Elements of the Cycling and Walking Option
- Extension of cycleways to new developments on the edge of the City
- Introduction of the Green Ring (a linking together of cycle routes around
Cambridge)
- Extending the network into the Sub-region.
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Assessment
The proposed improvements for cycling and walking, such as those proposed by
Sustrans, have not been modelled separately because the strategic nature of the
model is not sensitive enough to local changes.
Distance and time for cycling and walking are not fundamentally changed by
the improvements. The proposed improvements probably do alter the convenience of
the routes and also their safety, making cycling and walking more attractive.
Therefore the improvements may counteract the probable decline of cycling, as
average distances become larger.
What has been modelled is the impact on cycling and walking after introducing
the other options:
- The Public Transport and Orbital Options reduce cycling trips by 7% within
Cambridge while the congestion charging option increases them by 13%.
- The Combined Option maintains practically the same level of cycling trips.
- The improvements in public transport also reduce the walking trips by 6%,
while there are 2% fewer with the Orbital Option.
- The Congestion Charging Option increases walking trips by 11% while the
Combined Option maintains practically the same number of walking trips.
The impact on cycling and walking is due more to the changes in the number of
working households living within Cambridge City rather than the policies
themselves. The exception is the public Transport Option, which would offer a
convenient alternative to walking in the City.
The cost of implementing the proposed cycle network has been estimated at
about 1.3 million. The inner circle is estimated at about 0.8 million and the
extension of radial routes at about 0.5 million. In addition, there are costs
in building bridges over the Cam and A14 but these are funded separately from
developers contributions.
Results
This option has not been tested separately, as the model is not sensitive to
small changes in the convenience of the routes.
- The number of cyclists and pedestrians varies depending on other options,
increasing with congestion charging and reducing with public transport and
highway improvements
- As the City expands the average travelling distance increases, making
cycling and walking less popular
- This option would make cycling and walking an attractive alternative to
the car for some trips
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