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The Mudguardian |
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Readers may notice a new feature in this Mudguardian - "Cycling Quotes". If you see or hear a cycling related quote (good or bad), send it to the editor.
Brecon Bike Bus
Many members will be aware of the Brecon Bike Bus with its special trailer capable of transporting 24 bikes. The Bike Bus has been operating to and from the Brecon Beacons National Park on summer Sundays for the past two years. CCC is considering the special hire of the Bike Bus for a day next May. The idea is to take the bikes to Brecon and cycle back to Cardiff along the Taff Trail. For anyone who has always been intending to "do the Taff Trail one day", but never quite got round to it, this is an opportunity to ride the route in company and with the support of other CCC members.Before contacting Cardiff Bus I need to know if sufficient people are interested to cover the cost of hiring. At the moment the cost is estimated under £10 a head. Anyone interested please contact me by end of February on tel: 2075 6895 or email: bob.laing@btinternet.com It would be helpful if you could also state your preferred date (Saturday or Sunday) in May, excluding Spring Bank Holiday weekend 24/25th which is normally when the Bike Bus starts operating.
The Beacons Bike Bus
Beacons Bus ran again in 2002 with the now regular bike trailer behind it from Cardiff and was pretty well used. Plans are now being put in place for 2003 but we are looking at how the service has performed over the past few years to see what lessons we can learn and to make the whole process as useful to you who use it as possible. As part of this we would be grateful for any feedback from you the users telling us what you use the Bus for, what's great about it, what doesn't quite work and specifically if you would like it to do other things or go other places.All the indications are that we will be able to run the Cardiff service again next year (hopefully even over a longer period) but we have got to ensure usage is maintained or increased or we will lose the funding for it. To do that we know we have to make it work as well as possible. Equally it is a case of 'use it or lose it' so don't be shy - tell us where you want us to take you!
Please send any views (before Jan 31st 2003) to: Richard Tyler, Sustainable Tourism & Recreation Officer, Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, Plas y Ffynnon, Cambrian Way, Brecon LD3 7HP. Email: richard.tyler@breconbeacons.org.
"They (cyclists) have already taken over a third of the road with their cycle lanes. Now the Lycra Nazis want to take over the whole lot."
Jeremy Clarkson in the Sun
Official Opening of National Cycle Network - Celtic Trail. Route 4
The 5th December saw the opening of the traffic free section of Route 4 between Caerphilly and Newport. The 2.8km route was opened by Minister for the Environment, Sue Essex.The new route forms part of the Celtic Trail / Lôn Geltaidd, the South Wales section of the National Cycle Network (Route 4) which runs between Chepstow and Fishguard. Its completion will mark the first phase of the route between Caerphilly Town Centre and the Borough of Newport at Michaelstone Bridge. The cycle and walking path has been constructed along the dismantled railway line between Upper Gwyn Glyn Street in Trethomas and Draenllwyn Lane in Machen. The railway formerly served the Bedwas Colliery and was closed nearly twenty years ago. The project has been developed through a partnership between Sustrans, Caerphilly County Borough Council, the Welsh Development Agency Land Reclamation Department and the Welsh Assembly Government Sustainability Fund.
CITY CENTRE STRATEGY
The 2002 - 2006 City Centre Strategy sets out Cardiff County Council's vision of development over the next few years. It subdivides into fourteen areas a region bounded by the Taff, the Bay, Newport Road, and Cathays Park. It was submitted to the Council Cabinet April 2002. A formal launch to groups with an interest will be early December. Cardiff Cycling Campaign is a Key Partner in the strategy and as such will be making a number of contributions to the strategy.At the November 11th Cardiff Cycling Campaign meeting it was agreed that we would prepare a vision statement for presentation at the formal launch. In the longer term we will prepare a detailed list of specific things that the Campaign would like to see. This will be designed to benefit two groups (a) younger cyclists, who already use their bicycles often and (b) owners who rarely use their bicycle at all, and particularly not in the City Centre. By improving access and safety to increase the perception of safety and convenience to encourage use.
