Do you feel safe cycling on Oxford's roads?

We asked cyclists on the Oxford Mail Facebook page: “Do you feel safe cycling in and around Oxford?” and cyclist responded to reveal their experiences and point out potential danger areas.

Wider cycle lanes were provided during the pandemic in some parts of the city, including on the Osney Mead industrial estate.

The Worcester Street junction in the city centre has also been redesigned to make life easier for cyclists and pedestrians.

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And further improvements are being planned, including a redesign of Woodstock Road in north Oxford.

Plans for the road, which have gone out to consultation, show an intention to reallocate space from the main carriageway to create wide pavements and segregated cycle paths on both sides of the road, and the removal of bus lanes so that buses share with general traffic.

Cyclox chairwoman Alison Hill said earlier: “This is a bold step that is being welcomed by Cyclox and we have put in a response showing our support for this.

“The one big caveat though is that the plans are dependent on traffic reduction overall otherwise bus journey times will be adversely affected and jams will be even worse.

“So the success of the plans are dependent on the implementation of Connecting Oxford, the scheme to stop through traffic in the city centre through the use of traffic filters, like those already in place in the High Street and Magdalen Street East.”

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LAURA SIMPSON: “I don’t feel safe as a pedestrian around cyclists, especially at crossings, it’s like they think the red light doesn’t apply to them.”

JASON MORGAN: “I don’t feel safe because of cyclists. Have you seen them?"

BILLY LONG: “I don’t feel safe walking let alone cycling!”

DAVID WALLCRAFT: “Cycling is difficult when it’s busy. Cars block the lane on the inside on Abingdon Road by the bridge.”

ANTHONY BAIN: “I do not!”

JASMINE SOPER: “My experience of cycling around Oxford is that drivers are generally very careful and considerate.

“Many other cyclists on the other hand - traffic lights, pavements? Total free for all, no knowledge or regard for the highway code.”

CRAIG MARCHANT: “In my experience of cycling in Oxford, it can be pretty treacherous at Horspath on a Sunday afternoon.”

DAVID BICKFORD: “Yes if everyone gets out my way.”

Renowned scientist Richard Dawkins has said his Tesla was smashed by a ‘psycho’ cyclist in an unprovoked attack.

The experience of the author of The God Delusion has attracted comments from readers.

He told on Twitter how a ‘crazed cyclist’ on Cowley Road, launched an unprovoked attack on his blue Tesla.

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Sir Richard claimed the cyclist pursued him, fell off his bike in his fury, then tried to smash the driver’s seat of the front window. He has asked witnesses to the incident, at 1.50pm on November 29, to call the police.

Police have confirmed they are looking into the incident and Sir Richard wrote: “In current climate-change crisis, I’m bewildered by hostility to Tesla: electric vehicle pioneer.”

ANDREW HAMILTON: “A motorist final states the obvious that all cyclists disobey the rules of the road and God forbid anybody that gets in their way.

“How much do cyclists pay to use the road and or footpath - oh yeah absolutely nothing.

“They are above the law sadly. Cyclists can do whatever they want, ride on footpaths, ride two and three abreast, like they are on some sort of grand tour, but if a vehicle driver comes within a metre of the people the motorist will be in trouble.”

MATT JONES: “I can see insurance becoming obligatory in the future for cyclists.”

OXFORD MAIL READER: “Let’s see what the CCTV reveals.

“Let’s see what the CCTV reveals. Violence is not acceptable.

“And I thought Dawkins was a scientist once upon a time - he should know that electric vehicles are no panacea for climate change, air pollution or congestion.”

OXFORD MAILREADER: “Electric cars aren’t perfect but they’re a lot better than petrol and diesel.

“Assuming you don’t have the luxury of being able to live without a car, they are the best available option.”