Belfast’s new cycleway launched (video)

The new Alfred Street – Upper Arthur Street cycleway in Belfast has been officially launched by Transport Minister Michelle McIlveen.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2vJEjqVfEo&w=900&h=506]

The cycleway provides a protected route from the traffic-free Laganside route all the way to the pedestrianised city centre shopping area around Cornmarket.

The bollard-protected cycle lane is the first of three route sections being constructed in the south and west of Belfast city centre this spring.

Wee detour this morning to check out new Alfred St cycle lane. Near missed turn on, love the smooth surface #Belfast pic.twitter.com/y6KZkiscXY

— Jonathan Francey (@leglessplok) March 24, 2016

Many users have been impressed by the surface quality and the high-profile nature of the scheme.

A further two sections are due to be built later this year linking the city centre with Titanic Quarter railway station to the east.

The schemes are devised by Northern Ireland’s Cycling Unit, working in Transport NI under the Department for Regional Development.

Alfred St's new cycle lane grand opening today. Nice to see the variety of bikes turned out #Belfast #cycling pic.twitter.com/PJcalQAnLv

— Johnny McCrystal (@JohnnyMcCrystal) March 23, 2016

The Cycling Unit are conducting a series of experiments on this pilot lane around bollard spacing, cycle lane ‘gateway’ treatments at junctions and dedicated signal-controlled bicycle crossings.

Transport Minister Michelle McIlveen opens new Belfast bicycle lane – https://t.co/TFsp5ft9b1 pic.twitter.com/EzgiNe9Ztw

— NI Executive (@niexecutive) March 23, 2016

Many people have noted issues with vehicle incursions, cargo bike accessibility and junction safety – please provide feedback directly to the Cycling Unit who are monitoring problems and will change the layout as required.

Great to see lots of #belfastbikes at Alfred St cycle lane launch. Same time, same place tomorr for a wee spin? 😉 pic.twitter.com/tUElKTMrLc

— Belfast Bikes (@BelfastBikes) March 23, 2016

This scheme marks the start of bicycle-based transport planning in Belfast, with a city-wide network plan due to be published by the Cycling Unit this summer.

First flagship cycle route for Belfast opens: Transport Minister Michelle McIlveen has announced the opening o… https://t.co/MDlEIUpUNx

— UTV (@utv) March 23, 2016

It also marks the final obliteration of Belfast’s wonderfully rich heritage of idiosyncratic cycling space, replacing the iconic Bin Lane and the beloved Cyclesaurus. We will never see their like again. Hopefully..

Thanks once more to karmaDinosaur Media for the excellent video report.