People in Cardiff appear to be divided over new cycle lanes that have been installed in part of the city. The new cycle lanes on Cathays terrace run along most of the road, and are now ready to use.
Work on the segregated cycle paths began in September 2021, with the lanes running just over a mile long. The cycleway is part of the second phase of Cycleway 1, which will run up Cathays Terrace, down part of Whitchurch Road, up Allensbank Road and then along King George V Drive East, ending at University Hospital of Wales.
The first phase was finished in 2019, running along St Andrew’s Place and Senghennydd Road. The cycleway is one of five planned across the city, with other routes running to St Mellons, Cardiff Bay, Plasdwr, and Ely and Caerau. Cardiff council consulted the public about the plans last summer. Of the 876 responses, 57 per cent supported the plans while 23 per cent did not support them.
READ MORE: Three arrested and police officer injured after dramatic car chase through Cardiff
After posting a picture of the new cycleway to Facebook, hundreds of CardiffOnline readers responded with their thoughts - and the comments were divided. While some people were glad to see the new cycleway, others were frustrated by the plans, branding them a "waste of money."
One reader, Greg Wilcox, was happy to see the cycleway, writing: "Well done, a long way to go but we're slowly getting there." Similarly, a Stephen Fry commented: "Looks brilliant. Well done to all involved in creating this." Another reader, Jaymin Patel joked: "Hopefully this will help speed up the Deliveroo times when ordering."
However, other Facebook users were not so complimentary of the cycleway. "Soon you won't be able to drive anywhere in Cardiff... that's there [sic] plan I think," Mark D Stokes wrote in response to the picture. Some readers suggested that the cycleway wouldn't be used enough.
"If they are anything like the ones in Barry the cyclists dont [sic] use them," Maria Packer wrote. Anthony Kirby also commented: "All this money spent and yet the lanes still remain barely used and no increase in uptake of cyclists - welsh [sic] labour [sic] run council just love wasting money to appease the minority."
Other Facebook users expressed their concerns surrounding other issues to do with cycling in the city. Mike Davies, for instance, wrote: "I'm all for cycle lanes but there should be a law that cycle rider have to use them."
"It's great that the council are investing money to ensure that cyclists can use the same routes as drivers safely," Adrian Wragg wrote. "However, cycle theft is a major issue. It's all very well being able to ride into the city centre, but if you tell someone that there's even a 1% chance they'll have to walk home and then buy a new bike, they'll just hop in their car instead. Please could try council start seriously looking into secured bike parking? I'm sure many cyclists would be prepared to pay a nominal amount to cover costs."
Tony Cook wrote: "I wonder where all the cars that used to park on that side of the road now have to go? Cardiff Council yet again not finding a solution but merely moving a problem (and expecting a pat on the back for it)." Chris Bowen similarly commented: "So where do the cars park, and where do the buses stop without blocking a lane of traffic?"
