Local Transport Plan III - Have your say !!

Public Consultation for Local Transport Plan III investment is now under way.

Cycle-city Workshop is the monthly meeting for stakeholders supporting cycling in Leicester. Representatives have made some comments in advance of this phase - Though it's fair to say that only some of the data gathered, discussed and supplied by cycling stakeholders has been included in the wider 'Evidence Base' at this stage. The draft 'Evidence Base' can be found here ...
http://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-council-services/transport-traffic/transportpolicy/transport-plan/third-local-transport-plan/consultation/

I have been been working my way through it. It does have some fascinating facts. For example, peak-traffic appears to have passed in Leicester in 2006 (1 year before the UK average), 80% of all working people in Leicester work in the city and average trip lengths are only 6km (That's maybe a 50minute walk or 25minute cycle ride). Modal shift around the City Centre from car to walking and bus use has been around 20% since 2006 (A significantly and positive success). Cycling numbers are rising faster in Leicester (10-15% a year) than any other UK provincial city with no evidence of increased road casualties.

LTP III will help set priorities for City Council investment in transport provision for the next 15 years and it is crucial that there is a robust and progressive debate about how transport investment is made to meet the needs of a people-friendly 21st Century City ... Have your say here ...
http://consultations.leicester.gov.uk/ConsDetails.aspx?consID=366

Leicester Critical Mass - What happened !?

Leicester Critical Mass - Inaugral (21st Century version) Halloween Ride was an undoubted success. Great fun, 100+ riders, 50/50 male /female, half a dozen kids at the start, most riders in 'spooky' dress & very well received by other street users ('supportive' peeps & patience from drivers, waves & clapping from pedestrians and people stepping out of bars and shops to take photo's - spectacular !) ...

The fastest growing social ride group in Leicester (220+ friends to date and already 60+ saying they will join the next ride - last Friday of the month) ...

Check out these sites for info ...

http://yeahyeahyeahyeah-yeah.blogspot.com/2010/10/it-was-graveyard-smash.html

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001740378816

http://www.flickr.com/groups/1553686@N21/

Leicester Critical Mass

I had a meeting with cyclists planning to organise a Leicester 'Critical Mass' bike ride 7 days ago and return from holiday to find that this ... www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001740378816#!/profile.php?id=100001740378816&v=wall

57 in less than a week signed up to join a Haloween fancy dress bike ride !!

There were a series of Critical Mass rides in Leicester in the mid-90's that attracted no more than 20 riders and ended in a metaphorical cul de sac of 'What are you going to do for me and my bicycle' complaints, angst and despiar that did little to engage non-cyclists and nothing to bring solutions to the civic table.

The energy and organisation behind this initiative looks much different, constructive, celebratory and  inclusive. I aim to attend and find out whats happening. 

Evington Echo - Doing it for the Kids !

Evington Echo is a long-term Community Newspaper with a neighbourhod specific circulation of approx 4,000 - Latest example from Sue Massey - Intrepid Reporter / Cycling Instructor / Celebrity TV Chef & All-round 'Personality of the Month' -  can be found here ... www.evingtonecho.co.uk/OctNov10/kidspage.htm

Cycling & The Law

Check out this contribution on http://www.bikeforall.net/ for a succinct summary of Cycling and The Law ...
http://www.bikeforall.net/content/cycling_and_the_law.php

The issue of Cyclng on New Walk here in Leicester is a perennial issue - Indicating darker nights and migratory routes for new and returning fledgling cyclists to and from some South Leicester suburbs.

An understanding of the legal situation can help interpret the issues above the seasonal chatter.

Cycling stakeholder groups who contribute to the monthly Cycle-city Workshop agree on 'bigger issues the City Council should pay attention to' like 'reducing road dangers on London & Regent Road ', 'support adult cycle training not fines' and 'a pro-cycling 'Sharing Space - Safer for Everyone' campaign.

Like cycle theft, seasonal noise about cycling on New Walk is an 'negative' indicator of the significant growth in cycling numbers across Leicester and one that does need to be managed pro-actively. This legal explanation is helpful.  
  

'Which Way for Cycling' Seminar - VENUE

Venue for the TPS Seminar is confirmed - University of Leicester, Charles Wilson Building, 4th Floor, Garendon Suite. Weds 27th October. Refreshments from 4.45pm.

Ride Leicester supports the event as part of 'Transport Day of Leicester Universities 'Big Green Week' as staff and students are asked to commi to a 60% carbon reduction target by 2020. 

Turn up early to see the 'Hard Rain' Exhibition, sample their 'Big Green Café', hear about their new 250 space campus Bike Park - Try not to be crushed by their 'Spectacular huge carbon cube' display.

There's a £5 charge for non-TPS members for refreshments. Interest is already high - So do book in advance or arrive early & bring tomatoes - There promises to be a lively debate about how to take things forward.

'Which Way for Cycling' Seminar

Ride Leicester is hosting a Transport Planning Society Seminar on Wednesday 27th October to coincide with Leicester University 'Big Green Week' and Green Transport Day.

5pm to 7pm - Leicester University Campus - Room TBC

Includes presentations from
Llyn Sloman of Cycling England & Stan Werbinski of Cycle-Derby on 'Cycling Development Towns',  Jo Ward of Nottingham University on 'Ucycle Project' & Andy Salkeld of Leicester City Council on 'Austerity Cycling' ... 

The aim is to share best practice & action to build bike culture and cycle-friendly communities.

Transport Planning Society info. can be found here http://www.tps.org.uk/
Leicester University Big Green Week info. can be found here www2.le.ac.uk/offices/estates/environment

Maps for cycling

Detail of  latest iphone application for cycle maps can be found here

http://www.bikehub.co.uk/iphone-app/press-release-cyclists-satnav-app-launched-on-the-iphone/

and here www.cyclestreets.net/mobile/ and with some comments www.guardian.co.uk/bikeblog 

 

 

 

Ride Leicester Festival - Feedback Session

We are hosting a Ride Leicester Festival (Including Sky Ride) 'Thank You' evening at the LCB Depot, Rutland Street, Leicester on Thursday 23rd September 6 pm to 8 pm.

The evening will be an interactive one consisting of a short presentation following the feedback evaluation, and a forum providing an opportunity for participants to help influence and shape next years event.

All are invited and refreshments will be provided. Please can you RSVP by 20th September to janet.hudson@leicester.gov.uk


Find directiosn here - All Welcome - www.lcbdepot.co.uk/

A bit of background

In case your wondering or can't sleep at night ... here's a bit of background I put together for Cycling England when it still looked like they would give up some serious hard cash to support cycling here in Leicester - http://www.dft.gov.uk/cyclingengland/2007/12/personality-of-the-month-andy-salkeld-leicester-city-council/

9th Bike Film Festival

The 9th Bike Film Festival in Leicester is taking place at the Phoenix Square Film & Digital Media Centre 25th-28th August 2011.

9th Bike Film Festival website

Leicester Cycle Challenge

The Leicester Cycle Challenge was a free, fun competition to encourage people to remember the joys of riding a bike. The aim of the Challenge was to get as many work colleagues as possible to ride a bike for just 10 minutes over the three week Challenge period, from Monday 10 to Sunday 30 May 2010.

We plan to run it again in 2011.

Visit our website http://www.rideleicesterchallenge.org.uk/home