Dog walkers and ramblers are furious after a “dangerously narrow” cycle path was created on a popular walking route.

The Dollis Valley Greenwalk, near Fursby Avenue, Finchley, has been turned into a new bike route and the ‘no cycling’ signs were removed two weeks ago.

The footpath was in need of repair and Transport for London (TfL) agreed to pay for improvement works – providing that the space was billed as a bike path.

But the news has angered some, who say that the space is too narrow for both cyclists and pedestrians to safely enjoy together.

Mary O’Connor, of Long Lane, Finchley, said: “They are pushing walkers away from an area that was designed for them. It’s ridiculous and makes things very dangerous.

“It’s a nature conservation area but turning this into a cycle path has ruined that. We need to be promoting an active lifestyle and I am not against cyclists, but this isn’t the space for it.

“Not everyone can cycle and we need a place to walk freely, too.”

The new path is made of asphalt, but Mrs O’Connor claims this is too hard and “not desirable” and that the council should seek to find a softer alternative.

It is 3m wide with many bends, and people fear that cyclists, dog walkers and children will have little room to move past each other.

There is no buffer between the brook and the cycle path, sparking concern that cyclists could fall off their bikes when trying to manoeuvre past a pedestrian and fall straight into the river.

Dennis Pepper, 83, said: “It seems as though they are listening to cyclists, not pedestrians. The road is too narrow. What they have done is meaningless. It doesn’t improve things at all.”

Dr Brenda Barrett, who walks her dog, Shady, twice a day, said: “This area is full of people with prams and toddlers running around and it’s not safe to combine that with cyclists.

“The presumption is that cyclists are going to be sitting up-right on old fashioned bikes, helmeted, lycra-clad and with no bells and they will come racing down here.”

The nearest cycle route runs through Gordon Road, Brent Way, Chesterfield Road and Holden Road.

Cathy Roberts, of Grosvenor Road, walks her friend’s dog Bonnie in the area twice a day.

She said: “Cyclists come down with such blazing fury. I don’t understand why they’ve made another cycle route when there’s already one in place.

“It makes me angry and frustrated because we don’t feel as though we are being listened to.”

People also say the cyclists constantly show a “complete lack of respect” for dog walkers when passing through the walkway.

Even when cyclists were previously banned from using the green walk, they would still regularly flout the rules.

Judi Chapman, of Oakdene Park, said: “I’ve been verbally abused by cyclists in the past on this road and they’ve always been so aggressive.

“They come out of nowhere. One accused my dog of biting her leg but when I offered to give her my details she rode off. It’s a nightmare. It’s dangerous.”

When the Times Series visited the green-walk to speak to people about the issue, our reporter witnessed a cyclist verbally attack a dog walker for disagreeing with her.

The cyclist told the grandmother “I hope I don’t grow up to be an old hag like you”, among other remarks, before cycling off through Oakdene Park – despite a clear no cycling sign.

Times Series:

But Alison Grumberg, who walks her dog in the area twice a day, said: “I have no problem with cyclists – as long as they are respectful.”

The Times Series is awaiting comment from Barnet Borough Council.