Calls for bicycle parking and changing rooms in multi-storeys

Tuesday 23 August 2022

Islanders think that there should be dedicated bicycle parking in multi-storey carparks, with charging points and changing facilities, a new study has found.

A Government-commissioned report – which was based on a public questionnaire – also says that there needs to be more bike-only routes, and new shelters at Snow Hill, La Colomberie and near to the Central Market.

Those responding to the survey – 83% of them cyclists – also highlighted the negative impact of “high traffic volumes and arrogant and abusive drivers”.

Last year, transport consultants WSP were asked by the Government to find out what the public thought of four temporary shelters that were installed as part of its 'Sustainable Transport Policy'.

204 people answered 14 questions, which included some open-ended ones which allowed respondents to write comments.

The major barrier to cycling was found to be the lack of properly enforced segregated cycle routes. Around 64 people responded that lack of cycle routes is the main obstacle to cycling.

High volumes of traffic and the inappropriate behaviour of other road users were listed as the other major barriers to cycling by 47 and 30 respondents, respectively.

Pictured: This bike shelter in Sand Street is one of four that have been built in St Helier as part of a pilot project.

The island’s hilly terrain and the weather conditions were also noted as a hindrance to people cycling. 

People also mentioned several other barriers like lack of cycling infrastructure, enforcement, and facilities at cycle parking locations, including at shelters.

When it came to the shelters themselves – which are at Jardins de la Mer, in front of Sand Street car park, outside the first IFC building, and near the Esplanade / Gloucester Street junction – almost 60% said they were ugly and out of place.

36% said that the new cycle shelters made them more likely to cycle to town, with 34% saying that they hadn’t.

Of those who answered ‘yes’, 86% said the shelters offered better weather protection than other available cycle parking.

Open comments included: 

“These shelters are poorly positioned. The one at Jardins de la Mer faces the prevailing weather including the sea spray. Who thought that was a good idea?? These are too small for cargo bikes. They are not secure. They are expensive. Rather than consulting after you’ve spent the money listen to those who cycle daily for what they want.”

“The first floor of car parks should be dedicated to cycle parking along with disabled parking. This would provide CCTV of the area which would prevent theft of cycles, along with good coverage from the elements.”

“The shelters address part of a problem (they aren't actually any more secure; security being more of a problem than protection from the elements), but a minor one. The real problem is the awful behaviour of a significant portion of Jersey's motorists towards cyclists; the fact that dangerous behaviour is not enforceable by law unless injury or damage to property occur, and the lack of any even half-decent cycling infrastructure.”

“The roads are too busy and dangerous - lots of blind corners and road exists. There needs to be more (and wider) cycle tracks. The recent cycle path through St. Peter’s [Valley] is wonderful - if a little narrow and unlit at night - and there should be more paths throughout the island that interconnect and are very clearly sign posted so that all parishes can safely have a cycle route to town and to the parish schools.”

"The existing cycle paths are good but need to be supplemented by additional paths, where roads need to be used to join from one path to another, along all of the major routes into town from parish settlements. They also need to be asphalt, as cycling on dirt and gravel is much slower going, so people avoid these when needing to get somewhere quickly and easily (apart from the railway walk, which is not a dedicated cycle path and so should never be tarmacked)."

The Government will now review the findings.

In May, Express reported that the Government was recruiting for the island’s first Cycling Officer, with the successful candidate being in the frame for a salary of up to £69,000

Pictured top: A multi-storey carpark with cycling storage in Leuven, Belgium.