Bath could see integrated transport if new bus cycle racks adopted

The MP for Bath is lobbying to have cycle racks installed on the front or back of buses in the city, to allow joined up journeys that are too long for bike alone.

Ben Howlett, Conservative member for Bath, has visited a company which produces the racks, along with the cabinet member for transport on Bath and North East Somerset Council, Councillor Anthony Clarke.

The move to have the racks installed was part of Mr Howlett’s general election campaign, as he said that Bath was too hilly for many cyclists.

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He told the Bath Chronicle: "These fantastic bicycle racks are already in place in some cities across North America, Australia and New Zealand and would be a great addition to Bath.

"It was great to see their versatility, being attachable to both the front and back of a bus, their ease of use, and importantly, that they would not disrupt the drivers' visibility.

"I would like to see a trial run across the city to gauge their impact on bus journeys, to assess how popular they are, and most importantly, to see how well they are received by my constituents.

"The Bath Park and Ride is an ideal option for the trial, giving commuters the chance to use public transport to get into the city, and still have the flexibility to travel to their specific location without needing a car.

"I will be lobbying the Department for Transport to ask for their support in bringing this trial to fruition.

"I am committed to stopping Bath stalling and so I want to make it easier for constituents and tourists to use public transport whether they are travelling in groups, with a buggy or with a bike.

"By making it easier for cyclists to use buses, this will reduce the number of cars on the road – something which is crucial to improve the roads and air quality across our beautiful city."

Mr Clarke said: "As a council we wish to encourage cycling for health and sustainability reasons, and the ability to move bikes around to make their usage more attractive should be encouraged.

"I would like to see a trial of these racks within the council area as soon as possible."