June 2013 – newsletter
June 2013 http://bit.ly/1a5QnHY
Read moreMonth: May 2013
Public Health and Urban Design – a letter
A letter to Newcastle’s Health and Wellbeing Board in response to their consultation: We welcome that remodelling of physical environment is seen as a necessary measure, notably in the obesity-related supporting document – for the sake of a healthy and active community are key to the success of designing pro-people environments in which residents can live, work, shop, learn for life, travel safely and meet and connect with others socially. As Chris Boardman says “I think the answers will lead us in one direction: we need more and better provision for people who want to travel by bike. When we[…]
Read moreCycling to Suffrage – Bikes & Bonnets
A commemorative bike ride from Longhorsley (Emily’s family home) to Morpeth involving up to 100 women and girls. Emily herself was a keen cyclist and cycling was a symbol of emancipation. Participants will then join in the procession from Morpeth railway Station to St Mary’s churchyard. The Journal advertised the event, read it here http://www.journallive.co.uk/northumberland-sites/morpeth-northumberland/morpeth-news/2013/05/20/100-female-cyclists-sought-for-bike-ride-commemorating-suffragette-emily-davison-61634-33356559/ More information here http://www.emilyinspires.net/bikes–bonnets.php Further info: philippa.raper@btinternet.com
Read moreThe past, present and future of Acorn Road
A whopping fifty people attended the meeting on Acorn Road at the Cricket Club in Jesmond on the 23rd May. The meeting, organised by or partners Transition Jesmond as part of the Jesmond Community Festival, wanted to promote public discussion about the proposals which have been developed by the Acorn Road improvement group over the last year or so. The meeting was also reported in the Journal on 25 May. Rev Rob Hawkins of the Jesmond Methodist Church very ably chaired the proceedings and it started off with Alan Morgan, a city guide, speaking on the history of Acorn Road[…]
Read moreMima reports from Helsinki
Helsinki : cycling provision in new developments This story is part of our youReport series. You asked for some photos! I only took three when I was visiting Helsinki in August 2012. Because I grew up in Helsinki I forget to take my camera, or even my phone. I suppose the big thing you could mention is that some cyclists cycle all year round in Helsinki – even when it’s -25C and lots of snow – because it’s safe to do so. Two photos are of a newish development linked by a network of cycle and pedestrian routes taking you[…]
Read moreNational bike bash in Newcastle
This weekend Newcastle Cycling Campaign will host the annual meeting of the Cycling Embassy of Great Britain. Cycling the city on the proposed Strategic Cycle Routes as well as chatting campaigning strategy will all be included in the packed two-day agenda [link below]. City cycling gets serious – making cycling as easy as riding a bicycle. There is much talk about cycling, nationally and locally, yet translating into little action, especially outside London. The serious money to adapt our towns and cities, roads and streets, has not been made available. The design expertise and creativity is also in its infancy[…]
Read moreCampaign Management Committee Meeting
Newcastle Cycling Campaign management committee meets
Read moreMessing-around in the City Centre
The Safe Cycling petition has its three year anniversary on 2 June 2013. Whilst we now have warm words, a super Cycle Plan and a Cycle City Ambition bid document good enough to be adopted as Newcastle’s works programme – we aren’t impressed with physical progress; and roadspace has yet to be fairly apportioned to cycling. You may have been one of the over 800 petition signatories who told us in 2010, that the 24hr bike ban on Northumberland Street doesn’t make sense to you. Discontent with Northumberland Street was mentioned most often, but closely followed by these locations: Central[…]
Read moreGosforth and GNR
We remain concerned about Newcastle City Council’s plans for Gosforth. As there are various outstanding questions https://newcycling.org/gosforth-transport-corridor-proposals) – and we haven’t heard from them for months. Yet the devil is undoubtedly in the detail. In order to inspire – maybe it’s inspiration that’s needed – we’ve put together some roadscapes. Council, are you listening? This is what GNR could look like. Bus stops may require some further thoughts. But this is not insurmountable. For comparison the dreary reality of car-centricism, dreadful walking, and no bike provision whatsoever. This is a double-lane 30mph stretch with known speeding (hence the speed camera).[…]
Read moreGeorge reports from Dublin
Dublin : Making Tracks This story is part of our youReport series. Here’s a picture of improvements in Dublin I spotted on a working trip. The usual white line has been replaced by a kerb & the cycle track is 2 way. This is alongside the Grand Canal (Herbert Place), great place, if only the weather were warmer… I always feel that Dublin is a similar size to Newcastle/Gateshead. Although with all the extra facilities of a capital; they do things so much better. I don’t think they had cycle provision 20 years ago. The whole city seems pretty bike[…]
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