Using a bicycle with instruments that measure the distance of passing vehicles, Ciaran Meyers from the University of Leeds Institute for Transport Studies undertook the research on roads with and without cycle lanes. Ciaran said: "The analysis shows that significantly wider passing distances are adopted by motorists on a 9.5 metre wide carriageway without a 1.45 metre cycle lane and with speed limits of 40mph and 50mph." The same finding was not found on a carriageway with a 30mph speed limit, but that location had more side road junctions and there is likely to be a greater amount of variability in road positioning by motor vehicles.

The results reveal that, when there is a cycle lane, motorists drive within their own marked lane with less recognition of the need to provide a safe and comfortable passing distance to those using the cycle lane.

John Parkin of the University of Bolton, who was also involved in the study, said: "In the presence of a cycle lane, a driver is likely to drive between the cycle lane line and the centre line in a position which is appropriate for the visible highway horizontal geometry ahead of the driver. A cyclist within a cycle lane does not seem to cause a driver to adopt a different position in his or her lane. This has important implications for the width of cycle lanes and implies that their width should never be compromised."

CTC's Policy Coordinator Chris Peck said: "Cycle lanes have a part to play in improving road conditions for cyclists, but this research has raised concerns that they are not always the best solution and may in fact make cycling more unpleasant. Where a cycle lane exists, drivers may overtake with the belief that they can use the entire road space outside the cycle lane, and consequently may be paying less attention to the cyclist's need for space."

Non-cyclists often say that more cycle lanes would encourage them to cycle more. A recent survey found 83% of non-cycling motorist men agreeing with this. However, the same survey found that only 2% of regular cyclists had a problem with a lack of cycle lanes - for them the most serious concerns were inconsiderate motorists (71%), busy roads (59%), lorries (60%) and poor road maintenance (58%).

Ends

For more information, interviews or photographs contact CTC's Press Office on 0844 736 8453 or 07786 320713.

Notes to editors:

• CTC - the UK's national cyclists' organisation, with 70,000 members and affiliates in 250 clubs across the UK, is the oldest and largest cycling body in the UK, established in 1878. We provide a comprehensive range of services, advice, events, and protection for our members and work to promote cycling by raising public and political awareness of its health, social and environmental benefits. For more information see www.ctc.org.uk.

• Ciaran Meyer undertook the work with help from a CTC research grant.

• Ciaran Meyer's research was carried out using a Marin Mill Valley bike upon which was mounted a camera used to record vehicle passing distances. The cyclist sustained a consistent centre-line distance of 500 mm from the kerb edge.

• 3 sites were chosen where there was a cycle lane on a section of the road. On the A6 at Broughton (50 mph limit) the motorists gave an additional 181 mm extra space to the cyclist where there was no cycle lane, while on the same road at Cabus (40 mph limit) that figure was 68 mm. Both of these results were statistically significant. At Westgate (30 mph) the passing difference was 37 mm greater where no cycle lane was present, however this was not statistically significant.

• The article is in press and accepted for publication in Accident Analysis and Prevention. The abstract can be viewed and the full article purchased here: http://bit.ly/wWIcW

• CTC supports Government guidance in Local Transport Note 2/08, Cycle Infrastructure Design, which recommends the ‘Hierarchy of Provision' approach to improving road conditions for cyclists. This states that local authority officers first consider opportunities to reduce traffic volumes and reduce traffic speeds and only having attempted these measures should they consider implementing cycle lanes or, at the last resort, off-carriageway cycle tracks. Where cycle lanes are installed they should be 2 m in width, with a minimum width of 1.5 m.

• Rule 163 of Highway Code tells drivers to "give ... cyclists ... at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car" http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070314

• Work by Ian Walker of the University of Bath in 2007 suggested that motor vehicles overtake more closely when the cyclist cycles further from the kerb, when wearing a helmet or when giving the appearance of being male. See here: http://bit.ly/17vVkQ

• A survey published by the IAM in August surveyed 1,000 motorists and asked questions about their cycle use and attitudes to cyclists. www.iam.org.uk/cyclingmotorists

• From assessing pollution at airports to designing the cars of tomorrow, the breadth of work covered by its five research groups makes the University of Leeds Institute for Transport Studies an acknowledged world leader, and the largest department of its kind in Europe. Its research covers all aspects of transport including road use, the economic and environmental impact of travel, safety, policy - and forecasting future demand. Its expertise informs both Government policy and localised planning, where University research is applied to real-life situations www.leeds.ac.uk .