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WQ.152/2018
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE BY DEPUTY R.J. WARD OF ST. HELIER
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 25th SEPTEMBER 2018
Question
Will the Minister advise what percentage of commuters cycle to work in St. Helier and what measures (both short and long term) are being taken to improve and encourage day-to-day cycling provision in Jersey?
Answer
Every year in May we collect data on most of the major routes into St Helier to identify the percentage take up of each of the main transport modes. This year, cycling represented 4.5% of trips made into town in the morning peak period. What we cannot say is that all of these trips are for work, as they will contain a mix of leisure, business, education, shopping and other journey purposes. Either way, this represents the highest proportion of cyclists since the introduction of the Sustainable Transport Policy in 2010.
In practice the amount of people cycling is likely to be higher, as the survey does not capture trips made within St Helier e.g. if one were to cycle from the Springfield Area to the Finance Centre on the Esplanade.
This is measure is just one survey, we now have permanent cycling counters at Havre Des Pas and First Tower which record cycling levels all year round, while there is seasonal variation, these numbers have increased by 20% between 2016 and 2017.
In terms of measures being made to improve and encourage day-to-day cycling provision in Jersey, we are rolling out schemes as fast as funding allows.
In the past few years we have introduced almost 550 e-bikes, we have completed the St. Peter 's Valley path, we have completed the first phase of the harbour heads projects, with the English harbour complete and work due to start on the French imminently. We are consulting on improving facilities for cyclists on the railway path, crossing the difficult stretch of road on Pont Marquet.
Sections of the Eastern Cycle Network have also been delivered, with the route between Le Hocq and Le Rocquier School now open and the Samares Nursery development is due to complete the next phase of the network soon, with further plans being advanced to extend the facility into St Helier to join a town network which is under development.
We have also upgraded significant sections of the cycle track around the airport, with an asphalt surface, and through our development control work secured the provision of hundreds of cycle stands at developments all over Jersey. All major office developments are now being built with cycling facilities at the core of the designs with showers and lockers being provided to help remove some of the barriers to cycling.
We need to get more Islanders using sustainable travel for everyday journeys. Walking and cycling result in a healthier population and reduces the pressure on our Health Department.