Drivers in Edinburgh have been criticised for brazenly blocking a cycle lane in the city centre.
A gobsmacked Edinburgh local snapped a row of cars parked in Broughton Street on Thursday evening.
The image shows a black Audi leading a line of cars blocking an area reserved for cyclists.
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One Passer-by told of his shock at the scene - with the lead car also parked on double yellow lines.
The witness said: “I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I mean, I know parking spaces are at a premium in the city centre but to just brazenly leave your motor in a cycle lane on double yellows is unbelievable.”
Cycling Campaign Group for The Lothians, Spokes, has suggested methods that may improve cyclists’ accessibility in response to the incident, while shaming drivers who have chosen to ignore clear road markings indicating that parking is prohibited.
The group's spokesman, Ian Maxwell, also suggests the road in question could be structured differently to prevent cyclists from being denied access to their lanes.
He says: “It’s a real shame that a clearly marked cycle lane plus double yellow lines is being ignored in Broughton Street. For this lane to work, it needs full segregation with a continuous kerb like the new lanes on London Road in Piershill.”
Local Green councillor Claire Miller has described the photograph as “a constant source of frustration” as she highlights that parking cars in cycle lanes can endanger cyclists who are being left unable to utilise their designated lanes securely.
She is also making a plea to drivers to take more caution to select a suitable parking space while appealing that they take other road users into consideration when deciding where to park their vehicle.
“It’s a constant source of frustration that drivers are not making the choice to look for a parking or loading space and instead leave their cars in cycle lanes, causing danger to people traveling by bike," says Cllr Miller.
“I’d like to appeal to drivers to take a little extra time to find a parking space that is safe for everyone and prioritise other people’s safety.”
