This year, a new two-way cycle route scheme opened in Stevenage, but its completion follows a historical commitment to safer travel through the town.
Stevenage has some of the very best active travel networks in the country.
The town was built for the bike, with its Dutch style cycleways, adjacent to the main road.
Post- war, Eric Claxton was the lead designer of Stevenage’s infrastructure, and had a strong ambition to create a healthier town, with less reliance on motor cars.
Claxton had a vision for the Stevenage New Town- a convenient cycleway network, which led to key areas, including housing. Construction commenced on the network in 1955, and by the mid-70’s, the town comprised over 40km of cycle infrastructure.
Claxton had a vision of a greener, cleaner town, where residents walked or cycled, but fast forward to present day, and only around 3% currently use the networks to cycle.
Stevenage Borough Council’s Cycle Strategy Action Plan is people-centric and covers all stages of life- from early childhood until retirement.
The strategy focuses on behaviour change, and the future of travel- strongly emphasising on the need to reduce short haul car trips and enhanced public realms within the town centre.
Just what is it deterring Stevenage from fully utilising its historical network?
A number of factors may be contributing, particularly overturning a car-centric mentality.
Additionally, a continued expansion of the town means that it has potentially outgrown the network- many now key urbanised areas are no longer connected, with some residential areas offering little to no network.
In a survey conducted as part of the Stevenage Cycling Strategy, two thirds of residents stated that they chose not to cycle, as they did not feel safe, which likely aids the theory that due to increased traffic and development growth, residents feel uncomfortable riding on busy roads, where the network splits at different points within the town.
Cllr Jim Brown, Mayor of Stevenage, said: “Like much of the country, there was a lulling period, when policy formers thought cars were the answer to everything, and cycling wasn’t high on the agenda. It’s also true that some recent add-ons in the town have caused breaks in penetration and continuity has been allowed.”
He added: “Stevenage is a pioneering town in this country. Its network is used daily by cyclists, joggers and walkers, alike, and is a testament to Claxton’s Holland-emulation, with cycleways built in as part of the new town – and no need for retrofitting. A quality aspect of Claxton’s network are the notably wide and smooth cycleways, but also continuous (minimising breaking them up with side turnings) grade separation, which ensure cyclists don’t get pitched onto a roundabout and are instead, going under it. It is important to protect those routes and continue to extend it, as the town expands.”
Stevenage Borough Council continue to promote Claxton’s legacy, citing the renowned engineer within their local strategies, and promoting active travel, with a number of interventions, including traffic calming, footway maintenance, and a newly launched Beryl Bike hire scheme, working toward their 2030 net zero goal.
Recent works have included a new cycleway on the A602, to accommodate the mainstream route into Stevenage, and cycle improvements on North Road- visitors will also notice striking murals along the walls of the underpasses.
Claxton’s forward-thinking ideal, for a peaceful, safe town, where residents could travel to their destination, uninterrupted by traffic had a strong backbone, and should be on the forefront of all local authority’s agenda.
The societal benefits of continuing Claxton’s work are unbounded, a healthier nation, lowering substantial amounts of pollution, providing a greener environment, for generations to come.
Are you ready to start your active travel journey toward net zero?
Pop into one of our stores today, or visit: www.highwaycycles.co.uk