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CYCLE TRAINING
Pedal Power will once again be offering a range of cycle training this year. Courses are available in both cycling skills and maintenance - at a range of levels.
Not all courses are timetabled now (see below for current dates). If you are interested in attending a course please call Pedal Power to leave your details - they will then contact you when they have scheduled a suitable course.
Cycle Skills
Need help learning how to ride a bike or just some confidence building? Then there’s a course to suit you.
Absolute beginners learn how to ride a bike or familiarise yourself again (L1a)
Refresher basic bike handling skills brakes gears & manoeuvres (L1b)
Intermediate introduction to road riding , positioning on minor roads, turns & signals (L2)
Saturday 26th January (10 - 12): Level 1
Wednesday 30th January (6 - 8pm): Level 2
Saturday 9th February (10 - 12): Level 2
Saturday 16th February (10 - 12): Level 1
Wednesday 5th March (6 - 8pm): Level 2
Friday 14th March (1:30 - 3:30pm): Level 2
Cycle Maintenance:
Can you ride a bike but can’t fix a puncture? Unsure about how gears work? Why not come along to one of Pedal power’s maintenance classes to help you get the most out of your bike.
Introduction to Maintenance (L1) lubrication, brake pads, gears, punctures
Basic Maintenance (L2) basic rebuilding, fitting brake & gear wires, indexing, straightening buckles
Advanced Maintenance (L3) wheel truing, headsets, hubs, bottom brackets
For bookings or queries regarding courses please contact Pedal Power on 01524 65328.
RUTH KELLY LAUNCHES £140 MILLION CYCLING FUND
A record £140 million Government investment in cycling, announced by Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly on January 21st, is set to help half a million children cycle safely and a generation of adults rediscover their bikes.
This ambitious new drive to boost cycling will help to tackle road congestion and improve local air quality as well as create more opportunities for exercise. The money will be invested over the next three years and forms part of the Government's forthcoming Obesity Strategy. The six-fold increase in funding will:
allow an extra 500,000 10 year-olds across England to take part in Bikeability cycle training by 2012, equipping them to cycle safely and responsibly
build another 250 Safe Links to Schools, connecting around 500 more schools to the National Cycle Network. Many schools with links have already doubled the number of pupils cycling to school.
create up to a further 10 Cycling Demonstration Towns in England, as well as the first large Demonstration City. The six current Cycling Demonstration Towns have introduced a range of measures to promote cycling and have registered increases in cycling trips.
More information at www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/dft/ / www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/sustainable/cycling/cyclingfuture.pdf
As yet we are uncertain as to what this will mean for Lancaster & Morecambe. We are currently awaiting further information from Cycling England as to the process for applying for further funding.
GREENER GROSVENOR PARK LINK
Cycling to lessons has been made even easier for one local school thanks to the tidying up of a cycle path link to Grosvenor Park School, Morecambe.
As part of the CDT Project, improvements have been carried out to the link to the Lancaster Morecambe Greenway from Roeburn Drive alongside Grosvenor Park School. This is a key strategic link between the Greenway and Lancaster & Morecambe College and other proposed cycle routes on Morecambe Road.
Prior to the works being undertaken, residents regarded the path to be narrow, dingy and unattractive, fenced on both sides with overgrown rotting trees and undergrowth. The improvements include realignment of the school boundary fence, removal of the dying/decaying trees and undergrowth and the planting of new trees and a hedgerow.
Children from Grosvenor Park School will be helping to complete the job by planting the remaining trees today (Thursday 24 January).
Kevin Kendall, Head Teacher at Grosvenor Park School said: "As one of the district's Bike It Schools, we have seen a 300% increase in the amount of children cycling to school. This narrow path used to get quite congested with cyclists and pedestrians at the beginning and end of the school day. The improvements made to this link to the Greenway will help solve this problem and I am sure will encourage even more children and their parents to cycle to our school."
