ALL geared up but nowhere to go - is this York's craziest cycle lane?

The barmy route leads riders slap bang into a wooden fence as they travel through the new Woodland Chase estate, off Water Lane, Clifton.

A photograph of the route has attracted huge media attention, after it was posted on a website created by a group of frustrated cyclists who are campaigning to get councils to mark out lanes properly.

Other photos sent into The Warrington Cycle Campaign show routes passing through a bus shelter, running into a hedge or measuring no more than a few feet in length.

Council chiefs say the abrupt ending to the York path is just a temporary measure until the lane is extended across Bootham Stray.

But York cycle campaigner Paul Hepworth, from Holgate, said the route was a result of "developer inertia" and gave York's cycling community a bad name.

"It would be nice for them to show some of the better cycling facilities we've got in York," he said.

"On the face of it, the route looks ridiculous, but if there is a chance of it being extended somewhere useful it would be rather nice.

"York is generally good for cycling, but some cycle lanes could be improved to make them safer and easier to ride. Better cycle lanes would attract tourists which would boost York's economy. It's worth doing."

A City of York Council spokeswoman, said: "The section of the cycleway is just off Water Lane in Clifton on a new Barratt development called Woodland Chase.

"The route has not yet been adopted as a public highway, but it is hoped that eventually it will provide a cycle/pedestrian link to Bootham Stray."

Do you know the whereabouts of any other barmy bike lanes in York or North and East Yorkshire?

If so, phone Matthew Woodcock on 01904 653051 or email matthew.woodcock@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 09:56 Wednesday, March 29, 2006