Bicycling group warns of danger posed by road works

Concrete block retaining walls used in case of road works made it difficult for cyclists to avoid drivers’ lanes, the Bicycling Advocacy Group has warned.

“These barriers will not leave enough room for cycling on the shared footpath, leaving riders with no other option than to take the drivers’ lane,” the group said in a statement.

It therefore urged drivers to “be patient and temporarily avoid overtaking people on bicycles riding next to concrete barriers”.

BAG praised Transport Minister Ian Borg over new cycle lanes introduced at the Airport roundabout, which replaced a shared footpath that the group had described as “defunct”.

Cyclists argued that the old shared cycle/pedestrian pathway showed a poor appreciation of the riders’ needs, wheras – BAG said – the new lanes were proof that things were changing for the better.

The group bemoaned the fact that cyclists were still “not catered for” by the State.

Cycle lanes were, on average, below the 2m width recommended by the Transport for London’s Cycling Level of Service (LCDS), and barely over the minimum of 1.5m necessary for safe cycling. 

“It also seems to vary from section to section, leaving cyclists threatened by oncoming cars,” BAG said.