Driver parked over cycle lane divides internet with bicycle riders furious – but council says it can’t do anything

A DRIVER has divided opinion after they parked over a cycle lane and left bike riders furious – but the council say they can’t do anything.

The motorist in question had their white BMW snapped blocking the lane in Stretford, Manchester, which sparked debate on social media.

GMP

A motorist has divided opinion on the internet after parking in a cycle lane[/caption]

The driver’s behaviour has been hailed by some motorists with one stating that “cyclists contribute nothing”.

One Facebook user wrote: “Perhaps if cyclists were taxed to use the roads/cycle lanes that money could be used to provide more free park and ride facilities for car drivers!

“At the moment cyclists contribute nothing but expect everything!”

And a second spoke of how cyclists would get more support if they made the most of their lane.

They commented: “Perhaps if more cyclist use their free cycles lanes paid for by car owners and taxation then you’d get some sympathy.”

“Can’t cyclists just travel on the footpath as they do when they come to a red light?” quipped a third.

While a fourth pondered the etiquette of cyclists by sarcastically saying: “Because cyclists are always considerate to motorists.”

But cyclists in the area have been left fuming by the incident with one group demanding action over an “epidemic” of drivers dumping their cars on bike paths and pavements.

Claire Stocks, of the Walk Ride campaign group in Manchester, said: “Increasingly, drivers are seeming to park in very anti-social ways, and we are seeing it up and down the country.

“Many people don’t realise the impact they are having blocking a pavement or cycle lane and I think it is often not deliberate but ignorant.

“We see it with delivery drivers too, who are in a rush and park up willy-nilly wherever they can. It’s impacting those who are trying to get round without a car.”

And Trafford Council also acknowledged the parking issue which is seeing a popular cycle route regularly littered with cars.

However, they confirmed that they can’t actually take any action because there are no regulations in place.

A spokesperson for Trafford Council told MEN: “We have been made aware of this issue, however, there are currently no traffic regulation orders (TRO) in place that restrict the parking of vehicles on that road.

“While we therefore can’t enforce it, local councillors have been pushing the police to take action for some time and we welcome action taken by GMP using their powers.

“We would remind drivers that they should not park where they would cause an obstruction, particularly on cycle paths.

“Cycling is a great way to travel so we take a strong view against cycle paths being blocked.”

It comes as one cyclist filmed a confrontation with a driver after the motorist left his car blocking a cycle lane.

Meanwhile, one petty woman sparked fury after sitting on a teenager’s car to stop her getting the last parking space.