Council officials are encouraging cyclists to use a busy major roadway instead of a 7ft dedicated cycle lane, in an effort to force motorists to slow down.
A woman rides along a cycle lane next to heavy traffic.
Jacob King
Large bicycle symbols have been painted on the A35 in Bournemouth, Dorset, despite a cycle lane also being available.
Motorists are aghast at the move, expressing their discontent at the attempts to make them check their speed.
"You put cycle lanes in and then paint cycle symbols on main carriageway. Cyclists now seem to think they own all the road and won't move over", Steve Martin said.
Rob Copson said: "So now they're encouraged to NOT use the cycle lane right next to them then?"
Cars queue up as they head down towards the sea front at Bournemouth beach in Dorset.
Andrew Matthews
"It should be in the Highway Code that cyclists must use cycle lanes if available", Donna Clarke said.
"This is utterly ridiculous, causing tailbacks, delayed emergency vehicles and frayed tempers."
Nick Beck said: "If there's a dedicated cycle lane, why are they being directed to cycle in the main carriageway?"
Natalie Alexander said: "Any room left for cars?"
A spokesman for Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole (BCP) Council said: "We recently undertook carriageway resurfacing and have widened the cycle lanes in line with current standards.
"The road markings highlighted are there to encourage cyclists to take a prominent position in the lane so therefore make them more visible to other motorists."
