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LOCAL INFORMATION / NEWS
New Cycling for All Guide
Cycle for All (2) provides riders with at-a-glance information on eight great rides ranging from 20-34 miles.
Featuring stunning photography by Jon Sparks and using his experience as a writer of guides for both ramblers and cyclists, the guide takes cyclists from the bustling heart of the city to the edge of the Bowland Hills, the wide-open country surrounding Pilling and many more rides which offer fantastic views at every turn including the three peaks in Yorkshire.
All rides should be suitable for anyone with a bit of cycling experience. Some can be enjoyed on all types of bike whilst others are best tackled on a mountain bike (although tarmac alternatives are provided for these).
The guide can be downloaded as a pdf at www.celebratingcycling.org/maps or call 01524 582616 - alternatively all 6 routes can be viewed at www.bikely.com/listpaths/by/fellstumbler
Morecambe Promenade Cycle Route Scoops National Transport Award
National Transport Awards LogoMorecambe Promenade has scooped a prestigious award for the difference it has made to cycling in the district. The National Transport Awards which recognise projects that make a real difference to transport across the country awarded Morecambe Promenade first prize in this year’s cycling improvements category sponsored by the Department for Transport.
Since ancient promenade byelaws were lifted by Lancaster City Council in April 200, cyclists can enjoy five miles of safe cycling and unrivalled views. This and further improvements carried out by council’s Cycling Demonstration Town (CDT) Project Team to extend the route pipped other transport projects at the post.
New links have been established from the promenade at Bay Cottages to Knowlys Road, Heysham and along Central Drive to the Lancaster to Morecambe cycle path. Another link from the eastern end of the promenade to Lancaster Canal at Hest Bank has opened up a new 11 mile off-road circular route linking Hest Bank with Lancaster and Morecambe. Kerbing and paving works have been undertaken at several access points along the promenade in addition to new directional signs. In June this year alone, the promenade saw an average of 376 cyclists using the route each day, peaking at a massive 725 cyclists on one single day.
Eileen Blamire, Lancaster City Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for cycling said: “It’s wonderful news that the promenade has received such high recognition for all the work that has been carried out to improve and extend the Morecambe Promenade cycle route.The promenade has become an integral part of the district’s 50 miles of off-road cycling and the increase in its popularity year on year is a reassuring sign that more and more people are using it to reap the healthy benefits. We now look forward to building on what has already been achieved in the future for the benefit of locals and visitors alike”.
The National Transport Awards are held in association with Transport Times magazine and are supported by the Department for Transport and the Local Transport Planning Network. The award ceremony took place at the Grosvenor Park Hotel, London in July.
Cycle route now open at Royal Lancaster Infirmary
The new cycle route into the RLI is now open. This route takes people from Aldcliffe Road over the (partly resurfaced) canal bridge, through part of the old BW site and into the RLI site via the staff car park at the rear of Medical Unit Two.
The route will initially be open for a 12 month trial period, during which time, the impact will be closely monitored. Should the cycle route prove successful, then an extension to the licence between the Trust and the City Council will be discussed.
The route will be open between 7am and 7pm. CCTV and improved lighting have been installed.
Secure Parking
We now have a limited number of secure cycle parking spaces at Morecambe Bus Station. This secure parking is convenient for those who commute via train and may wish to make part of their journey by bike. Please contact Matt Moran via mmoran@lancaster.gov.uk if you are interested. There is a refundable deposit of £50 for use of these lockers but no ongoing hire fee.
Scheme of the Month - Cycle Round the World
willow_lane_cycle
The Bike It ‘Round the World’ race that begun in Lancaster was taken up by Sustrans Bike It Officers and schools nationally following it’s success in increasing cycle journeys to school in the past 2 years. This year 6 of our local Bike It schools raced over 100 Bike It schools from across England and between them they achieved a massive 5882 cycle journeys in 4 weeks! Most notable were Grosvenor Park and Bolton-le-Sands Primaries which averaged the equivalent of 27 and 26% of their pupils cycling each day – incredible in windy March! Nationally Bike It schools achieved over 70,000 journeys!
