Welcome to Cycle User

Cycle User No. 65 - January 2000

e-Organisation with Kevin Jory, CUG Chair

The electronic age has much to answer for but while it is here we will be using it for all it's worth. The Cycle Users' Group has a presence on the Joppa discussion and web area of the internet.

The web addres is: http://www.btinternet.com/~joppa/

Have a look at what is there so far and put in your suggestions for improvement. You might even like to submit something for publication. Articles are often discussed in the Joppa e-mail group. Details are available on the web page. If you join you will get to see how the group formulates its policy, along with contributions from Transport 2000 and the Motorcycle Action Group. It is open to anyone who wants to promote sustainable transport in Milton Keynes.

Redway Safety by George Boston

This article can be found in the Briefings Section.

CYCLECRAFT a series on safe road cycling from John Franklin's articles in London Cyclist and Cyclecraft, (The Stationery Office) and ISBN (0 11 702051 6)

Tip 1: Strive for confidence

Tip 2: Be tolerant and co-operative

Transport Bill without Bikes Chris Betterton writes

The government's long awaited transport bill has finally arrived but for cyclists it is a real disappointment. In the entire bill there is one mention of the word 'cycle' - and this is just giving the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) power to pass byelaws affecting bikes on footpaths on their property.

This is part of a long term trend in this government's thinking to ignore the bike as a serious part of the transport system. The consultation document on developing an integrated transport policy mentioned nothing about issues regarding cycling the government wanted us to consider. The white paper on the future of transport had a few encouraging words and no real commitments. And now we have a bill which has sections on rail, sections on buses, but nothing for cyclist. To take one example of the kind of opportunites that have been missed, how can the National Cycling Srategy succeed in '[Maximising] opportunities for combining cycling with public transport' if the Srategic Rail Authority doesn't have the power to regulate the carriage of bikes on trains?

There is still some time available before the bill goes before Parliament and it may not be too late to see it changed. It and other documemnts can be found at www.detr.gov.uk/itwp/index.htm.

Further comments on the Transport Bill would be welcome in Cycle User

Vox Pop WHAT CHANGE TO ROADS AND/OR REDWAYS WOULD MAKE CYCLING IN MILTON KEYNES BETTER? All views expressed below are personal and do not represent named organisations

'Reduce Grid road speeds and fill in the pot holes.' Kevin Jory, CUG Chair.

'On the roads: designated lanes, especially at junctions and roundabouts. On Redways: better publicity about how users should behave safely.' Deborah Cooper, BUG member.

'I would like to see safe connections to/from the redways to the towns, like Newport Pagnell, which are presently divided by busy roads like the A509/A422/Marsh End Road.' Mike Bowley, Area Planning Officer, MK Council Environment Directorate, and BUG member.

'Get rid of the ******* cars! More seriously, having serious misgivings about the combination of redway crossings and slip roads from grid roads onto estates: it is not possible to scan the junctions accurately and fast enough to cross safely with the speed of cars coming off the grid roads -usually without indicating. It is therefore imperative to place pelican crossings at these points specifically for cyclists and pedestrians travelling in the same direction as the slip road. Preferably with motion detectors. Failing that, speed cushions could be placed at the end of the slip road.' Barry Inwood, CUG member.

"More signs, more lights, less glass and rubbish, but primarily more consideration by all users for all users." Will Steel, Rights of Way Officer, MK Council Environment Directorate, and BUG Coordinator.

'Roads: Car drivers need to be made more aware of the needs of cyclists who choose to use the City's roads, together with some cyclists being educated too (Lights/dangers etc). Redways: Could be cleansed better (glass etc.) and dog owners educated. Not all are adequately lit (Council cutbacks), large proportion of users have no lights.' Ian Marshall, Milton Keynes Council & MK Cycling & Triathlon Club.

'Improving visibility, calming at (dangerous?) intersections with roads, produce a table of typical door to door journey cycle times e.g. Bletchley Tesco to the Point, Central Library etc a.) on the Redways b.) by grid road, easier navigation - map and signage improvements?' Phil Wareham, BUG member.

'Removal of left turn only filter lanes on roundabout approaches. Why should vulnerable road users (another name for cyclists when you're trying to make a case for equality with one tonne tin box cars) have to negotiate changing lanes when they are going straight on at a junction?' Mike Boyd, CUG member.

'Overgrown bushes (on Highway Authority, Parks Trust and private land) present danger to cyclists and pedestrians alike, especially after dark. Shoots and branches can rip your flesh, scratch your eyes and reduce safe forward visibility. Planting should be kept pruned back to a distance that allows for summer growth. (And every single scrap of spiny trimmings brushed out of the bushes and off the ground.)' Mike Boyd, CUG member.

'Where other highways cross the route of a redway, the redway user having priority. Most such crossings are within built-up (30mph) areas. (In my dreams perhaps, but note the introduction of 'Home Zones' in the UK where pedestrians have priority over motor vehicles...)' Mike Boyd, CUG member.

'Less glass on the Redway, and more lighting' Kieron Murphy, Year 11 student, Denbigh School.

