Cycling England - Scheme of the Month: June 2007
Each month we shall be featuring an initiative that is contributing to Cycling England's aim to create conditions that will result in more people cycling, more safely, more often. A brief description is given of each scheme and a contact for additional information provided at the end.
Click here to see our personality of the month feature.
Take a Stand
In partnership with four local authorities, Life Cycle UK runs 'Take a Stand'. The scheme offers two free Sheffield cycle parking stands to small businesses, not for profit organisations and community groups. The recipient is responsible for installing them on their own premises in a location agreed with Life Cycle. Launched in 1997, the response has been overwhelming and shows no sign of stopping. Follow-up studies show that the scheme has reduced bike theft and increased cycle use. Demand is typically driven by cyclists themselves, and Life Cycle will sell additional stands if needed. The stands are held in stock by a local building contractor. An initial visit is made to the site by bike to agree the locations, and the stands are dropped off subsequently by van to 10 locations at a time. Over 100 organisations were supported in Bristol during the LTP period under the scheme.
The scheme has been taken up (with Life Cycle's support) by several other local authorities, most recently by Norwich City Council. Transport for London also runs a Take a Stand scheme, to Life Cycle's model, across the Capital.
TfL’s version of Take a Stand has been hugely successful having delivered 1042 stands to benefit over 2000 cyclists since November 2005. It is open to any business regardless of size and participating organisations also receive a copy of TfL’s Workplace Cycle Parking Guide. Alongside this is offered 'Challenge Funding' which is a match-funded scheme to provide support measures, such as showers, to promote and improve sustainable transport options, including cycling.
As part of a wider range of activities that promote cycling to work, organisations that employ 250+ staff can take advantage of TfL’s New Way to Work 'Corporate' Scheme. With funding available of up to £20,000, this provides 15 days consultancy advice and will deliver a working Travel Plan for the organisation. The plan is then used to establish a Quick Win package of measures based on the mode that will make immediate impact. Small & medium organisations receive help in the form of the New Way to Work 'Enterprise' scheme, which also offers support, guidance and marketing materials.
A guide is available from Life Cycle UK which explains in detail how Take a Stand works and which provides practical advice on setting up a similar scheme. Copies can be ordered from www.lifecycleuk.org.uk or contact Peter Andrews at peter@lifecycleuk.org.uk
To find out more about TfL's WTP service speak to one of their Relationship Managers on 020 7918 2928.
TfL’s Workplace Cycle Parking Guide is available at www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/businessandpartners/Workplace-Cycle-Parking-Guide.pdf
Promoting Cycling with Young Families (May 2007)
Cycle Trailer Tryout Scheme
People may give up cycling when they have young children. However trailers allow parents to cycle easily with up to 2 children and carry luggage.
To promote cycling and help tackle car congestion during the school run Cambridge City Council Cycling Officers have set up the ‘Cycle Trailer Tryout Scheme’ giving parents the opportunity to try out a cycle trailer before committing to the expense of buying their own trailer.
How does it work?
Parents are encouraged to borrow a trailer for one week via participating Playgroups and Nurseries who join the scheme over a four-week period. Staff are shown how to easily fix the trailers to a bike and are familiarised with the trailers before going through this process with each parent who borrows a trailer. Each time the trailers are returned Staff run through a checklist to ensure that they are still in good working condition.
Parents borrowing a trailer are provided with a trailer manual and a ‘parent pack’ containing a local cycle map, safety information, a feedback form, and general cycling information.
The scheme has been running for over two years and has had a very positive response from parents and staff. Feedback forms have shown half of the parents that have joined the scheme are now considering purchasing their own trailer or have already done so.
Park Street Cycle Park Pushchair Scheme
Increasingly more and more parents find it convenient to cycle into Cambridge City centre with their young children using child seats and trailers. However without a pushchair walking around can be quite difficult. In response to this need, Cambridge City Council has recently initiated its new Pushchair Scheme. This scheme enables parents with young children to borrow a pushchair for free and thereby helping them continue their journey once they have parked their cycles.
At present there are four pushchairs and each is available to borrow between 10am to 4pm seven days a week. The pushchairs are available from attendants at Park Street Cycle Park in Cambridge.
Park Street Cycle Park
Conveniently situated near the river, shops and the historic centre of Cambridge, Park Street Cycle Park is Britain's biggest free indoor cycle park providing space for over 200 cycles with CCTV coverage and attendants on duty all day until 8pm. Cycle lockers are also available for hire on a monthly basis. Entrance to the cycle park by cyclists and pedestrians is via Park Street, a short two minute walk from the heart of Cambridge city centre.
