There will be a cycling-related event for Chris - details to follow.

(updated 1/4/10)

Dr. Jon Rogers, Bristol City Council Executive Member for Transport & Sustainability, came to a specially arranged meeting of Bristol Cycling Campaign last night (18th February). Councillor Rogers gave an interesting and amusing summary of his career to date and gave us some insight into his background and how he changed his own life from car dependency to cycling and sustainable transport.
He went on to give an overview of the Cycling City project - how it came about; how it got to where it is now; the various twists and changes, including changes of leadership in the council and changes of senior council officers, which have affected the project.
The members were given an appreciation of some of the difficulties that the project has been faced with - the time to recruit a project manager and team; the time it takes to negotiate on land arrangements, permissions and authorisations; how schemes have to be chosen which can be progressed in a timely manner not necessarily those that are the most desirable; etc. These issues and other factors meant that the project spend was roughly split as £1m in year 1 and £10m in each of the subsequent years and this is apparent from the number of schemes and increase in softer measures in year 2 of the project and that it is only the activities in year 3 over which there has been much opportunity for influencing the plans and tackling some of the more challenging issues.
A key point was that Cycling City should not be considered as just the next 18 months but should be the lead into instilling cycling as a recognised and desirable form of transport in the city and in all future planning.

There was then a lengthy question and answer session where Jon responded well to a number of sometimes challenging questions covering topics such as:
- gritting the Railway Path in the bad weather;
- reconciling differences in approach with neighbouring counties such as South Gloucester;
- cycle parking at Temple Meads - where we were given some reasons for optimism;
- more action on illegal parking - in bus and cycle lanes and stopping in ASLs (there is to be action taken against parking by dropped kerbs following a recent change in legislation);
- bike lanes not always in the most sensible places;
- Hour Bike (not part of Cycling City!);
- school parking and getting parents on board with their children cycling;
- lack of enforcement of vehicle access to The Horsefair and Penn Street (some subtle reaons!);
- GBBN and cyling.

In closing we discussed what could be done to improve fault reporting and follow-up; becoming more active in our neighbourhoods, attending PACT meetings etc and for the future: cycling significantly increased and clearer legible routes.

The meeting was very well attended (about 30 people) and seemed to result in a better understanding between Councillor Rogers and the cycle campaigners. The campaign is very grateful to Jon for taking the time to come and talk with us and we hope that we can continue to work with him to improve cycling in Bristol and that he can persuade the other councillors and parties to do likewise.

(updated 19/02/10)

 UPDATED - Campaigning for better infrastructure design - a letter to Cllr Jon Rogers, Executive Member, Bristol City Council - we have received a reply from Terry Bullock, Traffic Manager, Bristol City Council (it got a bit lost in the post!)

Bristol Cycling Campaign responds wherever possible to local public consultations on cycling and related transport matters.

The committee wrote in October 2009 to Bristol City Council's executive member for transport and sustainability
Dr Jon Rogers, expressing concerns about the quality of new cycle traffic infrastructure, and making some recommendations.
The letter is here (some slight corrections added in the appendix).

We believe Dr Rogers is as keen as we are for standards to be improved, but at the end of November 2009 he was still
awaiting a reply from officers. We are concerned at the delay, but at this point we can only note that officers have not
disputed our observations.

We have expressed serious concerns about the safety and quality of the proposals we have studied in detail - but
these infrastructure schemes are still planned to be built by Spring 2010 without taking into account our recommendations.

- Here is the reply received from Terry Bullock: pdf version - Word version

(added 2/12/2009 - updated 28/01/2010)

 Cap'n Bikebeard's run up a few messages on his mast - there's a lot coming up!!

First up:
Womens Bicycle Maintenance evenings started at the Bristol Bike Project on Monday the 25th from 4pm - 7pm.
This is a four week test run! - so still a chance to join in.
These evenings are free to all women who want to come and learn about bicycles, fix or clean their bikes, make a bicyle from scratch, chat about bikes and mainly learn from each other.
See the poster and tell all your girl friends!

and

Sprockets and Dust,Saturday 13th February 2010 5pm till late £5/£4
Let's have a bicycle powered party and start Bristol's 'Year of the Bike' festivities !!
Back by popular demand Veer on screen at 8.00pm
Zoo-bombers, tallbikes, jousting, whiplash, Ben-hurt chariot racing at Mini Bike Winter.Kids bicycle training - "they close the roads for Lance".
Girls on mini-bikes, lawyers, bikes and a funeral. Community Bike Action.
A great documentary about bike culture, hot from Portland, one of the world centres of the fastest growing revolution in the world. Viva la velorution !!
plus
The debut of the legendary "Les Velobici" girls on mini-bikes!!!
The revamped B-bike-a-Lula with Spazrammer, 8-Bit Gameboy Miracle, live and pedal powered.
In the bar before, in between and after Freewheeling DJ's!
and
the Bristol Bike Project will be bringing the bicycle-powered scalextrix from 5pm until 7.30pm donations go towards bicycle recycling projects.
Celebrate the bicycle renaissance. La bici e libera !
Let's make Bristol a bicycle powered city and have a b-bike-a-lula all year long.


keep checking spokenchain.blogspot.com for more details, treats and surprises !

