Cycle lanes have been a contentious topic in cities across the UK, with vocal opposition often sparking debates about their implementation. However, a closer look at the data suggests that the public sentiment is more nuanced than the headlines might suggest.
A recent study by researchers at Cardiff University analysed over 36,000 UK-based tweets about cycle lanes and low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) between 2018 and 2022. While there were 10,465 negative tweets, the researchers found 14,370 positive ones and 12,142 neutral. This suggests that overall, there is more support for these measures than the vocal opposition might imply.
The researchers also found that the criticism tended to focus less on the principle of cycling itself and more on the design and implementation of the schemes. Complaints about poor quality cycle lanes or lack of consultation were more common than outright rejection of active travel.
“Resistance is less about cycling infrastructure itself and more about specific design trade-offs,” explained Wouter Poortinga, Professor of Environmental Psychology at Cardiff University. “Taking a modest amount of road space is widely accepted but removing parking risks triggering backlash.”
The study also revealed that the strongest opposition came not from a clear divide between cyclists and drivers, but from a small group who see new cycling infrastructure as an infringement on their “freedom” to travel by car. This way of thinking, rooted in what researchers call “motonormativity,” sees roads as primarily existing for cars, with drivers’ needs taking precedence.
However, the researchers point out that this group is relatively small, and that overall support for change is broader than the noise might suggest. The key is ensuring that new infrastructure is well-designed and introduced through meaningful engagement with local communities.
“It’s not just about what gets built, but also how it’s introduced,” said Dimitrios Xenias, a Research Affiliate at the Sustainable Places Research Institute. “Listening to communities can make the difference between a scheme being welcomed as a local improvement or rejected as a top-down imposition.”
So while cycle lanes may continue to be a divisive issue, this research suggests that with the right approach, they can gain widespread support from both cyclists and drivers alike.
