Delivering the benefits of cycling in Outer *

Putting cycling at the heart of local public than ever before to encourage people to get on service delivery their bikes and to make cycling a mainstream mode of transport and part of the local economy. This is an exciting time for cycling. It is at the heart of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy (MTS) and some London are already leading – the place to cycle the way by improving conditions for cycling and There is growing public enthusiasm for cycling in promoting its benefits. Outer London. More people are seeing the bike as a viable and attractive alternative to the car. In Outer London has a key role to play and is poised a recent survey, 58 per cent of Outer Londoners to reap the benefits of increased cycling. These said they are considering cycling more over the include less congestion, cleaner air, healthier coming year. communities, and the economic benefits of more people making local journeys by bike. Now is the time for Outer London boroughs to respond to this appetite for change and put This report is based on a programme of research cycling at the centre of local public service and aimed at those who set the priority for delivery – including transport, health, planning transport in local areas. By learning from and education. pioneering cycling innovations, and drawing on * A summary document of ‘Delivering the benefits of the greater flexibility in local funding available in cycling in Outer London’, a joint report by Transport for the new Local Implementation Plan (LIP) process, London, , London Cycling Campaign Outer London boroughs are in a better position and Sustrans

MAYOR Transport OF LONDON for London Delivering the benefits of cycling in Outer London

The potential for cycling in Outer London The map below shows the clusters of Why Promote Cycling in Outer London? There are many short trips that could easily be cycling potential across Outer London cycled as more than half of all car trips made in Green spaces, residential Helps reduce congestion Outer London are less than two miles in length roads and larger dwellings and create ‘liveable’ streets (only 10 minutes on a bike). There is real potential facillitate additional to reduce car use and congestion by encouraging cycle trips a shift to cycling. Creates more Analysis shows that more than half of the active communities Benefits of potentially cyclable trips in the Capital (ie those Outer London residents Outer London increased that can transfer from car or public transport) are want to cycle (58 per cent is ideal cycling in in Outer London. These total around 2.4 million say they want to cycle more) for cycling Outer London a day, most of which are made by car (see map, right, of cycling potential with highest density of Cuts emmissions and potential shown in red and blue). Cycling has the potential improves local air quality to replace many short car Numerous centres of high cycling potential exist journeys (50 per cent of in Outer London. With the right mix of promotional Outer London car journeys Boosts local journeys to interventions, a real shift in cycling culture could are less than 2 miles) centres be delivered in these areas. Outside these urban centres, the cycling potential is less concentrated than in central and so promotional measures need to be adapted accordingly. For example, a focus on marketing and travel Benefits of cycling in Outer London Cycling – good value for money awareness campaigns, cycle training and travel planning. Cycling now features strongly in the policy agenda There are always a number of competing for London. It is represented in the MTS and transport priorities for boroughs to consider. reflected in the findings of the Outer London It is imperative that schemes are chosen which Barriers to Cycling in Outer London Commission, the draft and emerging demonstrate value for money, maximising the Economic Development Strategy. Cycling is return for every pound invested. The low costs Attitudinal barriers Physical barriers Barriers to delivery increasingly recognised as a key tool to help local and signficant benefits of cycling schemes authorities achieve their priorities, such as those mean that their benefit-cost ratio can be as Fear of traffic and feelings High traffic speeds Lack of political support determined by national indicators on improving air much as 20:1, far higher than some other types of vulnerability – not perceived as a quality and reducing childhood obesity. In of transport investment.* mainstream transport addition, cycling can deliver a wide range of solution benefits, these include: This is primarily due to the likely benefits in terms Convenience of the car Severance, eg major roads Perceived lack of funding • Improving quality of life and tackling of improvements to public health and health and lack of permeability health inequalities inequalities. If reduced pollution and carbon dioxide (CO ) emissions are added, the value for Individual not sure cycling Lack of cycle parking Lack of adequately trained • Delivering low cost accessibility 2 is for them or motivated staff • Strengthening local economies by boosting money and wide ranging benefits can make local journeys cycling schemes even more attractive. Cycling perceived to be incompatible • Addressing the climate change agenda, and with complicated lifestyles *Sustrans, 2005, Economic Appraisal of Local Walking and • Reducing congestion and creating Cycling Routes liveable streets If more residents take up cycling, there will be less need for car parking spaces, freeing up valuable land in Outer London. Delivering the benefits of cycling in Outer London