Ideas for inclusion in the Campaign list are welcomed. Please send to myself at Cardiff Cycling Campaign, 33 The Balcony, Castle Arcade, Cardiff. CF10 2BY or to richard.d.nelmes@breathemail.net Strategic as well as specific detail are invited. For example strategic ideas include - a cycling ring road around the city with a number of ‘spokes’ into the City Centre; provision of east-west and north-south routes across the City Centre; and altering Queen Street to be vehicle restricted street, in line with Department of Transport recommendation, rather than pedestrianised. The latter would therefore reintroducing cycling which was outlawed in the 1970’s, which it is understood a number of Councillors feel was an error. The valid complaints about some cyclists endangering and startling pedestrians could be prosecuted by the existing Cycling furiously legislation.
"When I was Minister for Transport I asked a civil servant why we don't do more about cycling. His reply was "because very few people cycle."
Steven Morris, Chairman National Cycling Strategy Board.
Cycling on Trunk Roads
The Welsh Assembly has withdrawn its proposals to ban cyclists from busy trunk roads in Cardiff. Instead, the Assembly's draft walking and cycling strategy says that cyclists need better on-road facilities: "As a contribution to the sharing of road space, measures to assist cyclists should be included in the design of bus priority measures". Earlier this year the Assembly objected to plans by Cardiff County Council to permit cyclists to use bus lanes on the A469 and A470.In Gloucestershire, however, the Highways Agency has published an order permanently to ban cyclists from a section of the A40 trunk road between Cheltenham and Gloucester. A temporary ban was put in place approximately three years ago during bridge works, but has not been rescinded. The Highways Agency says that this is because of the vulnerability of cyclists at an intersection with the M5. Local cyclists have objected strongly to a permanent ban, for whilst the route is not a good one for cycling, the alternative route has many problems of its own and is 25% longer. Support has come from across the country, as scores of other locations are similar in design and use and the temptation will be to ban cyclists rather than address the problems that exist.
"Everyone is trying to be somewhere else ten minutes ago. And I suspect invariably are more intent on escaping from where they have just been, than arriving at where they're going. Because when they get there they will be planning their next journey."
Opening remarks by Roy Spilsbury, CTC Cymru, in response to a letter "Why I Hate Cyclists" in The Guardian.
EC Insurance Directive
The media recently created a great deal of mileage out of a story that the European Commission's proposed Fifth Motor Insurance Directive would make motorists liable for pedestrians and cyclists even if the cyclist is at fault.It is rare for the media to focus on cycling issues. This would make a change if the story wasn't based on misleading assumptions by the journalists, and fed by highly exaggerated claims by representatives of the car lobby. To make matters worse, as the week of media interest developed, it became an increasingly polarised debate between the car lobby (apparently intent on spreading the idea that cyclists are a menace on the streets!!) and understandably angry cyclists.
The perception of danger is the primary reason given by the public for not cycling. Addressing that perception of danger is vital if the government is to achieve its targets for increased cycling. The new legislation would almost certainly encourage car drivers to treat cyclists more carefully. It should be remembered that cyclists and pedestrians are the most vulnerable users of our roads.
Cycling can make an important contribution to individual health and the environment. Recent national statistics show a growing majority of people are concerned over health issues, air quality, traffic congestion and global warming. These issues cannot be resolved without a more robust move towards sustainable transport systems in the UK supported by appropriate legislation.
The car lobby's argument that the proposed legislation would add £50 to every driver's insurance costs would appear to be highly exaggerated. Those who have read the proposals will see that the European Commission has fully consulted with bodies representing the insurance industry and concluded that the legislation "should not have a significant impact on premiums..." If any new legislation were to result in fewer accidents with pedestrians and cyclists, a welcome scenario, then logic would suggest that insurance premiums would fall rather than rise. It should also be understood that the legislation would not excuse the behaviour of irresponsible cyclists.
