Archived
From Pedalpushers
Archived Campaign Issues Contact your MP: www.writetothem.com
Smoky Buses
The PTE would be interested to know about particularly smoky buses (the cloud-of-black-smoke variety).
If this happens to you, please note the bus's "Fleet number" - typically a 5 digit number on the back of the bus - as well as the operator and date, then contact Pam Horner at the SYPTE with these details by email or phone: pamh sypte co uk (put in the @ and full stops, I've omitted them to avoid Pam getting spam) or 0114 2211452.
Ongoing Issues
Norfolk St - barriers , car speed approaching the car park under the office block etc
Counter Flow on Mappin St - any news?
Crossing at University tram stop - any news?
Top of Broomspring lane (ok I know we are unlikely to get much here but some signs at lest that loads of cyclists cross over here each day might be nice, its getting a bit hairy up there)
Anything on what type of cycle infrastructure and routes will be through the NRQ, eg the route past the Casbah and down Wellington St
Yhe Moor. What's the latest on Cumberland Way, i'm still using it , some days I try to use the bus gate route out onto Eyre St then take the right hand filter onto Jessop St and Sylvester TS.
Unless you are first vehicle in the queue (not easy) the lights go back to red on that filter so you get held up yet again. Fraid to say the Cumberland way to the crossing at Earl St is much quicker and more convenient still
Finally
Any stats on the effect of the Tram Gates are pulling in, and at this admittedly early stage do they see a continual roll out?
Encouraging Cycling
The number of cyclists in the city is increasing rapidly. We should call on the council to do all they can to encourage this welcome trend and avoid measures that will discourage (eg no cycling across the new squares, one way streets without countra flow lanes. Carpe Diem!
Update: Cllr Bernard Little will take a motion to council asking them to support cycling on health and environmental grounds.
Road Safety Bill
John Leech, Lib Dem Withington MP, will table an amendment to the Road Safety Bill, due before Parliament in the autumn. He backed the Manchester Evening News campaign for 20mph speed limits outside schools and is calling for it to be extended to residential streets.
Anyone who supports the amendment to the Road Safety Bill - can send a message to their MP via www.writetothem.com
Please support this amendment.
The Moor
The plans to move the Central Markets to the Moor are nearing finalisation. This will involve severing the Earl Way cycle route, one of the most popular in the city. To date we have not been offered a suitable alternative - although there have been improvements to the parallel main roads they are still heavily trafficked, and likely to remain so in the future. Our proposal that the problem be solved by opening up the south end of the Moor to cycling has been rejected, and we are considering putting in an objection. Ian Simon and Jon are working on this. The scheme does hold some benefits in terms of improved cycle parking and minor changes to existing cycle crossings.
Status
Scheme approved 30-Jan-2006
Surrey St
The junction with Norfolk St as dangerous as ever, only reason we don't see a lot of accidents is because cyclists (not motorists!) have altered their behaviour there and are slowing down and giving way to the cars coming out of Norfolk St - hardly an ideal solution
notice board
Would be excellent if the council could sponsor the Sheffield Cycle Campaign (aka Pedalpushers) a nice discreet notice board in the city centre where we could post details of our rides starting from the city hall, times, late changes etc.
Seems a lot of people have been turning up at 5.30 at Barkers Pool to see if there is a ride. Ian would be happy to keep such a notice board up to date and remove the Gatecrasher flyers from it.
left hand turns
As a regular cycle commuter my most dangerous experiences come from two left hand turns that both have cycle lanes.
One is going into town on Moore street where there is a left hander going up to Devonshire Green and the other is on Glossop Road going to Broomhill with the left hander to Broomhill outside the Hallamshire. With both of these I have come close to being run over because left turning motorists assume that I am also turning left - when I am going straight on. It is ironic that both have well sign posted cycle lanes - I do wonder if the Danish model of having no road markings - thereby forcing motorists to be more cautious is actually better here.
