Cycling ban in parks set to be reversed

The amendments will allow cyclists to ride through areas such as Shotover Country Park

A blanket ban on cycling in public parks in Oxford is set to be reversed.

Oxford City Council cabinet members agreed with officers’ recommendations to amend the cycling byelaws currently in place.

The amendments will allow cyclists to ride through areas of leisure owned by the council across the city, such as Shotover Country Park.

The proposal will now be put to a full council meeting on 15 July for the final seal of approval.

Two main recommendations were raised during Tuesday's scrutiny committee meeting, including "future-proofing" the definition of bicycles, and putting speed restrictions in place to take into account electric bikes.

It was also suggested information should be clearly displayed on noticeboards around the parks so people can report incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Hinksey Park, Lye Valley Nature Reserve, and Trap Grounds Nature Reserve will retain the cycling ban in light of responses to a consultation.

The same consultation also suggested a majority of people supported lifting the blanket ban.

If the byelaws are changed it will be the first update to them in 25 years.