'My commute is faster by bike than car': Sheffield cycle lane hailed as ‘game-changer’

A new segregated cycle lane on one of Sheffield’s busiest roads has been hailed as a key step towards creating a more bike-friendly city.
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One lane of the A61 Shalesmoor has been temporarily cordoned off for bikes – in a move which could be made permanent – as part of wider efforts to get more people cycling and walking.

The new cycle lane was introduced on Sunday, July 5, with Ball Street and Alma Street in nearby Kelham Island also being closed to motor vehicles.

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Jo Maher says the latest cycling improvements in Sheffield, including a segregated cycle lane on the ring road and road closures in Kelham Island, have shaved time from her daily commute and made her feel saferJo Maher says the latest cycling improvements in Sheffield, including a segregated cycle lane on the ring road and road closures in Kelham Island, have shaved time from her daily commute and made her feel safer
Jo Maher says the latest cycling improvements in Sheffield, including a segregated cycle lane on the ring road and road closures in Kelham Island, have shaved time from her daily commute and made her feel safer
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It provoked an angry reaction from some drivers who found themselves stuck in long queues after being restricted to a single lane on that section of the ring road, running past the acclaimed Jöro restaurant,

But cyclists insist it is the kind of bold initiative needed to help people feel safer on their bikes, persuade them to ditch their cars and get the city moving more smoothly.

Jo Maher, a GP who makes the five-mile daily commute from her home in Crookes to Wincobank Medical Centre on her electric bike, is a big fan of the changes.

Her journey via Shalesmoor now takes less than 23 minutes – ‘considerably quicker’, she says, than it would be by car – and she feels much safer not having to share a busy dual carriageway with cars and lorries or compete for space with drivers using Kelham Island as a ‘rat run’.

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“There’s a big issue in Sheffield that the roads don’t feel particularly safe for cyclists, so anything we can do to make them feel safer – which these changes definitely do – has to be a good thing,” she said.

“There are always people who will need to drive and I understand these changes might be frustrating for them at first.

“But too many short journeys are being made by car and hopefully this will encourage those who can to get on their bikes, creating more space for everyone.”

As a GP, Dr Maher sees the harm traffic fumes are doing to the nation’s health.

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“Air pollution’s causing heart problems and lung problems for so many people, and the bottom line is that we have to reduce the number of cars,” she said.

“We need the support and infrastructure in place to achieve that, by getting more people to cycle or walk, and you have to start somewhere.”

Critics have pointed out there was already a cycle lane along Shalesmoor – where the new segregated lane runs between Shalesmoor roundabout and the Corporation Street junction – and claimed they saw few cyclists passing them while they sat in traffic.

But Dr Maher and others responded that the original narrow cycle lane could be daunting to use with lorries whizzing past, and they are confident more cyclists will use the new one as awareness grows.

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Julian Cole shared this video showing how fast journeys by bike can be using the new cycle lane.

Many more people took to Twitter to show their support for the new lane, with one writing: “It isn’t to make room for cyclists, it’s to make room for the drivers to have the option to cycle instead.”

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