Brief update from the Cycling Consultation Forum
Chris Boulton chaired due to there being no councillor representation for the third meeting in a row.
City Connect - Leeds City Centre
Works will start 30th October. Wellington Street will be first with work moving east. Contractor is Carillion. Business engagement event on 13th November. Designs should be up on the website by the time project starts.
Stourton Park and Ride
Plans can be seen here. Consultation to 27th October. In response to questioning, it is certainly not aspiration to increase private motor vehicle capacity.
Cycling web page
The council are redesigning the webpage and would like input on what should be on it. Submit suggestions to webmaster@leeds.gov.uk. Some suggestions in the meeting were direct links to report various cycling issues such as maintenance of cycleways etc.
West Yorkshire Police Safe Pass Initiative.
Officer Micklewaite reporting on safe pass pilot scheme. Assured the Forum that he was a cyclist himself and he was on our side!
Was clear that this was a trial, but based on the experience thus far, he would be writing a report to present to senior officers with the hope (and expectation) that it would be made permanent and rolled out across Leeds. They have tried various locations around Leeds including Shadwell, Meanwood Road, and Scott Hall Road. Has been run three times in Leeds. All drivers thus far have chosen advice over points. Gary Roper is the senior officer who will make the decision on rollout; he seems in favour at the moment.
Martin Stanley questioned some of the messaging around the scheme and noted that the success of the West Midlands police scheme was because they primarily focused on driver behaviour. Martin Stanley also requested that our communication with the police be formalised in a quarterly forum.
Effectiveness of 20mph zones
In all zones with traffic calming features, total of 87 fewer pedestrians injured and 71 fewer child/cyclist casualties compared to last year. There were lots of facts and figures so we requested the presentation to share.
Core Cycle Network
Looking to expand original routes as part of Cycling and Walking Investment Plan.
Encouraged to report problems on the website, rather than emailing Vicki Franks. Aware that this takes more time for the user, but it means issue can be tracked.
Bike share scheme for Leeds.
Two providers were sent a specification drawn up by Leeds City Council
One is now preferred. Bikes will be in City Centre and key corridors. District centres as far out as Otley, and areas of deprivation. Expect to be on the ground in Spring next year.
Looking at accessibility other than smartphone apps. e.g. smart cards.
AOB
Cllr Illingworth is now responsible for Cycling Forum.
Cycling in parks progressing.
Next meeting - 17th January 2018.