Drivers in Aylestone, Leicester, to be offered free bikes to cycle to work
Drivers are to be given free bikes in a bid to get them out of their cars and into cycle lanes.
The experiment is the idea of Aylestone ward councillors Nigel Porter and Adam Clarke who asked for £3,000 from Leicester City Council to get it up and running.
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Aylestone ward councillor Nigel Porter is hoping to get more commuters using bikes
They plan to hand out a mixture of new and second-hand bikes to about 15 commuters, in return for a promise they will cycle to work regularly.
They hope if they can prove it gets drivers off the roads they can persuade the council to give them more cash to expand the project in the ward and elsewhere in the city.
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Coun Porter said: "You can spend £10 million widening or extending a road to cope with extra traffic but we thought if you can spend far less giving people a bike to get them off the road, it is worth a try.
"If this works, we need to get evidence to show it would be a great scheme for more people.
"Apart from taking people off the roads, there are all the health benefits, too."
Coun Porter said it was yet to be decided how the bikes would be allocated but they would be given out on trust.
Users would be asked to keep a diary of when they ride them.
A main commuter route into the city, Aylestone Road, is often congested.
People who work in the area thought it was a good idea.
Jayshree Madhvai, owner of Beautique Hair and Beauty salon, in Aylestone Road, said: "I think it is a brilliant idea.
"The roads in the area can be a nightmare, so I can not think of a better area to try this out.
"Parking in the area is terrible, too.
"I drive from Oadby and I often wish I could cycle in.
"But I think that might be tricky with the huge pile of towels I have to bring to work everyday."
Cyclist Fiona Chartres, a sales assistant at Brikabrak Picture Frames, in Aylestone Road, said: "I think it sounds fantastic.
"Giving someone a bike is a great incentive to get them out of their car – it gives them the push they need.
"However, I think if they are encouraging cycling they should fix the huge potholes in the roads around here.
"I find them very dangerous when I am cycling to work from my home in Stoneygate."
The scheme is open to people who work or live in Aylestone, who usually drive to work and would be willing to get on their bike most days.
To take part or for more information, e-mail cycletraining@leicester.gov.uk
Comments
by leicestergel
Sunday, August 05 2012, 8:09AM
“Would it not be good to see all the councilors cycling into the City,instead of driving in and having car parking paid for by the tax payers.Now that would be an example!!!”
by nursemad
Thursday, August 02 2012, 2:04AM
“You seriously don't need to drive to Leicester city centre from Aylestone, unless you are lazy or on shifts!”
by leicestergel
Wednesday, August 01 2012, 7:03AM
“nice to see a cyclist in the middle of the road,no helmet,apparently passing traffic stuck in the City jams,including the learner driver who was maybe reconsidering driving due to nowhere to go !”
by Peter20101
Tuesday, July 31 2012, 6:30PM
“Praetorian66, I know you are making a point about the political correctness, but maybe If people supported the likes of the charity Cyclemagic (who are closing down - see separate new story) then all of this can be taken care of
Cyclemagic repair bikes and make them safe. They train people and support them as they need.
Look on their website and you will see bikes available at reasonable prices and they are recycling products.
It seems an ideal solution to both the initiative intended in Aylestone, and the charity that does not want to close, in Leicester.”
by Praetorian66
Tuesday, July 31 2012, 1:07PM
“The costs of these bikes may appear high, however there are other considerations and factors.
The bikes have to be legal, so 2nd hand may need repairs (tyres/brakes etc)
All the bikes have to have lights and reflectors, even new ones dont come with lights.
Helmets are required and it may be the Council's liability to provide one if they are providing the bike.
They might also need to provide training as to exclude sectors of society could open them up to yet more litigation?
Some knock the scheme as a joke, but realisticly, society is the joke that we have to be wet-nursed into new ideas and baby-sat along the way so the governing or implementing body has no legal come back for any untoward occurences..... I might have been cycling to fast when I fell off, but if the Council hadnt supplied such a fast bike the accident wouldnt have happened.....
NO win no FEE.......”
by leicestergel
Sunday, July 29 2012, 1:24PM
“It is becoming "None Leicester"”
by garyb2011
Saturday, July 28 2012, 9:45PM
“This would not be an issue if not for dedades of mismanagemnt by our elected representatives.
The car is not a recent invention so why is is that our road system is so 18th century?
The solution - lets reduce a major road into the City down to one lane (and knock down a flyover) so gridlock is guaranteed!
'One Leicester?'
No vision
No plan”
by leicestergel
Saturday, July 28 2012, 7:24PM
“Maybe a park and cycle site at Eyres Monsell shops(not).”
by karinfall1955
Thursday, July 26 2012, 11:36PM
“Is it me or does he look a bit like "Gene (fire up the quattro) Hunt?”
by Banksider33
Thursday, July 26 2012, 11:01PM
“Great idea, but does little to discourage the miles of queues on Lutterworth and Aylestone Road every weekday.
Local authorities should be looking at how to tackle that problem.
Maybe Leicester needs a number of park & bike options? One could be set up at the Enderby Park & Ride, (like 'Boris Bikes' in London, with a link across to the Great Central Way that would provide traffic free route to the city.”