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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE BY DEPUTY M. TADIER OF ST. BRELADE
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 19th JANUARY 2016
Question
What steps, if any, is the Minister taking to make cycling more convenient and safe?
Answer
The encouragement of cycling is a key element of the States Sustainable Transport Policy and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is continuously delivering measures which make cycling more convenient and safer.
We have an active programme to expand our off road cycle network.
Work is underway to provide an off road shared (cycle and pedestrian) route through St Peter's Valley, which will link the western route in St Aubin's bay via the Perquage path through to St Mary, in a similar way that the Railway Walk links St Aubin to Corbiere via Les Quennevais. The new path will dramatically improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians whilst making the route more appealing for both residents and tourists.
The next stage of the eastern cycle network linking Grouville Food Hall to Grouville School via the edge of Grouville Common has commenced and will be completed this year. Other sections are also being investigated. The Island Plan (policy TT3) requires all major developments in the south east of the Island to contribute either physically or financially to the eastern cycle network. Several planning obligations have been agreed accordingly and this will provide ongoing funding for this work to continue.
The cycle route from the steam clock, along Commercial Buildings to Havre des Pas, linking western and eastern cycle routes, has been partially completed and my officers are investigating options to continue the cycle route past the old English and French harbours (a previous proposal having been withdrawn).
DfI officers have met the Connétable of St Helier and representatives of the Parish and will be working together to improve cross town cycle routes.
The existing western cycle route is very well used and we are reviewing where improvements can be made to cope with its high usage, for example the improved lighting we have provided along Victoria Avenue and enhancements delivered as part of the St Aubin's village improvement scheme.
In addition to off road facilities, we are progressing a road safety action plan which will aim to reduce the likelihood of injuries on our roads and in particular, make vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians and cyclists, safer. This involves a combination of the 3 E's - engineering, enforcement and education. We have held a workshop with the Minister for Home Affairs, the Connétable s and the 13 policing authorities and have agreed a prioritised programme of measures. These will include continued work on road safety awareness campaigns in conjunction with the road safety officer and States Police (such as last year's Let's look out for each other' campaign).
We have an ongoing programme of providing cycle racks. 100 new stands have been provided in the town area in the last 5 years with a further 50 provided in more rural locations.
We work with developers and the Department of the Environment to ensure that cycle facilities are considered and improved as part of the planning application process and have also secured sponsorship for cycle racks from the private sector, i.e. the Co-Op at St Clement.
Law changes to provide for cycle helmet use for children were introduced by my predecessor in 2014. In 2015 we made law changes regarding the use of electric bikes to make the law less restrictive. We are keen to encourage the use of electric bikes as they provide a cycling option for those who do not consider a conventional bike to be a realistic option. This is not just supportive of the Sustainable Transport Policy, but also the Energy Pathway 2050 and the States interest in promoting healthy life styles through active travel. We have had an initial exchange of correspondence with the Jersey Electricity Company to consider how their use could be promoted.
Finally we would add that we have an active programme of cycle promotion, including the schools green travel fortnight and Cycle Challenge programmes which encourage individuals and businesses to get on their bikes.
In addition to encouraging cycling we also have a programme of measures to encourage people to make more journeys on foot. We will be producing a comprehensive series of proposals to ensure a coordinated approach is being taken and to identify any further measures which can improve the safety and convenience of all forms of active travel.