Cambridge is a city known for its bikes. There are dozens of dedicated cycle lanes, a load of bike hire places, and according to one report, an impressive 45 percent of Greater Cambridgeshire residents ride a bike at least once a week to get from A to B. Just when you thought Cambridge couldn’t get any more cyclist friendly, it’s about to be home to England’s first so-called ‘cycle street’ – a road that gives priority to cyclists and pedestrians while still allowing access for vehicles.
Linking the west of the city to the centre, Adams Road is one of Cambridge’s busiest cycling routes, with about 3,000 cyclists cruising down it on peak days. Now, it’s set to be remodelled to put bikes first and maximise the safety of people walking, wheeling and cycling.
On-road parking will largely be removed to get rid of blind spots for drivers leaving their driveways, as well as to reduce the risk of car doors opening into the path of cyclists. Junctions will also be redesigned to slow vehicles down, and crossings and footpaths along the road will also be raised and widened to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians.
As well as the upgrades to the road itself, the street will get innovative rain gardens and new green planting to help manage rainwater, reduce flooding, support pollinators, and boost biodiversity
Brian Milnes, chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership, said: ‘We’ve heard too many stories of cyclists being knocked off their bikes and car doors suddenly opening into their path, while elderly and vulnerable residents have to step into the road just to get around bins or parked cars. That shouldn’t be the reality on one of Cambridge’s busiest cycling routes. This project is about putting people first — making everyday journeys safer and easier for everyone.’
Work on the Adams Road is starting on October 13 and is expected to last around seven months. It’s part of a larger initiative by GCP called Comberton Greenway, a network of walking and cycling paths aiming improve and encourage active, sustainable travel across the region.
ICYMI: an extraordinary new 280km bikepacking route recently launched in the Chiltern Hills.
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