A new active travel hub has opened in Cathedral Gardens beside the new Ulster University campus in Belfast.
It follows the launch of new secure cycle storage at Castle Court as part of 'A Bolder Vision' for Belfast.
People living, working, studying in and visiting Belfast are being encouraged to walk, wheel and cycle more for health, congestion and climate reasons.
Read more: Belfast schoolboy urges Minister O'Dowd to deliver cycle lanes
The hub, a pilot project supported by Department for Infrastructure, Department for Communities, Ulster University and the Public Health Agency, is expected to be on site for around two years. A similar hub was launched at Queen's in 2021 where it is said to be 'exceeding demand' by Cllr Brian Smyth.
Cathedral Gardens active travel hub will be operated by social enterprise Big Loop Bikes and Sustrans and aims to provide information to local communities, workers and visitors, as well as staff and students of the city’s further and higher education facilities.
It will be open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-4pm and will offer:
- Cost effective bike repairs, bike purchase and leasing schemes from Big Loop Bikes
- A programme of activities, training and events delivered by Sustrans including led walks and rides, on road cycle training, journey planning support and active travel promotion to encourage and support more people to walk and cycle
Belfast Mayor Tina Black said: “We want to encourage people to travel actively and sustainably in Belfast because we’re committed to making a positive contribution to people’s health and well-being and helping to protect our environment.”
Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd said: “I am committed to increasing opportunities for active travel to help address the climate emergency and promote greener travel and initiatives such as this one at Cathedral Gardens.”
Andrew Dougal, Chair of Board, Public Health Agency said: “The PHA encourages people to build active travel into their day as it can help contribute to meeting the Chief Medical Officers’ recommended amount of physical activity of 150 minutes each week. Research shows physical activity can improve sleep, help maintain a healthy weight and reduce stress. It also reduces the risk of developing chronic conditions including heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, and respiratory conditions.”
Prof Paul Seawright, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Ulster University said their ”Belfast campus is car free” has its own Park and Ride facility for those taking bus and rail options and almost 200 free secure cycle spaces as well as a cycle to work scheme for staff.
“It’s fantastic to see the Active Travel Hub literally on our doorstep,” he added.
Caroline Bloomfield, Sustrans Director said: “Working alongside Big Loop Bikes, our programmes will help people to overcome barriers and build confidence so they can travel actively - walking and cycling is the most healthy, environmentally friendly and affordable way to travel.”
Sustrans also has active travel hubs at CS Lewis Square on the Newtownards Road, Whiterock Road in West Belfast and at the North West Transport Hub in Derry.
Their new hub at Cathedral Gardens follows the launch of Belfast City Council's first secure bike parking facility in partnership with Castle Court shopping centre at the beginning of October.
It is the first of a number of such schemes proposed across in the city and is open open from 7am-7pm Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday; 7am-10pm on Thursday and 12-7pm on Sunday.
The Bike Yard can house 24 bikes and offers all-day on site security.
Green Party councillor Brian Smyth said: “I am really confident we are going to have more of these in the next 18 months. I think it's brilliant.
“I'm chuffed because it's a piece I have brought through even from my own point of view. I cycle into the town once or twice a week and more and more people are cycling.
“The active travel hub at Queen's is exceeding demand. There's a real commitment here from the council and we now need DfI to step up and start having proper segregated [cycle] routes in and out of the city centre.
“The city centre has taken a bit of a stuffing in the last six months... this is changing mindsets for where we want the city to go long term - getting more cars off the road.
“People talk about air quality and air pollution... that's the sort of stuff we want to drive and it factors in on a few areas that are all equally important and can all play their own role in trying to make this city a better place.“
For more information on the active travel hub at Cathedral Gardens visit Sustrans Northern Ireland Active Travel Hubs
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