Beachfront businesses and safety campaigners have praised plans for temporary cycle lanes at Aberdeen beach.
The council has opened a week-long consultation on the measures, the latest proposals to emerge as the local authority works to increase safe for safe travel during the pandemic.
Mandatory bike lanes are proposed for the north end of King Street, Ellon Road, the Beach Boulevard and the Esplanade.
It is part of the council’s Spaces For People project, a £1.76 million endeavour to create space for physical distancing and to encourage healthy transport options.
The council is planning a two-way cycle lane on the beach side of the Esplanade from King Street to the Beach Ballroom.
A one-way system could be installed along the beachfront, with a two-way cycle lane using the other side of the road nearest the cafes and restaurants.
The plans were met with some enthusiasm by Pavilion Cafe owner Paul Dawson, who said: “Cycle lanes at the beach are definitely a good idea as more people are riding bikes.
“We have remained trading using delivery services and people looking for work have got on their bike to do that.
“A lot of this is outwith the city’s control and the council is looking to do what’s best for people’s health more than anything.”
Martin Vicca, the manager at the nearby Inversnecky Cafe, said previous one-way systems at the beachfront had worked “quite well”.
“But it is important people can still access the beach by car as we have a lot of customers who, frankly, cannot walk a long distance,” he said.
“I think cyclists would rather ride along the lower promenade than over the speed bumps on the road.”
Elsewhere the Beach Boulevard’s existing cycle lanes could be expanded.
Commuter route Ellon Road is likely to change too, with plans for cycle lanes or combined bus and cycle lanes in both directions, or a single two-way bike lane on the northbound side of the road.
The roads overhaul has been devised with input from NHS Grampian and transport organisation Nestrans.
It has already brought about temporary changes in a number of city streets, including the closure of part of Union Street.
Council bosses have pledged to take feedback on board after having to make a number of changes to measures elsewhere in the city after they were imposed.
Aberdeen Cycling Forum’s Rachel Martin said more detail was needed about how the lanes would be separated from cars and other traffic but it was “terrific” to see the investment.
“It is amazing to see the council putting in temporary measures to make cycling safer and more attractive, which hopefully might become permanent.
“But we need a good route to actually get to the beach from the centre of town, without taking on the big roundabout at the top of the Boulevard.”
