Cycle lanes can put riders at a greater risk of being involved in a cycling accident claims a recent study.

The study found that when drivers pass cyclists on roads without a cycle lane, they assume they need to give the cyclist room for wobbles and avoiding potential obstacles in the road.

When drivers pass cyclists in cycle lanes they tend to only avoid crossing the lanes border, usually driving closer to the rider and increasing the risk of a collision.

As a result cyclists may hug the kerb in cycling lanes which, reduces their ability to manoeuvre effectively increasing the risk of them having a cycling accident.

The research which was carried out by Leeds and Bolton Universities, suggests that local authorities may reduce the risk of cycle accidents more by not just creating cycle lanes, but by reducing speed limits and volumes of traffic.

Cycle lanes do have their place for helping with cycle safety, but should not be considered the be all and end all.