A recreational ride along the seafront should not be full of fear.

But many of the 2,000 cyclists using the route in Brighton every day say it is filled with danger.

Reporter Tim Ridgway took a leisurely ride, complete with bike helmet video, to see just how difficult the route is to tackle.

Our reporter

A series of complaints have been made about a new cycle lane on Madeira Drive in Brighton.

Despite the designated lanes, pedestrians, parked vehicles and skips provide perilous obstacles to those mounted on two wheels.

Cyclists regularly veer into oncoming traffic to avoid crashing into casual strollers basking in the seaside sun.

Many would think that cycling along the seafront should be a matter of routine and relaxation.

About 2,000 people choose to coast along the smooth Tarmac every day.

With a soft sea breeze and the morning sun shining down, the advantages of a weekend bike ride are obvious.

But any hopes of free-wheeling my way without a care along to the marina have to be put aside.

Concentration, I’ve been told, is key to navigating safely between discarded objects, stationary vehicles and strolling promenaders.

Beginning the three and a half mile route near the King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove, the first obstacle appears within moments.

A discarded skip takes over the entire cycle lane forcing me to enter the “prohibited” pedestrian area.

My conscience appears to be the only one affected as a tandem further ahead continues its journey along the walkers’ pavement near King’s Esplanade.

Continuing on the path alongside Brunswick Lawns is trouble-free.

As I became accustomed to the ways of the saddle – a cheery hello to fellow cyclists and a firm nod of the head to the cap-clad skateboarders – my journey was becoming enjoyable.

But this was the calm before the storm.

Passing the West Pier, pedestrian numbers were beginning to increase.

Marked crossings forced cyclists to squeeze the brakes and give way to those on foot.

Children on scooters, both erratic in their own way, forced me to slow from a steady peddle to a slow plod.

Near the Palace Pier, the pathway markings urged cyclists to continue with caution.

A parked open top tour bus had tourists asking questions at its doors.

The informal queue – helpfully – crossed the cycle lane and forced me to cross the dividing white line to mix it with the walkers.

Problems intensified near the pedestrian crossing.

A crowd of idle visitors forced me to brake suddenly.

Despite profuse apologies my momentum was halted and confidence shaken.

The rest of the trek to Madeira Drive was more of the same – sleepy strollers went about their mid-morning business unaware of the big white cycle markings on the pavement.

Near the end of the Volk’s railway a maintenance vehicle was left in the lane.

Slowing right down and checking the blind spot, I had to veer out into oncoming traffic.

A few minutes later, I had reached my destination in one piece.

The only thing left to worry about is how to cope with the inevitable saddle sore in the morning.

Next time maybe I’ll get the bus.

The Onlooker

Trevor Madison, production coordinator at the Concorde II, confirmed he had seen a number of near misses. He blamed the new cycle lane on Madeira Drive.

Mr Madison said: “The cycle lane comes off the pavement, into a wide cycle lane, then into a narrow cycle lane, then stops abruptly in oncoming traffic.

It is very confusing.

“It has been absolute chaos down there.

In about an hour I saw two near-misses.

“At one point there was a car travelling from Duke’s Mound towards the pier in the cycle lane.

“He saw a cyclist coming the other direction and they both stopped and the car pulled into the road.”

The Council

Cycling in Brighton received a boost last year when it received £1.5million over three years from the Government. The money was pledged after the city became a Cycling Town.

The council matched the Government funding and promised to improve the experience of cycling in the city significantly.

As part of the project an extension to the existing seafront path was announced in January.

The path linking the Palace Pier to the Marina will be complete by late autumn.

A council spokeswoman said: “The route is the city’s most popular leisure and commuter route with more than 2,000 cyclists a day using its busiest stretches.

“Reviews carried out so far have shown that the cycle lane is safe to use and we are happy that cyclists are already making good use of the stretch we have already been able to open.”

The Cyclists

The seafront cycle route is the subject of much discussion between Brighton’s cyclists.

Many wanted the new cycle path to be constructed on the coastal road above Madeira Drive.

Tony Green, of Bricycles, said: “The new makings are very confusing.

“At one point riders heading eastbound have to give way to traffic and cross the road. I don’t think it’s a solution for children and people with young families.

”When cycling on the rest of the path Mr Green has urged caution.

He said: “You just have to ride carefully and think that everybody is going to walk in front of you. I have some sympathy for the pedestrians as we have taken their walking space.

“We have to be tolerant of each other.”