Agenda and draft minutes

In the absence of the Chair and Vice Chair, nominations were requested for the appointment of a Chair for the meeting.

It was proposed and seconded that Councillor Ceara Roopchand be appointed Chair for the meeting. No other nominations were received.

It was RESOLVED: That Councillor Ceara Roopchand be appointed as Chair

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Leanne Brady, Andy McGuinness and Claire Parris

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 28 January 2026.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 January were agreed by the Committee, with the additional points included:

• Members asked officers to provide details of where cycling is permitted and prohibited in the town centre and local parks, the Director for Planning and Regulation agreed to report back to Members with this information
• Regarding light leakage from street lighting columns, it was noted that the angle of the light is now far narrower than before, could this be reported to Hertfordshire County Council as the highways authority to see if this is adjustable or can be remedied in any way
• Regarding the Infrastructure Delivery Plans Members asked how well integrated this was with the Local Plan? The Director for Planning and Regulation said that the Infrastructure Delivery Plan was last updated in 2024 and could be updated this year
• Members noted that there has been no effective monitoring of the 2018 Cycle Strategy nor has there been any data collected, this would need to change as part of any update. Members noted that there had been some data provided from Beryl bike hire usage, but this was limited to just where users have hired the bikes from fixed points. There is some data available from the 2021 Census, but this underestimates the number of cyclists
• Officers to note that the South of the town seems to be missing a lot from the Arts and Heritage Trail
• Members asked for a report back on how the secure cycle parking at the railway station was performing and the Director for Planning and Regulation agreed to report back to Members on this, with a view to learn from this for future provision of secure cycle storage elsewhere in the town
• Members asked Officers to report back on what counts as a mobility aid and who can legally use the cycleways
• Regarding Beryl Bikes, Members asked for a detailed update be brought back to the Committee on usage and future developments
• Members noted that cyclists often can’t cycle to their destinations. The cycleways were great for recreation and exercise but were limited for transport. There needs to be a north south route and into the town centre
• Members noted previous planning mistakes like the location of Tesco and Costco which broke up previous continuous sections of the cycleways
• Members noted that the cycleways don’t go everywhere in the town, therefore cyclists need to use the roads which need to be safe for cyclists
• Members commented on the fact that cycle parking was no longer provided in the cycling prohibition area in the town centre, which causes a problem for those cyclists that carry shopping or want to have their cycle close to where they are shopping for security reasons
• Members noted that the current prohibition of cycling in the town centre excludes responsible cyclists from possible solutions as it focuses on those who ignore the ban
• Members stated that being able to cycle all the way to the cycle parking was a reasonable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

The Chair has invited various cycling user groups to provide comment on the delivery of the Cycle Strategy Action Plan focusing on two elements for development (i) Create an implementation plan for cycle network improvements and maintenance (including signage and wayfinding) and (ii) Increase the provision of secure and accessible cycle parking across the town, including e-bike charging points. The groups will be invited to share their main request as a future focus for cycling in Stevenage and what they can offer to support cycling.

The Chair introduced the item and explained that there were four cycling groups that had given feedback on the delivery of the cycle strategy action plan, focusing on two elements for development. The first was creating an implementation plan for cycling network improvements and maintenance, and the second was increasing the provision of secure and accessible cycle parking across the town, including e-bike charging points.

Wheels for Wellbeing

The Committee received a presentation from this organisation, run by and for disabled people. It was noted that the organisation’s work operated across two main areas:

•           Providing access to cycling

•           Campaigns and policy

Members were informed that the organisation operated three inclusive cycling centres and managed a fleet of over 350 cycles, including a wide range of non-standard cycles. These centres enabled disabled people to learn to ride in a safe, off-road and disability-positive environment. The organisation also provided led rides on public infrastructure using loaned cycles and trained ride leaders.

The Committee noted that the organisation delivered training and consultancy across cycling, active travel, micromobility and multimodal journeys.

It was reported that regular surveys of disabled cyclists were undertaken to identify barriers and enablers to cycling. All work was underpinned by a mobility justice approach, which prioritised transport investment for those with the least access to mobility options.

The Committee heard that there were several positive impacts of cycling for disabled people including:

•           Essential day-to-day transport, helping to address gaps caused by inaccessible public transport and limited private transport access.

•           Increased social participation and community connection.

•           Physical activity and access to green spaces, supporting physical and mental health.

•           Greater autonomy and independence.

•           Enjoyment and improved wellbeing.

It was emphasised that designing infrastructure to meet disabled people’s needs benefitted the whole population.

The presentation also identified several barriers for disabled cycling, such as inaccessible infrastructure, lack of safe and secure cycle parking and storage, high cost of non-standard cycles, public hostility and limited opportunities.

The Committee noted that accessible cycling infrastructure and parking design must consider inclusive access from the outset and include maintenance planning. It was highlighted that improving accessibility for disabled cyclists would create a more inclusive, safer and more sustainable transport network for all residents in Stevenage.

In response to questions from members about disabled cyclists utilising local athletics tracks, learnings from cycling parking facilities already built and cycle racks in paved areas, the speaker clarified that there are at least 250 tracks around the country that are inclusive for all and a good starting point for those wanting to try cycling.

It was also noted that some other countries have underground parking facilities, and the officer would take this away to get a written response about how it could work for Stevenage. The speaker informed the committee that they would always recommend parking racks are situated on cycleways to help with accessibility.

In response to another member question, it was noted that Wheels for Wellbeing services are not currently being accessed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To consider any Part 1 business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

There was no Urgent Part I Business

To consider the following motions –

1.  That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.  That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

Not required.

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

There was no Urgent Part II Business.