A range of pop-up cycle lanes, street closures and cycle parking facilities have been put in place across Nottingham to encourage more active travel during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The last cycle route, funded through Nottingham City Council’s Emergency Active Travel Fund, is being installed in the Carlton Road area this week.
The measures aim to support social distancing by making it easier for people to walk and cycle, and to deter cut-through driving.
The latest cycle route is being installed as new ‘High’ level restrictions are introduced by the UK government in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, including advice to reduce the number of journeys people are making, if necessary walking or cycling, or avoiding busy times and routes on public transport where possible.
Councillor Adele Williams, portfolio holder for transport, said: “Our pop-up cycle lanes have focused on developing new and improved cycling corridors on key routes in the north and east of the city.
“We’ve also introduced two low traffic neighbourhoods, in the Arboretum and Derby Road areas, to deter motorists using these residential areas a cut-through and, by doing so, create a more inviting environment, and more space, for people to walk or ride a bike.
“These measures are all about keeping Nottingham moving safely, by encouraging more active travel and reducing demand on public transport while social distancing guidelines are in place.”
Trial cycle lanes are now signed and lined with orange paint, while most of the routes are segregated to some degree. However, the council said this hasn’t been possible in some locations due to access being required to bus stops, or driveways, or due to impact on public transport.
In addition, Nottingham City Council has installed several pop-up cycle parking racks in the city centre and at locations including Colwick Park, Forest Recreation Ground and Victoria Embankment, while security improvements have been made at the permanent cycle hubs at Clifton South and Toton Lane park and ride sites.
These are the latest emergency active travel scheme measures to be put in place, following the closure to through traffic of Victoria Embankment at the beginning of August, and the creation of car-free streets outside eight schools in the city in September.
The fund has also been used to support the provision of bikes to more than 160 jobseekers, and to run pop up Dr Bike sessions.
