Maidenhead Cycle Hub welcomes the Council’s Cycling Strategy

Maidenhead Cycle Hub welcomes the Council’s Cycling Strategy [https://www3.rbwm.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/2775/cycling_strategy_consultation_draft_-_october_2016.pdf], especially the clear vision for the Council’s approach to cycling in the Borough. It presents excellent detail on the current levels of cycling in the area, including from cycle counts, use of ‘heatmaps’ as well as the journeys made by other forms of transport which could potentially be made by bike, and stats around road capacity and air quality. We also welcome the targets for increasing journeys made by bike and the proposed development of additional cycle routes. We are pleased that the council is committed to working with local partners to deliver this strategy, and are pleased to be named as one of their valuable local partners.

We also some feedback on areas which still need addressing.

Our main concern is around funding, without which the strategy is almost worthless. At the moment, RBWM spends around the national average on cycling (just over £1 per person per year). Recent national reports have recommended increasing spending on cycling to at least £10 per person per year. We suggest some of the £130 million proposed to be spent on car parks [http://www.maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk/gallery/maidenhead/106010/town-centre-needs-6-500-extra-parking-spaces.html] be spent on improving cycling infrastructure and promoting cycling.
Cycling needs to be prioritised rather than simply being a seen as an add on or something that needs to fit around other road users.
Linked to this, consideration needs to be given to ‘door to door’ journeys, rather than routes which do not connect with key locations which poeple want to reach by bike such as the town centre, shops and offices

Proposed developments in the town centre as well as the development of the borough local plan provide a unique opportunity to make a step change in cycling use locally. For example, including a proper cycle route as part of The Landing development would open up access between the town centre and station by bike, and the developments at Braywick and the golf course could also make it easier to access leisure facilities and housing by bike.

We would also encourage the council to ensure that groups who currently have lower levels of cycling and physical activity are prioritised in putting the strategy into action.

We would encourage people to respond to the consultation via the links available here [https://www3.rbwm.gov.uk/info/200211/cycling/828/cycling/2] before the consultation end date of 28th November.