Accident on controversial cycle lane

After it’s recent controversial opening, a Tynemouth cyclist has been severely injured following an accident involving a pedestrian.

Transcript

00:00A Tynemouth resident has called for better safety measures on the new cycle lane that

00:03runs along Tynemouth's seafront. This comes after he broke his ribs off the Common Office

00:07bike avoiding a pedestrian who stepped into the cycle lane.

00:10The cycle lane, which was opened following the Labour Party's pledge to provide major

00:13investment in cycling and walking in the North East, is due to run between North Shields

00:17Fish Quay and St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley Bay. The scheme's introduction proved controversial

00:22after other green travel projects around the region have sparked anger and debate.

00:25A low-traffic neighbourhood created by the previous Conservative government in Jesmond

00:29was scrapped earlier this year after complaints. The cycle lane has been backed by North East

00:32Mayor Kim McGuinness, who pledged the joined-up walking and cycling network in her election

00:36manifesto as part of a whole host of promised transport upgrades.

00:40The first phase of the seafront sustainable route, which has been criticised by Tory MPs

00:43but backed by health and fitness experts, is open now, whilst phase two up to St Mary's

00:47Lighthouse is expected to be completed by 2025.

00:51The cycle lane was designed to make the roads along the coastal route safer, but the injured

00:55resident, who suffered eight fractured ribs and a broken collarbone after the incident,

00:58wants more to be done.