CYCLISTS will be able to ride nine miles traffic-free from Leven to Hull, thanks to £868,000 Government funding for new off-road cycle lanes.
New cycle lanes will be created along the A1035 and the A1174 to link up with existing cycle paths – creating an off-road route for cyclists between Leven and the city.
Twelve cyclists have been killed or seriously injured on the busy route in the past five years.
A new off-road cycle lane will now be created alongside the A1035 between Tickton and the White Cross roundabout at Leven.
Another off-road cycleway will be constructed along the A1174 at Swinemoor Lane, Beverley.
East Riding Council leader Councillor Stephen Parnaby said: "When complete, this development will provide a continuous and safe off-road cycle lane between Hull, Dunswell, Woodmansey, Beverley, Tickton and Leven.
"It will complement similar cycling infrastructure developments along the A164 and those included in the Beverley Integrated Transport Plan."
The news has been welcomed by cyclists who use the busy A1035 which carries some 17,000 vehicles a day, including 800 HGVs.
Robin Russell, who leads a tandem club for the Hull and East Riding Institute for the Blind, said: "We use the A1035 and it's a death trap.
"Drivers hurtle along above the speed limits and it's not safe for any cyclists. It's even less safe for anyone on a tandem in a group.
"If we can separate ourselves from the traffic, everyone is happy, including the motorists."
Dawn Goldthorpe, partner at Minster Cycles in Beverley, said the new off-road cycle lanes will encourage more people to get on their bikes.
She said: "The A1035 is horrendous for cyclists, it is so busy and the traffic travels so quickly.
"We have quite a few customers who cycle in from Leven and they have always said the road is dangerous. The new cycle lanes will encourage more people to use their bikes."
Ian Burnett, strategic transport planning manager at East Riding Council, said: "There are already more than 200 cyclists a day using the off-road cycle route along the A1174 between Hull and Beverley.
"The council is confident this new facility will help encourage more people to cycle along this route – particularly to the Swinemoor Industrial Estate and the new East Riding Community Hospital, as well as between Leven and Beverley.
"Unfortunately, there were 12 cyclists killed or seriously injured along the route between White Cross Roundabout and Dunswell Roundabout in the past five years.
"It is hoped the introduction of this new off-road cycle route will improve the safety of cyclists and reduce the number of casualties involving cyclists."
He said the scheme also has an important role in reducing carbon emissions, promoting active lifestyles, reducing obesity and improving the health and quality of life of residents.
Work on the new cycle lanes will get under way later this year.
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