Tag: Cycling

Strategy, what strategy?!

2019-10-28There are many failings in transport, especially for cycling. The total lack of strategy is plain at all levels.

Transport for the South East (TfSE) wants to plan strategic transport across the South East and is consulting from now until 10 January 2020. The consultation documents are here

TfSE draws together Councils, Local Enterprise Partnerships, businesses, transport providers and some stakeholder groups.  What are they going to come up with? The scenario put forward by the TfSE results in a reduction in cycling and walking by 7%!

It is essential that sustainable transport and cycling infrastructure gets much more investment if we are ever going to have a cycle-friendly region.

Join with others in working out how to influence this strategy and get the best result! Attend this half-day meeting at Gatwick organised by the Transport Action Network, a new organisation assisting people and groups calling for sustainable transport in their local area. More information about Transport Action Network here.

Coombes A27 crossing at risk of closure

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STOP PRESS! EASY WAY TO OBJECT: Email planning@adur-worthing.gov.uk  quoting planning application AWDM/0961/17. You must include your full name and address.

DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 2 NOVEMBER 2017 (OR LATER) WHEN THE SCHEME GOES TO COMMITTEE

New flyer here

A4 poster here

Please spread the word! Print and distribute if possible!

Why object?

The crossing over the A27 from the old Shoreham Toll Bridge to Coombes Road will be removed and the Old Shoreham Road junction will be permanently closed if the New Monks Farm proposals are approved!

The proposed alternative crossing for cyclists involves at least a 1km detour with four new sets of traffic lights over a new roundabout and an upgraded A27.

Off-road alternatives have not been agreed and might prove non-viable. Meanwhile this major development would go ahead.

The plans are out NOW for consultation on Adur and Worthing Council’s website. The deadline is 29 September 2017 extended to 2 November 2017. Use the easy method to object by email given at the top of this post.

You can also comment on the consultation here but you will need to register, log in and find planning reference number AWDM/0961/17

See this flyer Please distribute if you can! Some suggested points of objection are below. Please feel free to change or add your own:

  1. I object to the closure of the existing crossing from the Old Shoreham Road to Coombes Road at the Sussex Pad junction for cyclists, pedestrians and other non-car users.
  2. I object to the lengthy, inadequate and hazardous replacement for the existing crossing.
  3. If the existing crossing is removed, it must be replaced by a bridge or underpass which gives safe, direct access across the A27 from the Old Shoreham Road to Coombes Road for all non-motorised road-users. It must be usable in all weathers and at all times of day i.e. well lit, not vulnerable to flooding and with a tarmac surface, not gravel.
  4. The proposed replacement crossing does not fulfil high quality standards in walking and cycling. Reference: Highways England’s Interim Advice Note 195/16.
  5. I disagree with the Transport Assessment on Page 38, Paragraph 4.3.19 which claims that there are “…very low cycle demands for crossing the A27 within the carriageway and using existing pedestrian crossing during the various peak hours, and on a daily basis.”
    This crossing is well used and invaluable for cyclists, cycling groups and cycling events that often use this crossing in large numbers throughout the year.
  6. The proposal also needs to provide more safe, direct and attractive walking and cycling routes and links so that people, including those with disabilities can have easy access to all destinations e.g. shops, schools, health centres, railway stations etc. and that cycling/walking can reach its full potential and deliver all the accompanying public health and environmental benefits.
  7. Sustainable transport needs to be much more clearly prioritised in this scheme in line with Government and West Sussex County Council sustainable transport policy. The “Technical Note: A27 Access Strategy” section of the Transport Assessment should include proposals for high quality walking and cycling facilities. Reference: Highway England’s Interim Advice Note 195/16.
  8. This proposal will encourage car use. The housing development includes a car parking space for each dwelling (i.e. possibly 600 cars). The proposed IKEA car park would have 1000 spaces, but the A27 is already at capacity and alternatives to car travel should be more strongly encouraged and invested in.
  9. Horse riders need to be better accommodated in any proposed new crossing.
  10. Issues of flooding will be problematic for the proposed development. Flooding must be resolved for any facilities designed for cycling /non-motorised users.
  11. This application is baffling for most ordinary citizens who will be confronted with 400 documents. The key points for cycling are difficult to discern among jargon, spin and complexity with information embedded in so many documents, many of which are slow to download and difficult to view.

New Monks Farm overview

 

Brighton Bike Share launches today!

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We’re up and running! Paul of South Coast Bikes delivered the BTN Bike Share bikes to their seafront locations and to many other points around the town. Starting from September 1st, these handy bikes will be available for hire. See BTN Bike Share for all the details. See the Council news release. Happy cycling!

These cycle tracks need traffic barriers!

