Cycling in Cheshire
Cheshire East Council's response so far has been to
recognise the need for change
The "Sustainable Transport Strategy" sets out the
vision of a safer and environmentally sustainable transport system,
which offers choice of modes with good and efficient access to
employment and services whilst minimising the need to travel and
the use of natural resources. This is strongly endorsed by the
residents of Cheshire with cycling receiving much support.
Only four percent of travel to work journeys in Cheshire are
currently made by cycle. There is however, great diversity in cycle
use through out the County, with up to five times as many residents
in Crewe and Nantwich and Vale Royal Boroughs choosing to cycle to
work, than residents in Macclesfield and Halton. Each Highways and
Transportation Local Joint Committee will consider setting their
own specific targets for cycling.
A Cheshire County Council's Quality of Life Survey (1996)
reported on the attitudes and experiences of adults in Cheshire.
Nearly half of those surveyed said that nothing would persuade them
to use their cars less, although generally more cycle lanes were
supported as a traffic improvement action.
The attitudes and experiences of children also need to be
addressed. Children are often discouraged from cycling, especially
to school, where the journey often entails the use of busy and
congested roads. Creating safer cycle routes to schools is one of
the ways in which Cheshire East Council may help to encourage a
cycling culture among a new generation of cyclists.
The Department of Transport has highlighted that:
- At 40 mph a person hit by car stands an 85% chance of
dying
- At 30 mph the figure is 45%
- At 20 mph the figure is 5%.
Source: Department of Transport 1992
