Drivers in Cambridge report that emergency vehicles flatten plastic “cycle wands” that form part of a protected cycle lane arrangement on a busy route. The cycle wands were installed to create a separate space for cyclists, but some motorists say the changes reduce road capacity by narrowing traffic lanes, which they claim increases congestion. Multiple reports describe delays that follow the installation and cite frustration among drivers who believe the barriers are not being adequately maintained or protected from vehicles. Separate complaints focus on alleged damage, with drivers claiming speeding emergency vehicles knock over or flatten the plastic wands, potentially undermining the lane separation scheme. The reports frame the issue both as a traffic flow concern stemming from the road layout change and as a safety or enforcement concern related to whether emergency vehicles are complying with the new street design. The outlets do not provide independent verification or official figures on how frequently the wands are damaged or the overall impact on traffic, but the underlying dispute centers on the effectiveness and durability of the temporary-style cycle lane barriers in regular road use.