Affordable, Deliverable and Sustainable - SAP Greater Bristol Cycling Strategy 2011-2026

In September 2010 a report was published by the Greater Bristol Cycling City Stakeholder Advisory Panel called Greater Bristol Cycling Strategy 2011-2026. 

This draws together the thinking of a wide range of groups and has been produced to provide input to the Joint Local Transport Plan 3 (JLTP3) consultations.

The JLTP3 will set the strategic priorities and shape transport decisions for the four local authorities around Bristol.

1. Introduction

This cycling strategy sets out a programme of actions for the period 2011 to 2026 to make cycling a normal, safe and attractive choice for travel and recreation by adults and children in Greater Bristol.

The strategy has been prepared by Arup to meet the aspirations of the Greater Bristol Cycling City Stakeholder Advisory Panel.

The strategy was developed concurrently with the West of England’s Joint Local Transport Plan Three (JLTP3), between March and August 2010 and aims to provide a stakeholder input to the JLTP3 process.

2. A Vision for Greater Bristol

The Vision for Greater Bristol in 2026 was identified by representatives of the business community, public health, higher education, transport professionals and cycling organisations. It is for a healthy, green, calm, dynamic, cohesive Bristol, with cycling playing a key role in providing freedom to everyone.

3. The Case for Cycling

Increasing levels of cycling responds to many of the most important challenges faced by society today; climate change, rising obesity levels, increasing congestion, increasing inequality and worsening air quality.

Investment in cycling presents good value for money. Recent analysis by the Department of Transport (DfT) has estimated that the Benefit-Cost Ratio for investment in cycling is between 2.5 and 6.1 to 1 (i.e. there is a £2.50 – £6.10 return for every £1 spent on cycling).

4. Objectives and Targets

The strategy sets targets related to measures of cycle usage. The headline figure is:

• 20% of all journeys by bike by 2026

5. Targeting resources

The strategy focuses resources on four target areas, each of which will receive intensive investment in a different phase, and which cover all parts of Greater Bristol. The Phase 1 and Phase 2 target areas have some existing cycling culture, significant obesity levels and some existing cycling infrastructure. The phased target areas are:

• Phase 1 (2011/12 - 2014/15): A ring of “inner suburbs” around Bristol City Centre plus an area of high intensity employment in the North Fringe.
• Phase 2 (2015/16 - 2018/19): Bristol city centre, Clifton, a segment of East Bristol, Bishopston, Horfield, Filwood and southern parts of Bedminster and Windmill Hill.
• Phase 3 (2019/20 - 2022/23): Expansion of the Phase 2 area to the north-east and south-east.
• Phase 4 (2023/24 - 2025/26): The north-west (Avonmouth to Stoke Bishop and Cribbs Causeway), the south-west (Hartcliffe to Whitchurch) and east (from Siston to Bitton).

In addition, resources will be allocated at a lower level on non-target areas in each phase.

6. Strategic Planning

Strategic planning will be an essential process to ensure that there is a coherent plan in place for future development of the cycle network and encouragement programmes and to maximise the benefits that can be delivered by other transport and planning activities, including health and neighbourhood initiatives.

7. Resources

Funding should be allocated at £11 per capita per annum across the strategy area. This equates to £20 per capita per annum in target areas and £8 per head in the non-target areas in each phase. The funding allocation is approximately £6.5 million a year, totalling £97m across the 15 year strategy period.

Downloads: 

Greater Bristol Cycling Strategy 2011-2026

Greater Bristol Cycling Strategy - Four Page Summary