Friday Thoughts: What's it like for bikes in North Solihull

IN the first of a weekly series we take a light-hearted look at some of the stories in the news and issues affecting the area. This week, should something Dutch be done about our attitude to cycling...

BIKES GALORE: Amsterdam is the cycling capital
of Europe

COULD Alvis Walk look like Amsterdam in a few years’ time?

No don’t panic, there are no plans for a red light district to swallow large parts of Smith's Wood or for windmills to loom large over Lanchester Drive.

But there is one thing that North Solihull could learn from the Netherlands according to some campaigners, their attitude to cycling.

At the moment when you’re passing through Meriden Park you may see a flash of handlebars and there’s always a kid or two pedalling their way down Cooks Lane.

But groups like the Solihull Bicycle Campaign wants to introduce measures that will make things easier – and safer – for cyclists. They argue that adopting a Dutch-style model would make “biking it” a much more appealing option.

Elsewhere this month, Chelmsley Wood councillor Karl Macnaughton backed the Space4Cycling campaign – which is once again pressing for a dramatic change in the way councils lay out their roads.

It’s not going to be easy as Britain is famously far less forgiving of cyclists compared to other countries in Europe. As someone who wobbled their first few yards on the back of a bike last summer, I can confirm there’s still a lot of stigma.

CYCLING STAR: Sir Chris Hoy visited Solihull in 2012
and spoke of hopes that the London Olympics would
get more people riding bikes

Yes, we’re delighted when Sir Chris Hoy, with his super-sized thighs, or Victoria Pendleton, with her winning smile, bring in a bucket full of medals at the Olympics.

But as soon as bikes are let loose in traffic the old prejudices rise to the surface. Motorists gnash their teeth at the sight of skin-tight lycra and grumble under their breath that bikes just “shouldn’t be allowed on the road.” The mantra “four wheels good, two wheels bad” runs deep in many drivers.

With many cyclists too scared to ride on busy roads (I found Tudor Grange Park frightening enough) it’s probably not totally surprising that the post-Olympic positivity hasn’t quite continued. Stats from last month show that the number of Britons regularly riding has actually fallen slightly since London 2012.

It’s a real shame because an area like Chelmsley Wood – where less than half of all people own cars – could really benefit from a boom in bicycles. A strong cyclist could commute from Castle Bromwich to Solihull town centre in half the time it takes the torturous No 71 bus to cover the distance.

There is some hope on the horizon perhaps. Millions of pounds was recently ploughed into the much-hyped North Solihull Strategic Cycle Network. This will provide 13km of new routes, with particular emphasis on people using them to travel to work.

NEW LINK: The first part of the new cycle
network opened last summer, though the
scheme went some way over budget.

It’s a pity that troublesome tree roots and a few other unforeseen problems have seen the cost of the scheme spiral upwards (rather like the blood pressure of those residents who were against the project from the outset).

Some cyclists have also raised concern about aspects of the scheme. After travelling along a stretch in the Auckland Drive area, blogger Bracken VanRyssen  said that the pathways provided “fell far short” of a high quality network.

Nonetheless, Solihull Council is at least attempting to do more to make provisions. As for the other measures that groups like Space4Cycling are calling for, they may be some way off. Although the introduction of more 20mph roads in the borough may be closer than you’d think, following a pilot of the slower speed limit in North Arran Way.

Bike-owners will also welcome the news that this summer will see the introduction of a new programme of regular leisure rides in North Solihull. From late June, CycleSolihull will be leading trips from the likes of Chelmsley Wood and Marston Green.

So while we may be some way off Alvis Walk being renamed Alvis Ride, there are signs at least that cycling is being taken more seriously than in the past. Just don't throw away your travel card just yet.