Until recently, Coventry has not had any high quality cycle lanes and new ones in Coundon and now Binley are to be welcomed. Department for Transport data shows that for journeys between 1 and 2 miles, 60% of people drive. New protected cycleways separate cyclists from traffic and are especially helpful for people who wouldn’t normally cycle because of safety concerns.
Many people have rediscovered the joy of cycling since the start of the pandemic due to low levels of traffic; as these increase, we need cycleways, separated from motor traffic, to make people feel safe while cycling. The new scheme has priority over side roads which means it is a safe and continuous route and these upgrades also support pedestrians too.
A recent survey by the government showed that: Three quarters of respondents supported the reduction of road traffic in towns and cities in England (77%) and their local area / neighbourhood (78%), and two thirds of respondents were supportive of reallocating road space to walking and cycling across towns and cities in England (66%) and their local area / neighbourhood (65%).
Sometimes change can be unsettling but reshaping how our roads are used to enable more people to cycle safely will have a transformative and positive effect on air quality and the city’s contribution to climate change.
The Binley Cycleway route is important as it serves a significant and desired route from the City Centre to Binley Business Park and then University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire. This is a real missing link for cycling as the Sowe Valley route is not suitable for transport or mass cycling due to repeated flooding in the winter months and the narrow nature causing conflict with pedestrians; the route is also very popular locally with dog-walkers. Additionally, many NHS staff would like a safer route to cycle as well as promoting the benefits of active travel to public health.
This ePetition ran from 31/03/2021 to 02/06/2021 and has now finished.
398 people signed this ePetition.