In September Oxford City Council temporarily removed the bike racks in St Giles ready for the Fair to set up, as they do every year. But this year more bike racks have gone back in than came out.
Oxford Direct Services, acting on behalf of the City Council, has added an extra 16 cycle racks to the 73 that were there before. And there is more space between the racks, allowing easier use for people with child seats or tow along bike trailers.
The new bike racks were installed between Martyrs' Memorial and St Giles Church.
Additionally the City Council has installed 22 new bike racks at Peartree Park and Ride. The installation has come about with the help of a fifty percent contribution to the costs from the University of Oxford’s Green Travel Fund.
And the old. rusty and damaged bike racks on Magdalen Street East have been replaced.
The initiative, aimed at making city-centre cycling even more attractive, follows on from the fixed bike pumps that were installed in several sites around the city last year.
The City Council wants to increase cycling in order to reduce traffic, improve the air quality and increase levels of activity, all of which would be beneficial to the quality of life of residents.
Councillor Louise Upton, Board Member for Healthy Oxford, said: "Oxford is clearly a cycling city. The 2011 Census found that nearly 20 percent of people in Oxford cycled to work. The City Council wants to increase that and make cycling an even more convenient way to get around. City centre racks are often full so these additional cycle racks will provide some badly needed secure facilities where people can leave their bikes. Don’t bring your car in to town - hop on your bike instead!”
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