Segregated cycleways

Binley Cycleway currently links Gosford Green on the edge of the city centre, close to Coventry University, to Binley Business Park. When fully complete, it will connect the city centre to University Hospital in Walsgrave.  The section between Hospital and Tesco in Clifford Park is also complete.  The section between Tesco and Binley Business Park – along Clifford Bridge Road – subject to further design, following extensive consultation with the local community.

The scheme has been funded through the government’s Transforming Cities Fund and Active Travel Fund.  This money was only available to deliver sustainable travel or active travel projects.

Who is it aimed at?

The cycleway has been developed and designed to accommodate the needs of people that do not usually cycle. In a recent survey, the biggest reason people gave for not cycling is that they are concerned about their safety, followed by a lack of confidence. The design of the cycleway aims to reduce those concerns by physically separating people on cycles with motor vehicles. 

What are some of the benefits of cycling?

• Improves physical health - regular cycling can reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and stroke. It can also reduce the risks caused by an inactive lifestyle such as obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Improves social inclusion - access to safe cycling facilities enables more people to take part in society by improving the ability and opportunity to travel
• Improves mental health - Cycling can reduce stress, ease anxiety and reduce the risk of depression. Cycling also helps you sleep better, improves your memory and helps you feel good.
• Improves air quality - fewer car trips being made means less pollution. Poor air quality is one of the top five risks to public health in the UK
• Improves access to employment, education and leisure - cycling takes you from door to door. It opens up opportunities to households without a car and increases the number of possible destinations available compared to bus users

Places along the route 

• City centre
• Coventry University
• Fargo
• Gosford Green
• Stoke Green
• Stoke Park
• Empress Buildings Shopping Arcade
• Iceland
• Lidl
• Binley Business Park
• Tesco
• University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire

Frequently asked questions

Why is the Cycleway so wide?

The cycleway is “bi-directional” which means people on cycles pass each other in opposite directions and so the cycleway needs to be wide enough to allow this to happen safely. A typical upright cycle requires a width of one metre, but tricycles, recumbent cycles and physically adapted cycles require up to 1.2m, plus room to pass each other. Design standards, therefore, require a width of 3m and a buffer between the cycleway and road of at least 0.5metre.

Why is the road now so narrow?

When working out the width of a road, we need to consider factors such as how much traffic there will be, the type and mix of traffic, the speed limit and what other activity may take place on street such as loading or parking.

Two cars can pass in a width of 4.8 metres and two lorries can pass at 5.5 metres. However, the narrowest section of road left over after the cycleway is 6.2m – this measurement doesn’t include the on-street parking in designated bays. Narrower roads help reduce traffic speeds, improving road safety for everyone.

Wider roads with good visibility lead to motorists travelling faster. Narrower roads can help reduce speeds in residential areas. 

How was the cycleway funded?

Binley Cycleway was funded through the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund and Active Travel Fund.  These funds are specifically for projects that deliver improved sustainable and active travel respectively.

Why can’t people just cycle on the roads?

Over half of the people asked tell us that safety is the largest barrier to cycling and a quarter of people say a lack of confidence is also an issue. 

We want to help more people be able to cycle. Cycling has significant health and economic benefits as well as helping to reduce pollutants that cause poor air quality. We know that cycle tracks on roads that are physically separated from traffic and pedestrians enable more people to cycle.

When will the scheme be completed?

We are developing proposals for the remaining section along Clifford Bridge Road, having undertaken extensive consultation with the local community.  More updates will be released on this page when we have a confirmed scheme and construction timescale.