Controversial plans to fine cyclists in area of city centre take big step forward

A consultation to ban cycling in parts of the city centre will go ahead despite opposition from campaigners who have slammed the plans as 'clumsy and unworkable'. Birmingham City Council has recently outlined plans to give police extra powers to take action against people cycling on key pedestrian-only routes in the city.

The ban would be enforced by a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) which also covers alcohol and substance misuse, urination, graffiti and defaecation. New plans to tackle illegal street trading and aggressive begging went to public consultation this week, although the consultation did not mention plans for a ban on cycling in a boost to campaigners.

However, these hopes were dashed as the council today confirmed it will ask for people's views on a potential cycling ban as part of a second public consultation, set to be launched imminently. Birmingham City Council previously said the plans aim to curb delivery drivers using powerful e-bikes to move quickly through the city centre and would only apply to 'one small area of the city centre where there is high footfall'.

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PSPOs aim to deal with a particular nuisance in a defined area that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for those in the area. A ban on cycling in areas of the city centre is one of a number of measures which could be added to the extended PSPO for 2025.

A consultation on plans to ban aggressive begging and illegal street trading are now underway, with a second consultation on cycling soon to be launched. The council has previously said a ban would not impact on the council's commitment to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists as part of ongoing developments and its transportation plan.'

A council spokesperson said today: "Birmingham City Council have launched their consultation on an extended PSPO for the city centre relates to anti-social behaviour related to individuals or groups, begging, alcohol and substance misuse, urination or defaecation, drugs and/or graffiti.

"This is renewal and extension of the current city centre PSPO for the city centre that expires in January 2025. The Council will be launching two further PSPO consultations shortly. One will relate to matters connected with illegal street trading, peddling and provision of services, obstruction of the highway and commercial/charitable subscription collectors. The second will relate to cycling in pedestrian areas."

Campaigners have previously raised concerns that the proposed ban punishes active travel and could force cyclists onto more dangerous roads around the city centre. Reacting to the news, Martin Price - policy lead at Better Streets for Birmingham - said: "We're disappointed to see the cycling ban move forward to consultation.

"Most people are safely riding legal cycles in a considerate way, often needing to resort to city centre streets because there are no safe cycling through-routes. The Council appears to want to introduce the PSPO to specifically target food couriers riding illegal e-bikes dangerously in specific parts of the city centre.

"Delivery platforms could and should do more to ensure their couriers deliver food safely using legal e-bikes. Introducing this PSPO to ban cycling will not address the problem, which can already be enforced under existing laws.

"Instead, it will block routes for considerate cyclists and those who cycle as a mobility aid so cannot dismount. We once again call for Birmingham City Council to drop these unworkable and clumsy proposals."