A CAMPAIGN to encourage more people to travel by pedal power is causing confusion among motorists.

New green painted cycle lanes and forward stopping areas for cycles at traffic lights have been appearing recently on several roads, in Bury, but the council's highways chiefs admit they have led to bewilderment. As a result, they have issued new guidance to try to end the confusion.

The green areas have been created in an attempt to encourage more people to switch to bicycles after statistics revealed that only 1.4pc of trips to work in Bury are made by bike, compared with 3.5pc nationally.

Two types of cycle lanes have been introduced. Mandatory ones are used where there is sufficient remaining space for other traffic. Vehicles are not allowed to enter the green surfaced area at any times specified by blue roadsigns, similar to those used to mark bus lanes. The second type of cycle lanes are advisory.

Vehicles are allowed to encroach when, for example, passing other vehicles waiting to turn right, although normal no waiting restrictions apply.

'Reservoir' areas have been created at busy junctions to form an advanced area, reserved for cyclists between two stop lines. A cycle logo is in the area to remind other road users of its purpose which is to ensure that cyclists can get to the front of traffic queues and avoid being cut up by other motorists.

Motorists who stop in the cycle reservoir even when there are no cyclists present commit a traffic offence.

More than 70 riders from primary children to pensioners took part in the second annual Le Tour de Bury at the weekend. The 25 mile event, visiting each town in the Bury Metro area, was organised by the town's cycling groups, led by Clarion chairman Peter Roscoe, to raise awareness of cycling and raise cash for a variety of charities.

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