Latest on ‘mandatory’ 15mph speed limit for cyclists on Cambridge track

The speed limit was introduced to reduce “accidental conflict between users of the shared use track”

A council has explained why there is a “mandatory” 15mph speed limit for cyclists was introduced on a track in Cambridge. The speed restriction was introduced on the maintenance track which runs alongside the guided busway and is used by cyclists and pedestrians.

Cambridgeshire County Council said it is an “important control measure to enable safe active travel for all users of the shared use pathway”. It is intended to reduce accidental conflict between users of the shared use track, the council said.

Motorcycles are also banned from the maintenance track and electric bikes that exceed 15mph are not permitted. These restrictions were implemented in partnership with the police.

In a statement, a Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: “The Guided Busway is one of the most important transport routes in Cambridgeshire. It connects people to each other and to schools, jobs, and hospitals every single day. Keeping it safe is vital.

“The 15mph speed limit is mandatory for cyclists and other active travel users on all sections of the busway shared use path and is a permanent feature. The speed limit is an important control measure to enable safe active travel for all users of the shared use pathway.

“It also compliments the other Guided Busway Safety measures and is intended to reduce accidental conflict between users of the shared use track.”

The county council is monitoring the effectiveness of the speed limit and liaising with Cambridgeshire Police on enforcement action.

The spokesperson added: “We encourage members of the public to report any unsafe, anti-social and illegal behaviour on the busway to the county council or the police, as appropriate. Safety concerns can be reported via our web form or alternatively, you can scan the QR code on signs along the busway track to find the form when using the path.”

The county council was fined £6 million following the deaths of three people on a guided busway. In separate incidents that spanned across 11 years, health and safety breaches resulted in the deaths of Jennifer Taylor, 81, Kathleen Pitts, 52, and Steven Moir, 50.