Residents, visitors and people working in Derby city centre have been given advice on cycling safely and responsibly as part of a partnership campaign to help keep busy pedestrian areas safe for everyone.
The advice was shared at an event held at St Peter’s Cross on Friday 21 August, following a successful one earlier this year. It was delivered as part of a partnership between Derby City Council, Derbyshire Constabulary, and St Peter’s Quarter and Cathedral Quarter BIDs. Representatives from each organisation offered advice and engaged with members of the public.
While delivery riders are a visible part of cycling in the city centre, concerns have been raised about bikes and e-bikes being ridden through busy pedestrian areas, where cycling is not permitted between 10am and 5pm. The event provided an opportunity for attendees to learn about the rules and cycle routes in the city alongside receiving free basic bike checks from Ay Up Bikes.
As part of the campaign, two large signs have been in place at the top and bottom of St Peter’s Street to highlight the cycling restrictions, helping to make the rules more visible to cyclists and pedestrians.
In addition, Derbyshire Constabulary has taken action against illegal e-bikes and e-scooters in the city centre as part of its work with the Council.
Over the last two months, officers have seized around 28 illegal e-bikes and e-scooters and have continued to engage with first-time offenders using the cycle route to work, helping them to understand the rules and encouraging safer and more responsible use of the city’s streets.
As part of Operation Greenacre, a targeted patrol strategy working with local partner agencies, Safer Neighbourhood team officers carried out 168 patrols on St Peter’s Street in July. In a further operation, targeting delivery riders in the city centre, officers dealt with 11 offences, resulting in one arrest.
The partnership work forms part of the Council’s wider commitment to creating a safer, healthier and more connected city by encouraging people to walk, cycle and use sustainable forms of transport, while ensuring the city centre remains safe and accessible for all.
The Council’s Public Protection Officers have continued to engage with and educate cyclists, pointing them to increased signage and handing out over 150 leaflets highlighting the cycling rules.
Councillor Sarah Chambers, Cabinet Member for Communities, Equalities and Public Safety, said:
We want Derby to be a city where people feel confident choosing to walk, cycle or use other sustainable ways of getting around. But encouraging cycling has to go hand in hand with using our streets responsibly.
We know that residents and visitors can be frustrated when bikes or e-bikes are ridden through busy pedestrian areas, and we also recognise the important role that delivery riders play in our city centre. The message is not that cycling or delivery work isn't welcome – it is that everyone needs to understand and respect the restrictions that are there to keep pedestrians safe.
Brad Worley, BID Manager for St Peters Quarter and Cathedral Quarter Derby said:
Following the success of the previous event, it has been great to build on that momentum and continue working closely with Derby City Council, Derbyshire Constabulary and other partners. This kind of partnership working is really important in helping us deliver a joined-up approach that supports responsible cycling, using designated routes.
Where there has previously been concern from businesses and visitors about the amount of cycling in our busier streets and ‘near misses’, we are getting some really positive feedback now and we are starting to see the benefits of these events, clearer signage and more proactive engagement with cyclist.
Sergeant Jonathan Sharp from Derby City Centre Safer Neighbourhood Team said:
We are continuing to be proactive with regular patrols and targeted operations in the city centre to tackle those committing offences and ensure people feel safe.
Officers will continue to be out and about as a visible presence, if you have any concerns, please report it to us and this information can continue to inform our patrol strategies and focuses.