Cardiff City Council installs "UK's shortest cycle lane" (that's not it in the pic btw)

Cardiff City Council has attracted ridicule after installing what, at just eight feet long, is claimed to be Britain’s shortest cycle lane - although Cardiff Council say it's a safe turning point… so maybe it doesn't qualify.

Whether or not it merits that accolade – anyone familiar with the Cycle Facility of the Month of the Warrington Cycle Campaign’s website will know that there are plenty of contenders for the prize – the new road markings in the Welsh capital have left local cyclists scratching their heads.

According to Cardiff City Council, the facility, on Adam Street close to Cardiff jail, which cost £2,000 to put in place and comprises will help cyclists deal safely with a new layout which is currently being put in place.

The new cycle lane was originally flagged up on the Cardiff Ajax Cycling Club website by one of its members, Kevin Hughes, who described it a: “probably the shortest one in Cardiff may even be the shortest one in Britain - so the gauntlet is down to find the most ridiculous cycle lane.” He added: “I found another this afternoon opposite CIA [Cardiff International Arena] - a bit longer say 3m but about 20cm wide!”

Mr Hughes was quoted in the Daily Telegraph as saying: "It's just hilarious. I saw it as I was cycling past and couldn't believe my eyes. Obviously nobody could cycle in it because it is so small. You just have time to get in the saddle before getting off again."

He continued: “I posted a picture of it on the club forum and it's started a bit of a laugh. I've got no idea why it would be there. You couldn't ride a bike down there anyway because cars go flying past."

According the the newspaper, a spokesman for Cardiff City Council claimed that the lane was meant to “"highlight the interface between the eastbound carriageway and the beginning of a new contraflow facility".

He said it would help cyclists cross the busy city centre and give them somewhere safe to stop before turning.”

The spokesman added: “The purpose of the new facility is to enable cyclists to ride safely and legally in the opposite direction to the flow of traffic. The marking helps to highlight the point at which cyclists can turn left off the carriageway to join the contraflow facility."

Have you used this new facility and is it useful? Do you know of a shorter cycle lane in the UK? If so, let us know in the comments below, and send us a picture if possible.