BIKES could be allowed to ride along Oxford’s Queen Street in a new trial of pedal-powered deliveries for shops.

But some residents may not even know cycling on the main shopping street is banned.

More people in the city are ordering supplies and services from cargo bike companies during lockdown.

But there is a traffic management order which means cycling on both Queen Street and Cornmarket street is banned between 10am and 6pm, even though people do ride bikes on both pedestrianised roads every day.

Now, Oxfordshire County Council wants to ease the ban for delivery bikes from May 18.

This is because local zero-carbon delivery service Pedal & Post are currently providing a delivery service for Covered Market traders while OxWash are helping to collect and launder NHS key worker clothing.

The council thinks these companies are ‘part of the solution to improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions’ throughout the city in the future and could be used by more high street shops in coming years.

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The reason behind lifting the ban

The trial has been proposed because:

• Cargo bike companies are supporting the response to COVID-19 by transporting goods and providing essential services such as laundry

• Queen Street has been identified as an important route by cargo bike companies

• 75 per cent Nitrogen Oxide air pollution in Oxford comes from transport

• 50 tonnes of CO2 is emitted by road traffic in Oxford every morning rush hour

• 17 per cent of Oxford’s carbon emissions comes from road transport

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Yvonne Constance, the county council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “In Oxford we are seeing a lot of work being done to innovate and ensure that Oxford becomes well known for cleaning up the air and making the city centre a hub of innovation.

“We recognise that there are some concerns about the use of the street by bikes and so I emphasise that this is a concession to cargo bikes only and we will be monitoring this trial closely.”

Christopher Benton from Pedal & Post said: "We're thrilled that the council has opened this up as a trial, as Queen Street is set to be part of the zero emission zone it means we can help support businesses further in making the switch to zero for a sustainable future for Oxford. It will also support us with a west to east cycle route for new NHS deliveries we have coming up this year.

Members of the public can give their thoughts to the council about the plans here

The consultation runs for six months after the scheme comes into effect, but any responses received after then will still be considered when coming to a decision.