March gave us heat waves and snow showers, so we wait with some trepidation to see what April throws at us. Will we be casting clouts or donning thermals? Let’s hope our Chair, Robyn, gets more cycling-friendly weather when she tackles her 900-mile journey along the Danube. Closer to home, read how you can influence the Council’s audit of barriers across the city. And we’d like your views on our draft charter for cycling in York.
Bash the barriers!
760 – yes 760 – “access control” barriers have now been identified in York. And having undertaken the massive task of logging them all, active travel officer Greg Morgan is asking for our help. The next step in the detailed audit will determine whether each one does restrict use, what the physical measurements involved actually are, and the particular form the barrier takes. Greg wants to prioritise barriers on key routes that need adapting or removing before the full review is completed. If tackling a particular barrier would make a big difference to you and others, please contact the relevant ward councillor and ask them to lobby Greg for its removal/alteration – and copy the cycle campaign in too!
We’ve also now uploaded the recording of our Five Cycle Wins For Your Ward presentation that campaign member Tim Pheby was kind enough to do for us. Its only 11 minutes long and could provide some inspiration of how you could get involved campaigning for local infrastructure in your ward.
In memoriam
Speaking of championing improved access, we were sad to hear the news that Heavy Metal Handcyclist had passed away. He deserves a large part of the credit for the removal of the Hob Moor Barriers, providing us with invaluable advice and support. A fundraiser has been set up in his memory, with proceeds going to three organisations advocating for disabled people’s rights and equitable access to transport (including cycling) that were close to Richard’s heart.
York charter for cycling
We’ve drawn up a draft charter for cycling in York. This is an idea we’ve borrowed from other cycling campaigns (for example Winchester). The idea of the charter is to summarise in simple terms what we think cycling can do for York and what we want to see delivered for cyclists (existing and new) in our city. We would make the charter publicly available and seek endorsements from both individuals and organisations, with the aim of demonstrating the level of support for cycling in York, which is particularly critical in the run up to local elections in 2023. We’d like all our members to read the draft and respond on this Google form.
Plans in the pipeline
Next big planning application on the horizon is the Castle Public Realm (search the Council Planning Portal for 22/00209/FULM). Deadline for comments is Wednesday 13th April. Our response can be found on our website.
Help us grow bigger!
We want to grow our membership so we’re going to go out and shout about how fantastic the cycle campaign is! We’ve booked a recruitment stall on Kings Square – Friday 29th April. We’d very much welcome help from any members: email Andy at yorkcycle.recruitment@gmail.com
Robyn rides the Danube
[Robyn pic from Kate]
Gute Reise and Jó utazásokat Robyn! York Cycle Campaign’s intrepid Chair – Robyn Jankel – is about to set off on a cycling adventure, covering 900 miles alongside the River Danube on her trusty Dutch cycle. Starting from Donaueschingen in Germany she will pedal through Austria and Slovakia, ultimately arriving in the Hungarian city of Budapest at some point in June. She’ll be posting news of the highs and lows of her journey on Twitter (@RobynJankel) and Instagram (@robynjankel) and sometimes her trusty steed – Grazel – will be posting their perspective too (@ThatFloweryBike)! Good luck Robyn – we wish you well.
Patience pays off
Whoop, whoop – Terry Avenue set to re-open again in May! The Environment Agency have confirmed that they anticipate finishing the Clementhorpe flood defences scheme soon, and that Terry Avenue will be fully open for pedestrians and cyclists again at some point in May. Fingers, toes etc crossed for no unexpected delays.
Caught on camera
Is it worth sending videos of driving offences that adversely affect cyclists to the police?
Read how a Freedom of Information request by committee member Nathan shows that persistence pays off.
Do you use a handlebar/helmet camera too? Let us know what you use and how you rate it (and how much it cost you) and we’ll share recommendations in next month’s newsletter.
Station to hotel luggage transfer – by cargo trike
A new hotel on Bootham is using a cargo bike to help ferry visitors bags from the station, campaign member Rebecca caught up with them to see how it’s going.
Bike to Bishopthorpe for the next members’ social
Free in this Wednesday evening (6th April)? Join us for our members’ social event which was postponed from last week.
Come and find out what’s happening in the cycle campaign just now, and share your ideas and frustrations! We will be cycling to Bishopthorpe (approx 4 miles). Meet outside Cycle Heaven (Hospital Fields Road) at 6:30pm and cycle with us down the Solar System trail, or join us at The Marcia in Bishopthorpe from around 7pm. Bring bright bike lights for the return journey!
And in other news…
Other activity by the Campaign this month includes:
- Attending a stakeholder engagement session for the Feasibility Study for an Active Travel route between Elvington and Heslington – organised by Sustrans and City of York Council.
- Submitting a statement to the Executive member for Transport decision session raising our concern about the additional delay for the Acomb Road active travel scheme (which is now scheduled to have a preliminary design ready for October 2022), reminded the council that they should be considering access for disabled cyclists in their measures to improve city centre accessibility, and requested that the cycle campaign is included in stakeholder consultations about the contraflow cycle lane on Coppergate.
York Cycle Campaign 