Bike Worcester call for council to remove street parking in Worcester

Members of Bike Worcester said they have been inspired by Amsterdam's recent initiative to remove 1,500 street parking spaces every year.

Dan Brothwell from Bike Worcester said removing three street parking spaces on Severn Terrace would make the road easier to use for cyclists in Worcester. 

On Severn Terrace, there are three designated parking spaces for cars to use for 45 minutes only.

Severn Terrace (Image: Google Maps)

But removing the parking spaces would allow more road space for cyclists especially when the racecourse is closed according to Mr Brothwell.

Councillor Mike Rouse, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, at Worcestershire County Council, said the council is open to hearing ideas on how to improve cycling in Worcester.

He said the number of cars parked on the roads can be dangerous and frustrating for cyclists.

Mr Brothwell said: "Worcester is littered with street parking.

"Parked cars put you in a position on the road where you are more likely to be conflicting for a space for cars."

There is sufficient space for cyclists and cars to share the road, he added.

But parked cars take up the space cyclists could be using which means cyclists are competing for the same space on the road as cars.

"People can open the car doors on parked cars while you are on your bike. 

"Cyclists can be knocked off the bikes all the time.

"It can sometimes cause a nasty injury and I work very hard to avoid that happening.

"It can be frightening.

"People are choosing to park in on-street parking when there are paid car parks and alternative spaces for them."

Mr Brothwell said the initiative is not just taking place in Amsterdam, but elsewhere. 

But he fears Worcester is falling behind as the rest of the world becomes more sustainable and bike-friendly.

He said: "This is happening around the world and not in Worcester, we are just falling more and more behind.

"The lack of progress is frightening."

However, he said initiatives like this could make a huge impact in Worcester.

"We just want to throw ideas and things like this can have a huge difference, not just in Worcester but across the country."

Cllr Rouse said: “The County Council is always open to hearing ideas about improvements to cycling provision in Worcestershire.

“This is why we recently set up an Active Travel Stakeholder Group so groups like Bike Worcester have a platform to raise these suggestions and then they can be looked into if appropriate.

"Group members can feed in suggestions at any time, or anyone can work with their local County Councillor to provide suggestions.

“We would of course need to look into the feasibility of any suggestions and, in regards to adding extra bike spaces, discussions would need to be had with our colleagues at the City Council as they are responsible for enforcement.”