The combination of this new legislation, slower speeds and traffic calming measures will make our streets safer for all. However, cyclists themselves must remember (if only for their own sakes) that they have a responsibility to adhere to the Highway Code. Legislation similar to that proposed already exists in some European countries where cycle use is much higher than in the UK. Cycle use in Holland, for instance, is more than ten times more prevalent and yet serious cycle accidents are about the same total number as in the UK.
It is a shame that such propositions are met by such a high level of vociferous and ill-informed opposition in the UK media. Let's hope our politicians recognise the value of common sense legislation without being bullied by powerful groups which appear to be out of tune with those they claim to represent.
Reproduced thanks to Sustrans.
Highway Cycle Lanes
Every cyclist has experienced that all too frequent problem .......the cycle lane runs out or stops abruptly just when you need it. Perceived lack of safety is one of the greatest barriers to people cycling. It is easy for highway engineers to install miles of cycle lanes where the road is wide and open and this is an excellent visual incentive to get potential users to think about cycling on the road.Problems occur when the road becomes narrow, where traffic arrangements become more complex or where vehicular capacity is at a premium and the road ahead turns black.
This is where the quest for providing quality infrastructure should begin ....not end. These are the places where cyclists are most at risk and yet these are the parts of the highway network that are often left until last, if at all.
The reasons for this vary but are usually surmountable. Sometimes the political will to reallocate road space it just not there when it - sometimes literally - comes to the crunch. Provision of space for on-street parking, loading and deliveries needs addressing before the white lines and coloured tarmac can make any difference. Sometimes Councils need to ride a political storm when reducing junction capacity in order to get a continuous cycle lane up to the advance stop line. It can be done, where there is a will there is usually a way.
Some authorities may not have the correct resources or expertise or may be unaware of the latest techniques and legislation. This is where Sustrans can help.
The installation of dedicated cycle facilities does not reduce the cyclists' right to be part of the traffic mix. It doesn't remove the need to learn essential skills and techniques of riding on the road. What it does provide is space to allow people to develop these skills in greater comfort and safety.
In Summary
Cycle lanes on the highway should:
- Meet the standards set out in the National Cycle Network and DfT guidelines - compromising these standards will inevitably compromise the user and the value of the facility.
- Be part of a continuous route at an appropriate standard or address a specific hazard.
- Be achieved by reallocating carriageway space as the first option.
- Be part of a comprehensive system of measures to encourage and assist cycling.
This article reproduced with kind permission of Sustrans (it stands for sustainable transport) a charity that works on practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport in order to reduce motor traffic and its adverse effects.
"Child road deaths have fallen because there aren't many children near them any more. Roads are now such perilous places that fearful parents have dramatically curtailed their children's right to navigate them independently."
Mayer Hillman, radical green social scientist.
No Bells or Whistles
The silent approach of bikes on the Taff Trail fails to break the morning calm and can threaten walkers. The multi use trail alongside the River Taff in Whitchurch is perfect for all weather exercise and an ideal path for commuting bikers. We use this stretch regularly for a morning exercise walk but silent bikes can be alarming.I appeal to all cyclists to fit a simple bell or at least learn to deliver a strong but friendly whistle. I'm afraid a last minute "excuse me" is not enough. Also please remember that not everyone has perfect hearing. Repeat the bells and whistles if the response is not obvious. There is plenty of room for all of us on this fantastic public facility but let us use it with care and consideration for all users.
David Reeves, Whitchurch
"Cycling should not be promoted moralistically, but as a convenient option for short journeys. It is important to tackle the perception that cycling is unsafe and dangerous. Success is largely dependent on culture change."
Steven Morris, Chairman National Cycling Strategy Board.
CCC AGM: LAUNCH PAD FOR NEW CAMPAIGNING
There are hopes that the turnout at the recent Annual General Meeting may signal a rebirth of active interest in the campaign for cycling in Cardiff.The AGM was preceded by a public meeting addressed by Sue Essex, minister for transport & environment in the Welsh Assembly Government (see report). This attracted more than 30 people.
Reporting on progress in the previous year, Max Wallis (chair) welcomed the fact that Cardiff County Council had signed up to the CTC's Benchmarking Project and said he was hopeful that cycling would benefit from the new City Centre Strategy.
