Transport for London: Cycling on Greenways

Equality Works was invited by TfL to assist with a detailed and qualitative equalities impact assessment of the plan for Cycling on Greenways and to consider the needs of different groups of Londoners who are users or potential users of Greenways.

This was a focused consultation activity, arising from the initial screening, which identified that the main potential for adverse impact in the plan relates to disabled people and others with mobility impairments, e.g. the very young and their carers, and older people.

We initially conducted a rapid literature research and made indicative use of documents that were written for different purposes and related them to Greenways.

A key element of the work was the establishment of a reference group of disabled and non-disabled people to inform not only this report but future developments as well.

The final report included an analysis of the positive impacts of shared use (between cyclists, wheelchair users and pedestrians)and how to sustain them over time, as well as the negative impacts of shared use and suggestions about ways to mitigate those impacts. The deliberations with the reference group were integrated into the final report.

The recommendations highlighted consultation, developing a classification system for Greenways and enhancing the process by which Greenways are approved and funded, so that it contains a mandatory Equality Impact Assessment.

The report concluded that the positive impacts outweigh the negatives and that TfL has complied with its public duties. It also points out that further work is needed in interpreting the DDA, particularly in relation to proportionality.