Good grief, Worcester has been in the news quite a bit lately, hasn’t it?
The West Midlands city’s attitude and approach to people riding bikes has been called into question on several occasions over the last few months (and years if we’re honest – you don’t get a ‘level zero’ rating from Active Travel England for nothing. Well actually you do, I suppose).
> Worcestershire cut off from cycling and walking funding after Active Travel England gives County Council ‘level zero’ rating
Last Monday we reported that a family of four were forced to turn around on a shared-use path in Worcester after encountering a set of kissing gates described by one of the cyclists as “an utter shambles and not at all inclusive” and as “cycling infrastructure by people who've never used a bicycle”.
And last month, road signs advising cyclists to “dismount and proceed with caution” at a set of temporary traffic lights in the city were removed, but only after councillors and local cyclists complained that the signs were “discriminatory” towards people on bikes.
And then, back in June, parents of children attending one of Worcester’s primary schools, where children riding their bikes have been put in danger by motorists using a narrow, nearby lane as a shortcut, established their own guerilla School Street by blocking both ends of the road at school pick-up times, in response to the “horrendous” road safety conditions in the area.
> “We needed to act”: Parents set up unofficial guerrilla School Street after several near misses for children cycling on narrow road used as shortcut by motorists
And then… Okay, I could go on, but you get the idea.
Fortunately, things are finally looking up for cycling and active travel in Worcester. Yesterday, Mike Rouse, the council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, announced the local authority’s support for a new bike hire scheme (the county’s first), and the appointment of contractors to facilitate the project, which is expected to commence in 2024.
“I recognise the many benefits that the bike hire scheme will bring to Worcester City which provide more travel choice to those living and visiting the city,” Rouse said.
“The scheme will enable people to try different modes of transport and enable user to try out e-bikes without the up-front financial commitment. The scheme facilitates healthier lifestyles by promoting cycling and encouraging people to use active travel for short journeys.”
Well, that all sounds excellent. However, as some local cyclists noted on social media, there is one minor – alright, quite major – snag concerning the proposed cycle hire scheme… Worcester’s city centre bike ban.
Back in 2020, the county council voted to extend the hours of a ban on both cars and bicycles in the city centre to between 10am and 6pm, a decision local cycling campaign groups said was proof that the council was “going backwards” when it comes to active travel.
> Extension of cycling ban in Worcester city centre 'an embarrassment'
And Worcester cyclists – though supportive of the plans – were quick to point out to councillor Rousse yesterday that the success of the new cycle hire scheme may be hindered by the fact that many users will have to walk the bikes for at least of a section of their journey.
“Sounds good, but I’d crack on with the cycle infrastructure first. Visitors won’t have anywhere to use them,” wrote NJ.
“The big concern I have is it won’t work unless either the cycle ban is lifted on the city centre or at least several through routes are provided,” said Lyndon.
“I’m sure many won’t want to pay for a bike if they’ve then got to walk on sections of their route from A to B.”
However, when another cyclist tweeted that the scheme represents “just another excuse for the council to do nothing themselves and let others do all the work to improve things”, Lyndon also replied: “Let’s hope you’re wrong. Certainly the county have the powers and responsibilities needed to make a massive difference. Here’s hoping the county and city can work together to make the scheme a resounding success.”
I suppose they could just call it ‘The Worcester Cycle/Take a Bike for Walk Hire Scheme’ and job’s a good ‘un?