Cyclists could soon be banned from pedestrianised areas of Birmingham City Centre (Image: Birmingham Live)
Birmingham is considering a total ban on cycling in pedestrianised areas of the city centre. Campaigners claim bike users are being unfairly penalised and have warned the move will result in cyclists being forced on to already congested roads.
Birmingham City Council report suggests that an uptick in food and parcel couriers moving through the city centre “at speed and without regard for other pedestrians” has created a “dangerous mix” of cyclists and pedestrians in busy areas.
The document suggests adding cycling restrictions to the city’s Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which currently addresses antisocial behaviours like large gatherings, street drinking, graffiti, and loud noise, with penalties for those who do not comply.
Campaigners for active travel opposed to the proposal acknowledge the growing issue with delivery drivers using powerful e-bikes to move quickly through the city centre.
Mat MacDonald, chair of the campaign group Better Streets for Birmingham, said: “If someone zips past at 20mph on one of those bikes, it can pose a risk.
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“But there is already sufficient legislation to manage that. There are solutions to that issue which don’t involve closing off the city centre to all cyclists.”
He warned: “It would only make cycling more dangerous in Birmingham.”
Mr MacDonald explained that banning cycling within the current PSPO area, including routes around New Street Station, would “force cyclists back onto busy, dangerous roads with high traffic,” and set back the council’s own goals for active travel.
Noting the rapid rise in bike couriers, Mr MacDonald said more scrutiny should be directed at delivery companies creating working conditions that may contribute to the problem.
Birmingham is the UK’s second-biggest city after London (Image: Getty)
He added: “I do sympathise with those who are essentially paid per delivery, which encourages them to travel as quickly as possible.”
The council stated that the proposal is currently under public consultation, with options under consideration including selective restrictions, directional cycling, or no action at all.
Birmingham is not alone in considering such measures; at least nine towns and cities across the UK have already implemented cycling or skateboarding bans in recent years, with mixed outcomes. In June, Colchester Council apologised and rescinded £100 fines issued to cyclists in pedestrian areas after complaints that residents were unfairly targeted by overzealous wardens.
Conversely, in Bedford, 738 fines issued recently for cycling in pedestrian zones have led to “a significant drop in residents cycling into town,” according to Peter Blakeman, chair of the Cycling Campaign for North Bedfordshire.
Some politicians argue that PSPOs are effective when applied to specific areas. In Grimsby, the council has long sought to prevent cycling along a 200-metre pedestrian shopping street, even installing a tannoy system reminding the public every 30 minutes that cycling is banned.
North East Lincolnshire councillor Ron Shepherd, who credits the PSPO with helping revitalise the town centre by curbing loitering and antisocial behaviour, said: “It used to be every 15 minutes, but we reduced it because it became repetitive.
“We had an incident recently where a lady was knocked down by someone on a bike. It’s about keeping pedestrians safe and ensuring a pleasant shopping experience without the risk of collisions. We have cycle hubs at either end of the no-cycling zone so people can park and walk in.”
However, some cycling advocates argue that using PSPOs to restrict cycling often leads to unfair penalties for minor or unintentional breaches.
Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns at Cycling UK, said: “There will always be some who behave irresponsibly on bikes, but if that’s the issue, address that behaviour specifically. Banning an entire form of transport doesn’t solve the problem.
“It’s hard to see how prohibiting all cyclists, including those who would always act responsibly, doesn’t restrict access, which isn’t the purpose of PSPOs. Plus, many companies contracted to issue these fines have a financial incentive to do so.”
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: “We are considering measures to try and decrease instances of cycling at speed through one small area of the city centre where there is high footfall, and it is unsafe to cycle due to the likelihood of near misses and collisions. This does not impact on the council’s commitment to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists as part of ongoing developments and its Transport Plan.
“Before any decisions are made, we are seeking the views of all through a consultation in how best to manage the issue. It may be that appropriate restrictions should be introduced in this pedestrian only area to restrict all cycles, some cycles, manage the direction of cycles to provide a safe flow of movement, or take no action in this issue.
“To inform this consideration we would encourage all residents and community groups to make their voices heard once when the consultation is opened.”