To ask the Minister for Infrastructure when are vehicles allowed to park on designated cycle lanes.

My Department is committed to increasing the level of sustainable travel in Northern Ireland and cycling infrastructure has an important role to play in facilitating this. I want to encourage people to cycle and support people to make more sustainable choices. Cars parked inconsiderately on cycle lanes present real challenges to this.

There are two different types of on carriageway cycle lane. Mandatory cycle lanes are bounded by a solid white line and all other vehicles are prohibited from entering or parking in them. Advisory cycle lanes are bounded by a broken white line and signify that other vehicles should not enter unless it is safe to do so. Advisory cycle lanes are provided without the need for an Order, so there is no legal basis to prevent parking. Drivers are, however, asked not to park in advisory cycle lanes in the Highway Code for Northern Ireland. Vehicles are prohibited from parking in advisory cycle lanes if there are parking restrictions, such as clearways, or waiting restrictions, on the same stretch of road. My Department’s road safety and sustainable travel social media channels posts reminders of the relevant Highway Code rules to road users on a regular basis.