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Celebrating Cycling Newsletter No.38.
BE HIGH VIZ THIS WINTER
Lancaster City Council's Cycling Demonstration Town Project (CDT) Team are urging cyclists to stay safe this winter by kitting themselves out with high visibility clothing and lights. With the clocks going back at the end of last month, it is more important than ever that cyclists ensure they can be seen by other road and cyclepath users.
By law you must have at least two lights attached to your bike – a white light at
the front and a red light at the rear. In addition, you must have an efficient
red reflector at the rear. Reflectors are very important so make sure that you have
a white reflector on the front and fitted to your pedals. Lights should be used
in all conditions of low light /darkness even whilst using off-road paths such as
the main Lancaster to Morecambe cycle path.
Top tips include:
Wear something fluorescent /bright to ensure you are seen during the day and something reflective at night. There's a whole range of accessories out there from fluorescent vests and jackets to ankle bands and Sam Browne belts (strips that go around you middle and over your shoulder).
Make yourself more visible by sticking reflective material/patches to your bag, helmet etc.
Cycle defensively. Watch out for joggers, walkers, other cyclists and cars - and make sure they know you're there. At night cars approaching with their headlights on high beam can dazzle a rider, so be prepared.
To help local residents and their children stay safe this winter, Lancaster City Council have a limited stock of high viz vests to give away. To claim your vest, contact the Cycling Demonstration Town Team with your name, contact number and size (adult - S, M, L, XL, children - S, M) by e-mail to celebratingcycling@lancaster.gov.uk. Alternatively you can fax your details to 01524 582166 or write to the CDT Team, Palatine Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PW.
LOCAL NETWORK IMPROVEMENTS
Lancaster Canal
Surfacing and verge works are now complete on the section of the towpath between Aldcliffe Road and Ashton Road. Final surfacing will take place this week. Works on Ashton/Ashford Road and signage will follow in about 3 to 4 weeks time [slight delay due to other works being carried out at LCC Deep Cutting road bridge]
Westgate
Work is now complete on converting footways to shared use between White Lund Rd and Langridge Way on the southern side of Westgate (funded by planning gain from the new Lidl store). The final stage of the project - conversion of footways to shared use on the northern side of Westgate, between Altham Road and the Lancaster to Morecambe Greenway, has now started.
Other Work
Work will start in the second week of January 2008 on the contraflow on Phoenix St, plus work to pavement on Parliament St and new toucan crossing to allow cyclists to connect with the Millennium Bridge and rest of the network.
GO RIDE COACH VACANCY
British Cycling - the National Governing Body of Cycle Sport in the UK - now has a number of vacancies for Go-Ride Coaches in regions across the country. Including 5 full time coaches in the North West. - one of which is hoped to be based in Lancaster (with a wider remit for North and East Lancashire.).
Closing Date for Applications is 12noon on Thursday, 22nd November 2007.
For further details please go to www.britishcycling.org.uk/web/site/BC/bcf/Vac/vacancy_2.asp
CYCLING ON THE PAVEMENT
You no doubt will have seen the recent press coverage concerning cycling on the pavement. Obviously as a Cycling Demonstration Town we are keen to promote cycling and do not want this 'fuss' to deter people or turn people against cycling in general. We will continue to promote safe and reasonable cycling, whilst calling for all transport users to be considerate and tolerant of each other.
Cycling on the pavement is prohibited by Section 72 of the Highway Act 1835 [This is punishable by a fixed penalty notice of £30 under Section 51 and Schedule 3 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988]. This of course does not apply to footways that have been converted to shared use. This legislation makes no exception for small wheeled or children's cycles, so even a child riding on a footway is breaking the law. However, if they are under the age of criminal responsibility they cannot face prosecution.
On 1st August 1999, new legislation came into force to allow a fixed penalty notice to be served on anyone who is guilty of cycling on a footway. However the Home Office issued guidance on how the new legislation should be applied, indicating that they should only be used where a cyclist is riding in a manner that may endanger others. At the time Home Office Minister Paul Boateng issued a letter stating that:
"The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required."
For more information on this go to www.bikeforall.net/content/cycling_and_the_law.php which also gives the lowdown on cycling whilst intoxicated and 'cycling furiously' .
FREE TRAINING (November)
Do you know someone who would benefit from some cycle training - perhaps a colleague, a partner or even yourself?
During November we are offering local residents a free 1-2-1 session with one of our qualified instructors. These can take place when and where you want. Sessions can cover anything from getting started, to gaining confidence on local roads.
