Greens support cycling motion

27th March 2007

Cllr Bernard Little is a member of the Councils Cycle Forum and is seconding the cycle motion to council next Wednesday. He said

“Cycling is the healthy way to get around Sheffield for those that can. A safe cycling culture in the city will benefit our health and the environment and it is encouraging that cycling is growing rapidly in Sheffield. All the political parties on the council are behind the motion supporting the work done to promote safe cycling in Sheffield at Full Council next on Wednesday April 4th .

“Monday's national launch of “Bikeability-Cycling Proficiency for the 21st Century” is very encouraging. We need people from an early age to be confident about riding a bike so it becomes a habit throughout life.

“It is good to see Council support for Supertram to experiment with
off-peak cycle carriage, in conjunction with the Regional Passenger
Transport Executive and other public transport companies. This is an important step in an integrated and sustainable transport system for the City.

“Bike technology has improved enormously and makes cycling a lot easier even on steeper gradients. Sheffield's 2006-2011 Cycle Action Plan will provide the necessary support to enable people to feel safe on the roads through best practice in cycle provision and planning.”

NOTICE OF MOTION TO COUNCIL PROPOSED BY COUNCILLOR PETER PRICE

SECONDED BY COUNCILLOR BERNARD LITTLE. (MAY 4TH 2007)

That this Council:

1. recognises that cycling is good for health and the environment as a means of transport and that its future growth depends upon encouraging a safe cycling culture across the City;
2. notes that while cycle use in Sheffield is below the national
   average, it is growing rapidly, in contrast to the national trend;
3. notes that some other hilly European cities have far higher levels of cycling, and therefore accepts the need to do more to encourage cycle use in Sheffield;
4. therefore applauds the excellent work done by the Council’s Cycle Forum and Council Officers in promoting cycling through the City Cycling Map, the one-stop shop for cycling on the City Council web site, school travel plans and work place travel plans pursued through the planning process;
5. also welcomes the news that the discounted adult cycle training
   offered by the City Council is being taken up by a number of
   individuals and businesses who are now encouraging staff to take up cycling;
6. welcomes Sheffield's 2006-2011 Cycle Action Plan, based on the recommendations of the English Regional Cycling Development Team established by the Government to ensure all Local Authorities are implementing best practice in cycle planning and provision;
7. notes that this Action Plan forms part of the South Yorkshire
   Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 and provides firm foundations for encouraging cycling in Sheffield through;
   i) the City Council and its partners instigating an on-going and
   co-ordinated marketing campaign and promoting the health benefits of cycling with the aim of a 50% increase in cycle use in the city based on a 2001 baseline;
   ii) completing a planned network of coherent radial cycle routes;
   iii) developing the planned cycle network to the Upper Don, Lower Don and Blackburn Valley Areas;
   iv) improving cycle facilities including cycle stands in public areas such as car parks, and all new development and transport exchanges;
   v) encouraging Supertram to experiment with off-peak cycle carriages, in conjunction with the SYPTE and other public transport companies;
   vi) improving safety to reduce cycle accidents including by providing basic cycle training to residents;
   vii) promoting cycle awareness training of Year 6 school children to the new national standard, on-site cycle parking and safe-routes to at least five schools with the aim of a 200% increase in cycling to school based on a 2001 baseline;
   viii) welcoming the use of Sheffield’s parks and green spaces as places where young people can learn to cycle and where families can cycle together;
   ix) requiring all transport schemes over £50,000 in value to undergo a Cycle Audit to ensure the needs of cycle users are considered;
   x) requiring the design of cycle routes and facilities to be in
   accordance with advice and recommendations contained within the Draft Local Transport Plan.

ENDS

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