CYCLISTS are to be allowed to use another of York’s city-centre footstreets in a year-long trial despite concerns it will cause collisions.

City of York Council is lifting restrictions on bikes being ridden along High Petergate and through Bootham Bar, saying it could reduce accidents by preventing them using the busy junction of Duncombe Place and St Leonard’s Place.

The move has been criticised by groups representing elderly people and those with sight problems, who said it risks putting them in danger and cyclists could wheel their bikes through footstreets instead.

The new arrangements will be monitored for 12 months, after which a decision will be made on whether they remain. They will only allow cyclists to travel one way, heading from Bootham into the city centre.

The council’s transport officers said they could spark “heated debate”, but there was more chance of cyclists being involved in collisions with cars than with pedestrians.

A report by traffic network manager Alistair Briggs said there was a “very low level” of clashes between bikes and pedestrians, but added: “There are strong feelings on more common events of the two exchanging words and views following an unexpected close encounter or difference of opinion.

“Rather than try to balance these opposing views, a wider look at the area is needed to appreciate the benefits and potential accident savings.”

York Older People’s Assembly acting chairman Bob Towner said: “The council has told us it takes about five minutes to walk through the footstreets zone, and York has one of the country’s smallest city centres, so why can’t cyclists just dismount? It’s potentially dangerous.”

York Blind And Partially Sighted Society chief officer Diane Roworth said: “We are not very happy about this, because visually impaired people will not be able to get out of the way of bikes and it takes away a safe walking area when cyclists could get off their bikes or cycle around a different route.”