Residents in North Tyneside are being encouraged to turn to cycling with plans in place to help make it a viable option for getting around everyday.
North Tyneside Council wants to see a 10% increase in cycling year on year.
The authority's cabinet approved a public consultation to start a period of public engagement on the plans lasting between now and December.
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The council wants to build on The School Streets scheme which temporarily restricts vehicle access to school gates. According to council documents: "The School Streets schemes have been successful in creating an environment that supports children and their parents to get to school by cycling, walking, wheeling, child’s scooters, or ‘park and stride’ from a nearby parking location."
A grid of cycle-friendly routes, including "traffic calmed" and "traffic free" routes to ensure everyone in the borough is within 250 metres of a cycle route, is also part of the plans. The council is exploring the possibility of installing bike storage facilities in more town and district centres to encourage wider cycle use.
The council highlighted the potential health benefits of regular cycling including reducing the risk of diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, as well as depression and anxiety. According to North Tyneside Council, only 65% of adults in the borough meet the chief medical officers' recommendations of 150 minutes of moderate physical exercise per week.
Cllr Sandra Graham, the cabinet member for the environment, said: “Everyday cycling is a healthy, sustainable and affordable way to get to work, school or the shops, for people of all ages.
“The updated draft strategy sets out how we will continue to support cycling in the borough – a key part of our plans to work towards being carbon net zero by 2030. We’ve delivered a variety of cycle improvements right across the borough with more to come, including the seafront sustainable route.
“The updated cycle strategy will help to ensure the borough is best placed to secure external funding for further sustainable transport improvements.”
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