Agenda item

Forward Plan Ref: 2021/070

Contact: Craig Rossington, Senior Transport Planner Tel: 07880 945891

Report by Corporate Director, Environment & Place (CMDHM6).

An experimental traffic regulation order permitting the use of Queen Street in both directions by cargo bikes (pedal cycles designed or adapted for carrying goods commercially) to use Queen Street in both directions at all times was introduced on 18 May 2020 following consultation with key stakeholders. The experiment was proposed because council officers were of the view that allowing cargo bikes to use Queen Street during the day would have environmental benefits by encouraging zero carbon transport for the movement of goods within Oxford. Funding for the proposal has been provided from the Central Oxfordshire Locality revenue budget. 

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management is RECOMMENDED to approve making permanent the provisions of the current experimental Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) that permits the use of Queen Street in both directions by cargo bikes (pedal cycles designed or adapted for carrying goods commercially) to use Queen Street in both directions at all times. Other cyclists will continue to be prohibited from riding between 10.00am and 6.00pm daily.  

An experimental traffic regulation order permitting the use of Queen Street in both directions by cargo bikes (pedal cycles designed or adapted for carrying goods commercially) to use Queen Street in both directions at all times had been introduced on 18 May 2020 following consultation with key stakeholders. The experiment had been proposed to consider whether allowing cargo bikes to use Queen Street during the day would have environmental benefits by encouraging zero carbon transport for the movement of goods within Oxford. Funding for the proposal had been provided from the Central Oxfordshire Locality revenue budget. 

City Councillor for the Summertown Ward and local resident Katherine Miles spoke in support of the proposal as part of the acceleration to progress to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Companies in the city had demonstrated the viability of using cargo bikes for the delivery of goods and services while contributing to a more sustainable urban environment and economy and with sales of cargo bikes projected to grow 66% in 2021 they were clearly part of the solution in the transition to a low carbon and ultimately zero carbon economy. Their use also addressed other issues air pollution, congestion on our narrow streets and pavement parking. She urged the Cabinet Member for Highway Management to make permanent the provisions of the current experimental Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) permitting the use of Queen Street in both directions by commercial cargo bikes at all times in the hope as a start in how we could adapt Queen Street and transportation in the city centre. The next practical steps for the future would be then to allow all bikes to use Queen Street at all times in a way that avoided conflict with pedestrians; increase the capacity of cycle parking at the Cornmarket junction with Queen Street and prevent mopeds from pavement parking there and create incentives for food delivery companies to use e-bikes and cargo bikes rather than polluting mopeds.

The Cabinet Member noted the following written representations from:

County Councillor Susanna Pressel who fully support the recommendation to allow cargo bikes to use Queen Street in both directions at all times. Believing that the riders cycled carefully and observed the same speed limit as the buses we needed to do all we could to improve air quality and encourage active travel.

Chris Benton (Pedal and Post) whose company would like to continue to have equal opportunity to use Queen Street delivered daily to many of the businesses in Westgate and on Queen Street between 10-20 times daily. Use of cargo bikes here was very safe and as their bikes were branded they were always able to be held accountable throughout the trials. They had received positive feedback that cargo bikes could change cities by helping to promote ultra-low emission, reduce air pollution, road danger, parking issues, congestion, noise pollution all whilst promoting an active lifestyle.  They hoped this could pave the way to show cycling and active travel as a huge positive in the city and help the change to a sustainable future for our travel network 

The Cabinet Member for Highway Management endorsed the comments made to him at the meeting including the written representations received and having regard to the information in the report confirmed his decision as follows:

to approve:

(a)     making permanent the provisions of the current experimental Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) permitting the use of Queen Street in both directions by cargo bikes (pedal cycles designed or adapted for carrying goods commercially) at all times. Other cyclists would continue to be prohibited from riding between 10.00am and 6.00pm daily;

(b)  ask officers to consider the scope for expanding the provisions in Queen Street to include all commercial cargo bike delivery operators i.e. any push bike or e bike designed or adapted to carry commercial goods.

Signed……………………………………..

Cabinet Member for Highway Management

Date of signing……………………………