Going through hoops to get public on bikes - The Worcester Observer

Going through hoops to get public on bikes

Worcester Editorial 17th Oct, 2017   0

COUNCIL chiefs are hoping to encourage more residents to cycle by installing new storage facilities at six key locations in the city centre.

As well as swapping four wheels for two, Worcester City Council hope city residents will visit Worcester’s parks and open spaces by bike.

Sustrans, the UK charity which makes it easier for people to walk and cycle, ran a consultation with local cycling and Friends of parks groups to establish the best location for the cycle storage facilities.

As a result, 23 sturdy hoops, which bikes can be locked around, are being put in place by the Café Severn on Grandstand Road, South Quay, Commandery Gardens, Fort Royal Park, Cripplegate Park and Gheluvelt Park.




The City Council has also bought three mobile bike ports which have been placed at Copenhagen Street, Croft Road and Pitchcroft car parks. These can be moved to other locations when events are held around Worcester.

The hoops, which have cost £13,611 to purchase and install, are all expected to be in place by the end of this month.


Coun Lynn Denham, Vice Chair of the Communities Committee at the City Council, who originally proposed the introduction of more facilities for cyclists, said: “I am thrilled that the bike racks are now appearing around the city and hope they will be well used and appreciated.”

Coun Joy Squires, Chair of the Environment Committee, said: “It is clear that the best way we can improve air quality in Worcester is to encourage more people to leave their car at home and use alternative forms of transport.

“Investing in more facilities for cyclists is an important step towards achieving this.”

Results of a survey conducted on behalf of the City Council at the end of 2015 showed that 43 per cent of those surveyed said that improved cycle paths and more bike storage facilities would encourage them to cycle more often.

Coun Alan Feeney, Vice Chair of the City Council’s Environment Committee, added: “Worcester has lots of quiet and very attractive cycle routes – and as well as the obvious health benefits, travelling by bike is much cheaper than travelling by car and much better for the environment.”

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