Cyclesafe – Newcastle Cycling Campaign

Message from a fellow cyclist

13th March 2014 Claire Uncategorized

Why do we campaign for cycling and a safe quality infrastructure? Above all, there is huge sense of unfairness faced by the small minority of people who cycle as a means of transport, to go from A to B, everyday or regularly. The people we call the brave ones, because, despite the hostile conditions on the roads, they do it. As most minorities, we are not cared for, abused and blamed in many ways. Do people have choices when it comes to transport? Is cycling a genuine option when the provision in our cities is so poor and unsafe? Last[…]

Campaign Meeting – let’s talk about space for cycling!!

15th September 2013 Claire Uncategorized

Our September meeting saw Katja Leyendecker and Scott Dawson (who are they?) talk about the Strategic Cycle Routes (SCR), “how to move the shakers” (presentation slides below) and what it means on the ground by showing examples of road space re-allocation. The SCR concept is not new. It was Bill Dodds, then on the Newcycling management committee, who put the idea on the agenda two years ago: a network of seven radial routes connecting different parts of Newcastle to the city centre. These would be direct, convenient and safe cycle routes serving a range of destinations on their way: shops,[…]

What’s preventing British people from cycling?

22nd December 2012 Claire Uncategorized

This is the question asked by the All Party Cycling Parliamentary group and their call for “evidence” closed early December. The Times Cities Fit for Cycling carried out an online survey to find out what the main barriers to cycling are. 14,000 people replied and the lack of cycling infrastructure came top of the list. In particular people said they would cycle more if there were for segregated cycle lanes and simpler and safer junctions. For the Cycling Embassy of Great Britain the main barriers to cycling are “the conditions on the roads, and hence the lack of any real[…]

Cities Fit for Cycling campaign moves up a gear

5th November 2012 Claire Uncategorized

Nine months after launching the Cities Fit for Cycling campaign, The Times takes stock. The 8-point manifesto to make cycling safer is reviewed and the conclusions are clear: not good enough. The government needs to do much more to tackle the issues and make decent progress: levels of funding earmarked for cycling infrastructure in particular are too low to make a real difference on the ground. A parliamentary inquiry “Get Britain cycling” will look at safety issues, amongst other things, and will report back in spring 2013. It will inform how previous commitment can be turned into action and cut[…]

Talk to us say North East cyclists

15th July 2012 Claire Uncategorized

Some of you will remember taking part in a research project led by Dr Seraphim Alvanides and Godwin Yeboah from Northumbria University. Everyday cyclists were equipped with GPS and their local trips over a week were tracked, mapped and analysed. Preliminary results are now available and have been presented at the Royal Geographical Society international conference in Edinburgh, 3-5 July 2012. According to the researchers, the current “designated” cycling routes as shown on maps and sign-posted on the roads do not all make “cycling” sense… And “Road engineers do not pay enough attention to the needs of cyclists”. For an[…]

Children Serve Notice On Marden Bridge – press release

22nd April 2012 Katja Uncategorized

The young people of North Tyneside have served North Tyneside Council with notice on their flawed road design on Marden Bridge, giving the Council 14 days to make the bridge safe. Father of two Tom Bailey said “this notice is being served on behalf of all of the young people of North Tyneside who deserve safe streets and the freedom to ride their bikes to get around. Its immoral to be encouraging kids to ride their bikes and at the same time to be ignoring their safety when redesigning Marden Bridge. Copies of the notice are going to local Councillors[…]

Marden Bridge – It just gets worse

19th April 2012 Newcastle Cycling Campaign Uncategorized

Despite multiple objections being lodged North Tyneside have gone ahead and put new parking bays into operation on Marden Bridge. We’ve told them its unsafe and restricts bicycle access into the town centre, but they just don’t seem to care.