What stands in the way of success? Cycling solutions across the Capital developed best practice public Attitudinal barriers realm guidance, to ensure land use planning There are a number of reasons why people considers the needs of cyclists don’t cycle now in Outer London. These include Borough council working with mental health Physical barriers individual attitudinal barriers, physical barriers such charity to offer led rides to patients at London Borough of Hackney as traffic speeds, and issues faced when delivering surgeries – partnership working in action. Barriers to delivery cycling support. These are summarised in the adjacent diagram. London Borough of Tower Hamlets Children regularly cycling to school increased Using the right mix of measures and partnership Introduction of contraflow cycle lanes to from five per cent to 24 per cent (where working, each of these barriers can be overcome. improve permeability and open the area Sustrans Bike It programmes established) A number of Outer London boroughs have worked for cycling London Borough of Havering hard to overcome such obstacles, giving rise to the London Borough of Haringey following cycling success stories • The increased cycling by 75 per cent during the three years of the Direct Support for Cycling programme has Smarter Travel Sutton programme provided cycle training and maintenance Enfield • In Richmond upon and Kingston more courses to hundreds of children and parents than 10 per cent of residents cycle at least twice encouraging take up of cycling Barnet a week Harrow Haringey ltham Forest These and other examples show the real potential Redbridge Islington Hackney Wa for increasing cycling in Outer London. Havering Brent Agewell community project helped older people Camden improve their health by organising regular Hillingdon Barking & The map, right, demonstrates a wide variety of We Dagenham Ken & Chelsea Newham confidence training sessions and rides stminster Tower cycling successes that have been delivered across Hammersmith Ealing & Fulham City Hamlets the Capital in both Inner and Outer London. Further (Community Cycling Fund for London support) details on these and many other examples are London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham Southwark available in the full report ‘Delivering the benefits Greenwich Lambet h of cycling in Outer London’. Hounslow Bexley A 400 per cent increase in the number Wandsworth Richmond The examples are colour coded according to the of girls cycling to school in participating Lewisham barriers identified in the previous diagram which areas (Cyclicious) have been successfully addressed. Merton London Borough of Hounslow Outer London – ready for a change

Kingston Bromley The projects shown here have delivered real benefits Step Pedal Jump scheme launched to Sutton Croydon in their individual areas. Outer London boroughs are encourage members of sports and leisure well suited to having cycling at the core of their LIPs clubs to travel by bicycle – example of working strategy, for the following reasons: with leisure industry • Public transport is generally more infrequent and London Borough of Richmond upon Thames trips are dispersed, presenting the opportunity for cycling as an alternative for short trips Travel awareness campaigns including • Larger properties in Outer London make One in 10 users of Surbiton rail station car-free day road closures, working with An example of road safety and cycling storing a bike easier for many more people replaced the car for a bike (installation local press and advertising campaigns promotion working in partnership to • The network of quiet residential roads, open of improved cycle parking at the station) to promote cycling maximise funding opportunities spaces and parks are perfect for getting novice cyclists involved Royal Borough of London Borough of Lambeth London Borough of Bromley Delivering the benefits of cycling in Outer London

Delivering the change Transport decision makers need to work with local Funding partners to secure their commitment in building A range of approaches are needed to tackle the The following diagram outlines how packages of measures can be drawn together to build an support for cycling. In particular the local Primary barriers to cycling, these include: integrated cycling strategy, to be delivered via the LIPs and other local funding mechanisms. Care Trust (PCT), other council departments, • Political commitment and leadership in train operators, businesses and local strategic the borough partnerships can all help drive forward delivery Integrated Solutions Across the LIP Programme • Delivering a variety of smarter travel and reap the rewards. Developing and interventions, such as working with schools implementing a clearly defined cycling strategy Attitudinal barriers Physical barriers Barriers to delivery and employers will also help set the framework for a successful • Providing facilities for cycling and making cycling programme. Smarter travel Innovative infrastructure Partnership working and Political commitment improvements to roads and junctions, mainstreaming cycling alongside other more innovative measures Personalised travel Improved permeability Integrating cycling across Boroughs leading • Partnership working opportunities and planning all LIP categories the way through mainstreaming cycling across travel planning borough activities Workplace travel planning Crossing points Use support available from Borough leaders/members other organisations as cycle champions

Led rides Network of quiet routes Mainstreaming cycling Improved evaluation across borough council and monitoring of and partners cycling initiatives

Awareness campaigns, Improved way finding Partnership working with local cycle events PCTs, workplaces, schools, local cycling groups and police

Targeted cycle training Traffic restraint and speed reduction measures

Changing perceptions of Provision of cycle facilities cycling with non-cyclists

Provision of secure cycle parking

There are opportunities to deliver such packages from across the LIP categories (smarter travel, major schemes, corridors and neighbourhoods and maintenance)

By creating an alliance of local partners signed up to the benefits of the bike, a real difference will be seen in Outer London boroughs. Strengthened economies, less congested and healthier communities are all within reach.

Boroughs seeking to promote cycling in an integrated way may aspire to become ‘Biking Boroughs’ – prioritising investment in cycling through their LIP and other funding mechanisms.

Delivering the benefits of cycling in Outer London

Next steps to capture success will work with boroughs and other stakeholders to develop and support this work, and to define the programme for Biking Boroughs moving forward.

A copy of the full report ‘Delivering the benefits of cycling in Outer London’ can be obtained from tfl.gov.uk/cycling