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10
Sept 2021
'It's working well': Campaigner counts cyclists using Harrogate's Beech Grove
Harrogate cycling campaigner Malcolm Margolis spent two hours yesterday counting cyclists using the new Beech Grove low traffic neighbourhood.
Mr Margolis was spurred into action after reading a Stray Ferret article on Wednesday, which reported that on average around three cyclists per hour over a 24-hour period used the road.
The figures came from North Yorkshire County Council following a freedom of information request.
The county council closed Beech Grove to through traffic in February, initially on a six-month trial to encourage walking and cycling. It later extended the trial to 18 months.
The seemingly low number of cyclists using Beech Grove bemused Mr Margolis, who said he used the road several times a week and saw many more cyclists than the council's survey suggested.
So he put up a camping chair next to the planters and took out his notepad and pen to count them himself.
He counted 17 cyclists from 8am to 9am and 21 cyclists from 2.45pm to 3.45pm. He said his survey proved the scheme is working well.
The Stray Ferret joined Mr Margolis for an hour in the afternoon to join him counting cyclists. We also counted three cyclists illegally crossing the Stray, and seven motorists performing U-turns in the road after realising they could not pass through.
Mr Margolis accepted that his own survey was not totally scientific because it was performed on a sunny day during peak hours. But he said the reality of the low traffic neighbourhood is that the road has been "transformed" for cyclists and pedestrians.
Passionate debate
Several curious onlookers stopped, including a man called David who was on his way to Western Primary School to collect his two children.
He said:
Read more:
- Otley Road cycle route work confirmed to start in 12 days
- Around three cyclists an hour using Harrogate’s new low traffic neighbourhood
Another cyclist called Quentin said the scheme had wider benefits than just promoting cycling.
There were some dissenting voices, however. A couple called Sarah and George, who live together on Cold Bath Road, told Mr Margolis they were not in favour of the scheme, which prompted a passionate debate on the merits of the closure, with other passers-by joining in.
Sarah said:
Mr Margolis told the couple that the scheme will help create a cycling culture similar to those in Holland, Germany or Japan.
Sarah responded:
With the trial set to continue until August 2022, the Low Traffic Neighbourhood will continue to be debated for some time to come.
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