Target for Cycle Journeys in 2036
In August we submitted our comments on Reading’s draft Local Transport Strategy to 2036. The draft strategy included the target to increase the number of people who regularly cycle from 5.1% now to 10% in 2036.
The Green Party raised a petition calling for a more ambitious target for increasing the number of people who cycle, and this petition was submitted to RBC in September. The Council responded to the petition saying that if it got more money from the government it would increase the targets.
Oracle Cycle Thefts
Most people that own a bike have probably experienced a bike theft and with bicycles becoming more popular as a consequence of the pandemic thefts are even more of an issue. We have a cycle incident reporting facility on our website and in August received the following report.
“My partner and I decided to cycle to the Oracle yesterday for lunch and some shopping. We left both our bikes locked up to the cycle rack on the Riverside outside of Yo Sushi. When we returned after lunch, we noticed that my bike had been stolen and the bike lock had been cut through.
“We informed an Oracle Security Guard who came to the location of the bike rack. During our discussion with the security guard we were informed about the reality and dangers of leaving a bike at the Oracle, which if we knew or were alerted to these facts, we never would have left the bikes locked up there.
“When we asked if he could check the CCTV showing the bike rack, we were informed that the relevant CCTV outside of Wagamama’s is blocked by trees and therefore there was no point checking.
“When I called the Oracle security team again later in the day, the man I spoke to said that they could not inform me if there was other CCTV footage in the area due to GDPR laws and was very unhelpful.
“He also informed us this is a regular occurrence in this location and that up to 3-4 bikes A DAY! are stolen from here.
“The revelation of the above two points is far more shocking than my bike being stolen and the sheer inactivity on behalf of Oracle security to counter this threat is appalling. Whilst I am annoyed about my bike being stolen, I am much more concerned that should a more serious crime occur in that area there would be no CCTV evidence due to an overgrown tree.
“The fact that they know about tree blocking the CCTV and have not resolved this is also concerning. I feel they have a duty of care to sort this out or at least put signs by the bike rack informing other cyclists about the dangers of leaving your bikes here with regards to the lack of CCTV coverage.
“I believe this to be especially pressing given the current Government advice for people to cycle more and support our local high streets, both of which I was doing.”
The Oracle shopping centre is a major player in our town. We invite them to respond.
Keith Elliott
RCC Secretary