Starley Cycling and Walking Network Difficult to Use

Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has unveiled the Starley Network, a new 493-mile cycling vision for the West Midlands. Named in honour of the Starley family of Coventry industrialists who pioneered bicycle manufacturing, the Starley Network pulls together existing routes and towpaths, proposed new cycling infrastructure, and new pop-up lanes funded through the Emergency Active Travel Fund.

The aim is that that the routes will either be traffic free away from the highway, or within roads but physically separated from traffic.

West Midlands Cycling and Walking Commissioner Adam Tranter, is working to steer the region’s cycling and walking policies and plans and support the planning and delivery of the Starley Network of safe cycling and walking routes.

Cyclists Concerns about the Network

There is an online version of the map here which allows you to search for a place but does not allow you to plan a safe cycle route to another destination so it is almost useless.

So far no version of the Network is available on Google maps, Open Street Map nor any other online mapping service, making it impossible to follow on a cycle.

A PDF map of the designated cycle lanes can be found here but this is totally inadequate. We show the part of the map including Coventry. As you can see, it does not include any street names.

CovCAN will put this issue to Sandeep Shingadia, TfWM’s director of development and delivery. and report back here if we receive a reply.

Safe cyclists?

In addition, during the launch of the network there appeared to be no awareness of public concern over the safety of cycling. Councillor Jim O’Boyle of Coventry City Council and Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street sat on cycles without helmets or high-visibility jackets.

And if TfWM is serious about promoting cycling then they need to make new cyclists aware of how to cycle safely. Many cyclists have received no training in safety, some ignore red traffic lights, young cyclists do wheelies and even older ones can be seen riding without holding the handle bars. Some even read their mobile phones while riding their bikes.

Andy Street

Andy Street is the West Midlands Cycling and Walking Commissioner

Announcing a cycle network is fairly easy. Getting people to use it safely is a much more difficult problem.

Comments

Starley Cycling and Walking Network Difficult to Use — 8 Comments

George Riches on 17/08/2020 at 08:40 said:

I support leading politicians NOT wearing helmets or high-visibility jackets when cycling.

They are trying to get people to cycle rather than drive short distances. It’s not about cycling as a serious sport, one where specialist equipment may be needed.

Exaggerated concerns over safety put people off cycling. It’s not as dangerous as people think.

Reply ↓
- Philip Brown on 17/08/2020 at 13:52 said:
  
  In my opinion as a cyclist, wearing a helmet and making yourself visible with a reflective vest when cycling is essential at all times. I find it makes motorists give you a wider berth.
  I think that cyclists who get knocked off their bicycles because they have no lights and wear dark clothing in winter are partly responsible for their own fate.
  And I think that arguing politicians should NOT take these elementary safety precautions is irresponsible.
  
  Reply ↓
  - George Riches on 17/08/2020 at 14:25 said:
    
    Deterring people from cycling is bad for public health and misses the opportunity to reduce car use for short journeys, which is bad for the environment.
    
    Cycle helmets the evidence:
    https://www.cyclinguk.org/campaign/cycle-helmets-evidence
    
    Reply ↓
Ken Grainger on 22/08/2020 at 09:40 said:

Has anyone noticed that the Mayor is not wearing cycle clips either?

And who is the anonymous author of the original article?

Ken

Reply ↓
- Philip Brown on 24/08/2020 at 04:36 said:
  
  Unless otherwise attributed, articles are written by me, the editor.
  
  Reply ↓
George Riches on 22/08/2020 at 10:34 said:

I’m thinking of posting on Coventry Cycling Campaign’s facebook page a critique of the Starley Network. Something like
1) Feeble marketing for a feeble product
2) On the product:
a) It’s a few paths designated as cycleways. What about the rest of the road network, where cyclists must share with motorists? Rat running needs to be stopped and an effective 20 mph limit imposed on all but arterial roads.
b) A large proportion shown on the map is yet to be built.
c) What has been built is below the latest Department of Transport standards. Shared with pedestrians (to reduce walking as well as cycling? Cos it’s cheap? To get cyclist out of the way of cars and encourage more driving?). Gives way at side roads – dangerous for children who might forget that motorists are inclined to dart into side roads without looking.

Reply ↓
- Philip Brown on 24/08/2020 at 04:39 said:
  
  Hi George,
  
  We’ll be happy to publish your article here too if you wish.
  
  Reply ↓
  - George Riches on 26/08/2020 at 19:06 said:
    
    Hello Philip,
    
    Thanks for the offer. I’ll expand on what I wrote earlier, tidy it up and email it to you. What’s your email address?
    
    Reply ↓

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Starley Cycling and Walking Network Difficult to Use

Cyclists Concerns about the Network

Andy Street

Comments

Starley Cycling and Walking Network Difficult to Use — 8 Comments

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