'Make the Redways wider, fill in the cracks, and put cat eyes in' Anthony Cole, Year 11 student, Denbigh School.

Cyclists left standing by firms' cars

Mike Boyd spotted this story in The Guardian (7 January)

Walking or cycling to work may be good for your health and the environment, but it does nothing for your self image or status in the office, according to research.

Even if people were near enough for it to be feasible to walk, they would rather show off the company car. Cycling exposed the rider to the elements and to mud, and put off those who believed up-and-coming employees should be seen wearing smart clothes in the office.

Rachel Goodman of Staffordshire university surveyed attitudes at a local hospital, a city council, a further education establishment, and a military establishment - each a public body where the status of company car and dress code were important.

Exhortations to use alternative and sustainable transport had to overcome the culture of the workplace. 'It is all to do with workplace image and dress code,' she said yesterday. 'People make all sorts of excuses, like the weather, about not walking even less than a mile; but when questioned it was their self image that mattered.'

If commuting patterns were to be changed, parking restrictions and removal of company cars would be a necessary first step, she concluded.

Another researcher from Staffordshire, Roger Tolley., found similar problems with attitudes to using a bicycle for work. Although people like cycling, it had an image problem: what was needed - as well as safe secure routes, and somewhere secure to store the bike during the day - was a revamp that made cycling sexy.

Mike's comments: I think some of the 'excuses' may be slightly over the top - exposure to mud for heavens sake! I agree with the self-image concern. (For me it's not an issue, rather the opposite perhaps!) Making cycling and walking sexier is only a part of the solution in my opinion.

Improving peoples self-confidence in their image and their ability to tackle the traffic and undertake the exercise is another part of it.

Bletchley Cycle Routes George Boston identifies Black Spots and suggests solutons...

This article can be found in the Briefings Section.

Cycle Character Cath Broadhead, Research Officer, MK Lifelong Learning Partnership

When did you learn to cycle? 35 years ago
How many bikes do you own? Three - one that I ride (Emmelle Charisma, a bright yellow mean machine), and two more in the garage in various states of disrepair.
What’s your favourite feature on your bike? The ability to get around cheaply and quickly (depending on my state of fitness) and the rather comfy saddle.
What do you wear to ride your bike? Regular work clothing. I don’t have any flashy shoes or lycra shorts I’m afraid.
What’s in your bike bag? Money, lunch.
Can you mend a puncture? Of course. I have my very own footpump and puncture repair kit at home - and I get plenty of opportunity to use them.
Does cycling help you to do your job? It minimises stress and helps me think clearly.
Have you ever had a moment of insight into a work-related question whilst cycling? No - I tend to think about what I am going to cook the kids for their tea.
What single development would make your regular journey more convenient? Some control over the weather. It usually starts to rain as soon as I wheel my bike out of the shed.
What was your worst cycling moment? Crashing into a wall on the Aran Islands whilst on a cycling holiday around the west of Ireland. I was OK but the bike was trashed, and we were miles from anywhere. It was a long walk back to civilisation and the bike repair shop.
Best cycling moment? Same holiday, absolutely wonderful scenery and terrific people.
If you had a tandem who would steer? Me - without any hesitation. The thought of my fate being in the hands of someone else terrifies me.
Do you drive and/or own a car? Yes, I drive. No, I don’t own a car.
Why do you ride a bike? Economic necessity, environmental reasons, easy to park, fitness.
What’s the silliest thing you’ve ever done on a bike? Couldn’t possibly divulge that.
Would you allow/encourage your children to cycle to school/shops? Yes, but only after they are fully aware of the safety issues.
Should we encourage public transport operators to carry cycles? Yes, as far as possible - trains could easily, but National Express coaches may find it difficult to accommodate bikes.
How can we encourage weekend cyclists to take it up as a means of transport? Financial incentives for cyclists, safer Redways (too much glass, too dark and too many bushes)

Church joins call for sustainable mobility

The World Council of Churches says that present-day mobility is extravagant and destructive, irresponsibly excessive and definitely not sustainable. It calls for people to accept a moderate and sustainable form of mobility that uses regenerable resources and protects the neighbourhood. Getting exercise, being alive, generating peace and sustaining a human and natural life should replace car dependence.

The Church paper notes that world-wide the number of cars will multiply fourfold before 2030 and petrol consumption will double. Climate change will increase accidents, smog and crop failures and lead to a fall in quality of life.

Everyone in the parish, at work, in town and village and on holiday should contribute to and encourage traffic avoidance and not use bigger and faster cars. Politicians should set up "crash barriers" for a sustainable infrastructure and traffic policy.

Mobility: Prospects of Sustainable Mobility, a study paper for the World Council of Churches, Geneva 1998.

Cycling to work in Denmark

Denmark doesn't have a Cycle to Work Day, but a three week event! Participants register by team of 4 to 16 persons, each paying 2.5 euros, and make a commitment that the team will cycle to work on at least half of the working days over the three week period.

