Cyclists say they dice with death because of thoughtless motorists on a busy main road.

The riders using the new Manningham Lane cycle route between Shipley and Bradford say they are pushed out into main traffic streams because of cars parking along the side of their channel.

Now Bradford Cycling Action Group is working with police in a bid to solve the problem.

Member Titch Kavanagh said cyclists trying to use the multi- thousand-pound "green" traffic scheme - which is in line with Government policy - sometimes faced journeys in fear.

The group spoke out after motorists were criticised at Bradford Council's transportation, planning and design committee for flouting traffic laws.

Officers said that traffic enforcement had low priority in police plans but there were district wide problems.

Chairman Councillor Latif Darr will meet police chiefs to discuss the problem.

Today, Mr Kavanagh said: "We are in touch with the police and have taken photographs."

He said some motorists used the cycle lanes for long periods, pushing bikers into heavy traffic.

"It is quite often not a question of motorists just popping into places. They sometimes stay there for long periods. They don't think of the problems they create and are sometimes rude when we speak to them.

"It can be quite frightening to be pushed into the traffic.''

The Council is currently installing a similar cycling and bus lane in busy Thornton Road in a bid to get people to leave their cars at home.

A police spokesman said any complaints that were reported would be investigated.

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