Through a consultation with local residents last year, the council has created its first ever resident-backed cycle network plan.

Ealing Council says the plan is to reduce the barriers cyclists face and encourage people to try cycling.

From 5 April to 17 May 2023, Ealing Council asked the public what they think of cycling in the borough, including issues with key routes and how the council should prioritise creating a cycle network.

The council received over 1,100 responses and based on this created a map of where new cycle routes should go.

Green lines show the proposed strategic cycle routes, blue lines show the existing routes and purple lines show the proposed routes (credit: Ealing Council).

The map shows the existing and proposed cycle routes that the council hopes to deliver over the next ten years, subject to funding.

The strategic routes will enable cycling between town centres and along key routes such as the Uxbridge Road.

It also includes a proposed network of safe residential and off-road cycle routes to connect the existing routes and link to the strategic routes.

The council says that as funding becomes available, the "aim is to connect Ealing to neighbouring boroughs and build better connections within the borough."

Apart from cycling routes, the consultation also asked locals about their views on cycling - for example if they cycled, how old they are, how many times a week do they cycle etc.

Barriers to cycling 

The council found that when asked 'what prevents you from cycling, or cycling more?', the most frequent responses included age, health, and lack of cycling skill. 

Safe cycle routes also stood out in the consultation, as a common response to why someone may or may not cycle.

Other barriers raised by keen cyclists were potholes and obstructions in cycle lanes but the council says it is going over its statutory duty by filling shallower potholes and purchasing smaller footway mechanical cleaners, which are able to clean segregated cycle lanes. 

80% of respondents felt confident enough to cycle alone on the borough's roads, but raised safety concerns about specific places.

Respondents to the consultation also mentioned concerns about lack of safe cycle storage.

However, as part of the council's commitment to have 150 bike hangars by 2026, Ealing has almost 100 bike hangars across the borough, with 54 installed in 2023.

Ealing Council installed its 96th bike hangar in the borough back in November 2023

Councillor Deirdre Costigan, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action commented: "Cycling is great – it's not only healthy, but also improves air quality and reduces harmful emissions from cars.

"As part of our £10 million active travel investment, we are improving existing cycle routes and creating new ones.

"Since December last year residents can enjoy the new cycle lane along the Greenford Road and we will shortly be opening the Kensington Road cycle lane in Northolt.

"I'm delighted we've been able to use the experience of local residents to create our first ever cycle network plan. I encourage residents to take a look at the map and let us know if we've identified the right routes to help us all get on our bikes!"

The consultation findings and proposed cycle network map can be found on the council's website.

Ealing Council says residents need to share feedback on the cycle plan before 6 April 2024 through the council's website before the final plan is released.

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