The shortlist for the next round of Cycling Towns (and one Cycling City) is now on the Cycling England website.

www.cyclingengland.co.uk/demotowns.php

Bristol is on the list, but not Bath!

Comments?

Richard Bridger is launching a survey of journeys in and around Bath, which will hopefully illustrate to people, what we already know, that cycling is a lot quicker than people think.

The survey, in alliance with Bath Friends of the Earth and Bath Cycling Campaign, asks people to record the average of their journey times over a number of trips and email the results to Richard.

See the attached pdf file for more information.

At the last BCC meeting we discussed the use of the proposed rapid transit bus route from Newbridge to Pines Way by cyclists.

Attached is a copy of the current proposals. What do you think?

Please feed back your comments via me or Malcolm

Nigel

Sustrans has come down against the proposals to run a bus route along part of the flagship Bristol - Bath Railway Path from Emmersons Green to Bristol city centre.

See attached press release and response from Sustrans.

This is a different issue to the proposed introduction of a rapid bus route from Newbridge to Pines Way as part of the Bath Package which Bath Cycling Campaign supports. This route will open up a section of the old railway for bus, cycle and pedestrian access and in our opinion will become the chosen route from the existing railway path to central Bath.

Nigel

I have long been puzzled by the poor signing of the traffic-free Victoria Bridge route across the river - you need binoculars to see the current signs towards the bridge if you are at the Brougham Hayes traffic lights.

I met before Christmas with Stefan Chiffers from the Banes Bath Package scheme. We talked about the planning for a part of the Bath Package and the opportunities for cycling on the new route which will allow cycling from the end of the off-road Bristol-Bath NCN4 route towards the city centre - the attached file shows the route that Banes are currently consulting on. The route will then continue through the Western Riverside development towards Pines Way.

I am writing on behalf of the Transport for Greater Bristol Alliance. We are an alliance of 20+ local mainly Bristol community and environmental groups
(including Sustrans, CTC and Bristol Cycling campaign) who drew up a green manifesto (no airport expansion nor large scale road building) for Greater Bristol. You can see it at http://uk.geocities.com/transportforbristol. We are campaigning for the creation of an Integrated Transport Authority for Greater Bristol to run the bus and local rail network.

MP for Bath, Don Foster, has agreed to chair the forthcoming Bath Cycling Summit.

Key speakers are John Grimshaw, chief executive of Sustrans and Gabriel Scally, regional director of public health

The summit, being organised by Bath Cycling Campaign will take place on 20 June 2008 - in bike week - and will bring together decision makers and interested parties in BANES with inspirational guest speakers.

The summit's aim will be to inspire, connect people and have actions which can be taken forward to increase cycling in the area.

The Bath Transportation Package is a £54 million scheme to improve public transport and pedestrian access for all residents and visitors in the City of Bath and the surrounding area.

The Bath Package aims to provide a modern, integrated and easy-to-use public transport systems which seeks to:

• Create a high quality transport system
• Reduce traffic congestion
• Improve accessibility
• Improve road safety
• Improve the quality of life

Nigel's report from the CCN/CTC conference hosted by Cyclox - November 2007

The main points

• Public opinion is swinging on climate change. That helps us and we can help drive it.
• Key campaigns:
  • 20mph limit in urban areas
  • Driver behaviour
  • Planning – push the hierarchy (see DfT’s LTN 1/04 Sec 3.6.1)