COUNCIL bosses have been urged to focus more on creating cycle friendly roads in Bradford, with one campaigner saying "painting a white line on a road" isn't enough.

A 10 year strategy to boost cycling in the Bradford District was discussed by Bradford Council's Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee earlier this week, and members head of the various different cycle friendly schemes being introduced.

These included the Cityconnect scheme that links Bradford to Leeds. A new section, linking Shipley to Bradford is due to open next month.

Members also heard that details of a scheme to improve cycle links from the city centre to the South of Bradford would be released later this month.

During the meeting members also heard of issues cyclists faced in the city, such as areas that were cut of by major roads and fears over safety sue to the city's "unenviable" reputation for poor driving.

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David Robison, from the Bradford Cycling Campaign, said many issues preventing the city from being more cycle friendly were the "legacy of planning decisions and road building projects that rendered communities severed."

He added: "Cycling isn't just about transport, it's not just about sport, it is health, tourism and economy. Cycling isn't a problem faced by the Council, it is a solution to a lot of issues."

He referred to a number of planned highway works the Council has proposed to improve traffic flows on busy roads in the district. Mr Robison added: "It is not sufficient to just put an extra lane of traffic in and paint a white line down the side and expect more cyclists to use it.

"These schemes focus on easing congestion by improving driving times, but that won't improve air quality in Bradford. It needs more engagement and imagination to improve roads and make it better for cyclists."

Julia Pearson from Bradford Environmental Forum, said: "Sometimes it does feel like we have been a bit slow to push that shift towards cycling. I cycle to work, but I know a lot of people who wouldn't"

Councillor Ralph Berry (Lab, Wibsey) said he has also cycled to work, but agreed many are put off by the city's traffic. He said: "There are fears about the way cyclists are treated on the roads. An unfortunately our city has an unenviable reputation for the quality of driving."

And Councillor Taj Salam (Lab, Little Horton), another cyclist, criticised the lack of connections, saying there was "no connection whatsoever" for cyclists wanting to go from the Cityconnect route to areas like West Bowling.

Members were told efforts were being made to improve signage and introduce more dropper kerbs in the city centre to make it easier for cyclists to get about, but that funding was limited.

Last month a bid by West Yorkshire Combined Authority to the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, which would have improved the infrastructure around Forster Square Station and encourage more commuters to walk or cycle there, was unsuccessful.