While it was an all-party ride, the only non-Labour councillor was Dave Radcliffe, a Lib Dem. We were joined by cabinet members Steve Bedser and James McKay, scrutiny chairs Victoria Quinn and Lisa Trickett and fellow backbencher, Peter Griffiths. Very disappointing not to see any Tories there, but given the state of the roads, that's probably more out of embarrassment than anything else (although a couple did give their apologies...)
We saw some areas where cycling has been thought about, with on-street cycle lanes and reverse flow lanes against one-way traffic, but too many where it has been forgotten - or might yet be forgotten. The Hill Street/Hurst Street cycle lane is very heavily used, but we aren't clear what the future is when the New Street main entrance is relocated. Moor Street is a nightmare for two-wheeled travellers - millions have been spent on the highway, with no consideration at all for cyclists. I found that out when I came to cross it later that afternoon on the way home - navigating the traffic was a nightmare.
Acocks Green isn't well served in terms of great cycling routes to the City - we don't have the Rea Valley route that runs in from the south of the city and the canals aren't suitable for any serious numbers of cyclists. We have an opportunity with the Smarter Route scheme which will be coming to the Warwick Road over the next few years and I'll be making it my mission to get a good deal for all road users - pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and drivers.
Cycling is coming up at a forthcoming scrutiny committee meeting. So, I'd welcome your thoughts on it. :Looking to the future, how can we make Birmingham a cycling city? Do we surrender to the car or push on with making our roads safer? (I think we should encourage cycling for the health and environmental benefits, but I'd be happy to hear alternative arguments too) What would make you want to cycle or cycle more? Do we need more cycle routes? Better signage? Driver & cyclist education?
This link was sent to me and it does seem a pretty sound starting point.
Here are the core questions that we are considering
1. How can we encourage cycling in the city that is efficient and safe, getting people from A to B desirably and sustainably linking urban areas?
2. How can natural green corridors and walkways alongside road networks be best used to create a city cycle and/or pedestrian network? How has this been developed in other cities?
3. What are the resource implications of adapting current cycle routes and joining them up?
4. Which partners can help us to do this and what resources do we need?
5. Who is currently cycling? Who could be most easily encouraged into cycling? What are the barriers and opportunities to uptake by more people and between more places?
If you would like to comment directly, you can send your views to Baseema Begum in the Scrutiny Office at Birmingham City Council by phone on 0121 303 1668 or by email to baseema.begum@birmingham.gov.uk by the 5th October (or to me, if you want). There will be a public evidence gathering session 1300-1500 Friday 19th October in the Council House.
1 comment:
"We saw some areas where cycling has been thought about, with on-street cycle lanes and reverse flow lanes against one-way traffic,"
Just wondered if this referred to Ladywell Walk, between the Hippodrome and the junction with Smallbrook Queensway?
If so I have to say this is really badly thought through..
Coming out of town it's great, as you say with a seperated reverse flow lane, but going into town it's horrible - in between two lanes of traffic, cars reguarly switching lanes (and blocking the cycle lane) because they're in the wrong one coming up to the junction, and buses/lorries..
I have never understood why the seperated contra-flow was not two way for bikes with bikes going into town on the same phase at the lights as those coming out of town (who have a seperated phase at those lights anyway).
Just doesn't make sense to me.
Anyway, I am really pleased to see councillors on bikes experiencing riding in Birmingham and I hope that this leads to serious moves towards designing our roadways with cyclists in mind - which imo means seperation from cars as much as possible, and not just painted lanes on the road (I no longer use the Pershore road bit of the no5 cycle route, prefering the backroads of digbeth to go from Highgate -> Hurst Street, as the painted lane is not much use with heavy traffic and bus stops).
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