The following are all in planning stages:-


Possible Illuminated Lit Up Bikeride on pancake day, February 16th, taking in St.Marks Road pancake racing and ending up in the Boneyard bar for Strawberry Pancakes. check blogs for details

August - September 2010

The Cycling Carnival/Festival scheduled for the last two weeks in September is going ahead!!!!
Put it in your diaries and keep your eyes peeled on the Cycling City webpage and our blogs.

Shambala is going to be bicycle mad this year!
Thursday 26th - Monday 30th August
Join the cyclists going there by bicycle they had great fun last year.
We will be cycling up early with the crew posse, to be there in time to set up the cycling fairground. check blogs and Shambala website

Talkbikes and riders wanted for the 'Ten Talbikes Tour' August -Sept. Bristol-Weymouth Carnival-Bristol-Shambala festival-Devizes Carnival-Trowbridge Carnival- Bristol Cycling Carnival in planning stages at the moment. Expressions of interest to the Cap'n please.

Yours Sincerely
The Cap'n
http://bikebeard.blogspot.com/

(added 28/01/10)

 Taking folding bikes on buses

Some of you may have had problems taking your folding bikes on buses. Apparently, there is some "driver discretion" about the number of people and the size of objects that can be carried depending on available space, but First Bus policy is to allow the carriage of (folded) bikes - see attached letter.

(added 8/12/09)

 The Bristol Cyclist.

To get your copy of the best cycling magazine in Bristol delivered to your door - join the campaign by following this link.

Back issues of our magazine (which is posted free to members) have been uploaded to the website and are available here: archive or via the "Newsletter" option on the menu at top left.

(added 27/01/10)

 Campaigning for a Cycling City to be proud of

The Committee have been campaigning hard to get the best out of Cycling City. Bristol City and South Gloucestershire Councils are holding
public consultations on the infrastructure schemes forming the major components (at least in terms of spend) of the project and the campaign
have been reviewing these and submitting comments which so far have not met with a favourable response. (The list of schemes and
published details can be found here.)

Our main objections have been where national guidelines have clearly not been followed and alternative schemes such as traffic restraint
have not been considered. The most recent example of this is the proposal for Hartcliffe Way, to which we are objecting because it is
not in accordance with DfT guidance, is dangerous and does not improve conditions for cycling. Our response is here.

Added our response to the consultation on the Cumberland Basin Scheme here.

All Bristol campaigners and other interested parties should be taking the opportunity to participate in these consultations
(as far as we are aware it is only as a result of our efforts and that of other stakeholders that we are being consulted at all!)
and try to get along to any site visits that are arranged (unfortunately often during work times). To find out more keep an eye on the
betterbybike website or get in touch with the committee via secretary@bristolcyclingcampaign.org.uk (also if you wish to view any of our
other responses).

We can only make this work if people who know about cycling get involved and make their voices heard!

(added 20/11/2009) {updated 26/11/2009}

 Campaign success for 20mph

We've been campaigning for 20mph across the whole of Bristol for some time now and were delighted when Bristol City Council decided to introduce large areas of 20mph in Bristol as part of Cycling City. Initially there were a number of excluded streets which we campaigned strongly against and that campaigning has been rewarded - so thanks to all of you that supported the campaign.
Ultimately it's been Councillor Jon Rogers we must thank for successfully persuading officers to go beyond outmoded criteria into including speed reductions on roads where 20mph is most needed, and the officers themselves for taking this critical step which they found truly difficult to contemplate. I think we can also thank you Chris for helping keep 20mph in the forefront and everyone else who has been carrying the torch for 20mph which has given Jon the backing he needed.
We must keep on our toes during the formal Traffic Regulation Orders consultation stage.
The success with South and East pilots marks the beginning of the next phase towards getting all of Bristol "Total Twenty". The e-petition on the Council website asking for 20mph in all of Bristol now has 448 signatures, the most of all current petitions, but 448 is still a small number compared with the number of people who will stand to benefit, and nowhere near the 10,000 who opposed the buses on the railway path. I hope this success will motivate people to press for their area to be the next to have 20mph . The petition runs until April 2010 and please can you all do what you can to get more people to sign up in areas outside the current pilots.
The Council press release says "What we have now are real areas where 20 is plenty and we will look at more” - so let's apply our minds to our choices for the next pilot areas.
Twenty is plenty in Bristol’s first proposed low-speed areas
Bristol’s first 20mph areas are proposed for Inner East and Inner South Bristol.
Residents have indicated local roads where they feel 20 is plenty. We have listened.
Now almost all streets are proposed for 20mph maximum speeds with only main arterial routes exempt. The areas will now be subject to formal consultation as part of new Traffic Regulation Orders.
Councillor Jon Rogers, Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability, said: “Our initial consultation to test opinion was very informal, but of the 310 residents, businesses and organisations who responded only four objected.
“Most comments focussed on the fact that not enough roads were included in our original proposals. Many people wrote to say why not the WHOLE of Bristol. So we have re-evaluated the proposal. What we have now are real areas where 20 is plenty and we will look at more.”
The following main arterial roads will not be included in the Inner East 20mph pilot: Newfoundland Street; Newfoundland Way; M32; Easton Way; Lawrence Hill Roundabout; Lawrence Hill; Church Road (western end between Lawrence Hill Roundabout and Cowper Street); Barrow Road; Old Market; West Street; Clarence Road; Lawford Street/Lamb Street/Lawfords Gate/Trinity Road
The following main arterial roads will not be included in the Inner South 20mph pilot:A370 Clarence Road and York Road (part of each runs through proposed 20mph area)

