Town Council rejects call for cycle parking

Whitchurch Town Council has rejected a request from a local resident for increasing the cycle parking provision in the town's centre. 

Whitchurch is very popular with visiting cyclists, many of whom bring trade to the town being attracted by the cafés and shops. The town is also often a stop for organised cycle rides and events, and there are local people who use their cycles to visit the local businesses.

However, the lack of suitable cycle parking has led to some cycles being left against shop fronts and in some cases cycles have been left laying on the pavements or even taken into shops blocking doorways.

Council had previously removed cycle stands
Two years ago, in what many felt was a regressive move, the Town Councillors removed most of the cycle parking that had only recently been installed and was starting to be well-used.
Some had claimed that the cycle stands hindered certain businesses from parking vehicles on the pavements for loading/unloading! Meanwhile others considered the Council's decision a knee-jerk reaction to a small orchestrated campaign that went against improving the town centre for all.

The Council reacted by relocating the cycle stands to areas outside the town centre including to the sports ground on the edge of town at Mill Springs where they now sadly reside empty as the sports area remains unused.

Understanding
This latest rejection shows that the Council still has far to go in understanding the wider issues. Towns and villages that recognise the value of provision for cycling (and walking), including parking, invariably see an increase in trade and economic vitality, as well as improving the environment, encouraging Active Travel and supporting Climate Emergency aims. This is also recognised by the Borough and County Councils. Since the cycle parking was removed by the Town Council at least three businesses have closed their doors.

It is a shame the benefits are not seen by Whitchurch Councillors.

*Note: as an aside to the decision not to provide more cycle parking the Councillors requested Whitchurch in Bloom to remove their beautifully decorated cycles from some existing racks. This makes little difference as they did not prevent cyclists using those racks as they simply locked to the colourful bikes. Instead it just removed some lovely bright colour from the town provided by a keen award-winning volunteer group who understand that a pleasant environment attracts more people to use the town facilities.

This cycle parking that helped add trade and vitality was removed by the Town Council. Apparently it was obstructing the pavement – for motorists!

The result of failing to address the need for adequate cycle parking in the town centre means more cycles are still leant against shopfronts or left obstructing footways.
As the weather improves this will inevitably get worse.

Failure to provide adequate cycle parking can lead to obstructions.