New Cycling Trial to Launch in Regent's Park

A new shared-use cycle trial is set to run from 8 August 2008 to 31 January 2010, on The Broad Walk, Regent's Park.

Funded in partnership between The Royal Parks and Transport for London, the trial aims to encourage people to enjoy cycling in green spaces and test the suitability of The Broad Walk as a permanent cycling route.

The trial will be monitored for 12 months, followed by a six-month evaluation period from 31 July 2009 to 31 January 2010. Park users will be consulted throughout the process and the results of the trial will be published in early 2010.

Ruth Holmes, Landscape Development and Design Manager for The Royal Parks said: "We aim to balance the needs of all our visitors so have selected a shared-use cycle and pedestrian pathway for the trial. We hope the route will provide a safe and green environment for cyclists and an ideal place for learner cyclists to practise."

Peter McBride, Head of Cycling, Walking and Accessibility at Transport for London said: "The parks and open spaces of London are some of the capital's greatest assets. Transport for London's Cycling on Greenways programme is committed to working with our partners, such as the Royal Parks, to improve access to London's green spaces for everyone - cyclists, pedestrians and disabled people.

"The Royal Parks' Broad Walk trial means cyclists will also be able to enjoy one of the capital's most beautiful settings."

Notes to Editors

• The cycle trial will run on The Broad Walk, Regent's Park, between Chester Road and St Mark's Gate.
• A shared use cycle trial took place during summer 2007, which highlighted the need for a more comprehensive trial.
• Transport for London has provided £270,000 in funding for the Regent's Park shared use cycle trial, as part of their Cycling on Greenways programme, which seeks to improve conditions for cyclists and other users of parks and open spaces across London. The funding for the Regent's Park trial has paid for the Broad Walk to be resurfaced, for signage, publicity and monitoring.
• Signage will be put up to encourage safe and considerate cycling.
• The critical success factors for the trial include a Customer Research Survey, a Shared-Use Study, and a Conflict Study - these will be benchmarked against comparable studies. Intelligent Space will carry out the monitoring and the evaluation.
• For further information please email cycle@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk or write to: Cycle, The Royal Parks, The Old Police House, Hyde Park, London W2 2UH.
• The Royal Parks is an executive agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St James's Park. See: www.royalparks.org.uk

For further press information, please contact
Lucy Skipper on 0300 061 2145 or lskipper@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk