Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Cyclists are angry that drivers are parking in cycle lanes across Cardiff .

Lorena Axinte, 27, from Cardiff, spotted cars which appeared to be parked in a cycle lane in Cardiff’s James Street on Monday.

“I cycle almost every day,” she said.

“It’s dangerous as cyclists need to overtake cars.

“They can either be hit by a car coming from behind, or even have an accident if the person in the parked car opens the door.

“If designated cycle paths are used by cars, where could they do it safely?”

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

WalesOnline found other examples in Cardiff where drivers had parked in cycle lanes.

A few vehicles were spotted either blocking cycle lanes between Castle Street and Cowbridge Road East.

Similarly, vehicles were parked in cycle lanes on Neville Street and outside the Radisson Blu Hotel on Bute Terrace.

It is not known how long they had been parked there or if they were there to load or unload goods.

But they all involved cycle lanes being partially blocked.

Cyclist Richard Cook, from Canton, believes that vehicles parking in cycle lanes is an issue in Cardiff.

He said it can sometimes be down to people visiting shops and parking outside because it’s more convenient for them.

“Drivers parking their vehicles in cycle lanes is a problem,” the former councillor said.

“Council officers often go around fining people for parking in car parks longer than they should have instead of looking at issues like this.”

He said he supports a plan by Cardiff council to double the number of cycling trips in the city by 2026.

“I support the plan, but the council need to demonstrate that it’s safe to cycle and not just say that it is,” he said.

Kevin Rahman-Daultrey, from Cardiff-based cycling charity Pedal Power, said vehicles parking in cycles lanes is a particular problems on roads like Westgate Street in the city centre and also in Cardiff Bay.

He said: “Research shows that women are less likely to cycle if lane restrictions are not put in place, so it can discourage people.”

According to Cycling UK, safety is one of the many barriers that can prevent women from cycling.

Fear of traffic is claimed to be one of the main things that puts women off getting on a bike.

Kevin said people may find it difficult to park in the city but that parking in cycling lanes is not the answer.

“It can be dangerous,” he said.

“As well as monitoring traffic, cyclists could also have to dodge in and out of cars when vehicles park in the designated lanes.

“The problem is not much is being done about it, but it’s an offence to park in a cycle lane.”

WalesOnline sent the photos to Cardiff council .

A spokesman replied saying: “The civil enforcement action that the council is able to take is based on the road markings and Traffic Regulation Orders in place for individual streets and locations.

“Given this, we can only respond on a case by case basis.

“For example, the picture of James Street in Butetown is only enforceable from 8am until 6.30pm Monday to Friday.

“However on this street a disabled driver with a blue badge is able to park at any time for up to three hours and those that want to load or unload are able to temporarily park there for up to five minutes, plus an additional 10 minutes observation period.”

Cardiff council said four of the photos they were sent showed vehicles loading or unloading.

The spokesman said: “We have to strike the right balance for all road users and ensure that there is adequate provision so shops and businesses can be serviced.

“Although the council actively supports and promotes the principles of the Active Travel Act, we can only use the civil enforcement powers which are available to us.”

A spokesman for South Wales Police said: “We fully support the City of Cardiff Council’s cycling strategy and are committed to doing what we can to ensure that cycling continues to thrive and become a preferred choice of transport for more and more people in the city.

“Clear and safe cycle lanes are important - our officers regularly monitor areas where parking has been a problem and will issue fixed penalty notices where appropriate to offending vehicles.”