York must do better: despite the funding it has received over recent years, Active Travel England has placed it in the second bottom of five levels for its performance on active travel. In such a context, the work of the Cycle Campaign becomes even more important and a recent surge in membership gives us something to smile about. Please consider joining the Council’s forthcoming webinars about the Local Transport Strategy and get the voice of the cyclist heard (details below).
Local Transport Strategy leaves a lot to be desired
Andy Shrimpton spoke on behalf of the campaign at the Executive meeting, about York’s draft Local Transport Strategy. His statement welcomed the vision but criticised the lack of a comprehensive and ambitious plan to achieve change.
Local Transport Strategy consultation
The Council is launching a discussion with York residents about the transport plans and how to achieve carbon neutral status by 2030. As a start, during March they are holding four free webinars to consider different aspects of the strategy. These online events include:
Thursday 9 March, 12.00pm to 1.00pm – How can we improve our walk, cycle and bus networks?
Monday 13 March, 12.00pm to 1.00pm – How can we encourage more people to travel without using a car?
Viewers can ask their questions for the panel live in the comments section on the livestream, or submit them in advance by email to YourQuestions@york.gov.uk. Please sign up and ask questions!
York demoted after marking its own homework
The Council’s self-assessment put the city in the second best of five levels for its performance on Active Travel, only to be subsequently demoted to the second bottom level by Active Travel England. As covered by articles (and a letter) in The Press, York Mix and elsewhere, the Campaign outlined how this threatened York’s active travel future.
York Cycle Campaign enjoys growth spurt
We’re delighted to report that York Cycle Campaign is gathering members fast, prompted by circulation of the new manifesto. We now have 288 members. Welcome to all those of you who’ve joined recently and don’t forget to keep spreading the word. The more members we have the stronger our voice and the more we can achieve.
Bye-bye barriers?
Jamie Wood attended the first meeting of stakeholders and council officers related to the York Access Control Barrier review, and reported back on the mood in the room.
Luxury York hotel offers complimentary cycles
The Grand hotel has a new twist to offer guests: three bicycles that can be hired for free to explore less-visited areas of the city and its environs. And, as Rebecca found out, this might just be the beginning of their cycling initiatives.
Roadworks: Bishopgate/Skeldergate
Road closures and diversions are expected between 9am-4pm from Monday 13th March to Friday 24th March (Sunday excluded) during refurbishment of the pedestrian crossing of Bishopgate Street near Skeldergate. There are diversions in place for traffic joining/leaving Skeldergate, however the council have confirmed to the Campaign that cyclists will have a separate more direct diversion via Clementhorpe.
Cycling@Tea-time: focus on disabled cyclists
On 7th March, Cycling@Tea-time will be running a free online discussion with two experts (Ellis Palmer Babe and Harrie Larrington-Spencer) on various aspects of cycling, disability, and the barriers faced by disabled cyclists.
Chance to enjoy a bicycle made for two
York Tandem Club enables people with disabilities to get out on tandem rides (with pub stop!) on Tuesday evenings from April to October. They have several enthusiastic “stokers” but are in need of more volunteer pilots. You don’t have to commit every week and training is provided. See poster for contact details.
Meetings in February…
- Jamie Wood has taken part in a Sustrans study, helping them to develop their Accessible Cycling Audit Tool. This will be used by Sunstrans to assess how cycle infrastructure is designed and evaluated in future.
- Joined forces with the Civic Trust to produce a story for the York Press on the failings of the draft Local Transport Strategy.
…and on the cards for March
- Going to the next meeting to discuss which of York’s 800+ barriers should be prioritised for removal.
- Joining the inaugural meeting of City of York Council’s newly formed Disability Inclusion Access Group.
- Meeting Julian Ridge (Strategic Transport Planning for York, and lead author of York’s draft Local Transport Strategy) to discuss the concerns we raised at the Executive meeting (see first newsletter item).
York Cycle Campaign 