City leader calls for cycling strategy to attract cash

This year Oxford City Council has £1.6m of planning gain cash – money given to it by big developers to spend on key infrastructure improvements – but only “peanuts” will be spent on cycling schemes, said council leader Bob Price.

Until things are addressed cycling will not attract the money it deserves

Bob Price

Until things are addressed cycling will not attract the money it deserves

Bob Price

Until things are addressed cycling will not attract the money it deserves

Bob Price

Until things are addressed cycling will not attract the money it deserves

Bob Price

Until things are addressed cycling will not attract the money it deserves

Bob Price

And he believes this will go on until the city draws up a shopping list of priorities for cyclists.

In 2008, Oxford failed to become a cycling demonstration town with a share of £47m from Cycling England.

Critics suggested its bid failed partly because of the historical commitment – or lack of it – that had been made to cycling.

Mr Price said: “Cycling gets peanuts.

“We can say to developers that we want them to put some money towards cycle stands or improved access, but we cannot say we have a cycling strategy and we would like them to make a contribution to that.

“What we need to have is a proper cycling strategy that uses developer contributions for a range of improvements.

“There are three keys elements to this – firstly we need to have cycle lanes, which are continuous and safe.

“Secondly we need a cycle hub in the city centre that allows people to park their bikes safely and securely.

“And thirdly we need a concerted campaign with employers to ensure they provide cycle parking with the necessary changing facilities because so many people could cycle to work but don’t.

“Until these things are addressed cycling will not attract the money it deserves.”

Oxfordshire County Council, the transport authority, is waiting to find out whether it will receive any money for cycling improvements as part of its 2011-2012 local transport plan bid.

The plan has to be approved by the Government, but County Hall is hopeful of securing money.

James Styring, of city cycling pressure group Cyclox, said: “Anyone that is used to cycling in Oxford is used to the disjointed nature of the network.

“Unfortunately cycling has been forgotten and there hasn’t been any money in budgets, but we have every reason now to believe the future is relatively bright.

“Cyclox recently consulted its members and they said they wanted to see the network on the main roads improved and completed – obvious examples being under the railway bridge on Botley Road and the approach to The Plain roundabout, where even experienced cyclists find it difficult to get to the other side.

“Until new money from the Government appears it’s crucial the city and county councils secure as much developer money as possible for cycling improvements.

“The sort of things we are talking about are very easy and cheap to do – and the benefits are enormous in all sorts of ways.”