But he said the council lacked the will to do more than make 'token gestures' towards cycling. There was no audit or review of cycling within the transport infrastructure. Though there had been some improvements to access for cyclists in parks (e.g. Pontcanna Fields), the new Taff Bridge was locked at park closing time and there were still barriers across the Taff Trail. Plans to revamp Queens Street would continue to exclude cyclists at all times of day.
WELSH CYCLING STRATEGY
The Campaign has submitted a detailed response to the draft 'Walking and Cycling Strategy' drawn up by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG). CCC argues that WAG has direct responsibilities for cycling as well as its duty to ensure that local councils meet the requirements for Transport Grant schemes and projects like Safe Routes to Schools.
Max highlighted WAG's role in blocking a proposal from Cardiff Council to provide cycle routes on 'arterial' bus lanes. WAG refused to fund the scheme because it disagreed with the idea of mixing bus and cycle routes.
CITY CENTRE STRATEGY
Cardiff Cycling Campaign is recognised by the county council as a 'Key Partner' in the current review of the City Centre Strategy (see report). It was agreed that CCC should take full advantage of this position and that Richard Nelmes will co-ordinate the campaign's response.
It was agreed that the aim should be to ensure a commitment to a network of proper cycle routes through the city centre, linked to high quality cycling facilities and incorporating the necessary changes in provision for pedestrians and other modes of transport.
One key issue will be the question of access for cyclists to Queens Street - at least during those hours when other vehicles are allowed in.
Overall, provision for cyclists in the centre should be seen as a central part of a sustainable transport policy for a civilised, modern city. That is an aim which the CCC should share with many other interest groups.
FUTURE CAMPAGNING
Along with the City Centre Strategy, it was agreed that a priority for CCC in the coming months should be widening the campaign's appeal. We need to appeal to younger cyclists and to those who use their bikes for recreation but not for travelling around the city. Our aim should be to speak for all cyclists and to make it possible for everyone to cycle safely within the city.
It was agreed to look at ways of broadening the appeal of the campaign's newsletter and at other methods of raising the profile of CCC.
ELECTIONS
The officers elected for the next year are: Max Wallis (chair), David Nicholls (treasurer), Ken Barker (newsletter editor), James Stewart (assistant editor), Mike Kohnstamm (website).
"If you have time to cycle then you need to find time to campaign."
Bob Laing at the AGM.
CCC AGM: MINISTER BACKS CYCLING
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It has to be a good sign that the Welsh transport and environment minister came to speak at a public meeting organised by the Cardiff Cycling Campaign. And much of what she said was encouraging.
Sue Essex, AM for Cardiff North gave four reasons why the Assembly Government is committed to increasing the use of cycles:
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She stressed the importance of the Assembly's draft strategy on Cycling, Walking (and Horse Riding), which will set the framework for policy over the next 10 years or more. Around 100 responses to the suggestions in the strategy have already been received.
She denied that WAG had abandoned the targets set out in the UK National Cycling Strategy (which was adopted by the National Assembly), but said any targets must be specific to Wales.
COUNCILS' ROLE
The minister stressed that while the Assembly Government can set out what it would like to see, responsibility for delivering the important changes lies, to a large extent, with local government. But the allocation of funding to councils through specific Transport Grants is one way in which the Assembly can influence local policy.
These grants can be used to encourage integrated transport solutions by allying local transport plans with the overarching Unitary Development Plans being drawn up by councils. She said it was important that - in Wales - responsibility for environment (and planning) has not been split off from transport.
However, the minister acknowledged that it is difficult for WAG to ensure that money allocated through such grants is used to best effect. She admitted that if a council reported that it had created 'x' miles of new cycle routes, there was little WAG could do to ensure that these did not consist of hundreds of disjointed red strips along the edge of busy roads. She stressed the value of feedback from groups like CCC in monitoring developments at street level.
One specific example of this was the impact of traffic calming measures on cyclists. One questioner explained to the minister how dangerous obstacles designed to slow cars can be for bike-users. She gave her support to an extension of 20mph zones in urban areas.
