This month we will be hosting Lindsey Brown, Sustrans Cymru, Area Manager for Cities, who will outline process and progress on the Taff Trail Engagement Study. This is an initiative Sustrans are working on with Cardiff Council to engage with users and non-users of the Taff Trail, to understand the extent of issues and where people experience problems and concerns on the Trail.
They want to do this before any decisions are made on improvements and solutions.
There will be the opportunity to discuss how Cardiff Cycle City can best help with the study, and, to give feed back on 4-5 short survey questions that will become part of the focus for the study; whether/how we can help with any quick wins, positive messages on codes of conduct, and what other networks of users could be included in the study.
There will also be an opportunity for you to express your opinions on wider cycling issues and what your priorities are when it comes to cycling in Cardiff.
Will this be opportunity to discuss Cardiff Council’s finalised Integrated cycle-network Map? Are we happy for just two primary cross-city routes at £20million to dominate the 15-year “Active Travel” plan ?
No, this event is to inform cyclists of the Taff Trail Engagement Study, and for Sustrans to gather information and opinions on how to proceed. It’s also an opportunity for us to discover people’s cycling priorities in Cardiff in order to update our manifesto to better represent them.
I don’t think I can get to this meeting I’m afraid – but in terms of other networks of users, can I please make the request that pedestrians are seen as an equal and valid user group, and their opinions sought on how to share space with cyclists on the Taff Trail? I know a lot of us are both cyclists and pedestrians of course (may walk or cycle on different journeys, or for different recreational activities). The speed of some cyclists on narrow tracks and at pinch points is aggressive and dangerous (e.g. on the Millenium bridge, the narrow stretch of path beside the bowls club/river Taff, and in Hailey Park). It makes walking in these areas hazardous, especially if you are elderly/hard of hearing/out with small children, some of whom may be wobbling around on bikes themselves, learning to ride. I have noticed that some cyclists seem to think that a designated ‘cycle path’ means they have priority over other path users, and consequently behave in an over-entitled way. I’ve also seen (twice) cyclists pushing pedestrians out of their way crossing the Millenium bridge. I have always got off my bike and pushed it over the bridge, apart from when it’s been virtually empty. It’s just much safer. The extra 60 seconds or so it adds to my journey really isn’t a hardship. I know one solution to the dangers facing cyclists on our roads is not to make roads safer but to move cyclists onto pedestrian paths and tracks. This can be a good solution, and I think the Taff Trail, as a ‘spine’ commuter route, is ideal for cyclists. But sensible practical solutions for how the Trail can be shared use without cyclists becoming the dominant group at the expense of other users have to be on the table and widely consulted about. ‘Decorative’ gestures are pointless. The signpost on the Bridge Street entrance to Bute Park (by Pettigrew tea rooms) is an example. A tiny display of information including a speed limit that no one sees or observes is pointless. I really think taking action now to make sure different user groups can share the Traff Trail safely and responsibly is vital. No one wants to see accidents, or relations souring. I’d like ‘bike traffic calming’ measures to be taken seriously and discussed as part of this process.