The City That Bikes

A decade ago, the city of Marlow had a serious traffic problem. Narrow streets were filled with cars every morning, the air was polluted, and the average journey to the centre took forty minutes. Today, almost a third of its residents cycle to work, and the same journey takes about twenty-five. How did this change happen?

A decade ago, the city of Marlow had a serious traffic problem. Narrow streets were filled with cars every morning, the air was polluted, and the average journey to the centre took forty minutes. Today, almost a third of its residents cycle to work, and the same journey takes about twenty-five. How did this change happen?

According to city planner Hanna Berg, the process began with a simple observation. "We asked people why they did not cycle," she explained. "The answer was always the same: it felt dangerous." Rather than launching an advertising campaign, the council decided to build safe, separate lanes on the busiest roads. Over eight years, more than a hundred and fifty kilometres of protected paths were added.

According to city planner Hanna Berg, the process began with a simple observation. "We asked people why they did not cycle," she explained. "The answer was always the same: it felt dangerous." Rather than launching an advertising campaign, the council decided to build safe, separate lanes on the busiest roads. Over eight years, more than a hundred and fifty kilometres of protected paths were added.

The second step was convenience. Secure parking was installed at every train station, and employers were encouraged to provide showers and storage for staff who cycled. A bicycle-sharing scheme, which allows residents to rent a bike for a small fee, now has over two thousand bikes in operation. Visitors can use it too, which has become a popular way to explore the old town.

The second step was convenience. Secure parking was installed at every train station, and employers were encouraged to provide showers and storage for staff who cycled. A bicycle-sharing scheme, which allows residents to rent a bike for a small fee, now has over two thousand bikes in operation. Visitors can use it too, which has become a popular way to explore the old town.

The economic effects have been mixed but largely positive. Several shop owners feared that fewer cars would mean fewer customers, and a few shops on the main road did lose business during the construction work. However, a recent survey found that people who arrive by bike visit shops more often than drivers do, even if they spend less each time. Overall sales in the centre have risen by six percent.

The economic effects have been mixed but largely positive. Several shop owners feared that fewer cars would mean fewer customers, and a few shops on the main road did lose business during the construction work. However, a recent survey found that people who arrive by bike visit shops more often than drivers do, even if they spend less each time. Overall sales in the centre have risen by six percent.

There are health benefits as well. Doctors in the area report fewer cases of heart problems among middle-aged patients, and local schools say that children who cycle to class arrive more alert. Meanwhile, noise levels in the centre have dropped noticeably.

There are health benefits as well. Doctors in the area report fewer cases of heart problems among middle-aged patients, and local schools say that children who cycle to class arrive more alert. Meanwhile, noise levels in the centre have dropped noticeably.

The system is not perfect. In winter, the paths are sometimes covered with ice, and some older residents say they feel left out of a city designed for cyclists. The council is now testing electric bikes for people who find the hills difficult, and it has promised to clear the main lanes first when snow falls.

The system is not perfect. In winter, the paths are sometimes covered with ice, and some older residents say they feel left out of a city designed for cyclists. The council is now testing electric bikes for people who find the hills difficult, and it has promised to clear the main lanes first when snow falls.

Other cities have already sent delegations to study the Marlow model. Berg is cautious about exporting it. "Every city has different streets and different habits," she says. "But the principle works anywhere: make the good choice the easy one."

Other cities have already sent delegations to study the Marlow model. Berg is cautious about exporting it. "Every city has different streets and different habits," she says. "But the principle works anywhere: make the good choice the easy one."