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STUDENT CYCLING DOUBLES
The numbers of students cycling and walking to campus has almost doubled in less than two years according to Lancaster University surveys.
Over ten per cent of students living off-campus now cycle to the University, up from just over five per cent 21 months ago. In the same period, the numbers of students walking to University has also doubled from just over 3 per cent to over 6 per cent.
The numbers of staff cycling to work is one of the highest in Lancashire at just over 13 per cent, while fewer students and staff are driving to work. But there is a huge gap between the numbers of men and women cycling to work, with over three times as many men as women arriving by bike.
Philip Longton, the Travel and Environment Co-Ordinator said: “Over 21% of male staff cycle to the campus as their main mode of travel but only 6% of female staff do. We will be talking to all staff, cyclists and non-cyclists, to find out why there is such a difference and then work to bridge this gap by enabling more female staff to cycle here to work”.
The trend is mirrored with students too, with fewer female students cycling and walking than their male colleagues.
The findings come from two travel surveys last November, where students and staff were invited to complete an online travel questionnaire. The questionnaires enable the University to monitor the progress of its Travel Plan and also to ensure that its revised Travel Plan, to be published this spring, takes staff and student input into account. The survey findings reveal that as many as 30% of all postgraduate research students living off-campus are regularly cycling.
Philip said: “To be having more postgraduate research students accessing the campus on bicycles than in cars as either drivers or passengers, is a great achievement.”
Overall, student car use dropped by 4.8% between February 2006 and November 2007. Lancaster University has done much to encourage and enable travel by bicycle, foot, public transport and the sharing of cars since its Travel Plan was published in July 2004.
Key milestones have included the establishment of a Transport Working Group within the University governance structure, the creation of two permanent full-time posts of Environment & Sustainability Manager and Travel & Environment Co-ordinator, the completion of two annual action plans and major changes to student and visitor car parking policy.
Jonathan Mills, the Environment & Sustainability Manager, commented, “We are delighted with the progress we have made so far in controlling the transport related environmental impacts of the University. There is a lot more that Lancaster University can do and we are looking forward to making further progress as the revised Travel Plan is implemented”. See below for info on the University's Cycle Day (March 11th).
MARCH EVENTS
"Healthy Wheels" EVERY FRIDAY
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
Wheely Good Events 2008
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
CTC / Tandem Club Ride
Saturday March 22nd
50 mile ride to Kendal area via Beetham. A special ride to join Tandem Club members here on their Easter meet.
Meet: 9am Beaumont College entrance. Contact Mike Hutchinson for further info on 0152436061 / mikehutchinson@fastmail.fm
To see other events please go to our What's On pages.
CYCLE TO (LANCASTER) UNIVERSITY DAY - TUESDAY MARCH 11
Free Breakfast For Cyclists
As part of a University Cycle Day for One World Week, all cyclists that pledge to cycle to work on Tuesday 11th March will qualify for a free breakfast, subject to availability. The free breakfast will be available in the Conference Centre, Meeting Room 1 from 08:30 - 10:00 on 11th March. The breakfast will include bacon & sausage buns, croissants, Danish pastries, tea, coffee and orange juice. To qualify it is essential that you first sign the Cycle Pledge Form stating that you will cycle to work on Tuesday 11th March, have the form verified by your line manager and return the completed form by Friday 7th March to Philip Longton, Estates Management, University House. To request a Cycle Pledge Form please email Philip on p.longton@lancaster.ac.uk
Join In One Of Mass Cycle Rides To Campus
Celebrate cycling with other cyclists on the way to work as part of the University Cycle Day. The first led cycle ride will depart from the car park of Chancellors' Wharf at 08:20 and will follow the new University cycle route along the canal towpath. Meet at 08:10 for this ride. The second led cycle ride will depart from the A6 on the edge of Greaves Park, just south of the Pointer Roundabout, at 08:30. Participants in this ride should meet there at 08:20. Cyclists are reminded that they are individually responsible for themselves as part of these events. It is hoped to invite the local press for a photo opportunity.
Free 'Doctor Bike' Bicycle Checks & Adjustments
Get your bicycle checked and adjusted for free by cycle mechanic Colin Stone. Colin will be available by his van from 08:30 - 15:00 on Tuesday 11th March outside the Conference Centre in Bowland Avenue East - no need to book, to turn up!
Cycling Events And Promotion In Alexandra Square
From 11:00 to 15:00 a selection of cycling information stalls will be available as part of the University's Cycle Day on 11th March. The highlight will be a pedal-powered fruit smoothie maker!
Win £400 Worth Of Prizes As Part Of The Staff Cycle To Work Departmental Challenge!
As part of the University's Cycle Day on March 11th, why not get your department involved by registering it as part of the Cycle to Work Departmental Challenge? Departmental prizes will be awarded for the highest collective cycle mileage, the highest proportion of staff cycling to campus as well as an individual prize for the best idea to promote cycling to campus. For a registration form email Bee Harding from the Cycle Demonstration Town Team at bharding@lancaster.gov.uk Please note that the deadline for registration is Friday 7th March and only one registration form per department is needed for entry.
All the above events are being provided as a partnership between Green Lancaster and the Cycling Demonstration Town project for Lancaster & Morecambe
NETWORK IMPROVEMENTS
Bowerham Road/ Gressingham Drive Link
Work starts this week on the construction of a new 3m wide cycle path on the line of the existing path which runs between Bowerham Road and Gressingham Drive. This will include a new fence on the school boundary, street lighting and appropriate signs and road markings. Note that it will be necessary to close this path for short periods during w/c 3rd March whilst tree felling operations are in progress, and a permanent closure, for 4 weeks, from the 10th March, a signed alternative route on Kempton Road will be available.
Conversion of the Bowerham Road footway (school side) to 'Shared Use' between the entrance to the above path o/s Stepping Stones to the junction of Bowerham Road and Barton Road. This includes removal of the grass verges and surfacing of these areas to provide additional path width, widening the footway in the vicinity of the bus stop onto school land and appropriate signing and road markings. The construction of this element of the project is programmed for the two week holiday period in April.
The project is being funded by the Cycling Demonstration Town Project, Lancashire County Council (Safer Routes to Schools budget) and contributions from the Schools.
Phoenix St contraflow and link to Millennium Bridge
Work on this scheme including signage and new toucan crossing is now complete.
Works have included the implementation of contra flow cycling on Phoenix Street and the upgrade of the existing Pelican crossings, on Parliament Street, to Toucan crossings plus associated works. This scheme provide a handy link from the east side of Lancaster to the Millennium Bridge and the rest of the cycle network
Central Drive Morecambe
Work has been carried out to complete the link from the Greenway to Central Drive / Morecambe Promenade. A shared use path runs over the Burger King access road and Hilmore Rd to join with the on-road cycle lanes on Central Drive, installed last year.Lancashire County Council have installed a new zebra crossing on Central Drive, at the Hilmore Rd end.
The path running between Hilmore Road and the rear of West End Road has now re-opened - and is now officially a cycle route.