For more information or to arrange a session please email us at celebratingcycling@lancaster.gov.uk or call on 582392 / 582086
LOCAL CYCLING FAMILIES - YOUR TIPS NEEDED
In association with the Lancaster Guardian we are going to run a feature in the new year on family bike rides. We now need just 3 or 4 more families willing to write about a local bike ride they have recently enjoyed.
The aim is to encourage others to get out and about by bike with their children/grand children during the winter months. Perhaps some might launch themselves into cycling in the new year because a family member is lucky enough to be given a new bike for Christmas
The short piece just needs to describe a favourite ride - where it takes you, what you see en route, where you stop for refreshments, the highlights etc.
A commitment to write 200 - 400 words before the end of December.
A telephone number so we can contact you.
A photo of the family with their bikes (we can arrange for this if needed)
GENERAL NEWS
3 Peaks Challenge Presentation
A presentation evening on the 3 peaks challenge carried out by staff at Lancaster University. They will be showing slides, DVD and equipment.
Friday 16th Nov at 7:30 pm @ St Wilfrid's school Halton
Tickets are £4.00 adults £2.00 children and this includes supper (Buffet, cakes, tea & coffee)
Funds go to St Wilfrid's church Halton
Adapting Your Bike
Did you know that Pedal Power supply adult stabilisers that can be fitted to almost any adult bike. They also provide trike adaptation kits - a way of turning 2 wheels into 3 for 20” & 26” wheeled bikes. Contact them on 01524 65328.
Discover your City by Bike! Bike rides for Lancaster University Students
- Weds 14th November at 2pm
- Sat 17th November at 12 noon.
Bike rides will last approx 2 hours stopping for a drink en route. Meet at the Chaplaincy Centre.
Interested? Just turn up, no need to book! There is only a limited supply of bikes available so please bring a bike if you have one.
Any queries please contact Bee Harding on 01524 582086 / bharding@lancaster.gov.uk
Cycling Messageboard
Clear some space for Xmas - why not sell or give away any old/unused bikes that are cluttering up your garage by posting them on our messageboard.
Cycling and the Driving Test
Some of you may be interested in this petition to get cycle awareness integrated into the driving test:
Most drivers put cyclists at unnecessary risk, not through malice, but simply because they are not aware of the dangers faced by cyclists. If a person does not regularly cycle in traffic, they often do not have access to the skillset required to safely interact with a cyclist.
This petition hopes to encourage the government into conversation with cycling groups such as the Cycle Touring Club, London Cycling Campaign and potentially online cycling forums such as Bikeradar. Through this conversation it is the aim of this petition to have designated a specific part of the driving test, committed to educating drivers about how to interact safely and efficiently with cyclists.
By using the experience of dedicated cyclists through the forum of cycling groups, this petition hopes to make cycling safer for both novice and experienced cyclists alike, make motor traffic and bicycle interactions more efficient, and to encourage more people to take up cycling as a viable alternative to driving.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/cycle-drive/
Connect 2 Project
Sustrans' Connect Project is one of four projects shortlisted for the £50 million Peoples' Lottery award. Other contenders for the money are the Eden Project, Black Country and Sherwood Forest. The outcome of the bid will be determined by a TV audience.
Sustrans' bid is made up of 79 projects nationally. A vote for Sustrans will be a vote for Cycling and help secure money for cycling nationally.
Online voting will open on Monday 26th November 2007 at 9am.
Visit www.thepeoples50million.org.uk www.thepeoples50million.org.uk/projects/connect2
Cycling & Health
Cycling England have recently published a new report called Cycling & Health which aims to provide a briefing on the links between cycling and health.
It sets out to provide a key resource for those interested in understanding and promoting
the health benefits of cycling and
to assist Cycling England in two main areas of
activity:
Advocating an increased investment in cycling based on the strong evidence for significant benefits to public health
Working with the NHS to promote cycling: through encouraging patients to cycle; working in partnership with local authorities and other partners; and through improving access to NHS facilities by bike
This report aims to bring together evidence from a diverse range of sources to make the case for cycling. The report begins by describing the strong evidence that underlines the importance of physical activity and exercise to public health, before exploring the evidence for the specific health effects of cycling. The risks of cycling, both direct and indirect are set out, followed by the wider benefits of cycling. The report is not a systematic review, but the authors have aimed to be as objective as possible in describing the nature and strength of the evidence base.