By Chris Young, local democracy reporter
A COUNCILLOR has questioned why more cyclists aren’t using the dedicated cycle routes linking Bradford and Leeds.
Councillor Riaz Ahmed (Lib Dem, Bradford Moor) praised the infrastructure that makes up the CityConnect scheme, but added “where are the cyclists?”
A transport boss said it was something they “needed to keep working on” – but pointed out that former Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman has recently praised West Yorkshire’s cycling infrastructure and that it took decades to create the cycling culture countries like Holland has now.
The issue was raised at a recent meeting of Bradford Council’s Regeneration and Environment Scrutiny Committee, when members were given an update on plans for a new mass transit system in West Yorkshire.
Representatives from West Yorkshire Combined Authority told members the public transport system would link up with active travel schemes – which would allow people to walk or cycle to the new stations before boarding a tram or bus.
The discussion moved onto existing infrastructure schemes designed to get people out of their cars – including the CityConnect Cycle Highway between Bradford and Leeds.
The £29m ‘cycle superhighway’ opened in 2016 – and was dubbed a “highway to health” that would boost cycling and get more people out of cars.
In the first five years, an estimated five million cyclists used the route, which is run by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and most of which is segregated from traffic. It stretches from Leeds to Bradford city centre, with another route between Bradford city centre and Leeds.
Referring to the current cycle lanes, Cllr Ahmed said: “It is great infrastructure, but where are the cyclists? Especially between Bradford and Leeds. Why is there always such a low number of cyclists using these lanes?”
Simon Warburton, Executive Director of Transport on the Combined Authority, said: “We’re seeing a significant step up in the take up of cycling.
“Chris Boardman was in West Yorkshire fairly recently, and said the cycling facilities here were an exemplar in his eyes for cycle infrastructure. You don’t get praise easily from Chris Boardman, so we’re doing some things right.
“But a simple answer to your question is we have to keep working on it. The infrastructure has to be there for the journeys people are going to make.”
Mr Boardman is currently the Government’s Active Travel Commissioner – with the aim of encouraging more people to walk and cycle.
Mr Warburton said work currently under way in Bradford city centre which will include improved cycling and walking facilities as well as a new cycle lane from the centre to the West of Bradford, would help “bring the city centre alive for cyclists.”
He added: “In Holland it took decades to create the cycling culture it has now.”
So rare to see a cycle on the cycle lanes, a local pub regulars sat outside in the summer, cheer when one passes. Meanwhile, on some roads, they’ve narrowed the, roads so much, you can’t get past busses that stop. Meaning in busy periods you have to stop at every bus stop. Gone are the, days when people worked at the end of their streets. Many peolke have to travel for work. Cycling out. Public transport ditto for many. The older/disabled also rely on private vehicles. But councils obsession with vanity projects (costing millions while they shout poverty) such as these, are grinding the cities to standstill.
“Gone are the, days when people worked at the end of their streets” – too right, we’re working at home now so no need to even go that far.
Why don’t people use them? Because people these days have busy lives, they need to travel for work, often away from the city. This country also doesn’t have the climate, conducive to cycling. How many cyclists have you seen in the high winds and torrential rain we’ve had recently. The money wasted on unused cycle lanes could have been used to better effect rather than vanity projects from councils that plead poverty.
M Norris – I think you’re right to question the so-called cycle superhighway, but it’s worth pointing ting out that the majority of the funding for the initiative came from central government, which in turn received the money from the EU. The money came from a fund specifically for this sort of initiative.
When costs overran, West Yorkshire Combined Authority provided the extra funding.
Also worth pointing out that Holland’s climate is no better than ours and they don’r have a problem attracting cyclists. Then again, Holland is much flatter than Yorkshire! And I think that’s a key issue, along with the fact that as a culture we’ve become increasingly car dependent. Making that cultural change to coax people out of their cars isn’t going to be easy I’m afraid.
The cycle lanes have been a complete waste of time and money. Estimated 5 million users in 5 years.. that’s a nice convenient estimation. The fact is that they do not know. I travel from west Leeds to Leeds city centre and see an average 2 cyclists at the 2 peak times. Some of them don’t even use the cycle lane. They use road and cycle lanes especially at junctions. The knock on effect with 24/7 bus lanes and a cycle lane is more congestion for cars and commercial vehicles. ( The 24/7 bus lane is ridiculous, but that’s another topic) . I am sure more cyclists will be out during the summer, but it may only double the number i see. I still cant see 1 million a year using the cycle lanes.
You can’t listen to banging tunes on a bike. You can’t have a smoke. Who wants to travel without music and smoking?!
Estimated use of 5 million cyclists over 5years equals 1million per year, divided by 365 equals 2.739 cyclist per day on average. You are having a larf!!!.
That nearly 3000 a day, not 3!