Newcastle Cycling Campaign

Month: June 2013

“Love Cycling – Go Dutch Conference” comes to Newcastle

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Following conversations with the Dutch Embassy earlier this year, the Campaign is thrilled to announce that Newcastle will host a ‘Love Cycling – Go Dutch’ conference on 5 November 2013 at the Civic Centre. It was through our initiative, and we are now actively involved in the preparation of the conference with Dutch Embassy and Newcastle City Council; good to have the support of Cllr Marion Talbot, the new Cycling Champion and also Newcastle University and their school of Architecture, Planning and Landscape. The conference will be for decision-makers and practitioners in Newcastle (and its wider economic hinterland) to debate[…]

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Russ reports from Hanover

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Hanover : cycle and walking spaces This story is part of our youReport series. With Germany 5th in the ECF’s Bike Barometer, Hanover (German: Hannover) ranks in 6th place of the German cities of a population > 200,000 – according to ADFC (German CTC) Fahrradklimatest. They seem to be doing well. Russ starts by putting things into some context: Hanover is the capital of Lower Saxony – roughly 1/2 a million live, work and play there. We got off at Central Station onto an huge open space where people on foot, people on bikes and trams mingle quite successfully and[…]

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Jesmond Family Cycle ride

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There will be another family cycle ride on 13th July on the same route as the first ride organised by Tony Waterson as part of the Jesmond Festival. The Jesmond Safe Cycling group are also reaching out with this one to women who want to get back to biking. Mark Bingham will be leading, and there will be a police presence. Please circulate the flyer below and also mention to any would-be cycling lady mates!! Meet at Exhibition Park for a 3:00pm start.

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Census 2011 – what it all means for cycling in Newcastle

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At our Members Meeting in June, Neil Murphy from Beyond Green shed light on the Census 2011 data and the changes in commuting patterns between 2001 and 2011 in Newcastle. You may remember the census question “What’s your main method of travel to work?”… well, here’s the findings. First of all, we all heard about the large growth in walking and cycling. Well, let’s be wary as there is a difference. We’re starting from such a low, nearly undetectable, base that an increase from a total bike modal share of 2% to (now nearly) 3% in Newcastle is far from[…]

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Professional pedal partners

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Tomorrow is here. The Institution of Civil Engineers welcomed cycling into transport and highlights the need for cycling infrastructure. Their national ‘State of the Nation’ report wants to unlock the potential of cycling; and for that to happen leadership with clear national objectives and targets was needed, as well as • High quality networks in metropolitan areas • More segregated space in areas of conflict • More traffic calming measures elsewhere The regional report says that to increase cycling in city centres investment in cycling infrastructure which provides a safe and enjoyable cycle commute into city centres and off-road routes[…]

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Claire reports from Assen

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Assen : bicycle priority This story is part of our youReport series. When – exactly a year ago to the day – Claire wrote a comprehensive report for the Cycle Embassy of Great Britain it not just resulted in local newspaper reporting on her journey to a better cycling city. Her photos still remind us today what happens when ‘cycling goes Dutch’. Claire came back with a lot of knowledge thanks to the study tour organised by Hembrow Cycling Holidays. Let’s focus on priority that is afforded to cycling. And how it works. Photo 1 – Crossing in residential area[…]

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Hot air and still no safe space

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Whilst other cities reportedly move forward, reaping the benefits of bike-friendly design and putting wings on bicycle culture such as the 7% bike modal share in Seville (achieved in remarkable short time) and Velo-City Vienna – Newcastle could not be further from this future today. It is a city that cannot make up its mind about where it stands with “rebalancing the relationship between road users in favour of modes of transport that diminish carbon emissions” [source Cycle Plan]. It stands divided. It pushes cyclists away then pulls us in again – maybe that roller-coaster of an emotional ride is[…]

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James reports from Sevilla

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Seville : The fourth best cycle city in the world! This story is part of our youReport series. UPDATED 17 June 2013 WITH INFO RECEIVED FROM @BicicletasSibus – THANKS FOR GETTING IN TOUCH! I am living in Seville over the summer for work reasons and have been cycling around the city for almost two months, James reports. It has been interesting to compare Seville with Newcastle/Tyneside, especially as they have a similar population (Tyneside 1.65 million, Seville 1.52 million – according to wikipedia anyway). Here’s a brief overview of a few different aspects of cycling en Sevilla! Copenhagenize named Seville[…]

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