As a result of the work, the path is much more attractive and welcoming and will provide an improved sense of safety which should, in the long term, encourage greater use of it by both pedestrians and cyclists.
The works have been carried out by Cumbrian Industrials Ltd (Lancaster City Council's partner contractor for the CDT project) and their subcontractors Farish Groundworks Ltd and Ashlea Landscaping. The works have been facilitated with the assistance of the Head Teacher and Board of Governors of Grosvenor Park School and co-operation of the landowner Lancashire County Council. Lancashire County Council have also contributed to the cost of the scheme from their 'Safer Routes to Schools' budget.
UPDATE ON RLMP EXTENSION
The Lancashire Local - Lancaster Committee confirmed their strong support for the proposed scheme in June 2007.
In December 2007 they allocated £50,000 towards extending the cycle track up the Lune Valley. It is hoped that in 2008 the cycle track will be extended approx 750m beyond the end of (tarmaced) cycle track at Bull Beck. The remaining sections will be improved over the next 5 to 10 years depending on funding and property negotiations.
JANUARY - MARCH EVENTS
"Healthy Wheels"
Made the annual New Year’s resolution to keep fit this year? Still sat on that sofa? Well here’s your chance to shed those Christmas pounds.
Healthy Wheels our new drop in cycling sessions for those seeking a healthier lifestyle in 2008 start on Friday January 18. So whether you’re trying to beat the bulge or just fancy a leisurely ride, why not scoot along to Salt Ayre Sports Centre on Friday mornings.
The free rides start at 11am, last for an hour and are not only a great way to keep fit and healthy but also a chance to meet new friends. The sessions can help returning cyclists or those who lack that bit of confidence to get back on their bikes. Instructors will be on hand to offer advice and support to riders.
Cyclists should bring their own bikes although there is a limited supply available for hire from Salt Ayre. Those wishing to hire a bike should contact the CDT Team in advance - see contact details below.
There’s no need to book - just turn up.
For more information please contact the CDT Team on 01524 582392 / 582086 or celebratingcycling@lancaster.gov.uk
Talk the Ride & Saddle Bag Sale
Thursday 31 January 7:30
Gregson Centre, Moor Lane, Lancaster
FREE
* Got a favourite ride, or favourite cycling moment?
* Got an image or two of it?
* Wanna share it with kindred spirits or even other cyclists?
Come along to the Gregson Centre, Moor Lane, Lancaster, on Thursday 31 January from 7:30 pm and talk the ride in 5 minutes max. Put your images on a CD, or just bring an old photo and our techno-wizard, alistair.kirkbride@talktalk.net, will enlarge and project you through the space-time continuum.
So please get in touch if you'd like to "Talk the Ride", or just come along with any cycle bits you want to recycle, and browse through other saddle bags. All on two wheels or two legs welcome.
Dynamo: Campaigning for a better cycling environment in Lancaster and district
http://uk.geocities.com/dynamocyclecampaign/
'A to Z of Cycling Round the World'
Wednesday 13th February, 7.30pm
Gallery, Dukes, Moor Lane, Lancaster
Free
Round the world cyclist Alastair Humphreys (www.alastairhumphreys.com) is returning to town to take us through the alphabet and share more stories about his incredible 46,000 miles and 4 year trip. Alastair caused a stir in Lancaster last January with his inspiring and entertaining talk. This year there will be limited seats so book ahead.
Here's what they said about Alastair's appearance at Kendal Mountain Film Festival "Alastair captivated us all with his anecdotes, cramming the journey of a lifetime into an action-packed 40 minutes. His witty, down to earth manner appealed to a broad audience from the non-rider to hardcore technical bike riders. He left us wanting to hear more, and inspired the ordinary into achieving the extraordinary."
Space is very limited hence we recommend that you book in advance to avoid disappointment. To reserve your ticket please call the Dukes Box Office at 0845 344 0642.
