Hackney Council’s pavement cycling trial sparks dismay from cyclists and pedestrians

Gear change: Cyclists now have the right to pedal on a stretch of pavement near Victoria Park, thanks to Hackney Council. Photograph: Eleonore de Bonneval

Cyclists can become the object of rage when they commit the apparently heinous crime of pedaling on pavements.

But now Hackney Council has sparked controversy by permitting the bell-tinging two-wheelers to mount a narrow stretch of walkway near Victoria Park… and stranger still, the cyclists themselves appear to be flummoxed by the decision.

An unmarked cycle path has been created on Victoria Park Road, meaning cyclists can now merrily zip in both directions along this busy one-way thoroughfare.

Hackney Cycling Campaign co-ordinator Trevor Parsons said: “We are generally opposed to cycling on pavements. It is a sticking plaster solution which doesn’t tackle the underlying problem.”

The street, located next to the cyclists’ paradise of Victoria Park, is dominated by parked cars on both sides of the road.

The Hackney Cycling Campaign wants the council to clamp down harder on on-street car parking to clear stretches of tarmac for cyclists.

Living Streets, a group which campaigns on behalf of pedestrians, is similarly dismayed by the new pavement cycle path.

Its coordinator Brenda Puech said: “There’s very little space to walk, let alone for cyclists.”

She added: “This narrow footway has a steep cross fall and regular width restrictions due to a bus stop and numerous sign posts and lamp posts. They have chosen to put the cyclists on the footway because they will not tackle car parking along the entire length of Victoria Park Road.”

Parking is limited for residents before 6pm, but after this time anyone can park there.

Mr Parsons said: “There’s an unwillingness to tackle the problem of private vehicles, even though borough-wide only 37 per cent of people have a car. A minority is slowing progress on improvements on streets.”

However, he stressed he was positive about the extent of progress made so far and felt the situation in Victoria Park Road was an anomaly.

Hackney Council’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods Councillor Feryal Demirci said:

“Victoria Park Road is a busy one-way road and a popular route for cyclists. There is a demand for cycling in both directions, especially after dark when Victoria Park is closed.

“We have had lots of requests over the years to allow two-way cycling along Victoria Park Road and other one-way streets in the area. The council’s general policy is to provide for cycling on the carriageway wherever possible. Victoria Park Road is a designated ‘A’ road used by heavy goods vehicles and buses. The usable road width is too narrow to allow two-way cycling.

“Our long-term aim is to allow cycling in both directions on the carriageway, but any proposal will need to be developed for the whole area. We will need to assess whether a viable solution is feasible, what the impacts would be and if it is supported by local residents.

“As an interim measure we are allowing cyclists on a stretch of the footway.

“This improves permeability for cyclists without the need for extensive physical or traffic management changes. We have installed tactile paving and signs to ensure awareness of the shared use footway.

“We recognise that not everyone is in favour of the changes and are monitoring the road over the next six-12 months to help us understand the impacts and develop a long term solution.”