Ealing Cycling Campaign
Cycling Strategy

Introduction

The National Cycling Strategy published in 1996 outlined the need to increase the number of cyclists on our roads, and set targets for that increase. This document, based on the aims set out in the National Cycling Strategy, outlines a cycling strategy to help Ealing meet those targets.

This strategy recognises that these increases are unlikely to be achieved by engineering work alone, and recommends a number of educative and safety measures to help achieve the targets.

Targets

1: More Cycling

To more than double the level of cycling in Ealing by 2002 (based on 1996 figures) and double it again by 2012, measured by both the number of trips and the distance travelled.

2: More Children Cycling

To more than double the number of children cycling to school in Ealing by 2002 (based on 1996 figures) and double it again by 2012.

3: Fewer Casualties.

To halve the casualty rate for pedal cyclists (per km cycled) by 2002 and halve it again by 2012

4: Cycle Theft

To halve the level of cycle theft by 2002 and halve it again by 2012.

Highlights of strategy

1: Training for all children

To provide on-road cycle training for all 10-12 year olds

2: Full-time cycling officer

To recruit a full-time cycling officer for Ealing with responsibility for achieving the above targets

3: Cycle Resource Centre

To open a public Cycle Resource Centre to provide information on cycling, and act as a focal point for the expansion of cycling in the borough.

4: Increase BUG's

All companies with more than 50 employees to have Bicycle User Groups by 2012.

The Strategy

A. Education

A.1. Cycle Officer

Ealing Council will employ a full-time cycle officer to co-ordinate the expansion of cycling in Ealing, and with responsibility for achieving the above targets. The cycling officer will ensure that the schedule outlined in the 'Action Plan' at the end of this document is met.

A.2. Employers

The Council will increase the number and membership of Bicycle User Groups at Ealing businesses and local authority premises, and ensure that all major employers adopt green commuter plans. Targets: By 2002 have Green commuter plans and Bicycle User Groups in place for all employers with over 500 staff, by 2007 extend this to all employers with over 100 staff, and by 2012 to all employers with over 50 staff.

A.3. Cycle Resource Centre

Ealing Council will through partnership with other interested groups and local employers establish a Cycle Resource Centre in the centre of Ealing to provide secure parking, education and training facilities to promote cycling and provide a focal point for the development of a cycling culture. It will encourage and co-ordinate cycle-friendly employers, offer financial support to businesses (e.g. by supplying up to 2 Sheffield stands free of charge) and provide information and advice to the public.

[For more information on this, see the successful "Project Bike" in Bristol: http://www.gn.apc.org/cycling/project_bike/index.html which is funded by sponsorship from some of the city's larger employers]

A.4. Model Employer

As a model employer, Ealing will:

- Provide an interest-free loan scheme to help with the purchase of cycles

- Make Pool bikes available to employees.

- Offer support for and regular liaison with an Authority Bicycle User Group (BUG)

- Develop a green commuter plan / employee transport strategy to include incentives to encourage all alternatives to private car use.

-Introduce parity of mileage allowances for all modes of transport, if not higher mileage allowances for environmentally friendly means of transport.

- Charge an appropriate level for car parking by non-essential users at Authority buildings and reassess "essential car user status"

- Liaise with and encourage cycle registration schemes

- Provide publicity on cycle theft awareness and measures that individuals can take to increase security.

A.5. Leisure Centres

Ealing Council to provide secure cycle parking and information on cycling for fitness at all local leisure centres. To survey and provide safe routes to all leisure centres (suitable for children aged 12 and older) from a catchment area of radius 1 mile.

A.6 School Transport

Ealing Council will prepare and enact a "Safer Routes to Schools" programme for all schools in the area, including private schools and nurseries which will encourage and facilitate walking and cycling (in combination with public transport use, where necessary) as a means to improve the safety, fitness and independent mobility of children, and to reduce congestion and traffic danger around schools.

Ealing Council will provide sufficient safe under-cover cycle parking at all schools.

A.7. Events

Ealing Council will through partnership with cycling and environmental groups and local employers continually enhance its programme of events to promote cycling, in order to attract a wider range of people to these events and promote cycling as an everyday mode of transport.

A.8. Publicity

Ealing Council will support its infrastructure measures with a sustained programme of complementary publicity to publicise the cycle network and other facilities, to emphasise the health, financial and environmental benefits of cycling and the need for reduced use of private motor vehicles.

B. Engineering

B.1 Priority

Ealing Council will provide measures which give cyclists and pedestrians greater priority (in terms of access and journey time) over other traffic, on all roads.

Ealing Council will ensure that future development does not sever or lengthen any routes used by cyclists. They will continue to shorten existing routes by exempting cyclists from turning restrictions, and will open up one-way streets with contra-flow cycle lanes where safety allows.

B.2. Integration with Public Transport

Ealing Council will ensure that cycling is fully integrated with public transport facilities to enable cycle use as part of longer journeys. To ensure that all bus lanes are suitable for cyclists

B.3. Cycle Network

High quality route networks will be provided for cyclists, with priority given to the main centres and links to surrounding areas which have the potential to generate significant amounts of cycle movement.

