Watch our video and take a (speeded up) ride along a section of a new ‘quietway’ that has been opened for cyclists and walkers between Greenford and Ealing.
Rather than following busy road routes, it takes you on a gentler (and sometimes more picturesque) journey through the west of the borough and is designed to encourage more people to ‘get moving’.
The Ruislip Road East Quietway runs from Clifton Road to Argyle Road. An extension out to Ealing Broadway should follow in 2018.
Last year the council set up a cycling commission to identify what should be done to encourage more people to cycle instead of driving, particularly for short journeys. Quietways and segregated cycle paths were identified as an important way to encourage people to cycle and the council wants to create a network of them across the borough.
Through a network of connecting cycle paths and footpaths, the quietway links together a number of parks, green spaces and even Hanwell Zoo. It also provides a convenient way to reach Horsenden Hill by foot or bike, and there are two schools on the route.
‘Many journeys are actually quicker by bike’
Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, cabinet member for transport, environment and leisure, said: “About a third of all journeys in the borough are less than 2km, which is a really easy distance to walk or cycle. Bikes are a fantastic way to get around and many journeys are actually quicker by bike. Some cycle commuters save hundreds of pounds a year on season tickets and, as well as all the other benefits, cycling regularly is one of the best ways to get the right amount of exercise to stay healthy. I regularly cycle to get around the borough and I’ve actually already used the quietway route with my son. It provides a safer route for those who want to travel with children or feel more vulnerable on the road.”
More than one benefit
Part of the quietway was used on the Ticket to Ride events this summer. Ticket to Ride gives you the chance to take part in safe and fun, guided cycling tours to explore the local area.
The gentle group rides were particularly designed to encourage families, nervous riders and those returning to cycling to get back on two wheels.
Likewise, the quietway will provide easy and enjoyable journeys for pedestrians and cyclists with the aim of encouraging more people to make trips by foot or bike – whether simply to cut through from one place to another, or to savour the scenery. Those looking to get fit can also use it as a low-traffic route for running, cycling or walking.
But that is not all, because buses and bus passengers are also benefiting at key points of the quietway route, where bus stops have been improved. To keep the cycling theme, the road has been narrowed at certain key points to make it safer for cyclists to get around and use the busier sections of carriageway along Ruislip Road; and cycle paths have been added behind bus stops.
More information
For more information about cycling in the borough, visit www.ealing.gov.uk/cycling or visit the Ealing Facebook page for other ideas on how to ‘get moving’.
