Hundreds of extra people could be cycling every day in Dorchester if roads were made safer.

Separate lanes for cyclists would increase the numbers even further and persuade some families to allow children to cycle to and from school – taking hundred of cars off the roads at peak times.

At the moment only a handful of pupils use bikes to get to and from any of the Dorchester schools.

Town councillors have been told that Dorset Council has a number of projects being prepared to improve safety for cyclists and walkers in the county town which could be brought into being – if only it had the funding.

A town planning and environment meeting heard that while some routes on the edge of the town and even from some villages are considered safe by cyclists, the problems start when riders get closer to the town centre and have to cross roads and busy junctions, as well as negotiate traffic-clogged through routes.

Both High Streets are perceived as dangerous by many cyclists, with other problems areas including the Maumbury junction, Great Western Cross and Bridport Road.

Cycling and walking expert for Dorset Council Chris Peck told Dorchester town councillors this week that because of the problem roads in the town centre many cyclists, apart from the more experienced, were reluctant to start otherwise safe trips because the end points were seen as potentially hazardous – yet most routes were capable of design changes to make them safer.

He said that the route between Dorchester and Weymouth, all on cycle paths, had become more popular since lockdown and could be used even more if a safer way could be found of helping cyclists across five lanes at the Stadium roundabout.

Mr Peck said traffic surveys had also discovered many people driving relatively short distances into the town centre from housing estates at Manor Park and Castle Park because they were worried about crossing a number of roads either on foot or by bike.

He said that many people in the town, without access to a car, were not catered for very well and many more could be persuaded to walk or cycle for both leisure, work and shopping if some changes could be made to the existing roads. He told the meeting that the introduction of electric bikes now meant even the less fit could consider longer commutes by bike as hills and distance were less of an obstacle.

"There are some very positive benefits if we can get the infrastructure right and make people feel safe," he said.

The meeting heard that Dorset Council data suggested only 17 Thomas Hardye pupils cycling to school and none at the nearby Middle School yet with bike friendly routes there was the potential to increase the figures to over 900 at the senior school and 70 at the middle school with the potential for more than 300 pupils to cycle at St Mary's School and another 40 at Prince of Wales school.

Town councillors were told that there may be a public consultation on some of the ideas later this year, but even then putting measures into place is likely to depend on Dorset Council winning substantial Government grants.

Town councillors welcomed the initiatives with planning committee chairman Robin Potter saying he would like to see schemes brought into being as quickly as possible.

Cllr Les Fry also welcomed the proposals but warned that secure cycle parking had to be found as thefts continued to be a problem and would put some people off using their machines.