Campaigners have slammed Glasgow University for a "backwards step" in cycle safety on its campus, after its £1 billion development made no plans to improve cycle lanes on a busy road.

Cyclists on Sunday formed a 'human cycle lane' at the side of University Avenue, where they argue Glasgow University should be building segregated lanes to protect bikes.

The protest drew families and students, who linked arms to protect cyclists from cars on the road.

The development plans plans will see the university keep existing lanes, which are marked by paint on the road.

Glasgow Times:

But campaigners argue that cyclists should be protected by a segregated lane that keeps cars and bikes separated with a kerb. 

Eachann Gillies, a student at the university, said: “I’m really happy to see Glasgow University recognising that University Avenue needs a reallocation of space - more space for pedestrians definitely makes sense.

"However, I think the failure to provide real space for cycling is a real backwards step. I cycle up University Avenue regularly and I often have to dodge doors opening into my path, cars parked in the cycle lane and close passes whilst cycling uphill.

"The University should be thinking about what kind of travel it wants to enable and what kind of environment it wants to create for its students and staff.

"The new proposals certainly don’t look to be creating safe space for cycling”.

Glasgow Times:

A Glasgow University spokeswoman said: 

“A programme of improvements to University Avenue, including the creation of two new ‘super-crossings’,will begin on 4 March.

"The new crossings will improve pedestrian safety as it is important that University Avenue is better equipped to accommodate the increasing footfall projected over coming years, particularly once the James McCune Smith Learning Hub is open.

"When making improvements to our campus, our number one priority is safety. The University has been working with Glasgow City Council on designs for University Avenue which endeavour to optimise safety for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.

"The final design will widen existing cycle lanes to 1.5 meters and remove on-street parking whilst also increasing the width of the pavements to accommodate the increasing numbers of pedestrians.”