So I went for a #cycle ride on the new pop up cycle lane last night - as I spotted this sign at the end of Western Park Road #A47 @ericonabike @RideLeicester @XrLeicester @SustransEMids @Maryam_Amatul @janet_rideleics @OweniteAdam gets some thoughts #NoGoingBack #getpedalling 
The lane starts just after the pinch point of the railway bridge and uses the bus lane - it’s clearly marked but the entrance is narrow and the first sign is #MenAtWork which could give the impression of roadworks rather than a cycle lane as the cyclist in the last picture shows
Once you’re in the lane it provides protection though this ends at each of the side roads, dropped kerbs and bus stops along the route - the cones appeared to be sited inside the solid white line rather than on it
As you get to the Hinckley Road parade of shops you are diverted through the parking bays which have been moved onto the carriage way - this worked well - I ride this road often and this section is hazardous as cars reverse out of the bays - I ride in the centre of the lane
There’s a typo on the parking suspension notice, and the cones take the whole lane at the junction with OldHinckleyRoad before reverting to the bus lane as we approach FosseRoad with another tight entrance due to signage and cones
Dropping down the hill towards the speed caneras - I’m a little confused as to the three cones at the entrance in picture 2, there’s another parking area shifted to the right at Daymans hardware and the lane ends at the crossing after the shops.
When the pop up cycle lane was announced I assumed it would be two way, so I rode back up it - this sign at Fosse Rd junction could be moved a tad to the left and perhaps just one cone where there are two on the right. In picture 2 that’s quite a tight angle if 2 bikes pass
The side road signs alert folk to the pop up cycle lane but could be amended to say Two way - as I felt the need to triple check at each junction - the signage on the road suggests it’s one way, but I felt safer on the cycle lane than I do on the westbound lane
This is the view at the Oswin Road crossroads where the bus lane in from the outer ring ends & there is a shared use cycle and footpath. The A47 narrows as it passes the Leisure centre becoming a single lane in both directions as it crosses the railway with very narrow pavement
But you can access the cycle path through Western Park via Oswin Rd or the track by the pelican crossing and bus stop - if like these lads you can negotiate the barrier
And if you do you’re away from the traffic and on a lit cycle path with glorious views and fresh air - you pass the #WesternParkFreeRiders dirt track and can rejoin the A47 at the Park gates
I would add some clear signage at Oswin Road, the Pelican Crossing and the pelican at the Park gates
There are lots of cyclists using the pavements on both sides of Hinckley Road even before Covid19, the pop up cycle lane if 2 way should encourage them onto the road, adding space for people who walk. A good thing with a few tweaks needed.
