The Safe Cycling petition has its three year anniversary on 2 June 2013. Whilst we now have warm words, a super Cycle Plan and a Cycle City Ambition bid document good enough to be adopted as Newcastle's works programme - we aren't impressed with physical progress; and roadspace has yet to be fairly apportioned to cycling.
We remain concerned about Newcastle City Council's plans for Gosforth. As there are various outstanding questions http://newcycling.org/news/20130301/gosforth-transport-corridor-proposals) - and we haven't heard from them for months. Yet the devil is undoubtedly in the detail. In order to inspire - maybe it's inspiration that's needed - we've put together some roadscapes. Council, are you listening?
Here’s a picture of improvements in Dublin I spotted on a working trip. The usual white line has been replaced by a kerb & the cycle track is 2 way. This is alongside the Grand Canal (Herbert Place), great place, if only the weather were warmer... I always feel that Dublin is a similar size to Newcastle/Gateshead. Although with all the extra facilities of a capital; they do things so much better. I don't think they had cycle provision 20 years ago.
With the grandparents still bonkers enough to offer to look after our kids we decided on Berlin for a city break. It didn't even occur to me we would cycle much there, or that it would be a good place for it. I'd imagined we'd buy a travel pass or whatever. It dawned on me as we took the train from the airport that it looked extremely flat and as we planned to eat well we'd better burn it off as we went.
Earlier this year, we sent our views to the Cross-party Parliamentary inquiry about cycling , triggered by the Times City Fit for Cycling campaign. Well, the summary report is out ! The recommendations are spot on so please show your support by adding your name to the petition asking for prompt implementation:
Today we sent our support to Newcastle City Council vying for £5.6m for the City with seven other Core Cities. By doing so we have joined a host of illustrious supporters ranging from politicians, businesses to groups and organisations. The bid would financially cover the first two years of Newcastle's 10-year Cycle Plan. The money would be welcome to realise Newcastle's bold ambition to make our City Fit for Cycling and it would mean that £10 per person could be spent on cycling infrastructure - which is in line with expenditure of European cycling 'starter countries'.
We are part of the Acorn Road planning group. So here's an update from Jesmond where views and ideas have been exchanged and a plan starts to take form:
Since June 2012, a community group constituted of local residents, campaigning groups, traders and local City Councillors has been meeting to look at ways of improving Acorn Road which is the hub of Jesmond’s social and economic life both as a shopping street and a place to meet.
Newcastle does not appear to have the same openness and clarity of mind that Birmingham has recently demonstrated. At the city's peril, Newcastle risks to hold back progress for safer cycling and walking. Our city has of course its 10-year cycle strategy. But just how the ambitious target of 20% of all short journeys to be done by bike by 2022 (a tenfold increase on current levels) is to materialise, is a question to be asked especially in the light of council's approach to Fenham Hall Drive.
Over the last few months we asked our members to take part in a survey to find out what they thought about the different ways in which we communicate with them. We have now counted up the responses and the results are in...
The Cycle Hub was packed on Tuesday 19 March 2013 to 'talk cycling' at our AGM. We had a lively debate on membership, cycling infrastructure design, and the campaign priorities – oh and we formed our new management committee. While Claire Prospert, Katja Leyendecker and Scott Dawson signed up for another year, three new people also joined the committee: Dorothy Craw, Roderick Joyce and Shannon Robalino.
