Vision for a Strategic Cycle Network for Oxfordshire

THE Oxfordshire Cycling Network (OCN) has launched its vision of a future Strategic Cycle Network for Oxfordshire, which it believes could bring £112 million a year in health and travel time benefits to the county, by linking the major towns, workplaces and transport hubs with safe, direct and attractive cycle routes.

“Our vision is that people of all abilities can choose to cycle anywhere, feeling safe and comfortable,” said Robin Tucker, Chair of OCN. The only proven way to achieve this is to have high quality routes linking places that people want to go.”

“All ages, all abilities. These are the four As of best-practice standards for cycling. The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark – and even Cambridge – have shown that this works. Now let’s bring similar 4A benefits to Oxfordshire,” said Simon Hunt, Chair of Cyclox.

Image courtesy of CyclingUK

“The 366-mile network would bring huge economic and health benefits to Oxfordshire people, whether or not they cycle. The first gain is improved health, because people who cycle live longer and are healthier, removing a cost burden from the health services. Secondly, switching from cars to bikes cuts air pollution, increasingly recognised as killer in urban environments. The third benefit is shorter journey times, both by reducing congestion on the roads and because cycling is simply quicker for short journeys – everyone wins. Robin notes, “Instead of stop-starting in traffic jams, fretting about where to park, I can bike the five miles from home to Abingdon more quickly and more
predictably.  Plus, I will have done my exercise for the day.”

All ages, all abilities means routes similar to Dutch or German standards. Smooth tarmac, at least three metres wide and separated from busy roads by a green verge. In town, cycle tracks would be separated from both pedestrians and motor vehicles, and would continue across junctions.

OCN calculates that increasing cycling to 10% of journeys1 in the county compared to 3% today is worth £112 million per year in health and journey time benefits2.

“There will be other benefits too”, says Kevin Wilkinson, Chair of workplace cycling group HarBUG. “Cyclists spend more in local shops and cycling links attract businesses, employees and tourists to a location.”

You can read more HERE including a map of the proposed network, which includes Thame.