Priority to be given to routes as follows:

Major routes which serve utility cycling trips; in particular "Safer Routes to Schools" Routes from residential areas to significant attractions such as retail centres, major employers, public transport interchanges, hospitals, other education facilities and leisure facilities.

Other connecting routes used for utility cycling, including inter-urban links

Recreational routes.

B.4. Cycle Audits

Ealing Council will carry out an audit of all main roads and other heavily trafficked routes, in conformity with the guidance being developed through the National Cycling Strategy, to access the priorities for engineering works, and funding applications for the development of the cycle network.

Ealing Council will carry out an audit of all existing cycle infrastructure, to access the work requires to bring it up to the standards laid out in "Cycle-friendly Infrastructure". [DOT/CTC 1997]

Ealing Council will require that all new highway and land-use development schemes will include a cycle audit, in conformity with the guidance being developed through the National Cycling Strategy, to ensure that schemes provide improvements to, or at least have no negative impact on, the coherence, directness, and comfort of routes used by cyclists.

B.5. Standards

Cycle route networks in Ealing will achieve high standards of coherence, directness, safety, attractiveness and comfort, and design criteria will adopt the hierarchical approach recommended by the IHT/DOT/CTC/Bicycle Association publication: Cycle-friendly Infrastructure, Guidelines for Planning and Design (1996) and DETR Local Transport/Traffic Advisory Notes.

B.6. Route design to consider the following approaches in descending order of preference:

Traffic Reduction,

Traffic Calming,

Junction Treatment and Traffic Management,

Redistribution of the Carriage way,

Cycle Lanes and Cycle Tracks

B.7. Safety

Ealing Council will provide measures which improve cyclists' and pedestrians' safety.

B.8. Maintenance

Ealing Council will undertake prompt and high standard structural surface maintenance, landscaping, cleaning and sweeping, salting and lighting maintenance on segregated cycle facilities and all roads used by cyclists.

During road works Ealing Council will make suitable and safe provision for cyclists, ensuring that delays and inconvenience are kept to a minimum. Following road works, Ealing Council will enforce a good standard of repair.

Priority will be given in the highway maintenance budget to routes with high actual or potential cycle usage, and to a 2m wide strip closest to the near-side kerb.

* Repair of all dangerous potholes within 24 hours of notification.

* Sweeping of segregated routes at 4 week intervals during the autumn leaf fall and at 6 week intervals at other times, or more often in response to complaints.

* Salting of all segregated cycle routes before the morning peak as needed.

* An annual check of street lighting on cycle routes.

* Repair of defects within 48 hours of notification.

B.9 Stairs

As part of the cycle audit, Ealing council will identify where provision of wheeling ramps on steps and bridges will be of benefit to cyclists. Ealing will install wheeling ramps on both sides of all steps identified in the audit. (e.g. the steps outside Gurnell Leisure centre, the bridge crossing the railway at Drayton Green and Romsey Road, W13)

B.10 Relevance

Ealing Council will ensure that cycle infrastructure developments are based on regular monitoring of cycle traffic flows and computer modelling of demand.

C. Public Safety

C.1. Danger Reduction

Ealing Council will adopt a danger reduction strategy to ensure that the desired increase in cycle use does not result in an increase in cyclist casualties. The approach of this strategy will be to reduce road traffic danger at source, through programmes of engineering measures, and education and enforcement strategies.

C.2. Speed Reduction

Ealing Council will adopt a speed reduction strategy to reduce traffic speeds in the borough. The aim will be to implement a borough-wide 20 mph speed limit at the earliest possible opportunity.

C.3. Enforcement

Ealing Council will liaise with the Police to ensure that the enforcement of traffic law receives the highest possible priority, especially where it reduces the level of danger to which pedestrians and cyclists are exposed.

C.4. Personal Safety

Ealing Council will take steps to reduce the risk and fear of crime for cyclists using the roads and segregated cycle facilities. e.g. the installation of security cameras in underpasses.

C.5. Monitoring

Ealing Council will undertake comprehensive monitoring of cycle use, accidents involving cyclists, attacks on cyclists and cycle theft, to inform its programme of infrastructure development and to measure progress towards its targets.

C.6. Training

Adults - Ealing Council will provide on-road cycle training for adults in partnership with other local organisations.

Children - Ealing Council will provide on-road cycle training for all children before they reach the age of 13.

C.7. Cycle Theft

Ealing Council will adopt a Theft Reduction Strategy, recognising that fear of cycle theft is a major deterrent to cycling for utility journeys.

Ealing Council will adopt cycle parking design standards to ensure that cycle parking facilities are secure and accessible, and where possible are overlooked, well lit, under shelter, and conveniently serve the cycle route network.

Ealing Council will provide adequate secure cycle parking, at educational establishments, retail centres, public transport interchanges, leisure facilities, and other major attractions.

Employers will be encouraged to provide cycle parking at workplaces, and given guidelines on good practice.

D. Resources and Responsibility

D.1. Review

Ealing council will on an annual basis, publish, and widely distribute an annual review on the progress towards achieving the above targets, and will review progress on the Local and National Cycling strategies through the Transport advisory committee and the Cycling Forum.

