Cycling enthusiasts welcome plans for dedicated lanes

The transport body is to introduce legislation to provide two-way shared cycle tracks along lengths of footway beside the main arterial route.

“The existing footways between Trooperslane and Sloefield Road have been widened to provide shared use pedestrian/cycle tracks on Belfast Road; on the north side, between Trooperslane and Sloefield Road and on the south side, between Sloefield Road and Seapark,” a statement from the Roads Service read.

The development was welcomed as a positive one for the borough by local residents, including East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs.

“Carrick in particular is well suited to cycle routes as it has natural rights of way coming in from the coastline; the exiting network starts at Jordanstown so I am encouraged by the prospect of the town linking up to that,” he said. “I myself have parked the car at Jordanstown and cycled to Belfast, and it could be an alternative for any students coming from Carrick to Jordanstown.”

Carrick man Kris James, who is taking part in a sponsored bike ride from London to Paris this June, indicated the new tracks could provide valuable training space for keen cyclists. “I would ride down to Larne and back for my training and this can be quite difficult, so if there were cycle lanes in the other direction I would definitely use them,” he said.