England's first 'cycle street' comes to bike-loving Cambridge despite complaints from residents and motorists

Published: 18:01, 27 May 2026 | Updated: 18:14, 27 May 2026 A 'cycle street' billed as the first of its kind in England to give cyclists and pedestrians priority over motorists has been built in Cambridge. Adams Road is described as one of the busiest routes in the historic university city, with around 3,000 cyclists using it every day. The £2.4 million project claims to have improved safety for those on two wheels and pedestrians by removing on-road parking, reconfiguring junctions to slow traffic, raising crossings and widening footpaths. Those behind it say this will slash the number of cyclists 'knocked off their bikes' and 'car doors suddenly opening into [cyclists'] paths'. But a request by the Mail for official statistics revealed just two reported 'collisions involving a cyclist' in seven years, with only one of them classed as 'serious'.  And there was no data on whether the collisions were with vehicles or other cyclists or pedestrians.  Many also criticised the scheme, which is based on a Dutch model, saying money could have been spent better elsewhere and questioning how much safer it is. When the Mail visited the third-of-a-mile-long road today, narrow residents' bays pushed vehicles' wheels into the bright red road and forced vehicles into the path of cyclists. The £2.4 million 'cycle street' in Cambridge claims to have improved safety for those on two wheels and pedestrians by removing on-road parking, reconfiguring junctions to slow traffic, raising crossings and widening footpaths Should cycling and walking always take priority over driving, even if it inconveniences motorists and local residents? What's your view?Critics also pointed out the measures, in one of Cambridge's most exclusive streets where one detached house sold for in excess of £3.5 million, would 'never work' in less wealthy areas where homeowners don't have off-street parking. Driver Bob Heath, who is in his 60s and was visiting a friend in the area, said: 'What about all the terraced houses on narrow roads in Cambridge? This would never work there. It's fine if you can afford one of these places though.' A pedestrian, who gave his name as Ian, commented: 'I've never seen anyone knocked off their bike down here. 'It used to be a normal road, with cars parked on either side. Cars and bikes had to go pretty slowly because there wasn't much space.' Frazer Merritt, 44, who is originally from Wisconsin in the US, questioned why money was being spent on 'vanity projects' like Adams Road instead of fixing potholes and uneven pavements. He said: 'My mum is 82 years old and can only walk a block at most. It's difficult pushing her around Cambridge because many of the sidewalks and roads are in a pretty bad state. 'There's been several instances where she's had to stop and get out… 'I would challenge any council member to spend a day in a wheelchair and see how difficult it is to get around.' Detractors listed problems including shallow residents parking bays pushing stationary vehicles into the road Mr Merritt also branded the lack of maintenance on Cambridge's roads 'disrespectful' to blue-collar workers like plumbers, electricians and cab drivers who depend on vehicles for their livelihoods. Online resistance included a comment from someone with the username Freddly, who said: 'It's important that projects like this go into "poorer" areas of the city too. 'The value of houses on Adams Street (sic) will go up. Less wealthy citizens in other areas should also benefit from the car removal bounty.' Brexit498 asked: 'First, what is this costing? As for the climate argument, the existing Tarmac (in good condition) was torn up (a lot of energy) and replaced with new Tarmac. How is this good for the climate?' Alydavud added: 'A better solution would be to ban cyclists as well and make it a much safer street for walkers. 'If that is a success then continue the scheme across Cambridge, allowing motor vehicles as necessary.' However, one homeowner said: 'I think it looks really good. There is less parking on the road now.' And an undergraduate praised it, saying: 'I like it. The road is super smooth to cycle on and there are fewer cars on either side.' The body behind the scheme, the Greater Cambridge Partnership, claimed there were 'too many stories of cyclists being knocked off their bikes' but official statistics showed only two reports of incidents in seven years - and didn't specify whether they involved cars A debate about cyclists and pedestrians being given priority generally over motorists has raged for years in the city. Critics say the cycling lobby is too powerful and argue schemes championed by the Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP), which consists of local authorities including the city council and county council, plus other bodies, are anti-car and detrimental to the area and its economy. Recent controversies have included a 'bus gate' in Mill Road, which only allows buses, taxis, pedestrians and cyclists over a bridge. Opponents claim the blockage on a major route towards the city centre forced motorists to drive much further on journeys and slashed trade for the shops and bars in the cosmopolitan area. It has also raised up to £1 million in fines in its first year in operation, it emerged earlier this month. Two years ago, it was announced that a footpath running alongside a £24 million road upgrade would be altered after residents pointed out it was so narrow that pedestrians were at risk of being hit by cyclists. The controversial scheme on Milton Road - vehemently opposed by many residents over mature trees and shrubs that had to be torn out – created a 6ft 6in wide path for cyclists. But streetlights and telegraph poles along the adjacent footpath, which runs for more than two miles in total in both directions, left pedestrians less than 3ft of space. The road - one of the most exclusive in Cambridge, with detached houses selling for more than £3.5 million - before the work was done Frazer Merritt, 44, who is originally from Wisconsin in the US, questioned why money was being spent on 'vanity projects' like Adams Road instead of fixing potholes and uneven pavements that make it difficult for his mother, Chris, to get around the city on her wheelchair Cambridge also introduced the UK's first Dutch-style roundabout in 2020 at a cost of £2.3 million but this saw more collisions in its first three years than the previous three years. There were ten collisions after the 'cyclist killing zone', as it was dubbed, was completed, three of them serious, compared to six minor incidents 2017-2019. Of these, eight involved cyclists and the others were a pedestrian and a driver. Brian Milnes, the deputy leader of the Lib Dem group on South Cambridgeshire District Council who is chairman of the GCP, 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 to just get around bins and 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.' Dan Strauss, representing Adams Road residents, said: 'Change is so needed. Adams Road is a cycling success story but as it's got busier, hundreds of parked cars are creating blind spots for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. 'Fast-moving traffic, crowded pavements and constant near misses have turned one of the busiest cycle routes in Cambridge into an unsafe cycling experience. 'As well as this, parents worry about letting children ride bikes or scooters, and families have watched loved ones using mobility aids forced to navigate one obstacle after another on narrow pavements. 'We're a cycling city and we're proud to be leading the way in showing how we can better share our roads to provide safe travel for all.' Cambridgeshire County Council confirmed it had 'records of two reported collisions involving a cyclist on Adams Road'. A spokesman said: 'One [was] classified as slight in 2019 and one as serious in 2024. 'These figures do not include near-misses or unreported incidents, which residents and stakeholders have told us are a regular concern.' 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