Over the last three months we have recorded several instances of motor vehicles crashing onto cycle tracks next to the A23 and A27 near Brighton. The risk to people walking or riding on these tracks is clear. As the vehicles clearly can’t be relied upon to stay on the road, crash barriers are needed. Among the incidents, two lamp posts on the A23 were flattened in separate crashes.

A23 cycle path crash debris mud

Bike security marking at stations

British Transport Police in partnership with Southern Railway Rail Neighbourhood Officers will be conducting cycle marking events at Brighton, Eastbourne, Bognor, Three Bridges and Lewes stations over the coming weeks. Full details below.

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A previous bike marking session at Brighton Station 
  1. Wednesday 03rd February 2016 at Bognor Regis railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours
  2. Wednesday 10th February 2016 at Brighton railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours 
  3. Wednesday 02nd March 2016 at Eastbourne railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours
  4. Wednesday 09th March 2016 at Three Bridges railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours 
  5. Wednesday 06th April 2016 at Lewes railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours
  6. Thursday 07th April 2016 at Bognor Regis railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours 
  7. Monday 11th April 2016 at Eastbourne railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours 
  8. Wednesday 13th April 2016 at Brighton railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours 
  9. Wednesday 20th April 2016 at Bognor Regis railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours 
  10. Wednesday 27th April 2016 at Three Bridges railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours
  11. Wednesday 04th May 2016 at Brighton railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours 
  12. Wednesday 11th May 2016 at Eastbourne railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours 
  13. Wednesday 18th May 2016 at Bognor Regis railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours
  14. Wednesday 25th May 2016 at Three Bridges railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours 
  15. Wednesday 01st June 2016 at Brighton railway station 17:00 to 19:00 hours 

Brighton and Hove City Council signs up to Space for Cycling

IMG_2288ed2Great news! We are delighted that Brighton and Hove City Council have voted to support CTC’s Space for Cycling campaign. There was agreement at the Environment Transport and Sustainability committee on November 25th 2015 to ask Brighton and Hove’s Chief Executive Officer to sign the council up to the initiative. 20140514 - SpaceforCyclingcroppedThis shows admirable unity of purpose between the Labour Chair of the committee, Councillor Gill Mitchell and the Green Group, led by Councillor Pete West, who tabled the motion. Bricycles has been promoting Space for Cycling since the start of the campaign led nationally by the cycling charity CTC. We now hope to see a continued and renewed focus at local level on the remaining barriers to cycling, particularly dealing with busy roads and dangerous junctions.

CTC’s blog on this and the Autumn Spending Review

Space for Cycling has 6 themes:

  1. Protected space on main roads
  2. Removing through motor traffic in residential areas
  3. Lower speed limits
  4. Cycle-friendly town centres
  5. Safe routes to school
  6. Routes through green spaces

More information here on what Space for Cycling means.

Shadow Transport Secretary rides with Bricycles !

DSC00086We had a great ride along Brighton seafront with Lilian Greenwood MP, the new Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, on the last day of the Labour Party Conference in Brighton, 30 September 2015.

In the photo, Lilian is on the right in the red jacket. Becky Reynolds, Bricycles Campaigns Officer, also in red is on the left. Julian Bell, Labour Leader of Ealing Council and the Chair of the London Councils Transport & Environment Committee can be seen between the two. Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge, Labour’s spokesman on cycling was also there, too.

We promoted Space for Cycling with banners, cards and support from CTC the national cycling charity.

Lilian Greenwood MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport gave a very positive message about holding ministers to account on investment for improvements for cycling. She said:

“I’m delighted to join Bricycles and CTC in Brighton. I am determined that Labour will be a strong voice for cyclists in Parliament, especially as we are approach a critical point in the Government’s policy development. We will be holding Ministers to their promise to produce a meaningful Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy that sets out clear, long term funding – as well as pressing the case for restoring national safety targets.

“Campaigners have made great advances in recent years, but I know as a regular cyclist that there is still a long way to go.”

Sam Jones, CTC Campaigns and Communications Coordinator said:

“It’s great to see the new Labour Transport team coming out in support of cycling down in Brighton.

“There’s cross party support in Westminster, and now more than ever we need to see all parties working together to get Britain cycling. This means the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy must have funding of at least £10 per head, and the national design standards to ensure the money is well spent on space for cycling.”

Becky Reynolds, Bricycles Campaigns Officer said:

“We are very grateful to Lilian and her team for taking time out to ride with us today. Cycling has enormous health and environmental benefits. These need to be extended to more people. We value Labour’s support for a more reliable system of funding for cycling so that using a bike becomes easier and safer for everyone.”