D.2. Cross Boundary Working

Ealing Council will work with the surrounding Local Authorities and the new Mayoral London authority to ensure that the policies and work of all councils complements each other in the implementation of the Local Cycling Strategies.

D.3. Staffing

Ealing Council will appoint a cycling officer to co-ordinate the expansion of cycling in Ealing, to ensure that all new developments in the borough meet cyclists' needs.

The council will ensure adequate staffing levels and expertise to meet work required to achieve the targeted increase in cycling. Staff from all council departments will receive training on the implementation of the Local Cycling strategy.

D.4. Funding

Ealing Council will identify all the necessary funding sources for cycling and will establish adequate budgets, at more than twice their current (1999/2000) level for 2000/01 and at least double again by 2002/03.

Ealing Council will seek sponsorship funding towards the Cycle Resource Centre from local employers.

E. Consultation

E.1. Cycle Forum

Ealing Council will constitute an Ealing Cycle Forum with councillors and officers from all the directorates as well as representatives of local cycling groups to oversee the implementation of the Local and National Cycling Strategy in Ealing.

E.2. Annual Report

Ealing Council will, through the Cycling Forum, publish, and distribute widely an annual report on the progress towards achieving the targets set out in the Local and National Cycling Strategies.

Action Plan

By end of 2000:-

Complete a strategic review of current road infrastructure.

Draw up and adopt a strategy to provide "Safer Routes to Schools" programmes for all the borough's schools by 2002.

Produce design advice (checklists) for use by developers and development control officers on cycle friendly development.

Prioritise the road safety programme for cyclists and pedestrians on a route and area wide basis.

Complete Green Commuter Plan and allowances review for council employees

Complete initial design and sign posting of on road utility cycling routes in Ealing.

Initial development of cycle leisure/tourism routes.

Agreement on cycle parking standards, including public facilities and new developments.

Identification of current cycle parking facilities and new sites required on public and private land.

Development control and planning officer staff to encourage high quality cycle parking, storage, changing and showering facilities in new developments.

Design of cycle parking programme.

Institute programme of cycle usage monitoring.

Produce accident reduction strategy.

Agree a theft reduction strategy with police.

Complete work on and adopt green commuter plan for Ealing Council.

Collect data to ascertain average activity level and agree involvement of health authority in cycle strategy.

Prepare strategy for carriage of cycles on public transport.

Agree an enhanced programme of cycling events in order to attract a wider range of people to these events and promote cycling as an everyday mode of transport.

Remove all "no cycling" and "cycling prohibited" signs from Ealing's parks.

By end of 2001:

Complete audit of existing road infrastructure

Complete audit of existing cycle infrastructure

Interim assessment of progress towards targets for:

- Cycle use - Children cycling

- Casualty rate - Theft reduction

Open Cycle Resource Centre in Ealing.

Complete changes to all council policies and joint working arrangements to bring them in line with the local and national cycling strategies.

Double funding for cycling.

Treble the level of public participation in cycle events.

Complete on-road utility cycle routes in Ealing.

Complete leisure/tourism cycle routes in Ealing.

Complete works on National Cycle Network in Ealing.

Complete all works on "Safer Routes to School" projects.

Complete assessment programme for cycle parking at all shopping centres, public buildings and public transport interchanges.

Adequate cycle parking at all new development sites to be normal practice.

Complete work on provision of adequate cycle facilities at all council sites.

Complete implementation policy and plan for a borough-wide 20 mph speed limit.

Complete draft of borough-wide traffic restraint strategy.

Replace all cyclists dismount signs with cycle-friendly measures.

By 2002:

Meet interim targets for:

- Cycle use - Children cycling

- Casualty rate - Theft reduction

Double cycle funding over year 2000 levels.

Update on-road utility cycle routes in Ealing.

Update leisure/tourism cycle routes in Ealing.

Update National Cycle Network routes in Ealing.

Implement borough-wide 20 mph speed limit.

Begin work on implementing borough-wide traffic restraint strategy.

Green commuter plans and bicycle user groups in place for all employers with over 500 staff.

Satellite cycle centres opened at main bus and railway stations.

All new public transport vehicles to include carriage of cycles.

By 2007:

Interim assessment of progress towards targets for:

- Cycle use - Children cycling

- Casualty rate - Theft reduction

Upgrade all existing on-road utility routes to meet rising demand.

Complete programme of traffic restraint across Ealing

Update on-road utility cycle routes in Ealing.

Update leisure/tourism cycle routes in Ealing.

Update National Cycle Network routes in Ealing.

Green commuter plans and bicycle user groups in place for all employers with over 100 staff.

Increase level of cycle parking at all shopping centres, public buildings and public transport interchanges.

By 2012:

Meet final targets for:

- Cycle use - Children cycling

- Casualty rate - Theft reduction

Update on-road utility cycle routes in Ealing.

Update leisure/tourism cycle routes in Ealing.

Update National Cycle Network routes in Ealing.

Green commuter plans and bicycle user groups in place for all employers with over 50 staff.

All public transport vehicles to include carriage of cycles.