The pupils followed in the footsteps of the cycling adventurer Alastair Humphreys who spent four years cycling 46,000 miles around the world. Each time a pupil, parent or staff member cycled to school, miles were added on to their school’s virtual journey around the world...............................................
www.dft.gov.uk/cyclingengland/2009/08/scheme-of-the-month-cycle-round-the-world/
SUMMER CELEBRATING CYCLING EVENTS
Kid's Cycling Courses - BOOKING NOW OPEN
Lancaster City Council is encouraging local youngsters to pedal their way through the summer holidays this year with another varied selection of on and off-road cycle courses. All courses take place at Salt Ayre Sports Centre and cater for children aged from 4 to 13 years old (except for the MTB and bmx).
Learn to Cycle (4+ year olds)
Cycle skills (5-8 year olds)
Cycle skills (6-9 year olds)
Cycle skills (10-13 year olds)
On-road cycle skills and bike ride! (10–13 year olds)
plus
Mountain Biking (10-16 years old) in Grizedale Forest and BMX Biking at Preston Pirates BMX park
Transport provided £10
For all dates please see What's on August.
All skills courses cost £6 and participants must have a roadworthy bike to take part and bring suitable clothing for being outdoors. Children under 8 should be accompanied by an adult.
For more information and a booking form, pick up a copy of the council’s summer activity programme from Council buildings etc. Alternatively, you can download a copy at www.lancaster.gov.uk/holidayprogramme or call Salt Ayre Sports Centre on 01524 842493.
Heritage Ride
Saturday September 12th - 11am Millennium Bridge
Celebrate the district’s industrial and landscape heritage with a guided ride around the Lancaster area, with frequent stops at interesting historical buildings and sites.
Heritage Open Days 10 - 13th September www.heritageopendays.org.uk
Sunday in Sunderland
Sunday September 13th - 11am Millennium Bridge
An enjoyable ride on one of the area’s least used cycle paths to the small, isolated village of Sunderland. The ride uses off-road paths and roads through Overton. We’ll stop for a refreshment break in Sunderland, with a chance to explore the local area.
On the same day the Sunderland Point Community Association are planning to hold a “Tea on the Green” event, where they open up the village’s reading room and provide refreshments and home-baked cakes for sale. This takes place on 2nd Terrace and, if the weather is decent they will provide seats and tables on the green for visitors. Locals will be on hand to talk about the history of The Point and to point out any interesting wildlife there may be – at this time of year many migratory birds are in evidence.
ONGOING EVENTS
Twenty Club
This is an informal meeting of cyclists who want to go on a more challenging ride locally (approx twenty miles hence the name). Routes to be determined and led by the group (on a week by week basis). All welcome - however please note that these rides are likely to involve some or all of the following: hills, on-road riding. Road bike not essential but please ensure that your bike is in good condition. These rides are at a faster pace - not club fast, but not 8mph either.
Meet Thursdays 6pm at Millennium Bridge / www.celebratingcycling.org/twenty
Women on Wheels rides
Easy paced rides around the district.
First Sunday of the month - 11am from Millennium Bridge.
Sunday September 6 - Cockerham
Sunday October 4 - Mystery ride oooooohhhh
Dynamo Friday Feasts
A shortish ride to a local pub for a meal and a drink. Bring lights. The destination will depend on the weather and people’s inclinations, so please call Claire Duplock on 01524 33146 beforehand. All Feasts start from the steps of Lancaster Town Hall at 6.30 pm.
Friday 14 August 2009
Friday 2 October 2009
Celebrating Cycling Roadshows
The Cycling Demonstration Town Team is setting up stall in Market Square, Lancaster to offer a range of free information and advice to help you get out and about by bike.
On the first Friday of every month, from April to October between 12pm and 4pm, the team will be available to answer all your cycling questions, offer top tips on how to get started and fill your diaries with fun events and organised rides. Dr. Bike will be on hand to give your bike a check, other transportation information will also be on offer in the square from Lancashire County Council’s TravelWise team. Additional activities and the involvement of other organisations on the day will vary from month to month.
Next event Friday 7 August
Cycle Maintenance Courses
Brush up on your bike maintenance skills or learn something new.
Courses take place at Pedal Power HQ, Ridge Square, Lancaster.
Call to book your FREE place or to register your interest in forthcoming courses - Pedal Power 01524 65328
Next course:
Saturday 29 August - Women only Maintenance Level 1
More dates to be announced shortly!
OTHER EVENTS
National Clarion Cycling Club Training Session
National Clarion Cycling Club are running a training session at Manchester Velodrome on August 22nd 1 - 2.50pm.
