Agenda item

Report ES15008

Report ES15008 presented a draft Cycling Strategy for Bromley setting out a delivery plan for improving cycling facilities, promotion, and training over the next three years to increase cycling in the borough. The Strategy highlights opportunities ranging from large scale infrastructure works e.g. major junction improvements on the A21, to ‘softer’ measures such as cycle training and secure cycle parking. By setting out local priorities and ambitions, the Strategy enables the Council to lobby for further funding through the Mayor’s ten year £913m cycling vision programme. Approval was sought for public consultation on the strategy before finalising during summer 2015.

The Strategy had been developed in partnership with a number of stakeholders including the Safer Transport Team, Bromley Cyclists (the local group of London Cycling Campaign), Transport for London, Southeastern, Orpington 1st Business Improvement District and the Parks, Road Safety, Traffic and Transport Strategy teams within the Council.

The Strategy included measures in partnership with the Metropolitan Police to promote safer cycle use and to deter cycle theft. Bromley’s Safer Transport Team (Metropolitan Police) offered Shed Audits to review the security of bicycle storage facilities (e.g. sheds, garages etc). The Strategy also referred to a continued promotion of improved locking practices for cycles. Officers worked closely with the Safer Transport Team on further measures. These included multiple Cycle Marking sessions at key locations to security mark cycles and have them registered.

To help keep cycle lanes free of parked cars, action could be taken against repeated parking on mandatory cycle lanes. L B Bromley had also proposed to the Cycling Commissioner that segregated cycle lanes be introduced along the A21.

In acknowledging that some highway locations/junctions in the borough could be challenging for vulnerable road users, reference was made to the Mayor’s Quietways Programme for directing cyclists toward quieter routes. Through the Mayor of London’s ten year cycling vision programme, £913m was available for cycling improvement across London; it was necessary to secure as much of the funding as possible for Quietway routes in the borough away from dangerous junctions. Should any Quietway route need to proceed via a junction, engineering solutions might be necessary to make the route safe.

For cycle safety and to provide further risk awareness for both cyclists and large vehicle drivers, the Metropolitan Police ran a programme of ‘Exchanging Places’ events at various London wide locations. The events allowed cyclists to sit in the driver's seat of a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) or bus to obtain a better understanding of what a driver can and cannot see, particularly in respect of cyclists on the nearside and directly in front of the vehicle. Similarly, HGV drivers were encouraged to undertake cycle training to experience a cyclist’s journey. A left turning HGV posed a particular concern for cyclists.

TfL had also introduced a Safer Lorry Scheme, coming into force on

1st September 2015, to ensure that most vehicles currently exempt under national legislation for basic safety equipment would have to be retrofitted with the equipment for use on London roads. The scheme covered the same area as the Low Emission Zone. Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes that are currently exempt would be required to be fitted with:

·  Class V and Class VI mirrors giving the driver a better view of cyclists and pedestrians around their vehicles and

·  Side guards to protect cyclists from being dragged under the wheels in the event of a collision.

The Council’s cycle training included advice on risk awareness, particularly in regard to large vehicles turning left. Large vehicles also provided warning notices for cyclists, including advice to stay back from the vehicle. Officers were congratulated on the cycle training provided for children at Norman Park.

A cycle route audit was underway to consider how existing cycle routes might be improved in conjunction with the development of Quietway routes. It was suggested that it might be helpful to have cycle routes away from areas with a particular litter or fly-tipping problem.

A significant amount of the Council’s cycling budget was given to cycle parking measures and through the audit process new cycle parking locations would be identified. Via the Council website, residents will soon also be able to suggest new parking facilities by completing an online form. Officers were also working with Southeastern Railways to ensure adequate and secure cycle parking at stations.

It was confirmed that 20mph zones were not considered to provide a specific encouragement for cycling. Neither was the Council supportive of 20mph zones as a road safety measure - the Council preferring non vertical deflection measures to reduce excessive speeds. 

On costing and ranking projects in the Strategy, it had been necessary to prioiritise some of the ward “Asks” made by the London Cycling Campaign in May 2014, many of the projects having to be funded from Council LIP Funding. Subject to feasibility and cost, a proposed dedicated cycle lane from Green Street Green to Orpington Town Centre could be included within schemes for 2015/16.

The Strategy also proposed that three cycle hubs be located across the borough to not only provide secure covered cycle parking but to potentially provide free cycle maintenance facilities e.g. public tyre pumps, access to basic tools for self-repair, and information on cycle care. Events and secure locking could also be provided and at hubs in particularly high footfall, access to a permanent or ‘pop-up’ bike mechanic could be provided to carry out certain free maintenance. Bikes could also be left for servicing during the day.

The Chairman felt that whilst covered parking would help to keep a cycle dry it  could also provide cover for attempted cycle theft obscuring the CCTV present in Town Centres. The Chairman also suggested that cycle parking facilities in such areas might benefit from being visible by passing motorists and other members of the public.

The Chairman supported Quietways as an attractive measure to help increase cycling.

By 2017 it was hoped that the modal share of cycle trips in the borough would increase to 1.4% and to 3.3% by 2026. These were LIP related targets. Cycle use was increasing and officers believed the 2017 target was achievable. 

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to agree that public consultation be undertaken on the Cycling Strategy.