Stoke-on-Trent
With a population of 240,000, Stoke-on-Trent is the largest of all the Cycling Towns. Stoke already has considerable cycling infrastructure with 120km of newly surfaced cycle routes, much of which is off-road on greenways, canal towpaths and river paths. Despite residents’ proximity to expansive infrastructure, Stoke starts its Cycling Town programme with the lowest levels of cycling in all the Cycling Towns.
Three key barriers to cycling have been identified: poor perception of cycling, lack of opportunities to cycle whether by not having access to a roadworthy bike or not knowing a safe route to ride it, and physical barriers to cycling. The Cycling Towns programme will develop a series of inter-related cycling projects to tackle these barriers.
Market research will identify why there is such a poor perception of cycling in Stoke-on-Trent. The findings will then be used to launch a high-profile campaign, aiming to give cycling a positive image and normalise cycling as a means of travel. Stoke-on-Trent’s ‘Accessible Cycling’ strategy will make bikes more available to the town’s population by introducing a network of cycle hire and maintenance facilities. To combat the physical barriers to cycling, four new cycle paths are being built and over 70 new cycle schemes are currently in development.
For more information visit http://www.stoke.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/transport-and-streets-/cycling/
