Rotherham Council wants to improve provision for cyclists, so that everyone in the borough can enjoy the health, environmental and economic benefits that cycling offers.
The Council has already committed resources in its budget to improve the borough’s existing 90 miles of cycle infrastructure, and further central government funding for sustainable travel has become available – creating an opportunity to expand cycling provision.
Proposals to adopt a cycling strategy and carry out a public consultation – published this week – will be voted on by the Cabinet at its 22 March meeting.
Rotherham Council’s cabinet member for jobs and the local economy, Cllr Denise Lelliot said: “In the past year we’ve seen an increase in cycling and we want to ensure that trend continues by providing a network that makes bike travel safe and practical for more Rotherham residents, workers and visitors. Investing in cycling is an opportunity to create lasting benefits for everyone – and we need people’s feedback to ensure we do the right things in the right way.”
Cycling provides low-cost travel, improves health and wellbeing and helps to protect the environment. Yet data from previous years shows that even for Rotherham residents’ whose commutes are less than 5km (around 20 minutes by bike), 59% drive and only 1% cycle.
Increasing cycling for work, errands and leisure will serve many of the borough’s needs, including increasing physical activity levels, improving air-quality, reducing traffic congestion and supporting economic regeneration by making it easier for people to access employment, training and leisure opportunities.
The draft strategy outlines the priorities and principles that will shape the Council’s future cycling-related activity and provide a network of routes that is safe, comprehensive and accessible. This includes integration with the public transport, to support longer journeys.
The Rotherham Cycle Strategy will be aligned to the Sheffield City Region Active Travel Implementation Plan.