Cover photo: Riders on our Kidical Mass from Acomb. Credit: Rose B

Kidical Mass ride success

Our latest family-friendly ride on April 21st from Acomb to Millennium Bridge via Hob Moor attracted 80 participants and was one of 28 such rides around the country that weekend. Thanks to the excellent marshals who helped us get safely through barriers and across the busy junctions.

There were 400 in Brighton, 200 in Bristol and N Tyneside, 150 in Newcastle and similar numbers to us in Nottingham, Leicester and Derby. The next one is due to be on Sept 22nd – we need an organizing team for this – It is an opportunity for us to get more engagement with schools, but the contacts need to be made now before summer holidays. Feedback from young people on the ride was that the loved the music, and riding together in a group with their friends (a responsible adult must also be on the ride) If you have school age children, could they help to recruit friends to come on the ride in September? Get in touch with Andy or Joe via yorkcyclecampaign@gmail.com 

Local cycling figures fall again…

York Council figures show that cycling rates in the city have failed to recover to anything like pre-Covid figures, and indeed dipped slightly in 2023 compared with 2022. However, at 32,000 journeys they are still above the low reached in 2021. The peak was 49,000 in 2014 and it seems unlikely that all the drop-off is due to people working at home rather than commuting by bike. It underlines the need for concerted action on cycle infrastructure and safety to encourage more people into the saddle and out of traffic as noted in the photo. Otherwise the Council stands no chance of reaching its goal of 50% of journeys in the city being on foot, by bike or public transport. Please contact your ward reps or the ward rep team to help us to plan local campaigns.

…reflecting the national picture

Sport England has released its latest Active Lives Adult data, which shows that the long-term trend to greater activity continues. However, the inequalities also continue, with women, those from lower socio-economic groups and Black and Asian people less likely to be active than others. Unfortunately, cycling rates are dropping again after a pandemic-fuelled blip in the long-term decline. There are 1.1% fewer cyclists now than six years ago (Nov 16-17).

Have your say… on taxi policy

The Council is consulting on its Draft Taxi Licensing Policy. Some Cycle Campaign members may want to respond to the consultation, which is open until Sunday 14 July 2024. Others may simply be interested in learning differences between the two types of service (private hire and hackney carriage) most of us lump together as ‘taxis’, and what checks there are on drivers and their vehicles.

Campaign Ward Reps Update

The Ward Reps have been on a mission to find out the cycling needs in your area. One or two of them have been pounding the pavements recently asking residents what issues concern them the most. You won’t be shocked to hear the results, yes, you guessed correctly, safety and security. To tackle security, we have partnered up with the British Transport Police and have been holding bike markings monthly at York station. We have also started tackling dangerous potholes and have been working with the City of York Council to fix those deemed to be labeled an emergency (the council’s wording for holes @ a minimum of 4 cm in height). Yes, there are so many potholes around York, so we are slowly tackling the worst roads first.

There are YCC Ward Reps in various areas around the city, but we need more. Currently we have some reps for Bishopthorpe, Acomb, Holgate, Fishergate/ Fulford and South Bank. 

If you want to take action at a personal level, we’ve updated our Get It Fixed page with the latest information on how to report issues with cycling around the city.

0 Star Rating for New Takeaway Plans

We have also been responding to local concerns, ranging from cycle and pedestrian access to the station to objecting to plans to open a big new McDonalds restaurant and take-away on Fulford Rd without adequate provision for safe cycle and pedestrian access. For details see www.planningaccess.york.gov.uk search for 24/00593/FUL

Finally, they have also been building relationships with schools to improve the ability for children to cycle to school in safety. If you want to find out more about bike buddies, ‘bike buses’ or if you would like to volunteer in your area, contact Andy D’Agorne andydag@talktalk.net.

Station cycling update

The Queen Street bridge is no more. Great smooth surface on the new temporary road, but bear in mind there are no cycle lanes on this stretch, and buses struggle to pass each other in opposite directions, its that tight. The Lowther Terrace pedestrian and cyclist entrance is still open (thanks to campaign pressure) and there are clear signs for the route to the new exit, with cautions for motorists that cyclists and pedestrians will be using the roadway. We are still in discussions with the council seeking to get a better long term design for cycle access into the station parking areas.

Anti-pothole placards

A one-woman placard campaign in Daventry, Northants has shamed the local council into taking action on potholes. The anonymous protestor has been dubbed Daventry Banksie – and although she hasn’t quite the artistic flair of the original, she’s certainly been effective. We have our very own pothole hero amongst our ranks. Andy Farndale, the YCC Ward Rep for Bishopthorpe has successfully convinced York City Council to fill a good number of potholes in the last three months. Recently invited by the council to have training on pothole policy, he is becoming known as the “York Pothole Expert’ and can be seen taking pictures across York, helping out other YCC Ward Reps. 

Dates for your diary

YCC is planning to have a presence at the following. Please let us know if you can help:

Free Security Marking at York Station

Wednesday 29th May – YCC railway recruitment stall/free security marking (4:30pm-6:30pm, short stay car park)

Thursday 20th July – YCC railway recruitment staff/free security marking (10am – 12pm, short stay car park)

These events help to tackle bike thefts but also give us the opportunity to engage with cyclists who might not yet be members! The busier it gets the more time we have to talk before they rush off to work or to get their tea.

Summer is finally here – Join us for monthly social rides

Friday 31st May, 6:30pm – Meet at York Minster

A group of us plan on holding a monthly social ride on the last Friday of each month, starting at 6:30pm and riding at a steady pace for 30 minutes before retiring to a pub or cafe. The meeting point will be at York Minster just outside the Visitor’s entrance (West end). The ride will finish at a local pub. Please come join us, for our first ride on the 31st of May, and there is no need to book, just turn up. The more the merrier!

York Pride, Knavesmire

Saturday 1st June – Knavesmire

Participation in the parade tbc, the recruitment team would welcome help, just giving out flyers to cyclists either at the start of the march or attending the Knavesmire event – get in touch with Andy D’Agorne for details.

Chasing the Sun

Saturday 8th June, 8pm – York Picturehouse

Screening of the cycle/cyclist-centric film Chasing the Sun, followed by a Q&A with the film’s director Michael B.Clifford and local guests tbc. City Screen York Picturehouse.

Festival of Cycling (formerly York Cycle Rally)

Friday 21st- Sunday 23rd June – Knavesmire

Security marking will be available throughout the festival. We need volunteers to help on Sat June 22nd at 9.30am and 3.30pm to set up and take down the gazebo. Watch out for more details of a campaign ride and check event details on www.yorkrally.org

York Environment Week(s)

Saturday 14th September – Saturday 12th October

Early notice: this year, York Environment Week(s) will actually be four weeks of activities and events.

Kidical Mass Ride

Sunday 22nd September (tbc)

We really need a team to plan this from now! Get in touch if you can help to YorkCycleCampaign@gmail.com

Make us stronger! Please refer a friend or relative

There’s strength in numbers: the more members we have, the louder our voice. Our membership is rising but every extra person counts: more members and more cyclists lead to less traffic, and a cleaner, greener, safer York. Please refer a friend or relative to YCC. Remember, we are the only campaign dedicated to improving York for cyclists and would-be cyclists.