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Search forTraffic wardens to protect Bristol cyclists
Wednesday, October 08, 2008, 08:00
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.
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.
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