'THE RIGHT THING TO DO'
Asked whether she agreed that 'there are no votes in cycling'. Ms Essex (a former leader of Cardiff City Council) said she would support cycling because 'it's the right thing to do'.
Increased cycling would improve air quality by reducing the impact of fumes from cars. More use of bikes would have a positive impact on people's health through exercise. Cycling has a much lower impact on the built environment than other modes of transport. And cycle tourism is a major contributor to the rural economy.
Pedal Power Project Ltd - (the Charity that is aiming to make cycling accessible to all), is looking for a management committee to take the Project forward. An information evening on the aims of the Charity, and proposals for the future is being organised for prospective committee members. It will be held on Wednesday, 15th January @ 7.30pm at the Salvation Army Hall in Cowbridge Rd West, Canton. This is an exciting time for the Charity as it forges ahead with its plans. If you are interested in helping to take this Project forward, please come along, or contact Sybil Williams (Project Co-ordinator) on (029) 2056 6913 or email; swilliams@aberdare16.freeserve.co.uk An article about the Pedal Power Project appeared in the last issue of Mudguardian. Members of the project have participated in the In Town Without My Car/Car Free Day events in Cardiff for the last two years.
Pedalling picnic - Sunday 23rd June
Ten intrepid explorers met at The Lodge in Sophia Gardens and set their compasses north to Tongwynlais. It was a warm sunny day and perfect for tackling the Taff Trail. The ten included two 17 month old girls having their longest ever rides on the backs of their mum's bikes, and Victoria on an adult tricycle. The Taff Trail was busy that day as there was a Cancer Research sponsored ride, as well as lots of people out enjoying a ride on a summer Sunday.We had a picnic lunch up at Castell Coch followed by a couple of beers for some of the adults at The Lewis Arms just down the hill. The families followed after a bit of an explore around the picnic area, and we regrouped at the pick-your-own fruit farm just across the footbridge in Morganstown. Here we had tea, Welsh Cakes and ice-creams, and picked a few strawberries to take home. We lost Bob at the farm, networking, but the rest of us got back to the Lodge in time to enjoy a drink in the late afternoon sunshine before heading home. It's amazing how 10 miles can take all afternoon.
I expect we'll be organising another similar ride next year. Perhaps our little ones will be on trailer bikes by then.
With so many barriers to go through it could have been a really frustrating ride for us. All of us on the ride would like to say thanks again to Mandy Mussell of Cardiff Council who got up early on the Sunday morning and opened the gates for us, that certainly made our ride easier and pleasanter.
Quo vadis?
The promotion of cycling is at a crucial stage. Just a year away from the 2002 target of the National Cycling Strategy, by which cycle use should have doubled from 1996, cycle use is actually 7 per cent lower than in the base year. Now concern is mounting that the remaining target of quadrupling cycle use by 2010 may not just fail to be met, but fail spectacularly. The implications of this for continued political support for cycling cannot be overstated.So where have we gone wrong? Is it all Government's fault, the actions of the road lobby or motorists, or could it be that at least part of the problem lies in the strategies pursued by cyclists?
Without doubt we have succeeded in persuading Government that the promotion of cycling is a Good Thing. Most councils now have policies intended to encourage cycle use, and development plans commonly have to show that they have considered cyclists' needs. But are those policies the right ones and is the perception of what cycling really needs correct?
Feedback from cyclists increasingly suggests that many don't like what they're getting, whether it be cycle facilities, traffic calming or expectations of where they should ride. Costly initiatives such as the new town cycle networks, urban demonstration schemes and the Gloucester Safer City project have not only failed to increase the number of cyclists, but in the opinion of many have made conditions worse, a fact often reflected in casualty statistics. The National Cycle Network, too, has not led to any overall increase in cycle use despite the substantial sums invested and considerable publicity.