Background blog http://www.ctc.org.uk/blog/brighton-labour-conference-2015

Election 2015: Check out these local manifestos for cycling and transport

Polling station

Brighton and Hove City Council is made up of 54 councillors. All these seats are up for election on May 7th 2015. Check out the local manifestos from the political parties! This is what the the candidates say they’ll do if you vote for them!

Conservative party manifesto See particularly pages 8 and 11

Green party manifesto See particularly pages 24-26

Labour party manifesto See particularly pages 16-17

There are a lot of differences in their approach to cycling and transport!

Facebook

www.facebook.com/Bricycles

Space for cycling: 19 Brighton and Hove City Councillors have signed up!

???????????????????????????????People all over the country have been asking for their councillors’ support for Space for Cycling at: http://www.space4cycling.org.uk  Please sign up at the link above and ask your councillors to support S4C’s essential points. By clicking on the interactive map linked to the above site, you can view the results of the requests. Nineteen Brighton and Hove City Councillors out of 54 have so far pledged their support. They are:

Cllr Jason Kitcat (Green)
Cllr Ian Davey (Green)
Cllr Sven Rufus (Green)
Cllr Pete West (Green)
Cllr Ruth Buckley (Green)
Cllr Ollie Sykes (Green)
Cllr Stephanie Powell (Green)
Cllr Mike Jones (Green)
Cllr Alex Phillips (Green)
Cllr Graham Cox (Conservative)
Cllr Rob Jarrett (Green)
Cllr Amy Kennedy (Green)
Cllr Phelim Maccafferty (Green)
Cllr Warren Morgan (Labour)
Cllr Sue Shanks (Green)
Cllr Bill Randall (Green)
Cllr Lizzie Deane (Green)
Cllr Leo Littman (Green)
Cllr Liz Wakefield (Green)

We’re calling on ALL Brighton and Hove City Councillors (and any prospective councillors) to commit to continuing transport improvements by signing up to Space for Cycling’s six key points. This will make our City safer and more encouraging for cycling and walking and contribute to urgent Public Health and environmental objectives. As we approach an election year, it is important to have this assurance. The main themes are:

  1. Protected space on main roads and at junctions
  2. Removal of through motor traffic on residential streets.
  3. Lower speed limits. 20mph in villages and built-up areas. 40mph or lower on rural lanes.
  4. Cycle-friendly town centres with people prioritised over motor traffic to create high streets that are economically viable and socially vibrant.
  5. Routes through green spaces and parks
  6. Safe routes to schools

PLEASE CONTACT YOUR COUNCILLOR. also, tell us what improvements you want to see in your area of Brighton and Hove! Email: bricyclesbrighton@gmail.com

Bricycles welcomes ruling on Unchain’s misleading 20 mph casualties ad

IMG_1011ed212 November 2014: Bricycles welcomes today’s ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority on this advert about casualties on 20 mph roads.

The ad from pro-motoring group “Unchain the Brighton Motorist” appeared in The Argus on 18 July 2014. One of the headings read “Casualties rise by more than 20% on 20 mph roads”. The ad implied there was a relationship between 20 mph speed limits and an increase in casualties. The ad has been judged to be misleading and unsubstantiated by the advertising regulator. The ASA have told Unchain to ensure they do not make claims in future about the relationship between speed limits and casualties if they cannot substantiate them. The ad breached the code on misleading advertising, substantiation and qualification, and it must not appear again in its current form.

This is the third time the ASA have ruled that advertisements produced by the Unchain group have been misleading. There have been four rulings in total on Unchain the Brighton Motorist, with three upheld or partially upheld

Becky Reynolds of Bricycles said “We complained to the ASA about this ad and we welcome their ruling which confirms our view that the ad was misleading. We don’t want to see the public misinformed about a crucial area like Road Safety. Far from an increase in casualties, the data in Brighton and Hove for phase 1 of the 20 mph area shows that there has been a decrease in both the number of casualties and the severity of injuries when the figures for 8  April 2013 to 7  April 2014 are compared with the previous three years. Collisions are also down. We are strongly in support of slower traffic speeds which are a great step forward for the safety of all road users.”

Figures for the first year of 20 mph Phase 1 implementation are at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/20mph Casualties and collisions are significantly down. Figures for Phase 2, implemented in July 2014 are not available yet.

In a separate ruling, following a complaint from the Unchain group about a Brighton and Hove City Council leaflet, the ASA supported the Council’s statement that a 20mph speed limit leads to a reduction in road collisions and the severity of casualties and improves the quality of life of local neighbourhoods. It’s good news that the ASA agree on this crucial and frequently disputed point. However they ruled against the Council’s claim that 20 mph limits encouraged more walking and cycling for local trips which in turn would bring significant health benefits and reduce congestion. They do not accept that there is enough evidence!