Kidical success – biggest ride yet!

Well over 150 participants, including many children, defied overcast skies to join in our annual Kidical Mass ride. There were also lots of youngsters (and at least one dog) in trailers. The mass ride agitates for safe cycle provision, particularly for children and other vulnerable users. Cyclists on a huge variety of bikes made their way from the Hungate Reading Cafe past the minster, to finish up at Millennium Bridge. And nary a drop of rain! The recruitment team gave out YCC leaflets and stickers, with some people signing up on the spot.We’d love new volunteers to help make next year’s Kidical Mass even bigger and better. We’d like it to be extra family-friendly and widen representation on the ride, for instance by approaching schools and family-orientated community groups. Get in touch if this interests you.

Free talk: Cycling and your health

Is cycling good for your health? (free YCC event). Monday 9 October 7-9pm at Cycle Heaven (refreshments available). Rumina Onac (GP and keen cyclist) will talk about the health benefits of cycling and prescribing ‘active travel’ to patients and Clare Nattress (artist and researcher) will discuss her citizen scientist project on air quality and cycling in York. Come to their talks and catch up with the Campaign and fellow members. Find out more and book your place via Eventbrite. (Postponed from September)

In the thick of it

YCC member Andy D’Agorne was so fed up with waiting for Council contractors to clear encroaching brambles on Walmgate Stray’s busy cycle path that he took matters into his own hands and, armed with his shears, cleared a section back. You can see what a difference he made – thank you Andy!

Aware of a problem on your local cycle route? You can notify the Council of cycle path issues via this form. But if it’s a minor issue (e.g. a stray branch or bramble) and it’s safe to do so, why not take action yourself and share your before and after photos with us on Facebook.

A bridge not far enough?

Last month we asked you for your experiences of the new cycle markings that have appeared on the city centre bridges this year to encourage greater sharing of the road space, so that we could respond to a council request for feedback. We had a great response in numbers, even if your response to the changes was generally ‘meh’. You can see the full summary of responses and the suggestions for improvements on our website.

Survey: older people in York

York City Council is part of the Age Friendly Network and is running a survey with a strand on “getting out and about”. You can write your answers in your own words so lots of opportunity to mention cycling.

Pro-car policies

Want to speak up for active travel and against the current wave of pro-car polemic? There is plenty of helpful information with supportive stats, including a report on the economic benefits of walking and cycling from Transport for London, Sustrans walking and cycling index and the Cycling UK website. You could also look at the York City Centre Active Travel Access study commissioned by the council and the Campaign’s own manifesto, 42 Ways to transform York.

Road Justice parliamentary report

Ironically, September saw the publication of the Road Justice report from the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking. This follows up on an initial report in 2017. It makes ten recommendations to ensure walkers, wheelers and cyclists feel safe in a transport culture currently dominated by the car. Road justice, the report declares, is where people are treated equally whatever their mode of transport – or even given extra protection if they are more vulnerable road users.

Get ready to have your sayCouncil Transport Strategy

The Council Transport Strategy consultation will be launched on 12th October. This will give all members the chance to lobby councillors for improvements in their local area. More details in November’s newsletter.

Does this idea float?

Floating bus stops (also known as “bus stop bypasses”) are where a cycle lane runs between the bus stop and the pavement. These can massively improve cyclists’ safety by ensuring they are not forced out into traffic at bus stops, but have been criticised as problematic for pedestrians with visual impairments. The YCC Committee feel that – if well-designed and well-placed – the benefits definitely outweigh any potential risks.We know of a few examples already in York that have been there for years, and are keen to collate as many of them as we can. If you can think of any around the city, or have any personal input on the use of the bypasses you’d like to share please email yorkcycle.policy@gmail.com.

Save the date: KidiXmas

Plans are underway for a short seasonal family-friendly ride (complete with Christmas music!) on Sunday 3rd December. Start planning your bike decorations now!

Bubbling under:

Look out for notification of the upcoming AGM and also a planned meeting with Cllr Pete Kilbane, the Executive Member for Transport.

Social ride…

One of our members is keen to set up regular Saturday morning rides from New Earswick Folk Hall. These would be gentle rides of 10-15 miles. If you’re interested in assisting with these, please get in touch with Gerri.

…and cafe reviews sought

It isn’t compulsory, but a decent cafe is often the icing on the cake of a successful cycle ride. We’ve just started publishing members’ reviews, starting with The Grange, and we’re on the look-out for more. Send us your contributions!

Zoom in to active travel

After its summer break, the Active Travel Cafe is meeting again, online at 5pm on Tuesdays. Sign up to get the Zoom link, and you can also see upcoming speakers on its website – and catch up with previous sessions on YouTube.