Businesses have backed H&F Council’s Cycling Strategy which aims to make the roads a safer place for everyone and encourage more bicycle commuters.
The council scheme proposes a series of measures to revitalise cycling and create safer roads, quicker journey times, healthier residents and workers and reduced pollution levels.
“This strategy makes good on our promise to make our roads better for cycling and safer for everyone,” said Cllr Wesley Harcourt, H&F Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Residents’ Services.
“We listened carefully to the views of residents and community groups, and this document is the result.”
It is also hoped the measures will encourage even more local businesses to adopt cycle to work schemes, which reduce cars from the road and create healthier workforces.
NatWest bank in Fulham Broadway is involved in the cycle to work scheme and praised the council for its forward-thinking initiative.
"The council’s cycling strategy is an excellent idea,” said Stephen Morris, customer service manager at NatWest. “It will make more and more of our employees' journeys safer as they commute into work by bike as well as for the other road users.
“At the same time, there is the health benefit if the cycle scheme gets more people cycling rather than driving into work.”
Mr Morris commuted into the borough from Wimbledon for a number of years by bike – which is a popular option as 12 per cent of those who travel into the area choose to cycle into work.
"After cycling into Fulham for years I realise the cycling scheme is not going to be an easy task,” he added. “But with the right approach and the buy in from all parties concerned there is no reason why more and more journeys could not be made safer across the borough.
“We need well laid out junctions that keep pedestrians safe, allow cyclists the opportunity to dodge busy and dangerous junctions all the while keeping the traffic on the roads flowing quickly, safely and efficiently. This scheme is a step in the right direction."
Part of the H&F Cycling Strategy includes improvements to major junctions, such as the intimidating Hammersmith Gyratory and the Holland Park Roundabout in Shepherds Bush Green where a 'cycle hamburger' is being proposed to allow cyclists and pedestrians to safely cross the road through the middle of the roundabout.
In addition, the council plans to introduce additional cycle superhighways in a bid to make the entire borough more cycle friendly.
Evans Cycles in Fulham’s Jerdan Place has also shown support for the cycling strategy which they feel will make the borough an even more desirable place to ride your bike.
"These proposals will make it a safer place to cycle and in turn more enjoyable,” said sales assistant Jack Ring. “The strategy is a great opportunity to re-educate all road users in how we can all share the road and get to our destination in one piece.”
“The addition of cycle superhighways will make drivers more conscious of the cyclists and give the riders more space on the roads which can be rather congested at times. It should be beneficial to everyone and help to start making the roads a safer place."
