Issue - meetings

This report advises Members of progress made in developing the York Cycling City project since the announcement of the successful bid in June 2008. Members are asked to note the content of the report and approve the proposals for moving the project forward.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to

(i)    Note this report and the progress made to date on the cycling city project and the cycling target and;

(ii) Endorse the next steps to the further development of the cycling city project as set out in paragraphs 18 to 22 of the report.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:            To enable progress to continue and ensure delivery of all the elements of the project.

Consideration was given to a report, which advised Members of progress in developing the York City Cycle project, since the announcement of the successful bid in June 2008. The report highlighted the key points of the bid, the proposed governance structure for delivering the project and set out the next actions to be implemented in moving the project forward. Also included was an update on progress towards the cycling target and actions to help meet it that had been put in place during the last two years.

Officers updated that a questionnaire aimed at non-cyclists to obtain their views on the reasons why they no longer cycled or had never cycled would be available on the Councils website from tomorrow. Members were informed of the successful all day visit made by representatives of Cycling England on Thursday 21 August for discussions and site visits with officers, stakeholders and Members.

Members commented on the following points:

• Concern at the very ambitious targets proposed and the need to improve existing cycling facilities in conjunction with involving new cyclists;
• Emphasis required on younger cyclists and schools;
• Need to work with the Police and Bike Rescue in an effort to assist those who had insufficient money to purchase a bike;
• When addressing gaps in provision with investment there was a need to do this in conjunction with cycle uptake;
• Gaps in provision on the inner ring road around the Foss Basin area;
• Had an advert been placed for the critical role of a Project Manager for the project delivery? Officers confirmed that a temporary appointment was to be made pending the results of pay and grading;
• Confirmation that the proposed bridge was now a part of the York Central development and that its exclusion from this project would not affect funding;
• Membership of the Strategy Management Group and dates of appointment.

Members welcomed the report and the ambitious projects proposed for York as a cycling city.

Advice of the Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member for City Strategy be advised to

(i)    Note this report and the progress made to date on the cycling city project and the cycling target and;

(ii) Endorse the next steps to the further development of the cycling city project as set out in paragraphs 18 to 22 of the report. ^1.

Decision of the Executive Member for City Strategy

RESOLVED:That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:            To enable progress to continue and ensure delivery of all the elements of the project.