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Portsmouth Cycle Forum will launch "A City to
Share", its strategy for a safer cycling environment and
infrastructure in Portsmouth.
The proposal, to be presented to the council at a launch event on the
3rd November 2014, sets out a vision for the city where there is space
for cyclists, drivers and pedestrians to co-operate with each other
and treat one another with courtesy and respect.
We are seeking donations to cover the costs of printing the
strategy document and to give us a fund to lobby to get the strategy
adopted by Portsmouth City Council.
Cllr Donna Jones invited Portsmouth Cycle Forum to propose
improvements to transport in the city, following an open letter it
wrote to the council in August 2014. The challenge now handed back to
all local leaders in the strategy, is how to work together to deliver
these changes.
"A City to Share" sets out a vision where cyclists and
pedestrians who live, work, study and visit Portsmouth can be safely
accommodated alongside drivers. The strategy aims to deliver a steep
reduction in the number of accidents involving cyclists and
pedestrians by changing the way the streets are designed.
This means cost-effective interventions to make cycling a viable
alternative to the car as it has in other thriving cities like London,
Bristol and Cambridge.
Jon Spencer, Chair of Portsmouth Cycle Forum, comments: “Only 4.6% of
commuting journeys in Portsmouth are made by bike, which is
significantly lower than the 16% seen in Cambridge. We believe that
with the right infrastructure in place Portsmouth could be an ideal
city for cycling, and aim to see the percentage of commuting journeys
to rise to 10% by 2020, and 20% by 2025.”
"Making changes to the city to enable many more people to cycle
safely will benefit everyone. It will bring great benefits to the
health, wealth and wellbeing of the whole city."
The strategy focuses on the recognised potential benefits for the
community in Portsmouth. These include:
-
Health - Regular physical activity like cycling for
short trips will help address obesity and ensure the elderly are
healthier for longer. Reducing the stress from driving along
increasingly busy roads also has mental health benefits.
-
Economy - Shoppers who mainly visit through
walking, cycling or the bus will visit more shops and more
frequently supporting local high streets. This relies on addressing
road safety to help overcome fears of cycling in Portsmouth.
Reducing congestion will benefit all businesses.
-
Liveability - Improving safety and reducing traffic
along residential roads to support cycling will help children get to
school and visit nearby friends. As more people switch from
travelling by car to walking or cycling, it will reduce the demand
on scarce parking spaces in the city.
-
Environment - The primary source of air pollution
in Portsmouth is motor traffic. When residents in the city switch
from cars to cycling to make short trips, it will help reduce the
estimated 600 preventable deaths a year in the city due to air pollution.
By working together with residents and businesses in the city, the
council can start to address the vision through practical interventions.