Shared spaces between cyclists and pedestrians

WQ.382/2020

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE BY DEPUTY R.J. WARD OF ST. HELIER

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 20th OCTOBER 2020

Question

Will the Minister advise –

1. what specific actions, if any, are being planned to increase mutual understanding and the successful use of shared spaces between cyclists and pedestrians in the coming 6 months;
2. what plans are being developed to improve the marking of cycles lanes in shared space areas such as St. Aubin's Bay; and
3. what the timescale is for completion of any such work?

Answer

1. Active travel is at the heart of the Sustainable Transport Policy and promoting safe walking and cycling is key to the ambition. IHE has a number of cycle routes where the constraints of space mean it is not possible to have cycle lanes segregated from pedestrian areas, and pedestrian priority and considerate cycling is allowed in these mixed-use area.

In recent years, each May, as cycling increases, the Department supports the Road Safety Panel and States of Jersey Police to deliver a road safety campaign entitled "Let's Look Out For Each Other". Initially this focussed only on courtesy between pedestrians and cyclists on the promenade and similar areas, but more recently the campaign has been expanded to cover general courtesy between all road users.

The campaign's banners, leaflets, social media videos and on-site engagement by the police's road safety officer, uniformed officers and on occasion the Department's staff helps users see things from other people's point of view and it is hoped this will prompt them to think about others' needs when out and about.

Amongst other things, in terms of cycling, it highlights that it should always be remembered that that the Highway Code requires cyclists using shared or segregated paths to look well ahead and watch out for pedestrians stepping into their path and be considerate of other road users, particularly blind and partially sighted pedestrians. Letting them know you are there when necessary, for example, by ringing your bell.

The campaign emphasises the Highway Code requirements that cyclists must take care when passing pedestrians, especially children, older or disabled people, and allow them plenty of room. Always be prepared to slow down and stop if necessary. This priority is reflected in the signage along designated routes.

Pedestrians are also reminded that they should take care when crossing cycle lanes and that young children should not be allowed out alone and need to be closely supervised. Further to this, the campaign promotes sensible advice on visible clothing, not walking in cycle lanes or letting dogs on extendable leads do the same.

While there was some social media work, in 2020 this full campaign didn't take place due to Covid- 19 restrictions and the redeployment of staff to other duties. There are no specific actions planned within the next 6 months as during the colder months as there is reduced activity, to have the maximum impact it is important the campaign is run to coincide with the start of the high season for the promenade's use. With the pandemic still impacting capacity it is not possible to say whether the campaign will run again in 2021, but it is hoped it will.

2. Areas such as La Haule on the approach to St Aubin have constrained promenade path sections where space is lacking to fit an adequate separate cycle path. This has been a concern to me, so I have commissioned a review of this area to explore the potential to better use the space available. Whilst it may mean difficult challenges such as reducing the areas of verge, roadside parking and road space for other uses, I am determined to explore all options to try to make it a better environment for walking and cycling. This commission should produce concepts that I can discuss with stakeholders in the new year.

In 2017, as part of the Road Safety awareness campaign "Let's Look Out For Each Other" the department held a consultation to seek the public's views on the difficulties. This consultation identified that greater segregation should be a key focus for improving user experience on the Promenade from West Park to St Aubin.

However, improving segregation comes with a number of challenges. For much of the route the available space is narrow and, also, used by Le Petite Train. Improved segregation therefore needs to allow greater widths for 2-way cycling to avoid the possibility of reducing cyclist / pedestrian collisions and replacing them with cycle v cycle.

As most cyclists start or finish their journey in town the Department has planned a programme of work starting from the town and heading west to St Aubin. The first step is the current scheme under construction at Les Jardins de la Mer where the creation of a dedicated cycle path for the full length of the edge of the park will address the conflicts. Currently bus users cross the cycle route to board the out of town direction buses at West Park which is unsatisfactory. I am delighted that we have been able to work with SOJDC to create this new facility for the benefit of cyclists, bus passengers and the many others who walk in this busy area. This is the start of a programme of schemes which are now under development to work westwards to improve the cycle track and reduce conflicts, the path, improve segregation and trial new road markings to improve users' understanding of what each area is for.

3. The work at Les Jardins de la Mer will be complete by the end of November 2020. Further western cycle route improvements are being planned and funding for the improvements is being identified, these will compliment other measures to address barriers to using this route such as the crossing on La Rue du Pont Marquet to be installed next year (safer routes to school measure).

To further advance these initiates the government has committed to the recruitment of a cycling infrastructure officer. It is anticipated that a new officer to focus on progressing these and other cycling initiatives will be appointed early in 2021.