Why provide for cycling? A presentation for council members

1. Why provide for cycling?A presentation for council members

2. The national policy context “I believe wholeheartedly that cycling must play a bigger role in our future transport strategy…. as a crucial part of our transport life: used by millions more people in both urban and rural environments… taking cars off the road, freeing up much-needed capacity on buses, trams and trains and helping to promote broader Government objectives like health, physical activity and a better environment.” Charlotte Atkins, Transport Minister, launching Cycling England, March 2005

4. DfT LTP guidance “The shared priority for transport includes improving accessibility and public transport and reducing the problems of congestion, pollution and safety.” “Other quality of life issues related to transport from the sustainable communities shared priority include: • the quality of public spaces and landscapes • conservation of biodiversity • community safety • public health • noise • climate change”

5. The local policy context The West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan includes the following statement on why it will be promoting cycling: • To improve environmental quality and reduce the effects of transport pollution on air quality. • To contribute to national and international efforts to reduce transport's contribution to overall greenhouse gas emissions... • …'subsidiary' or more operational objectives: • To cut the growth of road traffic. • To encourage people to travel more by public transport, by cycle and on foot instead of by car…

6. Local Area Agreements • Agreements between central and local government on the priorities for an area and how to achieve them : • 198 indicators against which Local Area Agreements will report including, of specific relevance to cycling: • Access to services and facilities by public transport, walking and cycling (175) • Usual mode of travel for children travelling to school (198) • Obesity in young people and participation in physical activity (55-57) • Level of air quality (194) • Healthy life expectancy (137)

7. Cycling contributes to a range of policy objectives including… • Transport and planning • Health • Environment • Social inclusion • Young people • Economic prosperity / regeneration • Leisure and tourism

8. Cycling for transport More cycling means: • Less road congestion • A more efficient use of public space • Generally lower levels of spending on infrastructure and its maintenance compared to motorised travel • Helping to discourage unnecessary travel

9. Cycling for health More cycling means: • Lower levels of obesity • Longer, healthier lives • Savings to the NHS • Improved road safety as more drivers are also cyclists • Reduced air pollution and respiratory problems

11. Cycling for the environment More cycling means: • Lower vehicle emissions • Less noise pollution • Reduced visual intrusion from parked and moving vehicles • Scope to create a more attractive public realm

12. Cycling and social inclusion More cycling means: • A more equitable transport mix • Less opportunity for the travel choices of some to restrict those of others • More vibrant, interactive and ‘liveable’ streets and neighbourhoods

13. Cycling and young people More cycling means: • Lower levels of childhood obesity • Young people gain travel independence • Healthy travel habits are established at an early age • Children acquire valuable road safety and cognitive skills

14. Cycling for economic prosperity More cycling means: • The opportunity to create more attractive areas to live, work and spend leisure time • More space and resources to invest in public realm improvements for the benefit of all. • Greater support of local services

15. Economic benefits of a 20% increase in cycling over 10 years

16. Cycling for leisure and tourism More cycling means: • Lower traffic and parking pressures from car-borne visitors • Less environmental damage • Higher spend in the local area • Access to a healthy activity for the vast majority

17. Local authorities’ role in promoting cycling could include… • Providing a strong policy framework (within the LTP) • Developing a cycling strategy • Identifying influential member and officer champions • Securing dedicated funding • Working with partners, e.g • PCTs • Employers, retailers • School, colleges and universities • Public transport operators • User groups

18. Other opportunities for local authorities to promoting cycling are through… • ROWIPs • Local Area Agreements • Supplementary Planning Guidance • Travel planning initiatives • The council’s own travel plan

19. A typical road user hierarchy

20. The hierarchy of provision for cyclists

21. Invisible infrastructure • Changes to the network which improve conditions for cyclists but do not appear to be related specifically to cycling • Invisible infrastructure may preclude the need for any cycle-specific provision.

22. Core design principles for cycle routes • Convenient • Accessible • Safe • Comfortable • Attractive From: LTN 1/04 - Policy, Planning and Design for Walking and Cycling

23. Providing for different types of cyclists

24. Cycling in pedestrian priority areas There are “…no real factors to justify excluding cyclists from pedestrianised areas, suggesting that cycling could be more widely permitted without detriment to pedestrians” Traffic Advisory Leaflet 9/93

25. Good design for the public realm: Manual for Streets ‘The need to cater for motor vehicles is well understood by transport planners, but the passage of people on foot and cycle has often been neglected. Walking and cycling are important modes of travel, offering a more sustainable alternative to the car, making a positive contribution to the overall character of a place, public health and to tackling climate change through reductions in carbon emissions’. Manual for Streets, 2007

26. It’s not just about infrastructure Other ways of promoting cycling include: • Working with user groups • Marketing and promotion campaigns • Training for children and adults • Travel planning • Exercise on prescription initiatives • Developing maps and guides • Cycle and public transport trips • Signposting and maintenance of cycling routes

27. Funding and advice • Local Transport Plans • Developer contributions (e.g. section 106 agreements) • Grants for school travel plans from DCSF • Funding for cycle training from Cycling England • Specific project funding (e.g. Connect2, CIVITAS) • Cycling England local authority professional support (www.cyclingengland.org.uk/engineering)