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Silverlink Metro, the company which runs the formerly exceptionally cycle-friendly North London Line, held a consultation about its cycle policy in Spring 2006. The following is the LCC's response: FAO Geraint
Hughes 21 April 2006 Dear Mr Hughes, The London Cycling Campaign has been the voice of cyclists in London for 28 years. We have more than 10,000 members and are the largest urban cycling campaign in the world. We welcome this opportunity to comment on the carriage of bicycles on Silverlink Metro. We stand ready to offer any further assistance or advice which might be required. DOORSTEP TO DESTINATION: INTEGRATING CYCLING AND RAIL TRAVEL We welcome Silverlink's recognition of the importance of cycling as part of an integrated transport strategy. Silverlink services have been used for many years by a large number of cycle owners to enable efficient, reliable and pollution free journeys in North London. The North London Line and Barking-Gospel Oak Line in particular cater to a wide range of communities whose members have hitherto been able to benefit from the use of the integrated transport service offered by Silverlink. We note that the current restrictions were not consulted with users and we welcome the decision to review them. We would highlight the following benefits of integrated transport and the use of cycle/rail. FOR INDIVIDUALS, it provides a door-to-door alternative to the private car particularly for longer-distance journeys (especially for those without access to a car, for whatever reason). In the context of Silverlink Metro, we note that allowing cycle carriage on trains increases flexibility of journey for cycle users and opens up journey possibilities that would otherwise be extremely difficult. We are not aware of any 'onward destination' surveys of cycle users of Silverlink Metro services as part of its policy review; such surveys would have usefully illuminated the existing role of Silverlink in facilitating such journeys. FOR RAIL OPERATORS, it increases their customers' ability to access rail services by tripling the number of households within 10 minutes of a station by non-motorised transport and increasing the area covered 16-fold. It also brings in customers far more cost-effectively than alternatives such as the provision of parking space or subsidised feeder bus services. FOR LOCAL ECONOMIES the increase in catchment area helps maintain the viability of rail services, as do the opportunities to promote cycle tourism. Both factors can have substantial benefits for the strength of the economy in the surrounding area. FOR PUBLIC POLICY, the cycle-rail combination supports a wide range of health, transport, social and environmental objectives and is highlighted in both Government and London transport policies. Many Londoners in particular rely on being able to take bicycles on trains for longer journeys, both for business and leisure trips. Train-assisted cycle rides are also an excellent way for people to access the countryside outside the M25, without using cars, and to support existing and new cyclists. FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABLITIES Whilst the common perception of cyclists is of healthy and agile younger people, cycles (including various forms of adapted cycle) are widely used as disability aids by people with sensory or movement disabilities. Cycles provide vital independent personal mobility to many such people who often lack access to private cars, and who would otherwise be dependent on taxis and other assistance to get around. Cycles used as a mobility aid merit equal status with the wheelchair and should always be permitted on trains. PEAK TIME TRAVEL We would like to see cycles carried on all Silverlink trains. We note that the facilitation of cycle carriage by rail operators on the Barking-Gospel Oak Line helped revive this train route as the 'Rolling Cycleway' with special goods carriages and improved access to platforms. Many people, therefore, have an expectation that cycles will continue to be carried on services at all times. Cycle carriage has also been well established on the North London Line with regular use by both adults and children. We note that on the identified routes there have been few problems with cycle carriage over the past three decades with passengers waiting for less crowded trains whether with or without cycles, or choosing to travel at an earlier time. Many Silverlink passengers use the cycle/rail combination for travel to work or to school or college and we anticipate that removal of this option will result in increased use of motor vehicles with consequent increases in traffic congestion and pollution. The cost in real terms of any decision by Silverlink to remove this option would therefore also be borne by the wider community. Both the North London and Barking-Gospel Oak Lines are particularly important from the perspective of cycle users because they cut across many areas that are difficult to cross conveniently by cycle, such as the Lea Valley. We note the existence of a range of ways in which cycle carriage can be facilitated:
CYCLE PARKING As part of a wider policy objective to promote integrated transport, we welcome the fact that the Department of Transport has promoted a programme of cycle parking at stations. As you will no doubt be aware, however, this is far from complete. In the London context, secure cycle parking is of particular importance and is a critical concern of people such as commuters who may wish to leave their cycles unattended all day (or all night). We note that fully secure cycle parking is only available at three stations in North London (Finsbury Park, Walthamstow Central and Leytonstone). Most Silverlink stations have limited cycle parking and in most cases it is not secure. In London, open bike stands outside stations, particularly those where there is no oversight or supervision, remain vulnerable to theft and we would urge Silverlink to introduce sufficient secure facilities which address the needs of users. PLATFORM ACCESS Where there is no alternative to stair access to platforms narrow ramps at the side can assist both cycle users and passengers with pushchairs. We would like to see these fitted at all relevant stations. Yours sincerely, Dr. Susie
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