University of Bristol wants Keynsham 'optical illusion' cycle lane feedback

The "optical illusion" cycle lane was installed in March 2022

People who have tripped on an "optical illusion" cycle lane are being urged to contact experts about their experience.

The cycle lane was installed by Bath and North East Somerset Council on Keynsham High Street in March 2022.

Since then, it is estimated that about 100 people may have tripped on it., and in some cases been hurt.

Professors at the University of Bristol are now investigating the phenomenon and want to hear from people who have fallen or stumbled.

Local residents have described the white road markings as an "optical illusion", because the white kerbs and painted white lines look similar.

'Need evidence'

The cycle path is compliant with the codes around how they should be designed, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

Neuropsychology professor Dr Ute Leonards, from the University of Bristol, said: "This is an interest from the academic side. We need to find the evidence.

"When we have the evidence we can go and we can do evidence-based suggestions."

Dr Leonards was joined by University of Bristol professor Nick Scott-Samuel and University of Cardiff's professor Simon Rushton, all of whom are experts in the human visual system, to visit Keynsham last summer after the optical illusion was first reported.

They are now trying to gather enough data to understand the problem and how best to fix it.

Lining work

Dr Leonards said she hopes that their research could lead to a change in the guidance to prevent similar issues.

Lining work will be carried out to replace the solid white line, which demarks the edge of cycle lane, with a broken line to better delineate it from the kerb.

The council said it would carry out the work overnight as soon as the weather allowed.

The number of people falling reduced when the cycle lane was painted red in August 2022, but falls have continued to be reported.

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