Plain English Version
Cycling is going to become more important as there are more journeys around the city centre. At the moment though Birmingham city centre can be hostile to cyclists. We need to put real effort into changing this.
Original Document
Cycling has an important role to play in providing for future movement demands generated by city centre growth. Yet present conditions for cycling are often hostile, due to vehicle dominated streets and a shortage of cycling facilities or direct routes to and from key destinations. A concerted effort is required to improve conditions for cyclists through changing the behaviour of vehicles, removing major physical barriers and the provision of improved ‘end to end’ cycling facilities.
Plain English Version
We already have some cycle paths, but separate paths are difficult to create in a packed city centre, so we need to think of other ways of making cycling safe and easy. One way is to link together a series of streets designed to slow down cars and vans and be safer for people on bikes. We can also add cycle parking into more areas, with some including shower facilities. This will need to part of the Parking Strategy.
Original Document
The city already has a set of core cycling routes, but segregated paths are difficult to create in a dense urban area so the issue is what other improvements can be made to develop a comprehensive network of continuous, safe routes. One approach is to develop a connected network of cycle-friendly streets with an emphasis on reducing traffic speeds and road danger on those streets. In addition, public realm improvements and street upgrades could give cycling a higher priority, with cycle parking as an integral feature. New development should provide safe and secure cycle parking and should include suitable shower facilities. Cycle parking requirements will be included in the Parking Strategy.
Plain English Version
There are other possibilities. We should think about a city centre cycle hire scheme. The Ve-Lib and similar schemes in cities such as Paris make short trips by bike even easier, cutting pollution in the most sensitive streets.
Original Document
Another possibility would be to establish a city centre cycle hire scheme. Initiatives similar to the Ve-Lib and Velo-City schemes in European cities (e.g. Paris) could provide opportunities to increase cycle travel for short trips within the core, replacing the use of more polluting modes in the most sensitive streets.