Month: July 2015

Council’s approach to road safety unfair and unbalanced

Press

A campaign group is angry at the imbalanced, dangerous piecemeal approach that Newcastle City Council is taking. The group says that whilst council delivers free cycle training to adults and children, they also must educate drivers about their responsibilities, teach drivers what they can expect from cyclists and tell drivers that cyclists have been instructed by the council to cycle in certain ways. This latest safety call comes in the unfortunate absence of any safe and convenient cycle infrastructure that would enable cycling for all ages and abilities and make interactions and responsibilities between road users much clearer. Newcastle has[…]

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Space4Cycling – ward support map 2015

Uncategorised

We led the way! We took part in the national initiative called Space for Cycling – together with London, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield. From all the cities (outside London) we had rallied the highest Councillors support! In addition to checking out the ward map below, you can also download a spreadsheet showing exactly which Newcastle Councillors have signed up (or not, as it may be). If you are a Councillor and you want to be on the map or you have questions about the map, please get in touch with us on contact@newcycling.org. Newcastle ward map on 17 August 2015:

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Cllr Nick Forbes – quotes

Politics

  Sources   Love Cycling Go Dutch conference, 5 November 2013, Newcastle “Cycling isn’t just a physical activity. Cycling is integral to how we seek to transform the city for the future.” “We are seeking to transform our city. And cycling can be an absolute integral to our vision of that.” “It’s a job to transform the physical infrastructure, physical areas around the city, but I think cycling also transforms the city in a social realm as well.” “We know full well of the health benefits of people cycling on a more regular basis. We as a local authority now[…]

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consultation response image

Our Reply – Jesmond Dene Road Plans

Consultation replies

As a constituted community group with 1,600 local members we respond on their behalf to the plans for parts of Jesmond Dene Road. See bottom of page for the details of the council plans we are commenting on. We strongly object to this proposal, for the reasons listed below: Through discussions with newcycling.org members, council have previously attempted to provide explanations about this proposal. But we find a scheme that removes a cycle route to be completely flawed, from its outset. A proposal like this one should not exist in a city that claims it has ambitions to become a Cycle City.[…]

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consultation response image

Our reply – Osborne Road plans

Consultation replies

As a constituted community group with 1,600 local members we respond on their behalf to the plans for parts of Osborne Road. See bottom of page for the details of the council plans we are commenting on. Speed management We welcome the introduction of a 20mph limit for the full length of Osborne Road but would like to see a change in road layout so that this limit is self-enforcing. This would, most likely, require physical infrastructure and should include network planning measures too. In relation to this, we do question why it is necessary to use speed cushions, which[…]

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A pound saved for every mile cycled

Press

A campaign group previously revealed the level of savings that current commuter cyclists make to the city of Newcastle to be £3 million, annually. These savings, however, are already sunk into the city’s economy and budgets so that decision makers are blind to them. The group has now asked what savings could be made if people switched from car use to cycling, in another attempt to engage decision-makers. Using data from the UK Census and World Health Organisation (WHO), newcycling.org has calculated the future savings, that the city is still to benefit from in the coming years. It also says[…]

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Safe cycling to schools

Press

Made in Tyne & Wear (9 July 2015) Sally Watson (Jesmond chair) and Katja Leyendecker (chair) were interviewed by Andy Sixsmith of Made in Tyne & Wear. When we find the time and a willing volunteer, we may transcribe or video (youtube) the interview.

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A campaign group is bitterly disappointed with council’s progress and compassion

Press

For many years parents, and school officials, have asked council to address inconsiderate and aggressive driving behaviour outside schools, particularly relating to school drop-off and pick-up times when road space is at a premium. Due to constantly worsening traffic situations outside schools, the inaction and lack of duty of care in improving areas around schools is now at its most unacceptable yet – incisive action is needed, now, to prioritise walking and cycling for the sake of the next generation’s future. Katja Leyendecker, chair of newcycling.org, says “This utter mismatch must be addressed by council, with urgency. Sitting back and[…]

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