Cyclists within the professions put the blame on a lack of understanding about cycling, driven by the constant perception of cycling as 'dangerous' and therefore not compatible with traffic. Much of the emphasis on 'danger' and the need for 'safe routes' and special facilities (which de-facto imply danger) has come from cycling organisations, yet as Malcolm Wardley demonstrated at Chesterfield*, cycling is not by any reasonable standard a dangerous activity, whilst improved safety is much more likely to come from greater cycle use than the other way around.
It is all too clear that the general public now strongly associates cycling with danger, which must weigh heavily against its otherwise well-known benefits. As TRL has acknowledged, you don't encourage people to cycle with messages about safety or danger. Michael Jackson won this year's Falco Lecture Prize with a paper 'Promoting bicycling as a normal part of a healthy lifestyle'*, in which he advocates advertising campaigns based on positive images. No other product would try to sell itself with negative associations, so why cycling?
CCN Conference, Chesterfield.
FEEDBACK: Quo Vadis The lead article, Quo Vadis, in the November 2001 issue of CCN News produced a great deal of feedback from readers and some have asked for a summary of the reactions to it.
The article noted that targets for increasing cycling are not being met, and asked whether this might be, in part, because cyclists themselves are scaring people from cycling by too much emphasis on 'danger' and 'safe routes'. No other product would sell itself through negative associations, so why cycling?
The overwhelming majority of people who responded supported the thrust of the article, and the view, expressed at the Chesterfield conference, that it was time to move the emphasis away from hardware in encouraging people to cycle.
Some people thought that there were also other factors, in particular the lack of a positive image for cycling that could compete with the 'glamour' of the car. Better facilities might make some difference, thought one correspondent, but not anything like enough to stimulate the kind of boost in cycling that is really needed. Glamorising cycling, it was said, is much more important than cycleways or worrying about the few who think it might be dangerous.
Although some people thought that the fault lies with individuals, such as being too lazy to cycle, others suggested that it is wider societal influences at work, such as the images conveyed by television and public figures. People's attitudes are influenced subliminally; messages about 'danger' do not help, but neither does the lack of perceived social acceptability. Cycling needs to be more 'sexy' with prestige role-models. When people did consider some hardware-based solutions to be desirable, it was in the direction of reducing the speed and ferocity of traffic rather than cycle facilities per-se.
Cardiff County Council Road Safety Cycling Update
During the earlier part of 2002 the Road Safety Unit launched an appeal in the Capital Times and the 'Mudguardian' to recruit cycling instructors who would be able to work alongside road safety staff to provide school - based cycle training courses for primary school and high school pupils. Although there were few responses, two instructors were appointed and they have being heavily involved in on-the-job training during our cycling season.This means that the Road Safety Unit is now able to run a number of additional cycling workshops, cycling awareness courses in high schools and open-air demonstrations as well as continuing to operate courses when road safety officers are engaged on other duties. Although the cycling training strategy is constantly under review, the proposed introduction of a primary school cycle awareness course for year 4 children has had to be deferred until more instructors can be recruited.
Safer Routes to School (SRS) in Cardiff
Cycle storage facilities have been installed at six primary and four high schools. The primary schools report that primarily, staff, student teachers and visitors are using these facilities, but an increasing number of parents are cycling to school with their children.
In an attempt to promote the benefits of cycling to high schools, the Road Safety Unit is offering a cycling awareness course and on-road training. One awareness course, which is part of a 'Safer Cycling to School' initiative, was recently held at Ysgol Plas Mawr in Fairwater where more than twelve pupils and staff regularly ride to school.
On-road cycle training is one form of practical training that the Road Safety Unit is keen to undertake and discussions with high schools and one primary school are still ongoing.
Llanrumney High School - In the autumn 2001 the school completed their SRS project and were awarded £110,000 by the Welsh Assembly Government for the provision of a dual cycle track/path that will link Burnham Avenue with Ball Road. The track/path is currently at the design stage and construction is expected to commence in the New Year.
Cycle stands have already been installed and a cycle awareness course and on-road training is being considered by the school.