Close to that junction by the Hallamshire Hospital is the left fork onto Clarkehouse Road by Hanrahans (or whatever it calls itself now). That’s where cars use the bike lane to avoid waiting at the queue at the traffic lights. In the same area I would add to that list the left turn up Lydgate Lane from Crookes Road. I know cyclists heading up to Crookes who have been knocked off there by cars going straight on up Lydgate lane (ie turning left). We were expecting a safety scheme there as part of the Plan4 s10 work but that looks to have been dropped
Woodseats scheme
I think we have a case of Compulsive Risk Assessment Prognosis (CRAP) - but in this case the RA seems to have been flawed The outbound lane beyond Abbey Lane is too close to the car parking, creating the risk that passing cyclists will be “doored” and severely injured. Further up where there is a ped refuge the cycle lane has been created off-carriageway. We have indeed asked for consideration for cyclists at ped refuges and narrowings, and this is a nice thought, but unfortunately it has been done on the cheap. Had the ground been levelled it might have worked but the bumps where it crosses driveways have been left in. One cyclist said “This bit of cycle lane is a joke. For a relatively unfit newbie like me, its hard enough cycling up that hill in the first place, without the extra hassle of having to jump off the main road and cycle up and down the ends of half a dozen driveways. Not to mention the fact that i've seen cars parked on the ends of those driveways blocking the path anyway.
Its also nice that the roughest tarmac available has been used to add that bit of extra resistance as you struggle up there, so considerate.I simply refuse to use it, and have not had any trouble with cars squeezing me out, they'll just have to slow down for all of 12 feet.”
I have yet to use the downhill part of the scheme so am unable to comment, but I note that the bus lane lights do not work for cyclists so I wonder whether any progress has been made with giving cyclists an exemption?
I have a radical idea – there may be a concern that kids will burn out any bins that are placed on the manor. I would therefore suggest that braziers are placed rather than conventional litter bins, These can be made out of re-cycled washing machine drums. By encouraging the kids to burn their waste these areas could become self-cleaning (I know burning plastic isn’t a great idea but VEOLIA ES Sheffield Ltd is quite happy to burn large quantities in their nearby incinerator)
Toucan Crossings
The "Toucan" crossings that are currently being installed in Sheffield are not suitable for cyclists. Where there is only a box on the near side of the road, this becomes quickly obscured if there is more than one person waiting. (The crossing outside the station is a very good example) Cyclists therefore have no indication of when it is safe to cross. In this situation a cyclist needs to check that he can cross legally (bearing in mind that unlike pedestrians cyclists *have *to wait for the green) ensure they avoid pedestrians, *and *check for traffic. By ensuring that the crossing light is often obscured traffic engineers have made the crossing more dangerous for cyclists, and I understand that these are not well liked by pedestrians either. Could we return to the more traditional type of crossing with the light clearly visible from the opposite side of the road please?
Ambassadors
Ambassadors & Security Men harrassing cyclists on cycle routes at Barkers Pool & Howard St
With these schemes nearing completion it seems the council has decided to have a crackdown on cyclists, skaterboarders etc in this area. However as these are designated cycle routes heavy-handed harrassment of law-abiding cyclists is inappropriate. In the meantime, illegal behaviour by motorists in the city centre is routinely ignored.
Recently we learn that ambassadors are to be empowered to issue £20 spot fines to pavement cyclists. We are assured that this power will be kept in the back pocket, only to be used in eztreme cases - also that harrassadors will be fully briefed on where it is and it isn't legal to cycle.
Motorcycles locked to Cycle Parking
There seems to be an epidemic of this in the town centre at the moment. We intend to stamp it out through direct action and campaigning in 2006. New secure (pay) motorcycle parking has been provided in the Fitzwilliam Street car park, in a prominent position clearly visible from the street. This is in stark contrast to the only cycle lockers in the city centre, tucked away in a multi-storey car park off the moor with no signage outside.
More on motorcycles
There is a very small carpark (about 4-5 cars) at the end of Eyre lane at the back of the Stoddart building. I believe this one is council owned but i'll have to check , all SHU car parks AFAIK are now operated by the council.
