West Sussex County Council press release – free bike health checks and the cycleway
West Sussex County Council have issued the following press release about the free bike health checks on Tuesday 25 August as well as the work they have undertaken installing the new cycleways in Chichester.
A free, bicycle “health” check is being offered to mark the completion of the Chichester temporary cycleway on Tuesday (25 August).
The “Dr Bike” gazebo will be set up in the Northgate car park, near the new cycleway, from 11am to 1pm. Experienced cycle trainers and mechanics will be on hand to check brakes, gears, tyre pressures, lights, and so on.
Minor adjustments will be done there and then, or advice given on anything that cannot be fixed on site, including a rough guide on what the repair should cost at a bike shop. Safe, social distancing will be observed throughout.
The Chichester cycleway is one of seven trial schemes in West Sussex, paid for by the Government, that will aim to redistribute road space and put cycling on a par with car traffic.
The Government is encouraging councils to create safe spaces to help sustainable travel, building on the significant increase in active travel seen during lockdown.
The final element of the Chichester scheme – the introduction of the 20mph limit and the installation of signage – is due to have been completed by Tuesday.
A county council spokesperson said: “Once open on Tuesday, we will be encouraging cyclists to experience the Chichester cycleway for themselves.
It will be closely monitored to see how well used it is and any positive or negative impact on congestion, safety and air quality.
As with the other six schemes, adjustments will be considered and, if it does not work, it may be removed.
This will be a chance for cyclists to show how much they want the cycleway to stay: once open it will be a case of ‘please use it or risk losing it.”
The cycleway starts near St Richard’s Hospital, Spitalfield Lane, and ends at Southgate.
Please see the scheme’s illustrative map and further details at www.westsussex.gov.uk/popupcyclelanes