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Parking in mandatory cycle lanes 'dangerous', as fines rise

Claire Quinn
BBC News NI
Andrew McClean Andrew McClean standing next to his bike on a residential street. He has light brown hair, wearing a light blue shirt and black trousers and watch. Andrew McClean
"If a cyclist has to jump out onto the road, that can be at best an inconvenience but, at worst, a major danger," says Andrew McClean

The amount of penalty charge notices (PCNs) issued to those parked in mandatory cycle lanes in Belfast has risen dramatically in recent years, according to figures from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI).

Andrew McClean, who is the Northern Ireland Advocacy Lead for Cycling UK, said parking in these lanes creates a danger for cyclists.

In the last three years, the number of PCNs issued for mandatory cycle lane contraventions went from 15 in 2022 to 180 in 2024.

There have been additional cyclist safety improvement schemes put in place in the years from 2022 to 2024.

A grey Mercedes parked inside a mandatory cycle lane in Belfast. Orange bollards are on the right of it. Buildings are all around.
Upper Arthur Street in Belfast city centre had 108 fines - the most issued in 2024

Mandatory cycle lanes are at road level and are separated from the rest of the carriageway by solid kerbing or bollards, or a solid white line.

"These are really important safe spaces for people to feel confident when they go and cycle and they are parked in really frequently, and that's not only inconsiderate but it does create a danger for people cycling," Mr McClean told BBC News NI.

"This has been pretty consistent for many years now, sometimes the cars are there all day, quite often we're seeing people saying they will only be a minute but in that minute, if a cyclist has to jump out onto the road, that can be at best an inconvenience but at worst a major danger."

Three cars parked along a street in Belfast. A double yellow lane is on the left and a solid white line is on the right. A lamppost on the footpath has an urban clearway sign on it with a cycle sign below it.
Mandatory cycle lanes are at road level and are separated from the rest of the carriageway by solid kerbing or bollards, or a solid white line like this one on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast

Mr McClean said cyclists are choosing to cycle on roads rather than in designated lanes because of people parking in them.

"The reality is you're a lot safer simply cycling on the road from the start of your journey rather than in a cycle lane which you have to jump in and out of.

"It has changed cyclists' behaviour because it has created dangerous scenarios."

'A significant problem'

Meghan Hoyt Meghan Hoyt standing next to her bike on a residential street. She has blonde curly hair, wearing sunglasses on her head, a cream jumper, clue floral skirt and yellow backpack.Meghan Hoyt
Meghan Hoyt is the chair of the Belfast Cycle Campaign group

Meghan Hoyt is the chair of the Belfast Cycle Campaign group and regularly encounters parked cars causing obstructions in cycle lanes.

"It's a significant problem," she said.

"It's just really dangerous, it means that you have to constantly leave the lane and go out into traffic, and cars are maybe not prepared for that.

"So the whole point of the cycle lane is lost," Ms Hoyt said.

Meghan Hoyt Cars parked inside cycle lane with gate to the right.Meghan Hoyt
More bollards have been erected to stop cars being able to park around Bankmore Street

"I totally understand why it puts people off [cycling] and it's such a shame because getting on the bike and realising what a pleasure it is to cycle around the city, I wish it was something more people could avail of," she said.

"I think there is a pent-up desire for cycling in Belfast and I think if you did address some of these issues with cycle lanes you would see a real uptake in the number of people cycling around Belfast."

Meghan Hoyt Cars parked inside a cycle lane with cycling bollard on the rightMeghan Hoyt
College Square North had 15 PCNs issued in 2024

Where were the most PCNs issued?

James Treacy James Treacy standing next to a bike. He is wearing a high viz helmet, sunglasses and a grey graphic t-shirt.James Treacy
James Treacy was cycling in a bus lane when a van cut across him to park causing a collision

Cyclist James Treacy has first-hand experience of the dangers of parking in cycle lanes.

Last year he was cycling in a bus lane when a van cut across him to park, causing a collision and injuring his knee.

He said it didn't put him off cycling but he now takes extra precautions to make himself more visible to drivers.

"I believe pretty strongly that cycling is important from a health perspective and also an environmental perspective and I'm one less car on the road if I'm on my bike, so from that point of view I'm not willing to stop cycling."

Mr Treacy said it creates a "hazard" when manoeuvring around vehicles parked in cycle lanes particularly with larger cars.

He added that he wouldn't feel comfortable letting his children cycle in Belfast.

"Just the way the cycle lanes are you just wouldn't feel all that safe," he said.

In a statement, the Department for Infrastructure said since new restrictions came into force on 3 November 2023, they have "recorded an increase in PCNs issued to vehicles parked on cycle lane restrictions".

"Also, in response to additional enforcement requests, the department increased enforcement patrols in Belfast city centre during October and November 2024. Consequently, this resulted in a significant increase in PCNs issued for cycle lane contraventions."