Time to make Redbridge a more cycle friendly borough

How does cycling get to the point in Redbridge where it is considered “a normal part of everyday life and the natural choice for shorter journeys.”

This is the target, set by the Department for Transport’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, to which we must aspire.

There were 3.27 billion vehicle miles cycled in the UK in 2017, an increase of 3% on the previous year. In terms of total mileage covered, though, that is just 1%.

Two thirds of mileage remains done by car and vans.

Figures from Sport England show that just 35.2% of people in Redbridge either cycle or walk five times a week. This rises to 46.5 for three times and 72.1 for once a week. Some 79.3% cycle or walk once a month (Active Lives survey from Sport England). These stats make the population of Redbridge appear somewhat sedentary.

The national figure for trips to and from school remains disappointingly low at 2%.

Safety is a major issue stopping people cycling, with two thirds of adults saying “it is too dangerous for me to cycle on the roads” (British Social Attitudes Survey).

In London, there have been major moves by local authorities led by Mayor Sadiq Khan to get more people walking and cycling. These forms of travel have to increase if the Mayor’s target of 80% of all journeys being by cycle, foot or public transport by 2030. There has been success, with cycling in London growing by 62% over the past decade.

So, there are positive signs but still much to do - especially in Redbridge. The public transport model that we should be aspiring to must be the mini-hollands type culture seen in Waltham Forest (WF). The aim is to prioritise the pedestrian, cyclist and public transport user. People are encouraged to cycle to transport hubs like train stations, where they can securely park their bikes (in hangars) and continue the journey by public transport. Traffic, of which there is less, is in the main driven from the side roads onto the main arteries. Health benefits are already being seen.

In Redbridge, the cycling network can at best be described as piecemeal. Cycle lanes often expose the cyclist to the full force of the traffic, no doubt playing to the fears that keep people off the roads.

Cycle routes sometimes inexplicably end, leaving the cyclist nowhere to go other than out into the busy road.

There are though plans to make Redbridge more cycle friendly. The £3.3 million provided by Transport for London through its Liveable Neighbourhoods programme offers a real opportunity to get things moving. Details have yet to be worked out but better connections between Wanstead, Ilford and connecting boroughs should result.

The council is keen to get more of the hangar type facilities seen all over WF out in Redbridge. These will ensure people have got somewhere safe to put their bikes.

There is so much that can be done with a little imagination. Redbridge has fantastic parks. Why
not link them, so there can be an easy green cycling route. Maybe we could kick this idea off with a Redbridge Cycle Day, when people come together – including all those cycling councilors – to cycle the route.  

We need imaginative ideas to get more people on their cycles travelling around Redbridge. The enthusiasm must come from the citizens of Redbridge, the council’s challenge is to provide the infrastructure to make cycling a more enjoyable and safer experience.

published - Wanstead & Woodford Guardian - 28/3/2019 - paper
                                                                            30/3/2019 - online