Llanishen High - Despite the inclement Welsh weather, more than twenty-five pupils continue to use the cycle storage facilities on a daily basis. According to the school, there tends to be a fall off when pupils reach the sixth form, but this year sixth form pupils have continued to use their bikes. A cycle awareness course and on-road training has been offered to the school.
Police Cycling Course.
In a joint initiative involving South Wales Police, Maindy Cycle Stadium and the Road Safety Centre, police officers from across the County are being put through their paces in the form of a 'Police Cycling Awareness' course.
The first part of the course is staged at the Maindy Stadium cycle track where officers are taught key cycling skills and manoeuvres, including, overtaking, signalling, cycle track formation riding and riding safely at speed.
The afternoon sessions are held at the Road Safety Centre, where the officers learn about the theory and practical aspects of basic cycle maintenance, the Highway Code and road craft skills. At the end of the course officers put their newly acquired skills to the test in the form of a Cycling Proficiency test, which is an advanced version, to that undertaken by child cyclists in school-based courses.
The third part of the course involves pursuit and all terrain riding along the Taff Trail. Upon completion each rider is presented with a distinctive certificate.
Initially, the course was made available to officers in Cardiff, but it has proved so successful that officers are now attending from across the entire South Wales Police area.
Equipped with their sponsored cycles, high visibility uniforms and distinctive police cycle helmets, and newly acquired riding skills, this high profile mobile force is leading the way as a sustainable mode of policing as they patrol the streets and parks of South Wales.
Online Mapping
The new Sustrans website was launched last year. One of the key features is on-line route mapping of the National Cycle Network, developed with the support of Halfords, whose own website links to the mapping.You can search the on-line mapping by postcode town or region. This brings up an Ordnance Survey-based map showing the National Cycle Network on-road routes in red, and traffic-free in green. You can zoom in and out and move from side to side. Routes open to interim standard are indicated by a dotted line and regional routes are shown in blue. Sustrans will shortly be adding proposed and future routes. You will also start to find small text boxes that note problems and changes to routes along the way.
As well as the National Cycle Network routes, the mapping has icons indicating attractions you'll see along the way, such as National Trust properties, Youth Hostels or Network artworks - simply click on the icon to bring up details of the attraction. You can also search for attractions on the points of interest page.
To further promote the site, Sustrans are working with partner organisations to create reciprocal links. For example, there are now links from each of the property pages on the National Trust's site direct to the relevant section of the Sustrans mapping, and vice versa.
In the last year the site has been a victim of its success and has frequently been overwhelmed by the numbers trying to access it. The site has now been significantly upgraded and it is now faster and more reliable. So if you have experienced problems in the past, please try the site again at www.sustrans.org.uk
Sustrans Volunteer Workcamp 2002
Clydach Gorge, Brecon Beacons National Park
Over 35 people gathered over 4 weeks in the Brecon Beacons National Park this summer, to do preliminary work for the future route through the Clydach Gorge. This is part of the old Merthyr Tydfil to Abergavenny Railway that will eventually form part of the Heads of the Valleys cycle route, Route 46. A huge effort went into repairing some splendid masonry culverts and some of the tunnel portals, in preparation for construction the next couple of years. Two huge rock drains were excavated and their masonry walls repaired so that the rainfall now passes under the track and not over it! A timber and steel footbridge was also installed across the area where a retaining wall had failed on the line of the old tramway that clings to the rock-face. If you would like to get involved in our volunteer work, we are planning two Winter Work Days in 2003. One on the new Bedwas-Machen path on 8th February, where we plan to cut windows to create views from the path over the lower Rhymney Valley. The other will be at the Swiss Valley Route 47, near Llanelli, on 25th January. For more details, contact Volunteer Co-ordinator Dona Hughes in the Sustrans Cymru office on 029-2065-0635.
Wales Rail Franchise
The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) announced in October that it has invited four bidders to prepare best and final offers for the new passenger rail franchise for Wales and Borders. Consideration of bids is expected to commence in January 2003 with the successful bidder being announced in April.The Wales & Borders franchise will bring together under one management the local and interurban trains in Wales and the Welsh Border counties plus many longer distance services running between Wales and the West Midlands and North West England. Once the franchise is let it may be in force for up to 15 years.
