A 'cycle street' billed as the first of its kind in England, giving cyclists and pedestrians priority over motorists, has been built in Cambridge. Adams Road, one of the busiest routes in the historic university city, sees around 3,000 cyclists daily.
Project Details and Claims
The £2.4 million scheme aims to improve safety by removing on-road parking, reconfiguring junctions to slow traffic, raising crossings, and widening footpaths. Proponents say it will reduce incidents of cyclists being 'knocked off their bikes' and 'car doors suddenly opening into their paths'.
Official Statistics Questioned
However, official statistics reveal only two reported 'collisions involving a cyclist' in seven years, with just one classified as 'serious'. No data specifies whether these collisions involved vehicles, other cyclists, or pedestrians.
Critics argue the money could have been spent elsewhere, questioning the actual safety improvements. Upon visiting the third-of-a-mile-long road, narrow residents' bays pushed vehicle wheels onto the bright red road, forcing cars into cyclists' paths.
Resident and Visitor Reactions
Driver Bob Heath, in his 60s, noted: 'What about all the terraced houses on narrow roads in Cambridge? This would never work there. It's fine if you can afford one of these places though.' Pedestrian Ian commented: 'I've never seen anyone knocked off their bike down here.'
Frazer Merritt, 44, originally from Wisconsin, questioned spending on 'vanity projects' instead of fixing potholes and uneven pavements. He said: 'My mum is 82 years old and can only walk a block at most. It's difficult pushing her around Cambridge because many of the sidewalks and roads are in a pretty bad state.'
Online criticism included comments like 'It's important that projects like this go into poorer areas of the city too' and 'First, what is this costing? As for the climate argument, the existing Tarmac was torn up and replaced. How is this good for the climate?'
Support and Context
One homeowner praised the scheme: 'I think it looks really good. There is less parking on the road now.' An undergraduate added: 'I like it. The road is super smooth to cycle on and there are fewer cars on either side.'
The Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP), which includes local authorities, claimed 'too many stories of cyclists being knocked off their bikes'. However, official statistics show only two reports in seven years, without specifying involvement of cars.
Broader Cycling Controversies in Cambridge
The debate over cyclist and pedestrian priority has raged in Cambridge. Recent controversies include a 'bus gate' on Mill Road, which raised up to £1 million in fines in its first year, and a Dutch-style roundabout introduced in 2020 at £2.3 million, which saw more collisions in its first three years than the previous three years.
Brian Milnes, deputy leader of the Lib Dem group on South Cambridgeshire District Council and GCP chairman, said: 'We've heard too many stories of cyclists being knocked off their bikes and car doors suddenly opening into their path... This project is about putting people first.'
Dan Strauss, representing Adams Road residents, added: 'Adams Road is a cycling success story but as it's got busier, hundreds of parked cars are creating blind spots... We're a cycling city and we're proud to be leading the way.'
Cambridgeshire County Council confirmed two reported collisions involving a cyclist on Adams Road: one slight in 2019 and one serious in 2024. A spokesman said: 'These figures do not include near-misses or unreported incidents, which residents and stakeholders have told us are a regular concern.'
