Decision details

To note progress on the city cycle strategy and gain support for future proposals to improve cycling opportunities in the city.

Further to Minute No. 16, 21^st June 2017, the Director of City Development submitted a report which provided an update on key developments and progress made on the Leeds ‘Cycling Starts Here’ Strategy. The report also identified and sought endorsement to make further progress in two key areas: (i) a new partnership agreement with British Cycling; and (ii) progressing the current opportunity to establish a public bike share scheme in the city.

Members welcomed the proposals detailed within the submitted report and highlighted how this was further evidence of the cycling legacy being built in Leeds following the 2014 Tour de France Grand Depart.

Regarding the proposed establishment of a bike share scheme, it was noted that the Council was not procuring the bike share scheme and it was also recommended that should such a scheme be implemented by Ofo, then any issues arising be monitored, with lessons being learned from other areas where such schemes were operational.

Also, responding to an enquiry, the Board received an update on the current position regarding the development of a new partnership between the Council and British Cycling, with Members being encouraged to provide any suggestions they had in terms of potential community activity that the partnership with British Cycling could be involved in.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the progress made in respect of delivering the Leeds ‘Cycling Starts Here’ Strategy be noted, and that:-

(i)  the offer of a new formal partnership between British Cycling (BC) and Leeds City Council be welcomed; and that the heads of terms, as expressed in Table 1 of the submitted report, be agreed;

(ii)  the Chief Officer Culture and Sport be authorised to oversee the final negotiations with British Cycling, based on the terms agreed (above), and upon their satisfactory conclusion consent be provided to enter into the final Agreement;

(b)  That in relation to the proposed bike share scheme for Leeds:-

(i)  The Board’s endorsement be given to the establishment of a bike share scheme in Leeds and the proposal to work towards reaching an early agreement with an operator for a scheme to commence in Leeds;

(ii)  That agreement be given for officers to initiate further discussions with the preferred operator (ofo) with a view to them becoming the city’s bike share partner, starting on a trial basis for 12 months from spring 2018;

(iii)  That authority be provided to the Chief Officer, Highways and Transportation, to oversee the establishment, monitoring and review of a partnership arrangement, and to enter into agreements for a bike share scheme with the operator (ofo), in accordance with the principles as set out in section 3.15 of the submitted report.

The Cycling Starts Here Strategy has previously been subject to comprehensive public consultation

Relevant Executive Members have been consulted on the report and its content.

The report proposals have also been discussed with the Cycling Starts Here Steering Group that has oversight of the city strategy.