Showers fail to rain on Reading Cycle Festival’s parade
AROUND 1,000 people took to Christchurch Meadows for the latest running of Reading
Cycle Festival on Sunday.
Despite lunchtime showers, cyclists from around the borough enjoyed an afternoon of stunt shows, obstacle courses and other activities, while also taking in the offerings of the various food and information stalls.
Organiser Greg Woodford said: “We’re really happy with how it went. It started off really well with the display teams’ shows commanding very good attendances.
“Obviously the showers at 1pm put a bit of a damper on things, but we still had a steady stream of people coming through afterwards.”
One of the aims of the festival was to encourage young people to take up cycling, and organisers were pleased to see more than 80 children take part in Kidical Mass’ group ride during the day.
Initial plans have already been pencilled in for next year, with the goal to attract more visitors with little or no prior cycling experience to the event.
Reading Borough Council is devising a new strategy for the public transport option, which will run for five years, to 2028.
There are currently 225 taxis, 292 private hire vehicles, and 118 executive private hire vehicles operating across the town. Switching to electric or hybrid could boost air quality.
And app-based services could make it easier to hire a cab.
Consultation documents note: “The adoption of new technology by the sector and most significantly by the public, has resulted in a much-changed sector. The biggest change is the ease with which passengers can engage services using an app on a mobile phone.
“The council is supportive of technological developments which improve the customer experience and ensure safety measures are adhered to. App-based companies are licensed in the Borough and are subject to the same conditions and requirements as other operators.”
While an attempt by Uber to get a licence to operate in Reading was rejected in 2016,
Ola Cabs won permission in 2019.
Bus lane access for private hire vehicles is also addressed, following representations made by the Reading Private Hire Association. No decision has been made, but one suggestion is limiting access to greener vehicles.
The strategy states: “The council will monitor the use of bus lanes and consider if any further traffic orders could be trialled or introduced.
“The council considers that any changes to access must not undermine bus services and reliability and, if made, should primarily support Reading licensed vehicles.”
■ The consultation runs until Monday, September
18. Email: licensing@reading.gov.uk