Wheely Good Events 2008
Bike Checks / Signs of Spring ride
Sunday 2nd March
Free Bike checks at Yealand Village Hall (11am - 1pm). Followed by an easy paced family friendly Signs of Spring ride (approx 8 miles) around the Arnside and Silverdale AONB.
Round Robin Ride
Sunday 16th March
If booming bitterns aren’t your thing, maybe the idea of coffee and cake in the tea room will persuade you to join this calorie neutral ride. Cyclists get free entry to the reserve and 10% discount in the cafe.
Distance: ~8 miles, longer options if you have too much cake.
Meet Burton Memorial Hall. Ride leaves 1pm. Return ride leaves Leighton Moss 3.30pm, back by 4.30pm.
Tuesday Trolley Dash
If you’ve errands to do in Carnforth, why not join us any Tuesday morning for a sociable ride to town and back.
Meet 9.15am Burton Square (next to Royal Hotel) or call us in advance and we can meet or pick you up along the way.
Contact Kirstie and Stuart - Wheely Good Communities - on 01524 782351 or at wheelygood@familyonabike.org
Information about forthcoming rides, bike-check sessions and other news about the project is online at www.wheelygoodcommunities.org
Kids Coaching Session
Another exciting coaching activity to hit the North West will come on the weekend of 23rd & 24th February. Matt Winston is running a coach led road racing weekend for riders of all abilities between the ages of 7 and 16. This will be run at Preston Arena between 10am and 3pm. The Saturday will concentrate on skills that riders need to ride in a bunch and the Sunday will be a coach led racing day where the riders will take part in some fun races guided by the coaches.
Frances Newstead, BC Olympic Talent Team Coach in the North West, will keep an eye on proceedings as well as spotting new talent from the region. There will also be some special guest riders popping in to say a few words and give some hints and tips to the young riders.
For further info. Contact Matt on 07947 882 522 or e–mail: matthewwinston@britishcycling.org.uk
To see other events please go to our What's On pages
ATTITUDE SURVEY 07/08
We still need your views! Tell your friends...
If you have a spare minute please complete our cycling attitude survey. This year the survey can be completed online at www.celebratingcycling.org/images/downloads/attitude07.htm Paper copies available on request.
The survey forms part of our monitoring programme with Sustrans and will also help us gauge changes in behaviour and attitude among local cyclists.
OTHER NEWS
Access to Lancaster Railway Station
You will no doubt be pleased to hear that the gate on platform one at Lancaster Railway Station has now reopened complete with newly installed cctv.
Cycling Leaflets available
Due to the end of the TravelSmart project we now have quite a surplus of the following handy cycling leaflets.
These have been adapted by Sustrans to be more relevant to the local area.
Cycling in Different Conditions
If you would like to receive some of these please get in touch - call 01524 582392 / 582086 or email us at www.celebratingcycling.org
The leaflets are also available to download as pdfs from our website.
Cycling Vacancies - North West
Cycling Projects - Cycle Instructors
Active Travel Projects in the North West: Preston
and Accrington
Position Type: Casual
Recruitment/info day: Saturday 23rd Feb 2008,
Warrington
Contact: Bob Norton (01925) 234213, Cycling Projects, 1 Priory Court,
Buttermarket Street, Warrington WA1 2NL
e-mail to ian.tierney@cycling.org.uk
CTC - Community Cycling Development Officers
- Colchester
- Manchester
- Rochdale
Salary:
c. £23,000
Greenway Petition
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/old-rail-lines/
We the undersigned petition
the Prime Minister to instruct Ministers to ensure all former rail corridors are
protected
for use as transport corridors.
- To ensure countrywide protection in planning
and development legislation of disused rail corridors.
- To provide for their re use as rail lines should circumstances permit.
- To facilitate their development as 'Greenways', or transport corridors for cyclists,
walkers, horse riders & wheelchair
users.
- To extend nationally the network of successful routes which have been developed
by Sustrans in conjunction with Local
Authorities and other bodies, such as the Spen
Valley Greenway in Kirklees, West Yorkshire.