Several chances in this newsletter to get involved, from joining on social ride on Monday 4th June, to commenting on draft documents (our cycling charter and the Council’s 10-year strategies), to helping us organise a possible protest about the Council failing to deliver on its active travel schemes. Celebrate as our chair Robyn reaches her Budapest destination after many weeks cycling along the Danube, and join us waving off a group heading to Münster to learn more about how they do cycling there. Maybe other people’s adventures will inspire you to have your own – we’re always keen to hear about them.
(In)Active travel schemes review
A review of the active travel schemes is due to be presented at the next meeting of the Executive Member for Transport on Tuesday 19th July. Sadly we anticipate a report with more excuses and delays, and if that is the case we think a cycle protest is warranted. Please get in touch with us if you might be able to help us organise a protest (by offering to be a steward, helping us plan a route etc) – yorkcyclecampaign@gmail.com
Piccadilly proposals
In collaboration with the Civic Trust we are in the process of drawing up our own design for this road – demonstrating that it is possible to create a route that prioritises safe movement of pedestrians, disabled people and cyclists, whilst still allowing for buses and necessary vehicles.
City centre cycle parking
Steve from IndieGO cycling met with council officers to discuss plans for city centre cycle parking. He reports back that the council have £150,000 to spend on new cycle parking in the city centre. They want to prioritise cycle parking for disabled people and non-standard cycles and are looking into three different types of cycle rack. The council are also keen on installing some secure cycle lockers. We are less enthusiastic about this solution and would prefer a secure cycle hub, which could also serve as a mobility hub, hiring out pushchairs, wheelchairs, mobility scooters etc. Steve, along with campaign member Rebecca, will continue engaging with the council and we’ll update you again once the plans progress.
Reverse the ban
We’re supporting the ‘Reverse the Ban’ campaign, to reinstate access to the city centre for Blue Badge holders. We have a bundle of postcards for people to sign to show their support and we’ll bring them along to forthcoming events and recruitment stalls.
Police reminded to “think bike”
The Campaign has been in touch with North Yorkshire Police to ask them to think about the safety of cyclists, and preserving safe cycling areas, when they pull up motorists on busy roads, as reported by York Mix.
Taddy Road consultation: latest
We’ve responded and we’ve been critical about the way in which the consultation and design process has been handled. We plan to escalate our concerns to Active Travel England, and to share our consultation responses with them.
Ordnance Lane/Hospital Fields Road development
Rob Ainsley spoke on behalf of the campaign at the planning meeting and made a strong case for supporting this low-car and sustainable housing development. We are delighted that the planning committee approved the plans.
Have your say:
… on cycling in York
We’re still looking for your comments on our draft charter for cycling in York – what we think cycling can do for the city and what we’d like the city to do for us cyclists. We’re keen to hear your views on the draft: please respond on this Google form. It’s particularly critical to demonstrate the level of support for cycling in York in the run up to the 2023 local elections.
… on York City Council’s 10-year strategies
The Council is inviting comments on its draft 10-year strategies for climate change (see particularly pp20/21), Health and Wellbeing, and the economy (see p9 for mention of active travel).
Dates for your diary:
Terry Avenue planned re-opening: Monday 11th July
Subject to sign-off by the Council, Terry Avenue is due to finally re-open on or before 11th July. But watch out for Environment Agency demobilisation traffic during July and August on Butcher Terrace and surrounds. After that we will hopefully have the entire area returned to its peaceful original state…
Kidical Mass Ride: Sunday 25th September
Following the success of last year’s wonderful Kidical Mass ride we’re organising an even bigger and better Kidical Mass ride as part of York Environment Week 2022. The ride will finish at St Nick’s Autumn Fair. There is still lots of planning to be done so if you are able to lend us a hand (to plan the route, be a steward, produce publicity etc) then please do get in touch (yorkcyclecampaign@gmail.com).
Brian Deegan talk: TBC
The Campaign is currently liaising with Active Travel to organise a talk from Brian Deegan, recently appointed to the organisation as Director of Inspections. Brian has previously developed and delivered street designs for improving active travel in Greater Manchester and London.
Robyn returns triumphant!
She left these shore on 4th April and now she’s back, having reached her destination – after 1300km cycling along the Danube – on 10th June. Read a blog about Robyn’s travels based on her social media posts, or enjoy the unexpurgated versions on Twitter (@RobynJankel) and Instagram (@robynjankel and @ThatFloweryBike).
More European frolics
And as Robyn returns, a group of four (organised by York-Münster Twinning Association) are cycling to our German twin city Münster, to be joined by six others travelling by train. The cyclists were seen off on 30 June by Councillor Andy D’Agorne. We’ll be sharing updates from Chris Copland on our website, and looking out for inspiring cycling ideas as they cross Europe to one of Germany’s best cycling cities.
And in other news this month…
Members have provided feedback to Greg Morgan (CoYC’s active travel officer) on the new cycle lanes on Main Street, Fulford, including their struggles to re-join the traffic when the new lanes come to an abrupt end.
The Campaign also did some social media awareness for Bike Week (6th – 12th June), collaborating with Pryers solicitors.
York Cycle Campaign 