January 2013 – Newcastle Cycling Campaign

Our (last minute) response to the Armitt Review

31st January 2013 NewCycling Consultation replies

Hello A very quick response to the Armitt review You are right in your diagnosis of the problem in that cross-party support is currently missing. As such a national transport plan, soundly based on data and numbers for example carbon emission reduction and sustainable road safety is needed. There of course is the car/oil/road lobby constantly and elaborately skewing the debate towards unachievable targets and outcomes usually “driven” by short-term economic gains. Then there is the mis- or uniformed politician receiving this information which, when used unreflected, is calamitous. The political debate however has to move on. I’d think that[…]

Going public on health

31st January 2013 Katja Uncategorized

Did you know that our patron is Prof Stephen Singleton? He has been backing the campaign since our early days: “Cycling could transform Tyneside. If cycling was a tablet or a medical intervention it would be a best buy for the health service” and he continues here. More recent developments in the health landscape will result in decision-making on public health strategy and budget spending being more made more locally. You may recall we’d previously contacted the Directors of Public Health, we’ve now written to the Chairs of the respective local authority boards Dear Councillor Forbes (Newcastle) Dear Councillor Henry[…]

Hosting: CEoGB AGM

28th January 2013 Katja Uncategorized

Further details will be confirmed as they become available. Crossroads! Where do we go from here? The Cycling Embassy of Great Britain is inviting all of its members, and those interested in first class cycling provision in the UK, to join… more here including schedule / agenda and background. 2 June 2013 coincides with the 3-year anniversary of our ‘Safe Cycling in Newcastle’ petition. Something to celebrate… a good time to reflect and look forward too. Are you coming? Let us know http://lanyrd.com/2013/ceogbagm/ Saturday 1 June : Meet at Central Station at 11:00am for the first cycling safari (map below).[…]

Budget 2013-16 proposal – response

27th January 2013 NewCycling Consultation replies

First of all we’d like to say a big Thank-You for setting aside a budget for the Strategic Cycle Routes in the capital programme. This is greatly appreciated and a really good start to get matters moving towards a more healthy and resilient city. Investment in cycling infrastructure has many direct and indirect benefits. It is a preventative method that will generate environmental, social and economic returns in the medium and long terms for the city and its residents. – We note that nearly the entire city centre is part of the ADZ allocation. Public realm improvements are important to[…]

A white line in the quick sand

20th January 2013 Katja Uncategorized

The promise of a safe cycling network for Newcastle faces a steep uphill journey, as recent anti-cycling activities in the East end have shown. The Newcastle Cycling Campaign warmly welcomed plans for Newcastle to embrace a cycling culture. The Cycle Manifesto 2011, the Cycle Plan 2012 and Tyne & Wear’s Local Transport Plan, all put increased bike use at the very heart of their transport policies and make it an integral necessity for future designs of our City. Strategic Cycle Routes are to be built in Newcastle and cycling is planned to increase tenfold by 2022. It therefore came as[…]

Quarterly members meeting

20th January 2013 Katja Uncategorized

A meeting for all members to come along, meet and chat. Please note our winter city centre venue: Commercial Building House on Pilgrim Street, kind of opposite the Tyneside Cinema 4th floor, meeting room 4, easy to remember! You just need to sign up at the reception and make you way to the 4th floor Speaker: Katja Leyendecker and Scott Dawson Topic: 1) Bike infrastructure elsewhere – youReportED 2) Talking filtered permeability – bollard game At the last members meeting we didn’t quite finish the illustrative infrastructure talk. So here’s another chance, and get ready for some fun and interaction[…]

Quarterly members meeting

20th January 2013 Katja Uncategorized

A meeting for all members to come along, meet and chat. Speakers: Katja Leyendecker and Scott Dawson (Newcastle Cycling Campaign) Topic: Cycling infrastructure and political engagement Katja Leyendecker from Katsdekker Get ready for some fun and interaction with the Bollard game!! http://www.brisbanecyclist.com/forum/topics/the-bollard-game

Quarterly members meeting

20th January 2013 Katja Uncategorized

A meeting for all members to come along, meet and chat. Update: As Katja Leyendecker could not make it; she will give an update on Newcastle SCRs “how to move the shakers” at the September meeting. Claire Prospert gave an update on the Newcastle Cycling Forum and the forthcoming Love Cycling Go Dutch Conference that the Campaign is actively involved in organising with Newcastle City Council and the Dutch Embassy. Our speakers: Speaker 1: Tony Waterston (Transition Towns, Safe Jesmond Cycling) – topic: Jesmond plans Cycling from claireprospert Speaker 2: Neil Murphy (Movement for London, Beyond Green) – topic: Census[…]

Traffic Management Proposals : Conversion/Designation of No Car Lanes to Bus Lanes

19th January 2013 NewCycling Consultation replies

To: Newcastle City Council Cc: Newcastle MPs, relevant Councillors, Sustrans, CTC Dear ‘Sirs’ Cycling in the city centre is difficult and dangerous, not least of all due to the lack of clarity over road space. A petition in 2010 stressed that very clearly (https://newcycling.org/safe-cycling-petition). There are many things that will have to change to make Newcastle’s city centre fit for people, regain/retain economic vitality and play its uniqueness to its advantage. Overall, we are in support for a simplification of the current lane system as it would improve space clarity and abandons the cluttered and clustered approach to lane designation[…]

Skidding! Walker goes Biking

18th January 2013 Katja Uncategorized

Leading on from our rather positive article “Walker goes biking” – it now seems that your help is urgently needed, as heavy opposition is mounting against new cycle lanes proposed for the strategic cycle route in Walker, Newcastle. Not only does the opposition fail to give clear reasons, we are also very concerned by its anti-cycling nature and tone. We were involved in the design of the Walker route and although the final plans could be better, they do have our support. Read the text against the cycle lane here: “We the undersigned, are totally opposed to the “mandatory with[…]