Traffic wardens to protect Bristol cyclists
Traffic wardens may soon be patrolling Bristol on bikes, on the lookout for motorists who park on cycle paths.
As part of a multi-million-pound scheme to transform Bristol into the country's first cycling demonstration city, Councillor Terry Cook has come up with the idea to protect cyclists.
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Traffic wardens to protect Bristol cyclists
Bristol won a competition earlier this year to be awarded £11.4million of government money, which the council is match- funding to create an investment pot of nearly £23m for the cycling project, headed up by Mr Cook, the so-called "cycling champion".
The money will be used in a number of ways to try to persuade more people to get on their bikes and leave the car at home.
As well as cycling traffic wardens, the plans include a bike hire scheme, modelled on a similar project in Paris, as well as new cycle lanes and more cycle training for children.
Renowned Bristol-based architect and cycling campaigner George Ferguson has been investigating the city council's plans for a local TV station.
Mr Ferguson said he is concerned that the council may not have the determination and courage to force through some of changes that could be unpopular with motorists.
He visited the Dutch city of Groningen, where more than half of all journeys are now made by bike, to find out what Bristol could learn.
Back in the 1970s, Groningen was much like Bristol is now, with cars ruling the road, but then the city set about a radical transformation, investing a similar amount of money to Bristol.
They ripped up some of the roads and built a network of largely traffic-free cycle lanes.
In the centre of the city, cars were banned altogether and replaced with a space for bicycles and pedestrians.
A bike park was built at the railway station, with 5,000 bike racks.
Despite meeting resistance at first from some local businesses, which were concerned about restraining motorists, now there is a feeling that the "cyclisation" should go even further.
Back in Bristol, which for a start has more hills than the Dutch city, Mr Ferguson has been asking the council if they can be just as bold with their plans.
Mr Cook, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and involvement, said: "I think we've got to win the argument with the motorists as well.
"As soon as you close a road you're going to get objections to it and we've got to win those arguments.
"I don't think that's going to be done without some degree of pain."
The council is holding an online consultation with people who live in Bristol, asking them what measures would persuade them to get on their bikes.
The consultation continues until the end of October.
An invitation-only meeting on the cycle city plans is due to be held today from 6pm to 8.30pm at Fairfield High School, Horfield, to keep people informed about the proposals.
A number of cyclists have expressed concerns about the scheme, accusing the city council of a lack of consultation with the public.
A spokesman said Bristol City Council had been working to a tight deadline which has made a normal consultation process impossible.
34 Comments
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by Howard, Somerset
Monday, October 13 2008, 10:37AM
“Ley, you are absolutely right. There must be much more law enforcement on the streets. And for ALL road users. But be prepared for the usual whining motorists complaining about 'victimisation' and 'harassment'. They don't like it you know...:-)”
by Howard, Somerset
Monday, October 13 2008, 10:35AM
“Ley, you are right. Of course there should be more law enforcement on the streets for ALL road users. I'm all for that. But be prepared for the standard motorist whining about 'victimisation' and 'harrassment'. They don't like it, you know... :-)”
by ley palmer, south gloucestershire
Wednesday, October 08 2008, 8:31PM
“more importantly i think something should be done about cyclists who ride on the path .i have a daughter with special needs and the times we have nearlybeen knocked over by a cyclist i cant even keep count of”
by Alex, bristol
Wednesday, October 08 2008, 7:51PM
“Give that man a round of applause.
Howard, you're absolutely spot on. I reckon most drivers don't realise the feeling of vulnerability when faced with sharing the same road space as a 2 ton 4x4.. When they drive past you at 40 mph so close that you could reach them that's when you realise what kind of person must be driving it.....
But I agree, we should not be stereotyping, this only leads to the ill-feelings, the us v them
I consider myself firstly a cyclist, then a car driver and I always, always always give bags of room for cyclists when overtaking or when they're over (under) taking me. It's because I know what it's like for them.. For a couple of seconds consideration it goes a long way..”
by Howard, Somerset
Wednesday, October 08 2008, 6:33PM
“Given that the primary cause of the congestion, pollution, injury, disablement and death on the public highway is almost invariably found sitting behind a steering wheel, one wonders exactly how anyone who drives a motor vehicle can presume to take the moral high ground.
Also, why the constant lazy stereotyping? Where exactly do I and countless others who use more than one mode of transport fit into the neat little pigeonholed tribal world that mentally lazy people constantly conjure up?
Cycle training: I'm all for that. Basic cycle and roadcraft skills should be part of the National Curriculum so every child has the opportunity to leave primary school with a Bikeability Level 2 Certificate. A Bikeability level 3 Certificate should be a pre-requisite to a provisional driving licence. If nothing else it would remove this tedious us-and-them bickering because every driver would be a cyclist first. Wouldn't that be nice!”