If this were provided with some motorbike bays the bikes could easily access it without having to ride through the no vehicles area, they wouldn't have to take up bicycle parking, or damage the trees they lock up to and I think the area is under CCTV as well.
Trans-Pennine Trail
I was actioned to provide a list of locations where litter bins are required. This has been done but no litter bins have yet been provided. Could this be chased up please?
Summerfield St
New arrangements much appreciated by walkers and cyclists. Two requests:
1. There should be a "track" (elephants feet?) for cyclists coming from Summerfield St up to the cycle path on Sunnybank (as there is in the opposite direction - but primarily to assist motorists to understand where cyclists are going, as they must wonder why cyclists seem to be heading straight for a brick wall).
2. There is a planter on the Sunnybank side which is neither use nor ornament, gets in the way and should be removed. Can this be done as part of the works?
Update - The Summerfield St - Sunnybank section is to be reviewed as part of the Road Safety Audit. The planter is to be removed, although there is some concern that cyclists will "miss" the push button control as they will not be obliged to pass it. Update 15/10/06 - The Planter has been removed.
Norfolk St Barriers
I was handing in our timesheets at Howden House yesterday and then wanted to get to West Street. The best way to start seemed to go along Norfolk Street, given the current state of Pinstone Street. As I got to Cafe Rouge my way was blocked by 2 metal barriers so I cycled carefully round them and spoke to a City Ambassador. He told me that the barriers had been put in place because there had been four instances of the bollards which should be there having been knocked over by reversing cars (not a flattering comment on the ability of some Sheffield drivers) and that the Council had "run out of money" to replace them. I suggested that it would be safer for the people enjoying their coffee at the outside tables if a gap were to be left in between the two barriers so that cyclists could pass through. He agreed it might be a good idea but said that he couldn't move them without consulting his superiors. I thought that a reminder from someone like you might speed up getting this sorted.
those barriers have been bugging me for weeks, more so now they are painted black making them extra hard to see. A small gap in the middle would at least be a temporary solution, maybe they could stretch to a warning sign?
Surrey st was blocked by cars yesterday as the pavement cleaning gang were in situ, so I took Norfolk St instead and nearly ended up the recipient of two cappuccinos and chocolate muffin. Im all for café society but I draw the line at a cycle through facility.
Once I had negotiated that hazard I was almost despatched by a blonde lass in a Golf GTI swerving far too quickly into the underground parking . Cars don’t mix well with pedestrians and cyclists in that area round the peace gardens at all. I see the begining of a road narrowing was put in on Norfolk St some months ago but construction has stopped. Maybe a temporary speed bump at the narrowing might help out there. I notice that at the Hotel end of Norfolk St if you own a BMW or Mercedes you are permitted to use the nice flush level pavements as car parking.
Plan 4 S10: What the council didn't do
(in the wake of their self-congratulatory newsletter. )
- Create a safe crossing for bikes between Broomspring Lane & Claremont Crescent
- Create a safe crossing for bikes & peds at the junction of Glossop Rd & Brunswick St
- Create a safe crossing for peds at the junction of Wilkinson St, Northumberland Rd & Glossop Rd
- Follow up on "We will work with the University to improve conditions for cyclists in the area"
Claremont Crescent
- Been hit by a car for the 3rd time today while waiting at a junction in the hospital / Crookesmoor area.
This morning the driver turned from Northumberland Road into Claremont Crescent on the wrong side of the road. He drove over the front wheel and trapped my bike under his car, I had exited stage left very rapidly as I saw him coming but couldn't pull the bike to safety in time. I could only stand and watch as he drove over the front end of the bike until my front wheel became wedged up in his wheel arch and stopped the car. My front wheel has snapped into two halves, rest of the bike is ok.
The last 3 collisions I have had I have been stationery at a junction in the Hallamshire hospital area.
