Strategy builds on rise in cycle use across borough
A DRAFT strategy has been drawn up to build on an increase in everyday cycling on Tyneside.
The North Tyneside draft cycling strategy, which extends to 2032, says cycling in the borough has trebled in the past decade, measured by automatic counters on routes throughout the area.
And the proportion of North Tyneside residents who cycle to work increased by 20% in the decade to 2011. In the wider North East, the 2011 Census showed almost 20,000 people regularly cycled to their jobs.
The strategy points out that people who cycle to work lower their risk of cancer and heart disease by more than 40%.
“Adults who cycle regularly typically enjoy a level of fitness equivalent to someone 10 years younger,” says the strategy.
Approval is being sought on Monday from North Tyneside Council’s cabinet to begin a process of public engagement with interested groups on the cycling strategy and its aims.
The strategy says more than two million adults in the UK regularly ride a bike and the 2011 Census showed the number of people cycling to work had increased by 14%.
“Increasingly, people are choosing to cycle as a practical way to get to and from work, school and shops as well as a popular recreational activity,” it claims.
Two thirds of all journeys made in the North East are under five miles – the kind of journeys which can easily be made by bike.
Switching from car to bike for a four-mile trip saves half a tonne of CO2 in a year.
But despite the rising number of people taking to their bikes, there is still a long way to go to catch up with other European countries. The strategy says: “Other European countries with a similar climate and landscape but better cycling routes show how widespread cycling could be.”
In Germany 19% of people cycle every day and in the Netherlands the figure is 43%. The comparable figure for the UK is 4%.
The strategy sets out how it will make everyday cycling a viable transport choice for all, regardless of age, ability or background.
It is intended to: Deliver and support cycling initiatives which support health, safety and sustainability, such as cycling training. Improve connectivity between cycling and other forms of transport, making it easier to cycle as part of a longer journey. Use digital information to support cycling, such as improving co-ordination of traffic signals and travel time monitoring. Design cycling into highways and infrastructure investment and regeneration schemes. Design infrastructure which makes cycling journeys direct, gives priority to cycling, minimises ‘stop-start’ conditions, and is easily understandable to navigate. Develop a network of routes which supports and encourages people of all ages to cycle for everyday trips including work, school, college, local shops, town and district centres and for recreation.
Cycling tourism on long-distance routes such as the Coast and Castles is also a valuable contributor to the region’s economy.
The strategy seeks to add some of its North Tyneside strategic cycle routes to the Sustrans National Cycling Network.
North Tyneside is served by three NCN routes: The North Sea Cycle Route which runs along the coastline from Whitley Bay to North Shields Fish Quay and the Tyne ferry. The Reivers Cycle Route, starting from Tynemouth Priory, this follows the historic waggonways network via Cobalt and Killingworth and on into Northumberland. Hadrian’s Cycle Route. Entering North Tyneside via the ferry, the route heads west, passing the international ferry port, Segedunum Roman fort at Wallsend and on to Newcastle Quayside.
The Tyne Cycle and Pedestrian Tunnel, currently undergoing refurbishment, is due to re-open this year.