The latest Connecting Leeds Newsletter is below:
Connecting Leeds Newsletter
September 2023
This week marks TravelWise Week, promoting public transport and greener and healthier transport choices. The week also concludes with World Car Free Day on 22 September, where people are encouraged to enjoy streets free of traffic.
As part of our ambition to give more people more choice in how they get around Leeds, we've created more people-first environments around the city to prioritise people walking, wheeling* and cycling. Newly pedestrianised spaces include Cookridge Street, New Briggate, City Square and the area around the Corn Exchange.
Read on to find out about other schemes promoting sustainable travel options and get transport news and updates from around Leeds.
*Wheeling incorporates many methods for getting around, including using wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walking aids and travelling with a pram or pushchair.
Leeds City Bikes are go!
The council's new public e-bike hire service, Leeds City Bikes, launched last week. The new fully electric bike hire scheme aims to help more people cycle short journeys without having to purchase their own bike. Around 300 e-bikes will be available from conveniently located docking stations around the city by the end of autumn.
The scheme, which is the first public e-bike hire service in the UK, will enable residents, students, workers and visitors to make the most of the city's growing cycling network.
After the initial rollout the bike allocation will double in size and expand to other areas of the city, giving even more people the opportunity to take up cycling.
Helping you Walk It, Ride It
People from across West Yorkshire are being asked to Walk it, Ride it this Autumn, through a new campaign launched across the region.
Featuring real life stories from local residents in Leeds and beyond, who all make every day journeys by bus, cycling, walking and wheeling, the campaign highlights the support and offers available to help people make the small changes to travel more sustainably, where possible.
From simple ticketing offers available through the MCard app, as well as journey planning on public transport and free support available to help people build confidence walking and cycling, including free adult cycle training; there’s something for everyone to help them walk it, ride it.
Armley Gyratory update
Construction around Armley Gyratory will enter its next phase from Friday 29 September. The next stage of work includes removing and replacing three footbridges with more accessible ones, making it easier for people walking, wheeling or cycling over the Gyratory.
Spence Lane bridge will be the first to be replaced, which will include a shallower gradient to make it easier for cyclists and those with mobility issues to cross the Gyratory, followed by Geldard bridge and Wellington Road bridge next year.
Find out more in the press release.
More schools join School Streets for safer, greener routes to school
A further three schools have been added to the council’s School Streets programme, encouraging even more children and their families to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle to school. School Streets is a child-friendly initiative, making the journey to and from school safer and healthier.
Blenheim Primary School, Birchfield Primary School and Bramhope Primary School have joined our other 12 schools to create safe, calm and friendly environments for more sustainable ways to travel to school.
September also sees the return of 'Scootember', where school pupils receive training to be able to scoot safely to and from school. To mark Scootember, and the launch of three new School Streets, Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, visited Blenheim Primary School to award scooters and helmets to two lucky pupils.
Find out more in the press release.
Close pass operations
Last month the council, alongside the West Yorkshire Police, neighbourhood policing team and the British Horse Society, delivered close pass operations for horse riders and cyclists. Members of the team chatted to drivers about updates to the Highway Code which mean that drivers should slow down to a maximum of 10mph and give horses and riders at least two metres space when overtaking them.
Close pass operations are one of the key actions in the Leeds Vision Zero 2040 road safety strategy, which aims for no deaths or serious injuries on Leeds roads by 2040. Find out more about the Vision Zero strategy.
Get free off-peak bus travel and half-fare rail travel with a senior pass
West Yorkshire has lots to offer, from UNESCO heritage sites, historic buildings, art galleries to stunning parks, concerts, unique shops and great cafes – all accessible with a senior pass. You can qualify for a senior pass if you have reached the state pension age and are a permanent resident of West Yorkshire.
Apply for a Senior Pass online at wymetro.com. A list of West Yorkshire Travel Centres can also be found here.
Light Night 12 & 13 October
Light Night is back for 2023 and this year's event is themed around 'future dreaming', taking inspiration from the activities around the Leeds 2023 year of culture. Marvel as some of the city's most recognisable landmarks will be illuminated by installations and brought to life by artists from across the world.
If you're travelling to Light Night, why not use the Park & Ride at Elland Road or Stourton where you'll be able to see two immersive light installations. Elland Road Park & Ride will be home to 'Luminosi Trees', a light and sound installation of two six metre high light trees accompanied by music, and Stourton will have the 'Heofon Light Maze' that shifts colour as you move through. There'll also be installations on City Square, Leeds City Rail Station and around the city centre.
