High street cycling ban to be lifted

A ban on cycling in a town centre street will be lifted after feedback from cycling groups.

The order not to cycle through Maidenhead High Street was initially introduced in 2021 and then renewed in 2024.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead councillors have now voted to lift the ban, with cycling allowed between 17:00 and 10:00 GMT.

Councillor Richard Coe said the decision would give cyclists the same access to the street as delivery vehicles.

The vote to allow cycling was made on Thursday and came after a public consultation.

Charity Cycling UK submitted feedback that the ban in Maidenhead "wrongly treats all cycling as anti-social behaviour".

A Windsor and Maidenhead representative for the charity said: "We believe there is a huge difference between banning cycling and banning anti-social cycling."

The group raised concerns about delivery riders on "illegal" motorised bikes and argued a "limited dedicated cycle infrastructure" meant cyclists needed quieter routes.

The council was also considering the cycling ban in Peascod Street, Windsor - but voted to keep that in place.

Councillor Coe said: "The administration are really keen to encourage walking and cycling.

"Having thought through this very carefully we have decided that we are happy to give cyclists access to Maidenhead High Street during the same hours as vehicles."

The council stated the decision to ease the ban was "particularly in reference to feedback submitted by cycling groups".

Councillor Coe explained the authority decided not to ease the WIndsor ban "due to individual circumstances in Peascod Street".

He added the council would "think about facilitating cycling in Wincdsor, while maintaining safety for pedestrians".

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