THE first day's operation of a new style of bicycle lane along a key city road left motorists confused and traffic stalled for much of the morning as drivers grappled with the change.

Melbourne City Council in 2008 approved ''Copenhagen-style'' cycle lanes for Albert Street, which carries 25,000 cars a day into and out of the CBD. The council installed the cycle lanes in May, and yesterday its officers began warning motorists not to park in them.

Left: At 9.27am, just minutes before a new parking 'on the road' rule came into effect. Right: At 9.49am, motorists are stuck behind parked cars. Credit:Craig Abraham

During morning and afternoon rush hours, Albert Street will still have two lanes of traffic on each side. Outside rush hours, however, the inside lane of traffic will turn into parking space - creating a line of parked cars that acts as a buffer for a cycling lane.

The Master Builders Association of Victoria, which has offices on Albert Street, opposed the bike lanes, saying they would endanger cyclists and create a hazard for drivers.