Elections

I cycle frequently for leisure, particularly in the summer but as I like to cycle with my dog I rarely use roads used by general traffic. This is my main objection: the great increase in road traffic since I first cycled.

I must admit that the hills put me off when I first came to Durham. I cycled much more frequently elsewhere but I am now actively considering getting an electric bike: the weight and cost are a concern. Plans for providing easier access to electric cycles (cheap loans to residents, bikes on loan / easily available short term be for hire) would probably help. For example I would be keen to hire an electrc bile before venturing to buy one.

my wife and children cycle along the hart to haswell path in summertime for leisure but we do not cycle to commute as that is impractical in rural east durham.

I think it will be dfficult to encourage children to cycle to school: the streets in the city centre are too narrow and too busy. More cycle-only ROADS as opposed to lanes might make parents happier to see their children ride.
Encouraging scooter use on pavements is more feasible. This should be encourged as a fun and fashionable thing for children.

Across the county in those areas where the hills aren't too demanding cycle lanes could encourage oder children to cycle to school.

That would require a real tangible cut in crime levels which is beyond the scope of this scheme.

It is clear that cycling can address all these issues and it was encouraging to see so many more cyclists on the roads during the first lockdown but there were far fewer cars and we couls all feel safer.

Off road specific cycles tracks, for example exploiting the many former railways which do have an extensive coverage of the county make much more sense than trying to partition existing motor traffic roads.

Investment would be better spent on electricfying public transport across the county.

Move rapidly to requiring electric buses (by using the influence of the subsidies the council gives bus companies) and soon thereafter taxing petrol / diesel cars or providing subsidies for buying / hiring electric cars.
A car-freee day a month is tokenism and would make little difference.

Free passes for buses or free / subsidised use of the park and ride could make a much more sgnificant impact.

I would support the idea but it would require better public transport first.

I believe that St Oswald's church has offered pedestrian access through the churchyard. Might they also offer cycle acess?

If there were a way of accessing Kingsgate bridge without needing to go back onto Church street I think cyclist might use the through route. (This would involve accessing the back gardens of the Church street houses - a reasonable pay off for the reduction of motor traffic in front of their houses?

I have no issue with one way systems.

A new pedestrian / cycle (separated) bridge in the area of Milburgate would give much more reassurance of safety. Because of the narrow lanes on Milburngate bridge and on Quarryheads Lane, I would now never cycle on either. Is it possible to use the riverbanks?

Cycling is not the only solution, pedestrian paths would also help.