Do you want to see improvements for cycling passengers included in the franchise contract such as:
- Better, and more, cycle carriage provision on trains?
- A better information system and cycle reservation system?
- Secure cycle parking and storage at train stations and more of it?
- Safe and convenient cycle access to stations linked to local cycle routes?
By writing a few letters by the end of January you can help to shape future provision for bikes on trains in Wales. You should write to the SRA and either write separately or at least copy to the others as follows:
Richard Bowker, Chairman & Chief Executive, Strategic Rail Authority, 55 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0EU. Telephone (020) 7654 6000. Fax (020) 7654 6010. Or try the website feedback form at www.sra.gov.uk/
Rail Passengers Committee for Wales, St David's House, East Wing, Wood Street, Cardiff, CF1 1ES. Fax: 029 2022 3992
Plus your AM and MP.
Really keen types may also wish consider writing to the 4 companies on the shortlist - see the SRA website for details.
Evaluating the success of urban cycle networks in Cardiff
A study is being carried out by the Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University that aims to find out what affects peoples' decision to cycle to work and the route they choose. The study will help planners and designers to improve the routes that cyclists use.The project is jointly funded by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Project partners include Bristol City Council, Cardiff County Council, City of York Council, Sustrans, Halcrow, The AA and Dawes Cycles.
The study is based on urban cycle networks in Bristol, Cardiff and York and is looking at factors including cycling provision, gradient, integration of dedicated cycle lanes into the urban fabric, exposure to traffic, and the relative distance, time involved and cost of the journey by other modes of transport.
A questionnaire was distributed to people who cycle to work in Cardiff, Bristol and York. 514 (52%) people responded to the questionnaire in Cardiff compared to 40% in Bristol and 35% in York. Preliminary results show that between 40% and 50% of cyclists cycle to work everyday of the year regardless of the weather!!
Figure 1 illustrates that exposure to traffic has the greatest influence on the choice of route taken by bicycle to work in Cardiff, with gradient having very little effect on the choice of route.
Just over 60% of people who responded to the questionnaire believed they took the shortest route to work. Future work will be to compare these routes with computer predicted shortest routes.
If you would like further information about the study you can contact me at Patterson@cardiff.ac.uk or telephone 029 20875977. Information is also on the departmental web page at http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/archi/research/cycle/index.html
Rides and Events
| 15th January | Pedal Power Project, 7.30pm at the Salvation Army Hall, Cowbridge Rd West, Canton. Contact Sybil Williams (Project Co-ordinator) on (029) 2056 6913 or email; swilliams@aberdare16.freeserve.co.uk |
| 18th January | CTC Cymru AGM (continued as unable to raise a quorum at first meeting on 16th November), venue tbc but likely to be the Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells. Contact: Roy Spilsbury, Secretary, tel: 01492 584553, email: Roy.Spilsbury@tesco.net |
| 25th January | Sustrans Winter Work Day, Swiss Valley Route 47, near Llanelli. Contact Volunteer Co-ordinator Dona Hughes in the Sustrans Cymru office on 029-2065-0635, email: donah@sustrans.org.uk |
| 8th February | Sustrans Winter Work Day, on the new Bedwas-Machen to cut windows to create views from the path over the lower Rhymney Valley. Contact; as above. |
| 14 - 22nd June | National Bike Week 2003 |
| 22nd June | Family Bike Ride, 26-mile Tour de Cardiff in aid of Cancer Research Wales. Contact: Maggie Hughes, Cancer Research Wales, Velindre Hospital, Whitchurch, Cardiff, CF14 2TL. Tel: (029) 2031 6976. Email: CRW@velindre-tr.wales.nhs.uk |
| 25/26/27 July | Welsh Festival of Cycling, Rhayader. Contact: Tom Wells, New Image House, Pwllhai, Cardigan, SA43 1DB. Tel: 01239 621275 Email: info@cyclefestwales.fsnet.co.uk |
| 22nd September | In Town Without My Car/Car Free Day |