Opinion Centre's the obvious place to start city's red bike path trial

Alex Seabrook gives his view on plans to use black tarmac on a busy but barely visible bike path to reduce conflict between cyclists and pedestrians

- Alex Seabrook

EVERY week I ride my bike through the Centre past where the fountains used to be to get to either City Hall or the office. And every time navigating the busy throng is a confusing mess.

I usually cycle in from Bedminster as it's quicker than walking, cheaper than the bus and I don't have to pay for parking. Going elsewhere, I might walk, drive or get public transport. My route includes busy roads south of the river, two narrow bridges and a decent bike lane along Prince Street.

But once you get to the Centre, you may as well be cycling on the pavement. Which is of course terrible for people walking along the pavement, when you suddenly and unexpectedly have a bicycle hurtling towards you. It's terrible for people cycling too, having to swerve out of the way.

The bike paths through the Centre are a slightly darker shade of grey from the rest of the pavement, with tiny bicycle symbols feebly indicating their existence. The initial thinking from transport bosses, when they first designed the area, was this would slow down people on bikes.