Newsletter - Cycling News | March

Sent: Fri, Mar 28th 2008, 07:29

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Welcome to the March edition of the electronic newsletter from Life Cycle UK, the cycle promotion charity.  In this issue….


Bike recycling is go!
Bike Guru gets results
Bristol & Bath railway path – latest news
A Kiwi writes…
London prepares for a “cycling transformation”
Meet the team
Two’s Company – riders needed
Doctor Bike – booking now!
Bristol – premier cycling city?




Bike recycling is go!

Life Cycle UK is about to launch a bicycle recycling project.  Unwanted bikes will be rescued, lovingly restored and then passed on to people in need including refugees, low income families, people with mental health issues, young jobseekers and single parents.  We’re in the process of setting up a bike workshop in Bristol’s Knowle West and we’re pleased to welcome Josh Katz to our team to run this exciting project.

As well as renovating whole bikes we’re planning – eventually – to recycle bits of bikes, transforming them into useful objects.  We’ve been inspired by a group in the USA who make funky bottle openers, clocks, bowls and picture frames out of old bike chain. Take a look at their website.   And in style-conscious Scandinavia there’s a company that turns unwanted bicycle wheels into these gorgeous chairs.

So, if you have an unwanted bike gathering dust somewhere please let Life Cycle have it!  It must be in reasonable condition (we can’t repair complete wrecks or rust buckets.)  Take it to Bristol’s CREATE Centre, wheel it into reception and say that it’s for recycling. The CREATE Centre opens 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.  For a map and directions click here. 
 

Bike Guru gets results

Throughout the autumn and winter months Life Cycle’s Bike Gurus have been stopping cyclists, offering them a free fluorescent tabard and fitting their bikes with free lights front and rear. The Gurus also give general cycling advice and carry out a free cycle safety check. The project aims to improve cyclists’ safety by ensuring that their bikes are roadworthy and that they are visible to other road users.

The Bike Guru’s have been appearing at locations across Bristol where there are high levels of cycling including colleges, community centres, cycle paths, and roadsides.  To date the Bike Gurus have talked to 910 people, checked 771 bicycles, given away 783 pairs of lights and 726 high-visibility tabards.

Kai Paulden, head of fluorescence at Life Cycle commented: “The Gurus have been tremendously well-received. People are both surprised at our approach and appreciative of the practical help and the free equipment that we offer.”

The Bike Gurus will be making their final appearances over the next few weeks – possibly on a street near you. The project is a partnership between Life Cycle UK and Bristol City Council, supported by the Department for Transport.


Bristol & Bath railway path – latest news

Plans to turn the Bristol & Bath railway path into a busway rumble on, although the West of England Partnership, the shadowy consortium of local councils that dreamt up the idea, is said to be “disconcerted” by the level of opposition from local people.

To recap, their plan is to build a guided busway along the railway path.  Walkers and cyclists will be given a strip of space alongside. Many of the trees, the little patches of grassland, the children’s play spaces, the benches and drinking fountains and most of the wildlife will disappear under concrete. 

If you don’t like the sound of any of that you might want to sign the rapidly growing e-petition by clicking here.  You don’t have to be a Bristol resident. If you feel like writing a letter or sending a postcard, Bristol Cycling Campaign has put together some ready-made resources which you can access by clicking this link. 

And to get a flavour of what’s at risk, take a look at this little movie.  The whole 15-mile route in just 4 minutes! 


A Kiwi writes…

Here at Life Cycle we’re receiving lots of e-mails about the railway path, including this heartfelt comment from a couple of New Zealanders who have first-hand experience of a guided busway…

Dear Life Cycle

We are New Zealanders and come to Britain for some months at a time. We read with horror about the proposed destruction of the Bristol to Bath cycle track. This is possibly the best cycleway we have found in England. Not only is it wooded and lovely for cycling it also provides a quiet walking and play space.

There is indeed a busway in Adelaide, South Australia, where a concrete-railed busway runs through a park. It is OK there because it is screened and fenced from the public and so does not dominate the park. If a similar busway was constructed on the Bristol-Bath path then it would be ruined for cyclists and for people wanting a green space to relax in. The loss of the cycle track would be tragic both for today’s users and for future generations.

Sincerely -- Ben & Jane Norris. N.Z.


London prepares for a “cycling transformation”

Mayor Ken Livingstone recently unveiled the most ambitious programme in London’s history to transform walking and cycling. The package of measures, to cost a estimated £500-million, will create a new network of quick, simple, and safe routes for cyclists and pedestrians that will change “the profile and priority of walking and cycling” on the capital’s streets.

