Cycling in the City of London is the largest single mode of transport. That includes private cycles, Santander hire bikes and hired E-bikes provided by Lime and Forest . Cycling is good for your health and well being as well as being a quick way to get around. Whilst some perceive the dangers from cycling there is a growing network of dedicated cycle routes and healthy streets to make it easier and pleasanter. A new route from Blackfriars to Aldgate is the subject of a consultation at present.
But what to do when you arrive at your destination? All new buildings now need to provide for cycle parking within their demise and the latest tall building to be approved at 99 Bishopsgate even has a public cycle provision. Santander bikes need to be docked but the E-bikes are sometimes rogue and dishevelled causing blockage and dangers to many be they walkers or wheelers or those with pushchairs, shopping or sight impairment.
In the City of London there is currently public cycle parking providing some 3.000 parking spaces. But to cope with the expansion the City of London Corporation has been consulting on creating 600 new micromobility parking spaces across the City. These will start to be created during February. Maybe still not enough?
Meanwhile it has been good to see hashtag#Lime who are the predominant provider in the City liaise more closely with our Planning and Transportation Chair Shravan Joshi MBE to consider what more they can do to curb their users’ bad habits. Lime announced a five point plan to provide investment to create at least 2,500 more dedicated parking spaces; more on-street teams responsible for removing and redistributing poorly parked e-bikes from overcrowded parking locations; tech advancements to improve parking, including an improved AI end-trip photo review to block poor parking in real time; funding a safe riding campaign focussing on deterring illegal behaviour, such as running red lights and riding on pavements and a commitment to improve access to cycling for more Londoners.
Cargo bikes are another boon to help move goods around the City with no carbon emissions. The City of London Corporation have just tendered their courier requirement for many of the City locations on the basis of cargo bikes only – a great boost to the sector and a fantastic opportunity for SMEs to bid.
If you are a business or want to know more get in touch. I chair the City’s hashtag#ActiveCityNetwork which provides the opportunity for businesses to engage with initiatives and ideas. https://lnkd.in/emkpGJ7e