Following a request from City of York Council for feedback on the changes to the city centre bridges, York Cycle Campaign contacted its members asking them to provide their opinion on a short web survey. 56 of our 310 (18%) members responded to the survey.  The results of that survey are as follows;

Do you feel safer cycling across Lendal and/or Ouse bridge with the new symbols in place?

52.8% No difference
41.5% Yes, a bit safer
3.8% Yes, much safer
1.9% No, less safe
0% No, much less safe

Do you think motorists have been more courteous to cyclists since the markings have been added?

67.3% No difference
27.3% Yes, a bit more courteous
1.8% Yes, much more courteous
3.6% No, less courteous
0% No, much less courteous

Are you more likely to use these bridges now the markings are in place?

76.4% No difference
16.4% Yes, a bit more likely
5.5% Yes, much more likely
1.8% No, less likely
0% No, much less likely

Is there anything you’d like to add about your experience with the markings?

Only 6 of the 42 responses to this question were positive about the changes, saying that the respondee felt more confident in taking primary position when cycling across the bridge.

The remaining responses raised various concerns and issues with the markings on the road, in summary these were;

• Lack of understanding/knowledge of the markings meaning by both motorists & cyclists;
• That motorists are still not providing adequate space to cyclists when passing despite the symbols, or are showing frustration/aggression towards cyclists if they ride in primary position.
• The amount of traffic on the bridges means that symbols are often covered, and that passing traffic makes using the bridges difficult for cyclists.
• That road surface deformation at the edges of the road, close to the kerbs, forces cyclists out into the primary position anyway.
• Concerns that over a short amount of time traffic will wear away the markings.

What one thing would you like to see done to improve safety on the bridges? 

The removal or reduction of traffic in some form was suggested by the two thirds of respondents. Ranging from closure of a bridge to traffic completely to all but pedestrians and cyclists, making a bridge one-way to allow a cycle lane to be installed, or restricting traffic to only essential traffic.

Other suggestions received were for increased enforcement of safe overtaking rules on the bridges by the police, introduction of no overtaking restrictions on the bridges, and a reduction of the speed limit.

Summary

In 2022 the Campaign responded to the original consultation on overtaking on bridges, in which we recommended additional features were implemented to support the cycle markings proposed and now implemented, these were:

• Providing advisory cycle lanes where none exist;
• Converting advisory cycle lanes to mandatory ones;
• Removing yellow lines to give the appearance of additional space in the cycle lane;
• Widening cycle lanes;
• Removing the centre line;
• Providing advisory signs advising drivers not to overtake cyclists;
• Making no overtaking mandatory;
• Introducing 20mph speed limits.

The response of members reinforces that further measures, as well as the cycle markings now in place, will be needed to ensure that the bridges are made safe for all cyclists that wish to use them.

With all three bridges being key cycle routes to the city centre and across both halves of the city the Campaign welcomes attempts by CoYC to make the bridges safer, and is happy to work further with them to find a suitable solution that works for all.