Previous References: Minute 77 (2016-17)

                                       Executive, Minute 56 (2017-18)

Members will recall that “Keeping the Wheels Spinning” – the Bradford District Cycle Strategy 2016-2026, co-produced with the local cycling community, key cycling charities and the Council, was endorsed by this Committee at its meeting in April 2017 and the meeting of the Executive in November 2017.

The Strategic Director, Place will present a report (Document “AK”) which provides an update on progress with implementing the Bradford District Cycle Strategy and Action Plan Top Ten Priorities.

Recommended –

(1)  That the content of the Action Plan “Top 10 Priorities” as recommended by the meeting of B-Spoke on 19 February 2018 (Appendix 1 to Document “AK”) be noted.

(2)  That officers from Planning, Transportation and Highway Service be requested to meet with members of B-Spoke – the Bradford Cycle Forum at their quarterly meetings as appropriate in order to work in partnership to deliver on common objectives in accordance with the “Keeping the Wheels Spinning” – Bradford District Cycle Strategy 2016-2026.

(Bhupinder Dev – 01274 432012)

Members were reminded that “Keeping the Wheels Spinning”, the Bradford District Cycle Strategy 2016-2026, co-produced with the local cycling community, key cycling charities and the Council, was endorsed by this Committee at its meeting in April 2017 and the meeting of the Executive in November 2017.

The Strategic Director, Place presented a report (Document “AK”) which provided an update on progress with implementing the Bradford District Cycle Strategy and Action Plan Top Ten Priorities.

It was explained that the Action Plan was a ‘live’ document which was intended to function as a catch all for the aspirations of cycling development work in the District.  As highlighted in the previous report to this Committee on 18 April 2017, it was proposed that an Action Plan ‘Top 10 Priorities’ list should form the basis of future reporting to the Committee – to present the key issues as understood by the cycling community, raise awareness of these issues within the authority and explore possible solutions to which the authority might be able to contribute towards or progress. 

Appended to Document “AK” were the Top 10 Priorities which had been recommended by the meeting of B-Spoke, the Bradford Cycle Forum which took place on 19 February 2018. The ‘Action Plan Top 10 Priorities’ sought  to capture the key issues of concern by the cycling community in order to focus the discussions at the committee and inform the authorities work and that of partners and stakeholders .  

It was confirmed that Bradford Council officers engage actively with B-Spoke and that they held quarterly meetings.

A volunteer member of B-Spoke addressed the meeting and acknowledged the positive support the group had received for cycling in the district.  He detailed all top ten priorities in the Action Plan as follows:-

·         1A. Strategic Route Development

·         1B. Local Network Development

·         1C. Wayfinding and Maintenance

·         1D. Destination Infrastructure

·         2A. Championing Cycling

·         2B. Cycling Training

·         2C. Support for Cycling events & activities

·         3A. Adverting and promotion

·         3B. Educating partners

·         3C. Leadership, responsibility & delegation

Following his detailed presentation a number of issues and questions were raised to which the following response were provided:-

·         Bradford had developed its own successful City Cycle in 2017 following the withdrawal of the Sky branding for mass participation events and its successor, HSBC, not including Bradford in their schedules.

·         It was acknowledged that the canal tow path between Shipley and Apperley Bridge was in a bad state.  City Connect was an integral part of the cycle strategy but not funds had yet been committed. Tow paths in Silsden had been upgraded and it was a future aspiration to be able to cycle along the canal from Bradford to Gargrave.  Assurances were provided that funding was continually being sought.

·         Plans were being developed for a sporting village at Wyke and endeavours were being made to bring the cycle track at the development forward to replace the facilities at Richard Dunn Sports Centre.

·         Highways England were being approached for funding for a feasibility study into the development of Queensbury Tunnel as a cycle path.  Meetings were being held shortly and Members would be kept updated.  Officers worked with Halifax and other local authorities and these collaborations could help with Government funding bids.

·         City Connect provide grant funding for small projects to involve people in inner city areas.  Efforts were made to encourage people to commute by bike and a cycling bus group had been developed to allow cyclists to travel together.

A Member referred to a voluntary project in Leeds which taught cycle skills to encourage people to use cycles and to learn how to maintain their bikes.  The project had targeted refugees and care leavers and it was questioned if similar projects could be undertaken in the Bradford district.  The benefits of cycling to jobs for people who did not have their own transport or for times when public transport was not available were stressed.  In response the work of the Capital of Cycling, based in Hall Ings, Bradford was discussed. 

A Member for the Queensbury Ward reported the involvement of over 100 women and children in the Queen of the Mountains Cycle Club, based in Queensbury and for women in the ward and surrounding areas.  He requested that the Queensbury Tunnel be treated as a priority.

Resolved –

(1)  That the content of the Action Plan “Top 10 Priorities” as recommended by the meeting of B-Spoke on 19 February 2018 (Appendix 1 to Document “AK”) be noted.

(2)  That officers from Planning, Transportation and Highway Service be requested to meet with members of B-Spoke – the Bradford Cycle Forum at their quarterly meetings as appropriate in order to work in partnership to deliver on common objectives in accordance with the “Keeping the Wheels Spinning” – Bradford District Cycle Strategy 2016-2026.

(3)  That the Strategic Director, Place, be requested to provide a progress report, in 12 months time, on the implementation of the Bradford District Cycle Strategy and Action Plan Top Ten Priorities.

ACTION: Strategic Director, Place