Today. Top of Claremont Crescent waiting to go across to Damer St. The annoying thing is if the council hadn't installed that daft one way system round the hospital, or at least made provision for safe cycling with counter flow lanes, I would have alredy turned left up Northumberland, the old route, and would not have been sat at the junction waiting to cross to Damer St anyway.
Friday 7th Feb . Waiting to turn right into work, hit by car coming toward me on wrong side of the road , his wing mirror flew off, bike ok
Last year. waiting at end of Northumberland to go across Whitam road and a car ran into the back of me after he had pulled a U-turn in the road .
All of these in broad daylight.
- I've had to go over to the Hallamshire twice today to collect & drop
off a tape drive. Watching the junction Ian was run over at, EVERY car (I saw 8-9) cuts the corner when turning right; if I'd had the camera it would have been easy to gather evidence.
I think we should bring this up at the next Cycle Forum
Plan4 Sheaf Valley: what the council didn't do:
ASL's at the junction with Archer Rd. Provide a cycle lane along Abbeydale Rd Sth when they removed the bus lane.
what the council did do
The Sheaf Valley Cycle Route (City Centre- Archer Rd) represents a substantial improvement on what we had before. The link between Saxon Rd and Little London Rd was crucial to avoid congested Chesterfield Rd; traffic has been much reduced on Little London Rd, with consequential benefits for the residents of the Lakes and Norton Hammer areas and the permeability of the Broadfield Rd area is greatly improved. The proof of the success of this scheme is the greatly increased numbers of cyclists using the route.
However, we still have reservations about: Saxon Rd, where we continue to believe that a one-way scheme with a contra-flow for cyclists, mirroring the Little London Rd scheme but in the opposite direction, would have benefits for all; The Virgin Gym cycleway where the bollards are too close together (can't get a trike down it - 1.5 metres, remember?) Problem of no maintenance on the link into Sainsburys (here's hoping for an interchange of some sort there one day) : What happened to the pay-off you got from Tescos? Section between Fieldhead Rd & Mount Pleasant on Abbeydale Rd where apart from the p/t inbound bus lane there is no protection for cyclists (although moving the outbound bus stop has helped) Oh & please please resurface Little London Rd & Staveley Rd - my soft fruit is getting turned into puree on the way back from Sainsburys! You will recall our comments about cycle routes needing better maintenance than bronze routes?
Put in potentially lethal cycle lanes on Chesterfield Rd South. These are directly adjacent to parked cars and the potential for getting doored at 30mph on the downhill is very high. Could these lanes either be re-positioned or removed please, Note: Once we have notified the council of this it will clearly be their liabiilty should an accident occur.
Sheffield Airport
Not all of us are sad to see the demise of Sheffield Airport. The airport was built to compete with surface transport - rail and road, on the back of the development of short-haul aircraft like the HS-146. However, the low-cost airlines came along with their second-hand Boeing 737's (now admittedly being replaced with newer, more fuel-efficient planes, using public subsidy in the form of a zero tax on airline fuel and the back-handers paid by local authorities to encourage them to visit their on local under-used airports)
However, this kind of aviation is the most environmentally damaging. Aircraft burn most fuel on take-off and landing, which is mostly what short-haul flights consist of. High Speed Rail is a much more sustainable mode for this type of travel. Not to mention the inconvenience of having noisy aircraft flying over your house, and the extra traffic airports generate - not admittedly much of a problem on Europa Way at the moment.
Finningley at least allows for the possibility of the Airbus A380, at present the most efficient way of transporting large numbers of people long-distance, coming to our area. In the long term, as climate change bites we will have to question whether the growth in long-haul aviation is sustainable, and look at ways of enabling people to travel less. That is part of the "Inconvenient Truth"
Sheffield City Council should draw a line under the sorry saga of the airport, and concentrate on developing the surface links that we need as a European city.
What improvements to the cycling infrastructure will we see as part of the further development of the airport site as a business park? Could the "walking route" between Europa Way and High Hazels by upgraded as part of this?