The aim is to achieve one trip in ten being made by bike. The trips collectively would save some 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 every year. The plan includes:

1)    Setting up a free bike scheme similar to the amazing Velib programme in Paris.  6,000 bikes will be available for tourists to use for sightseeing as well as by Londoners for commuting and utility trips.

2)    Creating a dozen radial cycling corridors for commuters to make it easier to cycle into central London. These will be high quality cycle routes – safe, inviting and easy to use.

3)    Establishing a series of special bike zones that will connect popular destinations with the city’s parks and waterways. Streets in the bike zones will have 20mph speed limits and bikes will have priority.

According to Ken:  "We want nothing short of a cycling transformation in London. We are announcing the biggest investment in cycling in the capital’s history, which will mean that thousands more Londoners can cycle in confidence, on routes that take them quickly and safely to where they want to go."

If you'd like to see how London is currently promoting cycling, check out this magical TV ad by clicking here. 


Meet the team

Life Cycle UK’s mission is to help more people take up cycling and we do this through a range of practical services such as cycle training, teaching bike maintenance, providing maps and information, and installing cycle parking.  We also run various special projects such as tandem rides for blind and visually impaired people, and bike activities for disadvantaged youngsters.

Every month we introduce you to one of our lovely team members…

Name:  Dan Bool

Tell us a little about yourself and what you do: 
I studied illustration and animation at college, but I’ve always been into bikes and cycling.  It was a hobby that became a career. I started working as a bike mechanic about two years ago.  I’ve worked for Life Cycle for about a year doing Doctor Bike surgeries and running bike maintenance workshops.   I opened a bike shop in Fishponds (Bool’s Bicycles 0117 939 2746) in November of last year.

Best thing about working for Life Cycle:
I think it’s a very positive organisation helping cyclists in Bristol at a grass-roots level. It’s good to know that the work directly benefits people who want to get the most out of cycling. 

Do you do much cycling?
Not as much as I’d like to.  Having said that I don’t drive, so l cycle every day.  I got into cycling through touring, I love the feeling of freedom when it’s just your bike and a tent – it’s the best way to travel and discover places.

What bikes(s) do you own?
At the moment a Specialized Langster, a Dawes Horizon and a 1960’s fixed-gear road bike (maker unknown) that I’ve just rebuilt.

Favourite cycle journey?
Probably when I cycled down the west coast of France through the Pyrenees and into Spain.  The landscape was breathtaking.  On a more everyday level, the section on the Bristol-Bath railway path just after Bitton Station, where the countryside suddenly opens up.

Dan’s top cycling tips:

1.  Look after your bike and it will look after you!
2.  If you’re buying a bike, consider your needs and the type of cycling you do.  Also spend as much as you can afford: it will pay dividends in the long run.
3.  Don’t limit yourself to just one type of cycling. Try track racing at the Newport Velodrome.  An introductory session with a professional coach is inexpensive and lots of fun. And try mountain biking. Bristol has some great off-road tracks such as Leigh Woods and the Timberland Trail in Ashton Court. Give ‘em a go!

Two’s Company – riders needed

Two’s Company is the name of Life Cycle's programme of tandem cycle rides in and around Bristol for people who are blind or visually impaired. We’re putting together our programme of rides for 2008 and we need a few female cyclists to volunteer as front-riders.  You need to be an experienced cyclist and to have a friendly, outgoing personality.  We will provide the tandems and visual awareness training.

We’re also keen to involve more blind or partially sighed cyclists as back riders.  If you, or a friend or work colleague are visually impaired please get in touch. Our rides are suitable for all ages and all abilities.  If you're interested please contact Poppy on 0117 929 0440 or e-mail poppy@lifecycleuk.org.uk 


Doctor Bike – booking now!

Last year more than 60 different organisations asked Life Cycle to run a Doctor Bike surgery resulting in hundreds of people having their bicycles checked, minor faults fixed and the bikes made safe and roadworthy. We also give out loads of impartial advice about cycle maintenance and freebies such as cycle maps.

Would you like us to come along to your workplace, school, college or community event ? If so please book early! The winter months are relatively quiet times, but come the spring and summer everyone wants a visit from Doctor Bike and our mechanics get booked up.

We are already taking bookings for this year’s Bike Week (14th to 22nd June).  There’s more information and a downloadable booking pack on our website, click here.  


Bristol –  England’s premier cycling city?

The Government has announced that £47-million of funding is available to create 10 cycling towns and one cycling demonstration city. 

These are meant to be beacons of excellence, places that understand the potential of cycling and that have a real commitment to increasing levels of cycle use.  The towns have to bid for the funding and put forward a masterplan for getting more people onto two wheels and for making the cycling experience easier and more pleasant.

Bristol has applied for cycling city status and we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the council's bid is successful.  Read more here.  

Sent

Fri, Mar 28th 2008, 07:29