“More money p***ed up the wall”: Drivers fume at Bristol’s new ‘leaning support rail’ for cyclists to rest at top of steep city streets

Bristol – or at least a very small slice of it – now resembles Copenhagen, thanks to the installation of new support rails for cyclists, a first for the city, which will enable people on bikes to rest their hands and feet without getting out of the pedals while waiting at traffic lights on two steep city centre hills.

And which, unsurprisingly, have already been branded a “complete waste of taxes” by angry motorists.

The leaning rails, or foot and hand rests, have been installed near the top of both Colston Street and Upper Maudlin Street, where a new segregated cycle lane was recently opened (despite a few early, parked car-related hiccups), as one of the finishing touches to a long-running active travel scheme.

That scheme has led to Colston Street becoming one-way for motorists, while a protected bike path has been installed for cyclists heading up the hill towards the hospitals. Park Road and Upper Maudlin Street are also home to new cycle lanes, and better crossing points for pedestrians have been implemented.

Cycling-specific traffic lights have also been installed at the top of Colston Street for those using the cycle lane, with this week seeing the unveiling of the new metal railing they can now rest upon while waiting.

Upper Maudlin Street cycle railing, Bristol (credit: Bristol Cycling)

The railings, popular in Copenhagen and in other cities across Europe, feature two horizontal metal bars, one at arm height and the other conveniently positioned to act as a footrest, and allow cyclists to remain in the saddle while waiting for the traffic lights to change.

While any fixie rider who has perfected the art of the track stand may shrug their shoulders – hopefully without tipping over – these railings provide a welcome resting point for cyclists who would otherwise have to hold onto a friendly lamp-post, assuming there was one within reach, or plant one or both feet on the ground, leading to a difficult restart when the lights turn green on steep gradients such as those found on Colston Street and Upper Maudlin Street.

> Danish design helps Copenhagen's cyclists rest their arms and feet. But would they work here?

However, despite their obvious benefits, it seems the new railings haven’t gone down too well with some of Bristol’s residents on social media, many of whom prefaced their complaints with the well-worn ‘I’m a cyclist, but’ trope.

“I’m a cyclist. This is a ridiculous use of taxes,” wrote Louis Jones on Instagram, while Paul Evans described the railings as “more money pissed up the wall”.

“I’m a cyclist and I had to check the date to see if it’s an April 1st,” added Pedro.

“I am cyclist and a car driver,” noted Richard on Facebook. “I think this is unnecessary money badly being spent. Council tax going up by five per cent, this is totally wrong.”

“Another pathetic waste of our taxpayers’ money,” concurred Noddy. “Two feet on the ground and a hand on the handlebars, it’s easy really.”

“Can’t get my recycling picked up, but thank God I can keep my feet on my pedals waiting for a light now,” wrote Jake.

“What problem does this solve?” asked Leon, while Suzie wrote: “Solving a problem that doesn’t exist with a solution nobody needs, wants or asked for. Absolutely genius.”

“What a waste of money, I’ve never seen a cyclist stopped at red lights!” Gingle (rather unoriginally) noted, while Elizabeth asked: “Surely it’s easy to put your foot down?”

 

 

 

 

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Even those who cycle on Colston Street aren’t convinced that the new railings will have a substantial impact on their Bristol commute.

“Not sure why we need these and unfortunately it’s just adding to the hate being poured onto cyclists at the moment,” said Fiona.

“Waste of council tax, and this is coming from a cyclist,” added Mark. “It might be at least somewhat justifiable or useful if that was a busy road/junction which saw a lot of cyclists, but I ride up this road and across this junction at peak times, and I’m usually the only bike there.

“It is just going to stir up further anti-cyclist sentiment from some of the city’s less tolerant drivers.”

However, Sarah replied: “It won’t be out of council tax money though, they get funds for increasing active transport.

“I’m dubious about it too, but only in the sense that there is a lot of European cycling infrastructure that would be more useful to us than this, but at least they are trying. Sort of...”

“Commonplace in Copenhagen so the Danish seem to think that they are worthwhile,” noted Nigel. “Undecided, myself. Will have to try one when I see one, but I’m sure that there are more pressing priorities to spend the very limited active travel funding on.”

And Jutta concluded: “Without better infrastructure, the handrail is just a gimmick.”

> Plans to funnel pedestrians onto narrow crossing will “make conflict with cyclists worse” on new bike path – but council says it’s reluctant to clamp down on drivers “abusing” yellow boxes and blocking cycle lane

Nevertheless, despite some grumbling about Bristol’s active travel priorities, many cyclists have welcomed the Danish invention to the city.

“It looks like a helpful aid as there’s a gradient – but you don't have to use it. I assume the idea came from cyclists and was listened to,” wrote Ken.

“I’ve used it in the last few days, it’s great! And the lights change almost as soon as I rest on it,” pointed out Craig, while Mike said the bike rest “beats trying to do a track stand at the lights”.

Meanwhile, the Bristol Cycling charity praised the new infrastructure, claiming it is indicative of the city’s “cycling ambition” finally moving to “Copenhagen scale”.

“This is brilliant, it’s the future!” one cyclist told Bristol24/7 as he used the railing on Colston Street this week.

“Now we just need the council to council to collect our bins on time!”

And, finally, Mari said: “What I really appreciate is that they have finally resurfaced this road including the cycle lane.

“Before they had missed the cycle lane and it was a minefield of potholes. Now we even get to lean on something at the top! Do we finally exist?!”

> Bollards installed on new cycle lane outside hospital after drivers immediately block it

The social media debate swirling around the new railings isn’t the only minor furore that has engulfed Bristol’s new cycling infrastructure over the past month.

Parking in bike lane on Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol (credit: FixMyStreet/George Holland)

At the end of March, we reported that Bristol City Council was forced to act quickly to place bollards on the Upper Maudlin Street cycle lane, after the newly installed cycling infrastructure was immediately blocked by drivers’ parked vehicles.

Local cyclists had complained that the new painted cycle lane was soon completely unusable due to the number of parked vehicles in it outside Bristol Royal Infirmary, prompting the local authority’s swift response.