Birmingham City Council Considers City Centre Cycling Ban After Collisions

Birmingham City Council is evaluating the implementation of a cycling prohibition within its city centre. This initiative aims to diminish the “likelihood of near misses and collisions” involving pedestrians. The city council has initiated a consultation process, focusing on individuals who cycle through densely populated pedestrian zones. This local authority joins several other councils contemplating comparable prohibitions, particularly as the usage of e-bikes for delivery services experiences a continuous increase. Nevertheless, Duncan Dollimore of Cycling UK, speaking on BBC Breakfast, stated that the proposal was “completely at odds” with certain transport objectives set by the council. The council has recognized the contentious nature of these plans and is soliciting public opinion, noting that it is still possible no actions will be implemented. A spokesperson articulated, “We are considering measures to try and decrease instances of cycling at speed through one small area of the city centre where there is high footfall, and it is unsafe to cycle due to the likelihood of near misses and collisions.” The spokesperson further clarified, “This does not impact on the council’s commitment to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists as part of ongoing developments and its transport plan.“It may be that appropriate restrictions should be introduced in this pedestrian only area to restrict all cycles, some cycles, manage the direction of cycles to provide a safe flow of movement, or take no action in this issue.” Birmingham City Council is emulating the approach taken by North East Lincolnshire Council, which imposed a cycling prohibition on a 200m pedestrianized segment of Grimsby Town Centre in 2019. Ron Shepherd, a representative from that council, urged Birmingham’s council to be “very brave” in implementing their ban, citing the effectiveness of their own measures. Mr. Shepherd stated that the prohibition had “rejuvenated the area.” He further added, “It’s brought back a lot of the café and street culture which we didn’t have before.” Additionally, Bedford Borough Council has implemented stringent cycling limitations in certain sections of its town centre. During an interview with BBC Breakfast, Mr. Dollimore, who serves as head of campaigns at Cycling UK, contended that a comprehensive ban on cyclists was not the optimal method for addressing the issue of a limited number of hazardous riders. He remarked, “The irony in Birmingham is that their transport team have done a great job in encouraging people to cycle.” He continued, “The transport team weren’t really aware this was happening. “We have another team in the council who are proposing something completely at odds with several other policies that Birmingham Council have.””