This article was published in 2001, in Newsletter 38.
From the Press and Publications Office, University of Cambridge
A new initiative to segregate cyclists and pedestrians has been introduced at the Downing site in the centre of Cambridge.
The scheme has been introduced to reduce the risk of cyclists and pedestrians colliding and sustaining injuries. It also routes cyclists away from an area prone to slime build up on paving slabs. After consultation with the departments there, the Downing Site Committee decided to erect signs to direct cyclists one way around the McDonald Institute and pedestrians the other. The Estate Management and Building Service designed the signs and created the new routes.
Although the paving is cleaned regularly, the corner of the McDonald Institute is in the shade for the majority of the day and is more prone to the build up of slime. This created a potential hazard for cyclists in particular who tend to travel at a greater speed than walkers.
Prior to the signs going up there had been three reported instances of accidents due to the slime and one of a cyclist colliding with a pedestrian.
The scheme has been welcomed by the users of the site and those that travel through it.