For further information visit
or contact Clare Rankin or David Bradford
david.bradford@cambridge.gov.uk
Health on Wheels within Bolton (April 2007)
A partnership between Bolton PCT, Bolton MBC and Cycling Projects has developed over the last few years with an overall aim to offer cycling to those members of the community who are returning from ill health or are currently living an inactive lifestyle.
The initiative gives attendees an awareness of how enjoyable and accessible cycling can be, and how easy it is to weave into people's daily routines. Sessions have been well received, with many attendees purchasing their own cycles and meeting with fellow attendees to cycle as a group beyond the initiative.
Through strong links with Bolton PCT four potential target groups have been introduced to a 10-week program of cycling activities. The groups focus on the Cardiac Rehab support, diabetes support group, adult mental health services and an Asian ladies group.
A structured programme of cycling activities has been developed by all partners to ensure that the attendees continue to choose cycling as a form of physical activity that can be incorporated into their lifestyles.
The programme consists of a range of community cycle
| "I hadn't ridden a bike for about 40 years but have enjoyed the experience. It doesn't matter if you're a complete novice like me - people are there to supervise you - I didn’t know there were so many opportunities to access the green spaces around here!" Cycle ride participant |
rides, cycle tuition by instructors trained to the national standard, an awareness of greenways, parks and cycle friendly networks across the Bolton, sessions on mechanics and maintenance and opportunities to link with existing cycle groups/clubs beyond the timescale of the initiative.
Cycles, storage and other relevant equipment are provided throughout the initiative ensuring that the attendees just have to turn up for the session.
Community volunteers are crucial to the success and sustainability of the Bolton Health on Wheels project so a quality framework is being developed to support volunteers, and to ensure long-term success of the project.
Bolton is at the forefront of combining health initiatives with opportunities through green travel across the borough of Bolton. Bolton PCT and Bolton Council have recognised the importance of such an initiative by pledging their support via the creation of a Cycle for Health full time position that will be in place in May 2007 to develop and co-ordinate the Health on Wheels initiative.
For more information about the initiative contact:
Ian Tierney, Cycling Projects 0161 745 9099 ian.tierney@cycling.org.uk
Garrie Prosser, Bolton Healthy Living Programme Garrie.Prosser@BOLTON.NHS.UK
| Cycling Projects, is a cycle initiatives charity with a focus on health improvement, disability access and social inclusion, and offers a range of interventions promoting active lifestyles. Cycling Projects has built a strong reputation in developing partnerships with Primary Care Trusts to develop sustainable community cycle schemes that are eventually led by the community. |
Newland Avenue Mixed Priority Route Project (March 2007)
The Newland Avenue Mixed Priority Route Project in Hull is part of a national initiative to improve road safety on busy urban shopping streets. The scheme is one of ten DfT best practice demonstration projects and was designed to provide a safer and more attractive street environment with more space for pedestrians.
The scheme design has been influenced by successful examples from the continent and elsewhere in the UK and represents an innovative approach to mixed use streets. Measures include ‘shared surface’ areas without road markings and pioneering informal pedestrian crossings.
The project was managed by a multi-disciplinary Partnership Group consisting of Council Officers, Elected Members, residents and traders' representatives.
The evaluations undertaken so far have shown impressive results with a dramatic increase in usage of the street by pedestrians (59%) and cyclists (48%). The number of pedestrians crossing Newland Avenue has increased by 18%. Initial road safety indicators are also very encouraging (based upon 12 month ‘after’ data) with a 24% reduction in all injury accidents, a 21% reduction in cycling casualties and a 100% reduction in pedestrian casualties.
In July 2006, the scheme was awarded the 2006 ‘Excellence in Urban Transport Design’ award at the national Transport Practitioners Conference.
For further information, please contact Gary Horth, Hull City Council.
Cycle to Work a 'Giant' Success (February 2007)
The Sunseeker International Cycle to Work Scheme has proved a huge success, with 520 orders for bikes being placed over the three weeks the scheme ran for. Thanks to the tax relief provided under the Government scheme, and price negotiations direct with Giant, savings of up to 60% have been enjoyed on the usual list price of the bikes. Many employees are now doing their bit for the environment, and their own health, by leaving their car at home and getting on their bike.
Sunseeker International in Poole are Members of the WESTNET Group (Wessex Travel Plan Network). This Forum was set up for businesses developing Travel Plans across South East Dorset to share best practice and ideas through group discussion. Good working relationships have been established with local bus and rail companies and Carshare Dorset. The Local Authorities (Poole, Bournemouth and Dorset) act as meeting facilitators and offer advice to Forum members on setting up Bicycle User Groups as well as providing information on cycling including cycleway maps.
For further information, please contact Sally Funnell
Click here for details of the Government's Cycle to Work scheme
