Birmingham's Cycle Routes

We aim to make walking and cycling everyday choices for local journeys and leisure activities, as part of a safe and integrated transport network for Birmingham.

In 2020, we installed a number of temporary ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes across the city, to help people to travel safely and actively during the COVID-19 pandemic. The routes chosen align with the Birmingham Walking & Cycling Strategy and Infrastructure Plan, which set out proposals for a city-wide cycle network. In many cases, these temporary cycle lanes included ‘light segregation’ from other traffic using plastic bollards.

Following a review of all the pop-up cycle lanes, we are now proposing to improve and make permanent several of the routes across Birmingham. Consultations on the four cycle routes will close on 30 November so make sure you have your say!

Staying safe this winter

Road Safety Week

The theme of Road Safety Week 2021 is Road Safety Heroes, celebrating the heroic work of road safety professionals, and explaining how we can all play a part in making journeys safer for everyone. This year road safety week takes place between 15 and 21 November.

Winter guides

Whatever the weather this winter, be safe when cycling and follow these simple tips in our winter cycling guide. Wrap up warm, tame the wet and always check the conditions before setting out.

Voi have also provided a guide to riding their scooters in the winter. Read the safety tips and ensure you take extra precautions when out and about.

Love to Ride's Winter Wheelers

Winter Wheelers is a cold-busting campaign designed to make bike riding a year-round activity! Throughout December, Love to Ride are challenging you to wrap up and roll out to win some great prizes (like a brand new bike!). All you have to do is register for Winter Wheelers and log your rides, that’s it!

Walking and Cycling

TfWM's Moment of Change

Build healthy habits that last a lifetime! It takes six minutes to cycle a mile or 20 minutes to walk, and by doing so you’ll enjoy:

• Improved health and wellbeing
• Money saved on travel
• Cleaner, safer and more sustainable cities

Could you ditch the car for shorter journeys or add cycling or walking to your commute - if not for all, then for the first or final mile! Learn more about travelling in our region.

WOW - the year-round challenge for Primary Schools

Living Streets are delighted to invite you to an online introduction to WOW – the year-round walk to school challenge, to demonstrate how this exciting programme can work in your school.

Living Streets are offering a number of FREE, government funded places on WOW, so come along to find out how we can promote active lifestyles for all children, as well as decrease congestion around the school gates.

Sign up to one of these sessions:

• 16 November 3:30pm
• 22 November 3:30pm
• 2 December 3:30pm

Park that Bike

Park that Bike is a Transport for West Midlands scheme that sends businesses and organisations bike racks FREE of charge. This improves security and encourages staff to cycle to work. Applications are now open.

West Midlands Cycle Hire

Don’t forget to try out West Midlands Cycle Hire by 30 November to receive your first ride free (up to 30-minutes).

Christmas in Birmingham

Birmingham is once again gearing up for a wonderful festive season, with the Frankfurt Christmas Market attracting visitors into the city from 4 November. The popular ice rink will be located in Centenary Square, a short walk from both New Street and Moor Street stations, as well as being easily accessible by Metro and bus.

• Plan ahead
• Leave the car at home and travel by bus, train, Metro, bike or on foot
• If you’re out for the evening, remember to check times for the last service home
• Travel at quieter times
• Leave extra time for your journey and try to avoid the 'home time rush'
• Lift share with friends or colleagues
• Use Park and Ride services

For public transport and ticketing options visit: Transport for West Midlands and National Express West Midlands.

If you are travelling by private car to the city centre make sure you check to see if your vehicle will be charged in the Clean Air Zone.

ModeShift STARS

Birmingham Women’s Hospital and Birmingham Children’s Hospital have gained bronze accreditation through the Modeshift STARS travel planning and reward scheme. Staff can benefit from discounted bikes through the Cycle to Work Scheme, e-bike trials, route finding support, a Bike Buddy scheme, season ticket schemes for public transport and more. The Children’s Hospital also has plans to improve cycle parking for people using trikes or adapted bikes. Fantastic work!

The Modeshift National Sustainable Travel Awards took place in Leicester last week with our region gaining recognition for best practice in the promotion of sustainable and active travel; our congratulations go to Midland Mencap Parkride/Transport for West Midlands for winning the ‘Excellence in Cycling’ category and National Express West Midlands for winning ‘Best Sustainable Travel Initiative – Organisation’. Congratulations also go to Birmingham Connected team’s very own Mandi Slater who became a Team Modeshift Honorary Member for her outstanding contribution to promoting sustainable and active travel.

Organisations in Birmingham can register for FREE with Modeshift STARS or email us to find out more: connected@birmingham.gov.uk

Electric Vehicle Strategy

Electric vehicle charge-points will appear in greater numbers and at strategic locations across Birmingham. The council have accepted a 12-year electric vehicle strategy that will contribute to meeting its net-zero target by 2030.

The rollout of more than 3,000 electric vehicle charge-points across Birmingham is predicted to contribute to around 50% of the reduction in city emissions from cars and vans in 2030, compared to 2020 levels. To eliminate transport emissions it will be necessary to both reduce vehicle usage and ownership and shift the remaining transport to vehicles without emissions. Read more here.

Clean Air Zone

Don’t forget that Birmingham’s Clean Air Zone is now live and charges apply for non-compliant vehicles which are driven through the Zone. You may be eligible to apply for the Vehicle Scrappage and Travel Scheme - successful applicants will receive a £2,000 grant which can be used on West Midlands trains, buses and Metro or to purchase a compliant vehicle.

COP26 - One Step Greener

COP26 began in Glasgow on 31 October to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. We can all do something to go ‘One Step Greener’ and changing the way we travel can make a big difference.

Walking or riding a bike instead of driving will reduce air pollution - and help your health and fitness. For longer distances travel by bus, train or tram. If you need to drive, try car sharing and remember to switch off your engine when stationary. Find out how businesses, communities can get involved.

Inspire others by sharing what you are doing to help limit climate change on social media #TogetherforourPlanet #OneStepGreener.

Have Your Say

A457 corridor cycle route, city centre to City Hospital - Proposals have been set out to improve and make permanent the route from the city centre to City Hospital, through the Jewellery Quarter then parallel to the A457 Dudley Road. Consultation closes 30 November.

A45 corridor cycle route, city centre to Small Heath Park - Proposals have been set out to improve and make permanent the route from the city centre to Small Heath Park, parallel to the A45. Consultation closes 30 November.

Bradford Street cycle route - Proposals have been set out to improve and make permanent the route on Bradford Street. Consultation closes 30 November.

Cannon Hill park to Moseley cycle route - As part of the city-wide cycle network, Birmingham City Council are proposing to create a new cycle route linking Cannon Hill Park and Moseley. This route will link to the A38 Bristol Road cycle route via a scheme around the junction of Pershore Road, Priory Road and Edgbaston Road, which will be built soon. Consultation closes 30 November.

Electric Vehicle charging point survey - This survey aims to understand the electric vehicle charging needs of those living in areas who have limited or no off-street parking. Consultation is ongoing.

Dates for the diary

11 November - Decarbonising Transport: How do we work together to make an impact? - This panel session draws on research from the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions (CREDS) to open up discussion about how organisations and communities can work together to create sustainable transport systems in cities across the UK. Register here.

15 to 21 November - Brake Road Safety Week - The UK's biggest road safety event. Register for your free safety pack at Road Safety Week 2021.

18 November - EPUK Annual Conference - The context for the Conference is the climate crisis and the recognition that only combined action on greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution will mitigate it. Find out more and book your place.

Article posted 10 November 2021