The UCI has picked up on
the success of Seville's network of bike lanes. On 5th
February, cycling's international governing body reported on the
Spanish city's achievement in creating the conditions for 67,000
bike trips a day. 700,00 people live in Seville.
Hedgehog
Cycling reported on the building of Seville's bike lanes last
year. A joined-up 80km network was created in just 18 months, for
about €32 million, or the cost of 5km of road.
The UCI quotes the consultant behind the Plan de la Bicicleta de
Sevilla, Manuel Calva. He recommends that city administrations do
everything in their first two years in office. 'It starts working,
and then people see it works and are supportive of what you did.'
The UCI's article says, 'Seville's cycling network was built with
continuity in mind and as a single project. The idea was for it to
be homogenous, recognisable and functional from the outset. The
two-way system was built along main avenues and streets...but on
space previously occupied by cars. Public input was considered
throughout the procedure and modifications made in certain areas as
a result of their feedback.'
'Everyone was talking about the success of the bike lanes. The
sports shops ran out of bikes. They had to get bikes from Barcelona,
Madrid, and over from France.'
The original 80km network is now 180km. A 2017 plan aims to improve
the quality of the bike lanes.
Bikes are everywhere in Seville, and they are 'on the mobility
equation of thousands of people. Building this network has
demonstrated that if you do something, people respond. It also
showed that it is not a big deal to take space from cars and use it
to improve other mobility options.'
UCI reports on Seville: lessons for Harrogate
The report from the UCI is timely. The UCI 2019 road World
Championships are coming to Harrogate. The people of Harrogate
are fed up of congestion, and more and more of us are realising that
too many cars are the problem, and will never be the solution.
There are some small
steps to improve conditions for cycling in Harrogate, but
cycling around town remains dangerous and marginal. Seville shows us
that it doesn't have to be this way. It is possible to create a
complete network in a short time. (Look at the photo: it doesn't
have to be shared use; it doesn't have to painted on the side of the
road with no protection from traffic).
So come on Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County
Council. You have Cycling & Walking Champions, which is a great
start.
I have written occasional emails or letters to the Cycling
Champions - Phil Ireland at Harrogate BC, and Don Mackenzie at NYCC.
They contained carefully-thought-out suggestions for improvements to
walking and cycling in Harrogate. In both cases, I received a reply
to one initial communication, then no response at all to subsequent
correspondence, not even any acknowledgement.
These Councillors are very busy, and have lots of responsibilities,
and no doubt they receive lots of emails each day. But if local
residents can't contact them with genuine concerns and suggestions
about cycling and walking, what is the point of them being Cycling
and Walking Champions? Then, in Councillor Mackenzie's case, his
main enthusiasm is for a
major new road project - which is, in my opinion, incompatible
with him being a genuine champion of active travel.
We should take inspiration from Seville. There could and should be
a plan for a complete network of cycling routes in Harrogate. My
impression is that the current structure is inadequate. Our
Champions are too busy - even if they have the will to do it, they
just don't have the time to formulate and implement such a plan.
We're not Manchester, and Chris Boardman is already taken, but
would it be a good idea to employ someone in a similar role -
dedicated to creating a complete network of quality walking and
cycling routes in Harrogate?