 Discussion Group

We have an online discussion group where all the latest issues are flaged up and discussed (often at great length!).
If you want to help improve cycling in Bristol then why not join in. You'll find us here.

(added 10/11/09)

See the diary of rides and meetings

Please check back on the website Diary page before rides and events to see if there have been any last minute changes.

We believe that the best way to improve conditions for cycling in Bristol is to get more people cycling and a good way to do that is to get them out on rides. If the rides are well supported then newcomers will enjoy themselves more and more people will be encouraged to join the rides, join the campaign and increase the number of people cycling in Bristol.

Please would all campaign members living in the Bristol area try and make the effort to come along to some of these rides/ events and contribute to improving cycling in Bristol – half a day of your time could make all the difference to getting someone else cycling and make your everyday cycling that little bit more enjoyable. Bring some new or lax cyclists along with you.

Ride helpers would also be much appreciated – as would additional members – if you live in the Bristol area and are not a member of the Bristol Cycling Campaign please consider joining us.

 THURS 4 FEB Annual General Meeting 7:30PM for 8:00 at The Cornubia

The Annual General Meeting of Bristol Cycling Campaign is on 4 Feb . This includes election of the committee. Any member who'd like to join the committee will need to be proposed and seconded at the meeting; if you'd like to know more do give Steve Kinsella our Chairman a ring on 01934 838624 or talk to any other current committee member. We can have up to 14 elected committee members plus co-opted members so if you'd like to take an active role please don't hold back. It will help if you tell Martin McDonnell secretary@bristolcyclingcampaign.org.uk before the AGM.

After the formal meeting and annual reports there will be a FILM "The Bicycle" : a 30 min history of the last 100 years of bicycle design, by BBC4.

Follow the links for the Agenda for tonight's AGM and the minutes of the General Meeting on 5 Feb 2009 and the EGM on 5 Nov 2009.

Sorry - members only tonight as it's an AGM.

(added 28/01/10 - update 4/2/10)

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 Press Release

Recent Press Releases can be found on the News page.

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 Website Re-construction

Our website is currently being re-constructed - please bear with us in the meantime. If you are able to help please contact website@bristolcyclingcampaign.org.uk

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 Cycling - the transport choice for Bristol

The life-blood of a city is its people. Fine architecture and green spaces count for nothing without people in the picture. We want Bristol to be the city that puts people first.

That means tackling Bristol's biggest environmental problem - the proliferation of private motor vehicles. It is not possible for large numbers of cars and people to share the same place. If our streets are places for driving and parking, no-one will want to be there. Shopping is a miserable experience if you have to dash across the road dodging the cars. No-one wants to walk or cycle if they fear for their safety.

Bristol is a big busy place. People need to travel, but most people can move easily and efficiently under their own power. Walking and cycling are cheap, quick, quiet, and clean. People-power: you go where you like, when you like, for as long as you like. Facilitate walking and cycling and you give virtually everyone the freedom of the city.

Bristol has sometimes shown what can be done. Look at College Green and the Bristol-Bath Railway Path. The challenge is to extend spaces like these, to create a safe, attractive city. A city fit for people.

The way forward

Everyone who walks or cycles is doing the city an enormous favour. Every cyclist is one less car, one less parking space, less noise, a few less lungs full of fumes. Bicycles are good for Bristol: they must be the central part of an integrated transport strategy.

Join us and help make this happen

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Cycle city suggestions

Is there are particular junction that needs improving, a great spot that needs cycle stands, a cycle farcility that needs removing, or is there something you really like and want to see more of? Let the Council know via the http://www.bristolstreets.co.uk website (Warning: needs broadband).

View our gallery of cycle "farcilities"

We are collecting examples of poorly designed cycle facilities.

The BCC card

Print and cut out to spread the word with these membership promotion cards

Our vision for a cycle-friendly Bristol is now available for download. 

Earlier news items...

Campaigning

As well as having fun on bikes, BCC members are involved in campaigning to improve accessibility and safety for cyclists.

Previous campaigns