A cycle lane built along Wimborne Road at Ferndown has led to an increase of sixteen cyclists per day, with Dorset councillors told this equates to a cost of £14 per additional cyclist.
The seven kilometre scheme, completed over four years, also saw a seventeen percent rise in pedestrians using the route.
Councillor Louie O’Leary questioned the value of the project, suggesting the funds could have been used elsewhere, such as on river maintenance.
Committee chairman Noc Lacey-Clarke explained that, based on a build cost of £2.4 million, the long-term cost per extra cyclist was calculated over a thirty-year period, resulting in an estimated 170,000 additional cycle trips.
Chris Peck, principal transport planner, clarified that the investment covered more than just the cycle lane, including improvements to crossings, bus stops, and resurfacing, making the route safer for all users.
He noted that the Department for Transport’s assessment found the scheme could deliver public benefits up to twice the investment cost over three decades.
Before the work, the road had limited pedestrian and cycling facilities, but the new shared path has improved access and safety.