This year, 54,000 people took part, from two thirds of the communes across the country. The event is promoted by the Dansk Cycklist Forbund and the Danish Ministers of Transport, the Environment and Health.

MK Council Bike Users Group Last month the editor of Cycle User was welcomed at a meeting of the Bicycle Users Group of staff at Milton Keynes Council, BUG, and invited to develop further BUG-CUG links. Will Steel, BUG Co-ordinator writes...

BUG is the Bicycle Users Group of staff at Milton Keynes Council. It was set up about fifteen months ago with the aim to support and promote the interests of MKC staff who want to cycle to and from work and during work. Although our remit is restricted to issues affecting us as employees many members clearly take a wider view and support the work of MK CUG and other organisations as individuals. It has a membership of around forty people. The BUG meets on the first Thursday of the month at lunchtime so as many people as possible can attend.

Its priority, at least initially, has been to improve facilities for cyclists at the three main council offices in CMK. Success has been limited so far - the provision of two sets of lockers at Civic Offices and Saxon Court - but we persevere! In particular we are keen to encourage the proper implementation of the Council's Green Commuter Plan which sets targets of 6% of the workforce cycling to work by next year rising to 10% by 2006. Such a target gives us a minimum figure for areas such as cycle parking - needless to say that current provision falls well short of this. Also as part of this, there are proposals for introducing Bicycle Purchase Loans and Business Bicycle Mileage Rates. We have identified serious shortcomings in some of these measures, such as the charging of interest on the Bike Loans, but nonetheless these are small but positive steps in the right direction. Watch this space for further news.

ASA upholds complaint against Peugeot

Tring Cycling Campaign and 14 other objectors have been successful in contesting a car ad by Peugeot that showed a road sign of a speed camera and the message 'Blistering pace, smoother acceleration'.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) agreed with the complainants that the advertisement could encourage speed and that it was irresponsible. Peugeot had claimed that the ad was intended to dispel public perceptions that top of the range diesel cars are sluggish.

Peugeot has withdrawn the advertisement and has been told by the ASA to consult with the Advertising Practice Copy Advice Team before advertising again. According to an ASA spokesman, this means before any future ad by Peugeot.

Civilised cities

The Government is funding the University of Westminster to test the impact of local transport measures on quality of life. Indicators - including modal split, traffic levels and the provision of local shops and services - have already been found to contribute to the overall quality of life in an area.

According to transport minister Lord Whitty, the new research is to find out "just how successfully we can introduce the right type of transport to meet a common set of quality of life indicators".

20 mph zones fail to encourage cycling

According to a DETR-funded study, the introduction of 20 mph zones has failed to stimulate more people to walk or cycle, or to enable street activity such as children playing. Allott & Lomax, who carried out the study, believe that more stringent measures are needed to achieve these goals.

In most of the locations studied, the zones were successful in reducing vehicle speeds to 20 mph, and noise levels went down. Up to 20% of residents questioned said that they were now 'more likely' to walk or cycle, and up to 24% said they would be 'more likely' to spend time outside in the street. However, these views were not reflected by what people actually did. No increase at all in adult or child street activity has so far been apparent.

Local Transport Today

Local Rides

Join CYCLE ROUNDABOUT for short ride around CMK, last Friday of each month, starts 6pm, Station Square. Be seen.

Barry's Rides Our first cycle stroll of the year was quite a gentle affair following the canal to Newport Pagnell and going by disused rail line to Bancroft as planned, and also due to participants, recovering from various colds and flu. I also combined it with a full weekend shop sans voiture. With two Sainsbury's boxes atop the Orbit supplied box, I was hauling quite a heavy payload. With fixed wheel and a reluctance to use front brake (yes, it does work), I had to honk down Downs Barn hill. It was also quite exciting weaving around the cars as they milled around hoping to find parking spaces! If we don't run out of food too often and possibly even if we do we may resolve to always shop this way. For some of the more distant rides, we will probably make separate journeys to shop during the week. Rides are planned for the second and fourth Saturdays @ CMK bus lane, 10:30am. I have destinations planned for dates to the end of August. All welcome. For more information, E-Mail Barry.

Dangers of the Road Barry Inwood

In that distant epoch commonly known as summer, I espied _two_ "cyclists" riding on the gravel verge/kerb area of the main roads north out of Newport. Crazy! Traffic was fast but not heavy. I did manage to get squeezed by an HGV overtaking at a traffic island. Not very nice. I notice on this route there is a section of old road opposite Emberton Park which then continues on the other side (Mount Pleasant?) which would be useful if a crossing were provided. Incidentally the worst event was on the road linking the two when someone was busy playing with their mobile whilst driving.

Bike Shops in the East

Bearing in mind the knowledge of cycle retail outlest in Milton Keynes, please could you let me know whether you feel that there is a need for a cycle shop on the East Flank, for example, at or near the Walnut Tree centre?" Malcolm Henley

If you draw a line from Newport Pagnell to CMK and on to Fenny Stratford, are there ANY cycle shops to the East. I cannot think of any. If that is right then I would suggest it may be a good idea. Kevin Jory