PEDAL POWER
Cities that are geared up for cycling are attracting buyers, says Graham Norwood
Cycling veterans Sir chris Hoy and chris Boardman are on a mission to make our cities bike-friendly. Hoy, 11 times a world champion and with six Olympic gold medals to his name, wants cycling to be at the centre of decisions about london’s transport and neighbourhood improvements.
‘you need to consider every junction and intersection; how, as a cyclist, you get from this side to that side safely, using other nations and cities as an example,’ he says.
Boardman — nicknamed The Professor for his meticulous preparation before winning gold at the 1992 Olympics — is just as pioneering. He has become greater Manchester’s cycling and walking commissioner and is masterminding a 1,000mile, £160 million scheme which will give that region the UK’s biggest interconnected walking and cycling network.
Our cycling aces have helped to inspire a surge in the sport ( in England 7.6 million people cycle once a month, and 1.5 million do it at least five times a week). And this new interest is beginning to be felt in the design of our homes.
Builders of new properties in cities are routinely installing secure cycle stores — often instead of car garages — while estate agents itemise cycle racks and mention official cycle routes in the details.
SUSTRANS,
a consultancy that advocates ‘liveable neighbourhoods’ which are less reliant on cars, says new housing estates should be designed with the maximum number of direct cycling and walking routes built in.
it also wants cycle racks and other bike parking to be located closer to properties than car parks to reduce the risk of theft.
‘Planning departments refuse car parking at some new housing schemes, or make a point of giving consent for fewer spaces than there are residents, to reduce jams and pollution. Developers provide bike spaces instead,’ says Jon Andrews, a consultant who has worked with councils on environment-friendly transport strategies. The storage trend has taken off in new rental accommodation in particular.
‘We recognised the need for bike storage in cities, where many developments are catering for young professionals who might not have driving licences,’ says Jonathan Stephens, of buy- to- let consultancy Surrenden invest.
The Tipi firm, which provides rental units at Wembley Park in london, has led the way by fitting cycle bays at the rate of roughly one per bedroom. cycle routes are being built across the 85-acre development and visitor cycle parking facilities are fitted at all shops.
And there are more storage solutions on the market. Hurdler Studios created the smallest ever bike rack, clug, which for £15 allows you to store your bike up against the wall, thereby losing minimal floor space.
All-metal cycle sheds have stainless steel hasps, security locks and heavy- duty ‘ground anchors’ — which deter thieves but allow bikes to be kept in gardens and yards — costing from £400 to well over £1,000. Alternatively timber outdoor bike stores — basically small sheds, usually with higher-grade security locks — cost £160 to £250.
This is only part of the story, of course: wellequipped homes need bikefriendly infrastructure, and this varies considerably according to location.
cambridge has become the UK’s two-wheel capital because 33 per cent of its adult residents cycle at least three times a week.
The council’s pro-bike policies have led to a 15 per cent drop in car usage over the past five years. The council even offers the free loan of a pushchair when families use some city centre bike parks.
cycling groups also praise Oxford, york, Exeter, norwich and Manchester for their dedicated lanes and parking.
Meanwhile, Birmingham offers free day-long bike hire to residents with its leisure card, which otherwise allows entrance to swimming pools and leisure centres; and Devon county council has trained 50,000 children in negotiating traffic while riding a bicycle on short journeys, such as going to school.
There’s still a long way to go: 43 per cent of Dutch and 30 per cent of Danes cycle daily, according to the body cycling UK, whereas only 4 per cent of Brits saddle up as frequently. But there’s a revolution under way, thanks to councils and developers — and change could be coming to your neighbourhood and your home soon.