Wolverhampton council have recently secured funding for a new 100+ space cycle hub located at the Wolverhampton interchange. Quadrant Transport sits down with Councillor Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment to discuss what the new cycle hub adds to the recent developments in the area and how it is part of a wider project to get people out on their bikes more regularly.
The new hub will be located next to the railway station’s multi-story car park. It has been developed through the city’s £150 million Interchange development delivering improvements scheme.
UK walking and cycling charity Sustrans have pumped £472,500 into the development of over 100 cycle spaces. 92 of these will be undercover which offers extra protection from the weather and increased safety.
People want to know their bike is safe and secure
Cllr. Steve Evans, Cabinet Member for City Environment, told Quadrant Transport: “I think it is really important to have any transport links, whether it is rail, bus or pedestrian. The car will always be important but one mode certainly should be cycling. So having the cycle hub is really important because you need to know that when you’re leaving your bike that it is safe and secure.”
“If we are going to try to make the right environment to encourage people to get on their bikes they’ve got to know it is somewhere safe to lock them up and they’re protected from the rain etc,” added Cllr Evans.
If we are going to try to make the right environment to encourage people to get on their bikes they’ve got to know there is somewhere safe to lock them up
In terms of capacity, lots of planning went into deciding how many cycle spaces should be created. This planning was important to ensure all of those that wanted to ride a bike would have space as it could counteract the messaging around getting onto bikes if people are unable to fit their bikes at the hub.
Additional tracks pave the way for more cycling
To further expand the messaging around active travel, Wolverhampton Council received separate funding for two additional cycle lanes to be built in the area from the Active Travel Fund.
West Midlands Combined Authority put in the bid on behalf of all councils in the area and was awarded £13.7 million by the Department for Transport. Wolverhampton’s share will be used to build a path for the exclusive use of cyclists and walkers along the entire length of the ring road.
Steve told Quadrant Transport about the importance of ensuring the track is separate from the road. He said it is good for people to know “Yes, I’m going to ride my bicycle. I want to be in a safe lane away from the traffic and want to know it is locked up in a safe environment with lots of space for capacity while I continue my journey.”
Wrapping up the interview Cllr. Evans told Quadrant Transport: “It is the perfect time for the hub to come about because the country’s willingness to cycle has been captured, let’s push it a bit further, let’s treat bicycle transport as more of an equal.”