam of the lane but that did not achieve a cessation in injuries, and since then there has been no further action, save the monitoring.”
But another councillor has defended the cycle lane – and said changes have been made in an attempt to reduce injuries.
Mark Roper, the council’s cabinet member for economic development, regeneration and growth, said: “When some early problems were identified with the double kerb down to the road surface, a series of mitigations were put in place which has had the effect of substantially reducing the number of reported incidents.
“However we have now commissioned a Stage 4 Road Safety to suggest further improvements and mitigations and prevent any further issues. This will report back early in the next administration.
“All reported falls are carefully examined, including by CCTV, to establish where and why they happen. We have worked with the town council and local councillors to make sure we record all incidents.
“The council takes this issue very seriously and is working hard to deliver further improvements.”