So the alternative to making the bikes take a detour was that there would be more congestion, not that the road would be closed to cars entirely?
It sure doesn't sound like the "bike special interests" were the ones being unreasonable here.
It sure doesn't sound like the "bike special interests" were the ones being unreasonable here.
The congestion would not just be on that section of road, it would propogate out and cause major issues. The bikes are not going to experience congestion.
In the gold standard countries for cycling, this sort of design is done on purpose. Pedestrians get the best route, followed by cyclists, and vehicles have what's left.
Elsewhere, doing the easy work to accommodate cycling, then ignoring anything that would cause even the slightest inconvenience to cars, is the norm.