Making Leighton Buzzard and Linslade a Cycle-Friendly Town A Cycling Strategy for Leighton Buzzard and Linslade Recommended to the Local Authorities by Leighton Buzzcycles - the Leighton Linslade Cycling Forum First Version Published February 2007 Revised and updated February 2010 and November 2013 This revision: January 2018 1 Cycling is good … for people - and not just the ones on bikes, for the environment, local and global, for the local economy for local communities We want to encourage everyone in Leighton Linslade to choose to cycle more – a modal shift away from private car use – a truly realistic alternative for everyone. Current barriers to cycling … … in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade Geographic – River Ouzel, Clipstone Brook, Grand Union Canal, railway, busy ‘spoke’ roads and surrounding roads (A5, A505, A4146) Physical – traffic volume and speed, barriers, lack of cycle parking and storage, lack of complete traffic-free routes for children and beginners (gaps in cycle path network) Mental – lack of confidence/skills, lack of working bike, lack of knowledge of routes (particularly among new people moving into new estates), bad and dangerous driving, false perceptions of journey times Good things about cycling … … in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade Size of town – all journeys are achievable distance-wise, even to and from neighbouring villages/towns Basis of a good cycle path network (NCN6, Riverside Walk, Black Bridge etc) that creates traffic-free short cuts A lot of previous investment (Cycle Town etc) into cycle parking, training, promotion and network Leighton Linslade people want to cycle – we have three cycling clubs as well as other groups that regularly ride together New developments = opportunities to create cycle-friendly infrastructure from scratch How to get more people on their bikes Hard Measures - to tackle geographic and physical barriers to cycling Soft Measures - to tackle mental barriers to cycling Complementary Measures - not always directly related to cycling but will all help Hard Measures Cycle Path Network (The Green Wheel) – comprehensive and continuous and including new developments and without ‘safety’ barriers, in particular providing new crossing points of geographical barriers (rivers, canal etc) to provide alternative and short cut routes away from traffic Speed limits – 20mph default throughout the town except where 30mph can be justified and reduced limits on rural roads also Roads and junctions designed for cyclists – existing and new development roads – because not everyone lives on a cycle path Cycle parking – at both ends of a journey - secure, sufficient and well publicised Maintenance of roads and cycle paths to ensure journeys are safe and comfortable 2 Soft Measures Training - Bikeability training and bike maintenance training Information and promotion – cycle route maps, notice boards, signage, websites, Dr. Bike and cycle promotion stalls etc. Support from police and other officials regarding cycle thefts, traffic offences and collisions Complementary Measures A wide range of good practice proposals include: Public transport that integrates with cycling – bikes on buses, cycle parking at the station Leisure facilities for cyclists – bike parks, off-road cycle routes, winter training facilities etc. Local businesses that welcome cyclists and cycle-friendly employer initiatives Decent and well-supported bike shop in town (as we currently have with Dorvics Cycles) Ongoing consultation with local cyclists and support of local bike clubs Promotion of cycling as a mode of transport Sustainable Travel Planning for schools and businesses Journey Planning for individuals Local Government (especially Highways and Planning Departments) that actively supports cycling, through securing and implementing Section 106 agreements and LSTF funding etc. Town planning that keeps amenities local to reduce distances people have to travel to access them Work with health partners to promote cycling as part of healthy lifestyle Work with schools and education providers to encourage them to support their students and staff in cycling to school – after-school clubs, bike maintenance classes etc. De-incentivise car use e.g. through parking charges, traffic calming, one-way streets, bus gates, speed restrictions to make cycling the preferred option Improve driver awareness and education/understanding of cycling, promote safe driving to private and commercial drivers The Green Wheel and the Cycle Path Network The core of the Cycle Path Network for Leighton Buzzard and Linslade is the Green Wheel. The Green Wheel is designed to provide links for all communities of the town to all parts of the town and beyond. It consist of two ‘Rims’ – Outer and Inner – connected to each other, to the town centre ‘Hub’ and to surrounding villages by three ‘Spokes’ and five ‘Village Links’. The Inner Rim will link up the outer urban areas of the town to each other and to key destinations such as Mentmore Road and Vandyke Road Schools, the Railway Station, Cherrycourt Way and Grovebury Road Industrial Estates, Linslade Wood, Rushmere Park and the Ouzel Meadows. The Outer Rim is more of an ‘out of town’ or ‘edge of town’ leisure route, no less important in that it will provide walkers and cyclists with traffic-free green corridor routes to give them opportunities to improve their health and well-being whilst enjoying the countryside immediately surrounding the town. The three Spokes are the vital arterial connections linking the Rims into the town centre Hub. The Spokes pass through the main residential areas of the town giving people access both into the centre of town and also reach out beyond the confines of the town into the wider countryside. The Spokes are named: Scholars Way Spoke – running east –west from Clipstone to Linslade Ouzel Valley Spoke – running north-south from Old Linslade to Grove Lock Parks Spoke – also north-south from Rushmere to Grovebury 3 Some of the Spokes are braided routes to make the most of the paths available and to connect to as many people and destinations as possible. The Village Links are: Heath and Reach Soulbury Wing Billington Eggington & Stanbridge A map of the proposed Green Wheel is in Appendix 3. Where are the opportunities? Detailed recommended opportunities to create the Green Wheel and complete the Cycling Network are listed in the attached Appendices 1 and 2. These will evolve over time as circumstances demand or opportunities arise. They form the foundation work for future cycling growth and although extensive are not exhaustive. The key opportunities can be grouped into six main project areas within the town as follows: 4 What local cyclists say A recent survey of local cyclists produced the following results to the question “what would help improve your cycling journey?”: Better road surfaces More off-road surfaced paths More cycle lanes on the roads Fewer lorries on the roads Lower speed limits for vehicles More/better cycle parking Changing and showering facilities at your destination More signage of routes for cyclists More opportunities for cycle training 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 % of respondants Who can help … … in the implementation of this Strategy Local Authorities – LLTC, CBC, Bucks CC, AVDC and local parish councils Highways Authorities and Rights of Way Highways Agency London Midland and Network Rail and Get on Track Station Travel Plan group Local bus companies – Arriva and Grant Palmer, taxi firms, coach hire firms Commercial transport firms Local bike clubs – Buzzcycles, Triathlon, Road Cycling Club, Buzzards MTB club Local Access Forum and Access for All forum Residents groups/associations Health organisations – PCT etc Sustrans Greensand Trust and Ouzel Valley Park Project Canals and Rivers Trust LB First and local business forums Local Authorities – LLTC, CBC, Bucks CC, AVDC and local parish councils Highways Authorities and Rights of Way 5 Summary and Key Points The development of a first-class cycle network in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade requires three key things: Establishing and promoting the Green Wheel for walkers and cyclists 20mph speed limits throughout the town Enticing people out of their cars and positively encouraging the switch to more active and sustainable modes of travel at every opportunity Positive enticement 20mph Green limits Wheel Figure 1 Getting more people cycling Success in these three areas depends on support at the local authority level and on working in partnership with communities and organisations on the ground, including developers and local businesses. Supporting documents List of Appendices 1. Completing the Green Wheel - Recommended Infrastructure Opportunities List (also available as an Excel Spreadsheet on request) 2. Recommended Infrastructure Opportunities Map (incorporating the Green Wheel) 3. Green Wheel Map 4. 20mph Recommendations Map for Leighton Buzzard and Linslade 5. General Good Practice for a Cycle-Friendly Town 6 .