Mixed Response from Cyclist Groups to Southall Free Bike Scheme
Say introducing safe cycle routes should be the priority
Aim is to make people in Southall switch from cars to bikes. Picture: Martin Gorst/Ealing Cycling Campaign
June 1, 2023
Cyclist groups have raised concerns about an initiative run by Ealing Council over cycling infrastructure in Southall. Let’s Ride Southall is a programme promoting cycling to residents living in the area by giving away 1000 bikes as well as free bike riding lessons to people of all skill levels.
The scheme is being delivered using £1.2 million funding from Sport England in an attempt to transform Southall, which has the highest rates of vehicle ownership in Ealing. Most recently, The leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Peter Mason and Councillor Jasbir Anand, cabinet member for thriving communities, visited Villiers High School in Southall during the school’s active travel week to give away 10 new bikes to pupils.
While local cyclist groups say they have welcomed the project, they have raised some concerns about road safety in the town in light of the new changes. Simon Munk from London Cyclist Campaign said, “Giving away free bikes to people who need them is laudable – indeed, LCC recently worked in Enfield with Londra Bisiklet Kulubu to give away bikes there. But suggesting that ‘Ealing is leading the way in active travel,’ as council leader Peter Mason recently did on the back of this initiative ignores many other barriers to cycle use in Ealing and overstates Ealing’s current standing in London on active travel delivery.”
Simon adds, “Not owning a bicycle is far from the only issue keeping most people in Southall from cycling – the lack of safe cycling routes in the area and across Ealing is a huge issue, that Ealing Council is currently failing to act rapidly on.
“LCC has released a report on progress in every London borough on delivery of schemes that reduce car use and enable alternatives, that asks on Ealing ‘What will the new administration actually do to move forward not back in a borough where already over one-third of households have no car or van? From our local group’s tracking of activity, the answers so far are not promising.’”
Martin Gorst from Ealing Cycling is also concerned that there are currently not enough safe routes in Southall, “The lack of safe cycling routes in the area is a huge issue. The council has just released plans to improve active travel infrastructure in parts of Southall but, at first sight, they are not encouraging. They include a lot of shared-use footways, where cyclists and pedestrians will be expected to share the same space.
“This is not comfortable for either pedestrians or cyclists, and goes against Department for Transport guidance that says: ‘On urban streets, cyclists must be physically separated from pedestrians and should not share space with pedestrians.’
“There is also a lack of cycle parking in the area. It is two years since the new Southall Station was completed but it still has no cycle parking. The council has recently announced plans to install some stands about 90 metres south of the station, but it would have been better located right next to the station, as we suggested back in 2013.”
Cllr Deirdre Costigan, deputy leader of Ealing Council and cabinet member for climate action, said, “Our Let’s Go Southall free bikes giveaway has been a huge success in getting residents cycling so we can reduce air pollution and improve people’s health. To get a free bike, residents need to do practical training to make sure they know the rules of the road and can cycle safely. Once they are confident and comfortable with cycling, they then receive a free bike and we’ve given away 281 free bikes so far, with hundreds more available.
“The roads in Ealing, like most roads across London, were not designed to accommodate the level of traffic we have, but we are spending £10m on active travel plans including new cycle lanes and bike hangars. We’ve already built new segregated cycle lanes on Greenford Road and the Uxbridge Road, with more to come, and we took the brave decision to make Fishers Lane a cycling and walking route. We’ve also installed 25 new bike hangars across the borough in the last month with 25 more to come before the summer is over. New cycle parking is currently being built at Southall station, and we’ve made sure Ealing has the cheapest cycle parking in London, at just 70p per month.
“Right now we’re asking people in Southall what they think of some of our ideas to reduce traffic congestion in the town and encourage more people to walk and cycle. We’ve also consulted residents on our cycle plan which will deliver a coherent cycle network, helping residents and visitors to our borough get where they need and want to go, rather than taking a piecemeal approach. We’re not afraid to spend a bit more time designing and getting resident backing for cycle schemes if this means we get them right.”
Concern over safe cycle routes has been answered by the council in the past with Councillor Josh Blacker, cabinet member for healthy lives, saying alongside the initiative the council is investing £10m into new cycle lanes, school streets and bike hangers as well as to revamped canal towpaths and road and pathway repairs.
As part of the programme, Ealing Council has given away 281 free bikes to children and adults in Southall and is planning to give away over 700 more. That’s a total of 1,000 free bikes (both new and recycled) in the next year.
Overall, the scheme intends to give away up to 2,500 adult and children’s bicycles to individuals and families who sign-up to cycle training and join the Southall movement. This will consist approximately of a mixture of 1500 brand new bicycles and 1000 fully repaired and recycled second-hand bicycles, with 35 bespoke bicycles for those with disabilities also being provided.
To be eligible for a free bike applicants must :
- Live or work within an eligible postcode area (UB1 and UB2 – We will need a proof of address dated within the last three months).
- Confirm that on receiving a bicycle they agree to be an active member of Active Communities Team (ACT) Social Movement and its campaigns: You will be agreeing to be an active member who will join the teams in supporting Southall cycling initiative.
- Not already own or have access to a roadworthy bike.
- Commit to cycle at least once a week in the first six months or return the bike if not.
- Make a personal cycling and storage plan or confirm their cycling proficiency.
- Agree to GPS monitoring of bike usage and take part in data collection.
If you are looking to apply you can find a link to the application form here.
Rory Bennett - Local Democracy Reporter