Get on your bike (or the bus or train!)
We all know that we should be using our cars less and look for alternative methods of getting around the city. For the future of the planet, and our health, we must move towards more sustainable forms of travel. This was the topic of a recent event that I arranged, along with Llanishen councillor Garry Hunt, in November.
The event, held at Llanishen Leisure Centre, proved to be very popular. We were joined by key stakeholders in the field of active and sustainable travel; including Cardiff Bus, Adventure Travel (who now operate the 86 service through Lisvane), and Cardiff Cycle City.
We had a jam-packed agenda, hearing from the Cabinet Member for Transport at Cardiff Council, Cllr Dan De’Ath, as well as Transport for Wales, Sustrans Cymru, Cardiff Pedal Power and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
Cardiff is already making great strides in the field of active and sustainable travel, with segregated cycle lanes being installed across the city to make cycling more accessible and safer, and 20mph speed limit pilots in residential areas as part of the Welsh Government’s overall plan for all residential areas in Wales to be 20mph from 2023.
However, it is clear from this event that more needs to be done to improve pedestrian experiences, as well as making a more integrated public transport network, and improve the planning of our new communities.
Cardiff Pedal Power brought along some adapted and e-bikes for event guests to try. They actively try and encourage everyone to try cycling, no matter their ability or age, and hire out a range of specially adapted bikes that accommodate everyone. They are based in Sophia Gardens all year round, and in Cardiff Bay during the summer. The Bay-Barrage walk is often full of people trying out Pedal Power’s bikes which is always great to see.
This is a topic that I’m particularly interested in and I’m hoping that the positive and important conversations that were had continue into the future.