The construction of the cycle paths through the centre of Albir have commenced. This red painted cycle lane will eventually run from the roundabout at the Robin Hood camping. Starting where the Benidorm cycle route ends. It will go across the new roundabout by the Galp petrol station. Then on past Albir Gardens Resort into the centre of Albir. It will run along Camí Vell d’Altea (CV753) and then turn right on to the Avenida Del Albir. At the end of Avenida Del Albir it will join up with the beach BLUE cycle path, which carries on to join the Altea cycle route network.
There has been a lot of pressure from certain groups to join the Benidorm and Altea cycle networks together. By creating dedicated cycle lanes through Albir. This is a good idea in principal but the width of roads and footpaths in Albir are not easily adapted for cycle lanes. The use of bicycles is increasing and the municipality of Alfaz del Pi wants to do it’s bit for the environment by encouraging use of cycling over driving. Nevertheless, this has finally resulted in development of what many think is a poorly thought solution.
Parking removed
The major down side of the works taking place is the removal of the street parking to make way for the cycle lanes. All the street parking on the western side of Camí Vell d’Altea, from beyond Albir Gardens, passed Mendoza and The Church Irish bar, right up to Mercadona supermarket will be removed and replaced with the red cycle lanes. (EDIT – following commencement of the works, plans have altered. Between Mendoza roundabout and the junction with Avenida del Albir. It appears that the cycle lanes will now be positioned on the east side of the street.)
Narrow lanes
When the cycle lane does a right turn onto Avenida Albir the same will happen to all the street parking on the south side. From Dealz right up to Consum supermarket. This is a lot of 24/7 free street parking removed for the benefit of the cyclists. Many also think that the cycle lanes will be to narrow to cater for two way cycle traffic. This will result in cycles using the normal carriageway anyway. If there are indeed that many cycles using the lanes.
Is the removal of this street parking really necessary? Could the cycle lanes use an alternative route to keep these heavily used and essential parking spaces? Will businesses along the route, the main two streets in Albir, be affected? How will deliveries, pickups, etc. be made?
There is also proposed plans to add a further dedicated cycle lane on the southern side of the Bulevar de los Musicos. To run from the Lidl roundabout to the beach.
The consensus from the majority of local residents and businesses is that, indeed cycle lanes are a good initiative but the inconvenience to car users, residents and businesses along the routes is not acceptable. The full article from the town hall can be found here.
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Author: Admin
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