City Cycle Forum May 2008
From Pedalpushers
Contents |
Cycle Forum on 13th May 2008:
Matters Arising
- Cycle Safety Audit: Further to the council's concern about the significant rise in serious accidents involving cyclists, a number of measures are being explored (and further ideas are very welcome here). In particular the following were mentioned:
- Cycle awareness training for bus drivers: Free Pedal Ready lesson(s) for bus drivers to increase their awareness of cyclists' needs
- The opportunity to give cyclists the chance to see things from a lorry-driver's perspective (esp. re. blind spots)
- "Think bike" type signs for the accident hotspots (such as Ecclesall Road)
- Sheffield Station Ticket Barriers
- Letter to be sent from the Cycle Forum expressing its concern at this measure and its impact; it was also noted that there is a public meeting planned for a couple of weeks' time that people may like to attend.
Cycle Maps, Common National Standards
Simon gave a talk on a mapping standard that is being proposed by CycleNation (formerly CCN) for adoption by DfT and gaining favour with the CTC; The guiding principles move away from the notions of 'routes' and 'facilities' and focus instead on recognizing that all roads are cycle routes and roads are graded by the level of skill required to cycle a road. This then links to National Cycle Training Standards. A road such as Clarkehouse Rd, therefore, would be graded as 'difficult' despite the presence of cycle lanes.
A lively debate ensued on whether this would work for Sheffield's particular route mapping needs. (esp. considering the way the Sheffield Cycle Map has evolved, particularly regarding 'recommended routes', provision for which doesn't seem to form part of this new standard). It was recognized by all that there would be a substantial amount of work involved in moving to this standard, but also that there could be significant benefits.
Cycle Training in Schools
The council's bid to Cycling England to increase level 2 cycle training in schools has been successful, enabling training of up to 1517 children by 31st March 2009 - a huge increase on the 430 children trained in 2007/08. See the full document for more details.
Unsuccessful Cycling City Bid - What can we deliver anyway?
Unfortunately Sheffield didn't succeed in this bid. Andy Wild, who did most of the work on this bid did however note some positives: There may be other smaller grants available from Cycling England (suggestions for particular areas to focus on sought - BikeAbility was one thought here); it has also been a useful process to identify the various cycling[-related] initiatives around the city including things like ReCycle, Heeley Development Trust.
For info the major elements of the bid were:
- GP Exercise referral scheme: There is still to be 2 or 3 pilot schemes in July funded by the council for candidates to get 5 weeks' worth of [cycling] exercise, 1 day (event) a week.
- Flagship Cycling Schools (see BikeIt note above)
- Accelerated Cycle Route Development
- Targetted work with both universities to provide facilities such as cycle hire, including electric cycle hire
- Increase take-up of adult & child cycle training (= available to all Y5/6)
- New Sheffield cycle brand identity and signing
- Supporting existing cycle projects
A "BikeIt" officer is still to be funded to promote school-related cycling (esp. Safe Routes to Schools, Cycle Lockers in schools; Cycle Training) - BikeIt schools typically have double the cycling of non-BikeIt schools. The plan is to target up to 12 schools with this initiative (BikeIt is a Sustrans term)
Pedal Pushers List of Issues
Please see the [separate PDF document] which includes reference to
Any Other Business
Bike Week 14th - 22nd June: Greg Chalis quickly summarised the main events - these will be assembled for publication very soon, so any additional events should be sent in very fast to ensure they're included. Currently the main events are:
- Tues morning: Cyclists' Breakfast
- Tues evening: Bike ride
- Weds evening: Bike ride & PP AGM
- Fri evening: "Fully Monty" ride (of Full Monty locations)
- Saturday: Heeley Wheelie festival
- Sunday: Supertram assisted ride
