Cycling is a healthy, clean, cheap and often quicker way of getting around the borough when compared to using a car. By switching trips from cars to bikes we help reduce CO2 emissions, improve air quality and reduce congestion - benefiting the whole community.
However we know that getting back onto two wheels after a long time and riding on London's roads can be daunting at first. That’s why we offer free cycle training for children and subsidised adult training (see related pages). Throughout the spring and summer of 2013 you can sign up to take part in an organised ride to local places of interest - see Bike rides - spring/summer 2013.
Our transport strategy (the Local Implementation Plan 2011-2031) has set a target to double the number of cyclists by 2026. In practice this means increasing the number of trips made by bike which originate in the borough from around 15,000 a day to 30,000. To achieve this growth there are eight distinct programmes which support cycling.
Cycle Superhighway 9 (Hyde Park to Hounslow Town Centre)
A new exemplar cycle route is being designed, which will run through the spine of the borough, linking Chiswick, Brentford and Hounslow town centres. We're working with Transport for London (TfL) to ensure that the route provides the best possible experience for cyclists. Consultation on designs will take place in 2013 and Cycle Superhighway 9 is scheduled to open in 2014.
Biking Borough
Hounslow was the first of the Mayor of London's Biking Boroughs, following our successful hosting of the first outer London Skyride in 2009. This programme provides funding for a number of projects to promote cycling across the borough, but concentrated on our cycle hub area of Isleworth and Brentford.
Improvements already delivered include:
New cycle access to Tallow Road/Market Place
A new access for cyclists through St Pauls Recreation Ground
Improvements to the segregated cycle track along Mogden Lane, and a new route along Whitton Dene to link this to Glen Walk
A new access for cyclists at Bridge Road/Woodlands
Hundreds of new secure cycle parking spaces on residential estates
Continuation of the Bike It initiative within schools
Coming soon will be:
A contraflow cycle lane at St Pauls/Half Acre
A trial of a Brompton Dock cycle rental system
More secure cycle parking spaces on residential estates
Network 2020
This programme seeks to identify up to 100 improvement schemes across the borough that can be implemented in tandem with the Highways Core Investment Period (2013-2018). By allocating funding in this way we should achieve significant economies by dovetailing improvements with asset renewal (e.g. resurfacing roads or repaving pavements). This will also help reduce disruption caused by roadworks.
Greenways
We're developing a network of accessible routes for cyclists and walkers across our parks and open spaces. Routes delivered so far include new paths through Cranford and Avenue Park, Hounslow Heath, Lampton Park, Hanworth Park and Crane Park. Future projects include paths alongside the Longford River in Feltham, Gunnersbury Park and a new route through Pevensey Nature Reserve. For more information please see the Greenways section of the delivery plan in our new transport strategy.
Hounslow Travel Active
This campaign, jointly promoted with NHS Hounslow, seeks to promote active travel methods as a way of increasing physical activity levels in the borough.
To find out more visit the Hounslow Travelactive website or email travelactive@hounslow.gov.uk.
School travel planning
We're working with all schools in the borough to promote cycling to pupils, staff and parents. This often includes improving cycle routes around schools (or introducing 20mph zones) and improving cycle parking. For more information visit our school travel plan pages.
Business travel planning
We're keen to work with businesses to promote cycling to those who work in the borough. We have provided funding towards improved facilities (particularly cycle parking) and given out free promotional materials for handing out to staff. If you would like to find out more please email some details about your workplace (location, numberof employees, nature of work) to travelplans@hounslow.gov.uk.
Cycle confidence training
We provide free cycle training for children, delivered in schools and subsidised adult training (see related pages).
