It would be easy to assume that drivers and cyclists are in conflict when it comes to improving cycling infrastructure. Researchers at Cardiff University have found that the opposite is true. However the way in which schemes are designed and introduced is crucial.
A study that analysed more than 36,000 tweets about cycle lanes and LTNs between 2018 and 2022 found that most social media posts were positive. The analysis showed that negative sentiment was less about cycling in principle but more related to details of infrastructure implementation. I was surprised to read that a majority of UK residents favour reallocating road space for active travel. Respondents to a survey commisioned by the Department for Transport overwhelmingly agreed that the government should act in local neighbourhoods to increase road safety (88%), improve air quality (86%), reduce traffic
congestion (83%) and reduce traffic noise (75%).
It seems a vocal minority are amplified by social media and traditional media whereas the reality is that a large majority agree on the basics. Where poorly thought out schemes increase traffic and congestion, there are justifiable complaints and often a removal of infrastructure. An example during Covid lockdowns was in the city of Portsmouth, where a trial cycle scheme was reversed after three weeks after complaints around parking and a consequent loss of business to local traders. Parking in particular seems to be an area that needs very careful thought, with even cyclists less favourable to removing parking spaces to create extra space for cycling.
Another interesting study from the same authors suggests that segregated cycle lanes are the most popular intervention, even with drivers, as long as space is taken from the road, not from removing parking spaces.
For more details on this issue, read the article here.