Transport News
Increased cycle docking stations
The capital's cycle hire scheme has been extended further into the borough, it has been announced.
Following campaigning from the Council, Transport for London will create nine new Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme docking stations in Hackney.
Stations are to be introduced near Haggerston Park, Hoxton Station and Hackney City Farm, and on Eagle Wharf Road, Whiston Road, Thurtle Road, Regents Row and Pitfield Street.
Installation works are due to be completed by next February, with each station taking up to four weeks to build. Residents near to the proposed sites will receive information regarding the works closer to the time.
More information
For more information on the Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme visit: www.tfl.gov.uk
14 November 2011
Car free zone
A Dalston street was declared a 'car-free zone' for a day to mark European Mobility Week.
The event in Ashwin Street, E8, featured free bike check-ups, maintenance workshops, security tagging, street games like giant Jenga, stalls, and lots of cycling and road safety information.
Visitors could also sit in the cab of an HGV to get an understanding of a driver's eye view of the road, as well as viewing the 'Bike Portraits' pop-up photo exhibition, featuring images of cyclists taken around the borough over the past 12 months. The Arcola Theatre offered early birds a discount on coffee; while the Dalston Eastern Curve Garden organised bulb planting in street flower beds; and Hackney City Farm kept people entertained with a peddle-powered television.
Organised by the Council, with support from local businesses, community organisations and the Met Police, the event on 22 September was designed to provide advice and information for anyone considering giving up their car in favour of walking, cycling and using public transport.
Cllr Feryal Demirci, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: "The Council is always looking for new ways to encourage all those who live, work and study in Hackney to use environmentally friendly modes of transport.
"Car Free Day was a great opportunity for us to be able to remind people of the greener transport options available, helping to make Hackney a greener, cleaner borough."
Cycling has many benefits; riding a bike for 20 to 30 minutes, three times a week, can help maintain fitness and significantly contribute to a longer life expectancy.
According to the British Medical Association, the health advantages of cycling outweigh the risks by 20 to one.
Cycling can also save people money on public transport, parking, petrol and congestion charges.
More information
For more details about the Council's Move Greener campaign, email: movegreener@hackney.gov.uk; or visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/movebybike
17 October 2011
Page updated: 14 Nov 2011
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