Bicester Sheep Street consultation - Experimental Traffic Regulation Order for allowing cycling

We're asking for your views on the proposal to allow two-way cycling in Sheep Street, Bicester. We proposed to implement an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to trial cycling in Sheep Street for a maximum of 18 months. Cyclists would be allowed to use Sheep Street at all times. Currently cycling is prohibited at all times. This consultation is asking about your views on whether we should use an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order to trial cycling in Sheep Street and your views on the consequences of allowing cycling in Sheep Street.

Why is the experiment being proposed?

Our goal is to enhance active travel in Bicester by making Sheep Street more accessible to cyclists. By integrating Sheep Street into the cycling network, we aim to provide significant benefits for cyclists by improving the choice of routes across Bicester, including for students who cycle or wish to cycle to school.

We believe that allowing cycling in Sheep Street will improve access for all cyclists including those who have disabilities, enabling them to cycle more. Additionally, this change is expected to attract more visitors to local businesses, market days, and festivals, thereby boosting the local economy.

Our aim is that by increasing cycling routes there will be a decrease in reliance on private cars for local journeys, promoting a more sustainable mode of transport.

Where is the experiment being proposed?

Cycling would be trialled in the section of Sheep Street which is currently the Pedestrian Zone which runs from Market Square to Bell Lane. We have included a map showing where cycling would be allowed under the experiment in Sheep Street.

How to respond

Your opinion matters greatly in this decision-making process. By participating in this survey, you will help us understand the community's perspectives, concerns, and aspirations regarding this potential change. Your responses will aid us in assessing the feasibility and desirability of the proposed ETRO, considering various factors such as safety, convenience, and the overall impact on community life.

This survey should take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

What will happen next?

After this consultation has closed officers will prepare a report to the Cabinet Member for Transport Management to make a decision on whether to implement an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) to trial cycling in Sheep Street for a maximum of 18 months. If the trial is approved, a new public consultation will be held for the first 6 months of the trial for people to give their views on cycling in Sheep Street. The responses to this second consultation will also be reported to Cabinet Member for Transport Management. They will decide if cycling should be made permanent, this could include cycling at all times, or cycling only at specific times; or it may be decided that cycling should not be permitted.

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.