More People Walking And Cycling To Work

Monday, 18 March 2024 15:30

More people are walking and cycling around St Peter Port while key routes into and out of Town are closed.

Doyle Road and the Grange Junction being shut has led to 60% more pedestrians and 118% more cyclists heading to work and school.

That's according to the Better Journey Project which has been monitoring traffic flow.

It wants the States to introduce better separation between vehicles and more vulnerable road users as it believes people would feel safer to jump on their bike or walk.

Barrie Duerden is from the charity.

"60% increase in pedestrians when you have got a major road with no cars on it, that tells you everything you need to know.

The Red Lion where you have got a cycle path but it is right next to the road, we saw almost identical patterns. You take the cars away and people cycle more because they feel safe.

With this closure, people have probably looked at this and said maybe I could hop on my bike and get to work, even if the weather isn't warm, maybe if it is threatening rain, I can still get to work.

We saw a lot of people who were wearing work clothes as normal. It is not just for ardent cyclists, this is people getting to work.

We would love islanders to carry on walking and cycling even when the roads are open and another incentive to start would be during Alternative Transport Week from 20th to 26th May, where we are hoping that organisations will also incentive their people to get involved."