No experience necessary, track bikes available for hire. The cost of the session is only £5.00, bike hire not included. For any rider interested over 9 years old only.
Please contact Bob Duckworth chris.bob@virgin.net
Northern Dales Audax events
from Arnside Youth Hostel
08:00 Northern Dales 202km
09:00 Northern Dales Populaire 110km
www.audax.uk.net or mikehutchinson@fastmail.fm
Lancashire Loop Cycle Challenge
The MedEquip4Kids Lancashire Loop Cycle Challenge is back for the fifth year on Sunday, September 20 and going to be bigger and better than ever!
Take your pick between three different routes - 26 miles, 54 miles or 100 miles - and cycle through beautiful Lancashire countryside. With all three routes starting and finishing in the picturesque village of Cockerham (near Lancaster), you will cycle through the Lune Valley, across the Bowland Fells and back through the Ribble Valley.
Sections of this event (especially the 100 miles) are challenging but you will be rewarded with the breathtaking scenery and long downhill sections. The Lancashire Loop will be fully marshalled with refreshment stops en route. The shorter 26-mile route is flatter and therefore suitable for families.
OTHER INFORMATION / NEWS
Flickr
Got any great photos of the local cycle network? If so, why not share them in our new Celebrating Cycling Flickr Group?
It's easy to get involved, just upload a photo to Flickr and add it to our group with a few simple clicks. Share at http://www.flickr.com/groups/celebratingcycling/
Snap up a prize from Lancaster City Council!
Lancaster City Council is challenging people to help it celebrate the centenaries of Lancaster Town Hall and the Ashton Memorial by capturing the beauty of our district on camera.
This year both buildings celebrate their 100th birthdays and they have inspired the council to launch a competition to ask people to capture on camera their favourite buildings or places.
Whether you’re a semi-professional with a top of the range piece of kit or a keen amateur, if you can take a good photograph then the council wants to hear from you.
In addition to having their photo used on the front cover of the winter edition of the council’s magazine for residents, Your District Council Matters, the winner will be able to choose a photo from the online gallery of Lee Metcalfe, www.leemetcalfelandscapephotography.com, to have framed as their prize. If that wasn’t enough the winner will also receive a £50 voucher to spend at GL Robertson on Brock Street in Lancaster. One runner-up will receive a £30 voucher.
If you’re up for the challenge simply send up to two photographs in jpeg format by email to communications@lancaster.gov.uk, or by post (as a print, on a CD or DVD) to Communications, Town Hall, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ. The deadline for entries is August 14 2009
Cycling politeness: more rewarding than you'd think
Cycling in city traffic doesn't have to be a nightmare – unexpected considerate drivers and pleasant exchanges can even make it fun
The white van drove in slow and close, its front window staying level with me, for what seemed like minutes, hooting as the driver pointed with ever more violent emphasis. And I was afraid. Until I realised that he wasn't pointing at me. He was pointing back down the road, to where my bag had wriggled free from the elastic cables on my rack and quietly plopped into the gutter. I was his good deed for the day. I don't remember the following moments so clearly, but I hope I had enough composure to thank him.
It's not difficult, as an urban cyclist, to cultivate a sense of grievance. Easier in London, certainly, but still easy in the other cities – Oxford, Nottingham, a touch of Sheffield – where I've cycled. It has something to do with cyclists' lack of an assumed place: whatever space you're hoping to claim is apt to be seized by some car, some overtake-and-then-brake moped, some van, some towpath dog walker. You don't have the power to force your way. Almost every route must be negotiated. This is also, however, the special joy of city cycling.
On the days when I can convince myself that considerate van drivers are at least as common as the nightmare creatures of stereotype, there seem to be few forms of active citizenship more direct and pleasurable than being polite on a bicycle. The business of making your way – of seeing what's coming; of catching the eye of someone on the pavement in advance and either slowing slightly to let them cross or speeding up a little not to delay them crossing; of moving quickly and purposefully and mindfully enough to work with the traffic – feels delightfully skilled and grown-up. It offers the promise of arriving at your destination happier, rather than merely sweatier. If you're competent enough – I'm not, always – to display good nature clearly and decisively, it can also get you cut more slack by other road users........ www.guardian.co.uk/environment/ethicallivingblog/2009/jul/27/bike-blog-politeness