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Andrew Gilligan aims to help turn Oxford, Cambridge and Milton Keynes into "world-class places for cyclists"

Former Cycling Commissioner for London to publish report later in the year

The former Cycling Commissioner for London, Andrew Gilligan, has been tasked with creating a vision of what is required for cycling to become a “super attractive” mode of transport in Cambridge, Oxford and Milton Keynes.

Cambridge News reports that more than a fifth of Cambridge residents commute by bike – the largest proportion in the country. It is followed by Oxford, where 19 per cent of people commute by bike.

The relative popularity of cycling is despite both cities having relatively limited cycle-specific infrastructure. In contrast, Milton Keynes does have a network of cycle lanes, yet proportionally few people choose to cycle.

Gilligan’s report, to be published later this year, will provide advice on how existing infrastructure can be used better and what funding and financing would be required if changes were to be made.

He will also work with the respective councils to help develop plans with the aim of making Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford models for others to follow.

The news was announced by Lord Adonis, chair of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC).

“Residents in Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford are already keen cyclists – but I’m convinced more can be done to make their commutes on two wheels easier and safer.

“Andrew Gilligan’s work in London has led to dedicated lanes, and the number of cyclists in the capital have doubled in the last decade.

“So I’m delighted that he will be advising how these three cities could be transformed into world-class places for cyclists, and places for other cities to learn from.”

Leader of Oxford City Council Bob Price said: “Oxford is already a renowned cycling city, but we have aspirations to significantly increase the number of people commuting to work by bike.

“Our long-term aim is to replicate the success of our twinned city of Leiden, where 70 per cent of people commute by bike.

"We are delighted that Andrew Gilligan will bring his expertise to Oxford to help make that happen through the ambitious programme that the NIC is considering."

Councillor Lewis Herbert, Leader of Cambridge City Council and Chair of the Greater Cambridge Partnership, said: “As the UK's acknowledged 'cycling city' we are already investing over £20m in cycling routes currently to stay at the top, but working with our good friends in Oxford and Milton Keynes will make even more progress.”

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8 comments

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jova54 | 6 years ago
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We lived in MK for 14 years while our daughters were growing up and learnt to ride on the redways. They were great for pedestrians and kids cycling but of little use if you wanted to commute anywhere. The road system was not designed for bikes due to the redways. I would imagine things have not changed in the 20 years since we left.

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jhsmith87 | 6 years ago
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There are a couple of reasons why cycling is so popular in Cambridge:

1)  Cambridge University undergrads are prohibited from having a car within 10 miles of the centre if they live in university accommodation (which a lot do as the university owns a lot of property) 

http://www.proctors.cam.ac.uk/motor-proctor

2) Cambridge is terrible for getting round by car or public transport, the fact that it has a fair chunk of buildings in the centre that are 800+yrs old doesn't help. Getting round my bike is by far the quickest method most of the time. 

3) This one is purely my own musing. Cambridge has one for the highest % of educated people in the UK. Any link between education/intelligence & cycling? I know when I've lived in other cities there was a significantly less number of cyclists. 

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Dnnnnnn replied to jhsmith87 | 6 years ago
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jhsmith87 wrote:

There are a couple of reasons why cycling is so popular in Cambridge:

1)  Cambridge University undergrads are prohibited from having a car within 10 miles of the centre if they live in university accommodation (which a lot do as the university owns a lot of property) 

http://www.proctors.cam.ac.uk/motor-proctor

2) Cambridge is terrible for getting round by car or public transport, the fact that it has a fair chunk of buildings in the centre that are 800+yrs old doesn't help. Getting round my bike is by far the quickest method most of the time. 

3) This one is purely my own musing. Cambridge has one for the highest % of educated people in the UK. Any link between education/intelligence & cycling? I know when I've lived in other cities there was a significantly less number of cyclists. 

The 2011 Census shows a positive correlation between places with highly-qualified residents and the level of cycle commuting. Correlation isn't causation, of course, and it may be that highly-qualified residents live in places, or have jobs, more conducive to cycling (Cambridge, for example).

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step83 | 6 years ago
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Report will fall on deaf ears in Milton Keynes as they will maintain they have a cycle network already the fact its not maintained and strewn with glass and you have to give way to everything though makes you avoid it were possible. 

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pants replied to step83 | 6 years ago
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step83 wrote:

Report will fall on deaf ears in Milton Keynes as they will maintain they have a cycle network already the fact its not maintained and strewn with glass and you have to give way to everything though makes you avoid it were possible. 

I grew up in MK, the problem with the red ways is that the majority of people in MK are fat and insists on driving everywhere, it is such a shame that it has one of the best cycling infrastructure in the UK and hardly anyone uses it.

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solsticepilgrim replied to pants | 6 years ago
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pants wrote:
step83 wrote:

Report will fall on deaf ears in Milton Keynes as they will maintain they have a cycle network already the fact its not maintained and strewn with glass and you have to give way to everything though makes you avoid it were possible. 

I grew up in MK, the problem with the red ways is that the majority of people in MK are fat and insists on driving everywhere, it is such a shame that it has one of the best cycling infrastructure in the UK and hardly anyone uses it.

I lived in MK for a little while and I would agree no-one really uses the 'Redway' shared-use cycleways.

 

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Edgeley | 6 years ago
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So he will report, and whatever he reports will fall in the swamp that lies between the inertia of Oxfordshire County Council (which controls transport in Oxfordshire) and the powerlessness of Oxford City Council.

 

Still if embarasses them, that would be a plus.

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kitsunegari | 6 years ago
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He'll have his work cut out in Cambridge with the City Deal doing its utmost to alienate cyclists at every step.

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