CALL TO TRIAL CYCLE ROUTES ON CITY ROADS

TEMPORARY cycle routes should be trialled on Coventry’s roads during the coronavirus lockdown, it has been said - starting with a ‘keyworker corridor’ for hospital staff.

Supporters believe lower road usage and social distancing restrictions makes it an ideal time for the city council to trial new cycle routes and encourage bike use.

It’s a measure neighbouring Leicester City Council launched last week, coning off a lane to create a safe route for keyworkers to and from Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Other European cities have also taken action with Paris readying 650 kilometers of ‘coronavirus cycleways’ for when lockdown restrictions are eased.

Coventry’s Bike Mayor Adam Tranter is questioning if others can do it, why can’t Coventry?

He said: “Now is potentially a good time to kickstart Coventry’s air quality measures.

“Several cities all around the world are building temporary cycling structures where people and key workers can get to work on a bike.

“That is starting to happen in Leicester as well and that can happen in a matter of days at very low cost if there is a will to do it.

“That is something we should be looking at in Coventry especially by the hospital. It is a good way to get about during a pandemic.

“It provides private transport and is door-to-door, but you will not get people doing it en mass without enabling it.”

Coventry is currently under government instruction to reduce nitrogen dioxide emissions from traffic. Plans include a new segregated cycleway from Coundon to the city centre.

Trialling other routes would help “kickstart” measures, Mr Tranter said.

He also believes there’s an increased appetite for cycling as a result of the coronavirus, citing a new AA survey which shows one-fifth of drivers will use their cars less when lockdown ends.

He said: “Now is the time to take a step forward.

“We need to improve air quality and the answer is staring us in the face, which is trailing stuff and seeing how it works.”

Conservative group leader Cllr Gary Ridley has also asked council bosses about what can be done.

He said: “At the end of the day I accept resources are tight but there must be ways of facilitating this stuff.

“If other councils are able to do this then why aren’t we?”

Director of transportation and highways at the council Colin Knight said the existing Sowe Valley cycle route provides hospital access from Rowley’s Green.

Discussions have taken place with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire about further options, he added, but are “more complex” than Leicester’s measures.

He said: “If you look at the approach road, Ansty Road and Hinckley Road, or Clifford Bridge Road, all have a logistical problem and it would need a lot more work than just cones.

“Leicester did have a much wider road to work with and it was a one-way route too.

“We have much narrower roads and a dual carriageway too, but it is something we are looking at if we can help key workers that is important.”