YCC dates for your diary

Secure cycle parking Christmas special!

Hours of operation: Thurs 12th and Fri 13th 4pm -7pm; Sat 14th and Sun 15th 10am-5pm

York Minster refectory, 2 Deangate, YO1 7JA – free but donation to local homelessness charity (SASH) requested

There is a ride planned to advertise the whole activity on the first evening (Thurs 12th Dec) with photo opportunities starting at 6.30pm – please come along, decorated bikes encouraged! There will be entertainment from a singing group too.

Do come and support this initiative: if it’s successful we can press for a more permanent secure facility.

See under “Opportunities” for the help needed to staff the parking.

Cycling security and marking events

Wednesday 11 December, 4-6pm at York railway station

YCC recruitment and information stall with British Transport Police providing free security marking. If you can help, please let Leah know.

Monthly social ride

There may be a social ride between Christmas and New Year, we’ll let people know details nearer the time. Your chance to pedal off all that festive fare!

Recent events

Packed AGM

Adderstone Credit: Andy D’Agorne

The 2024 YCC AGM, held on 22 November, was packed with activity. After the formal AGM business, including the annual Chair’s Report from Robyn Jankel, members heard from Cllr Kate Ravilious, the Executive Member for Transport. Several members provided interesting stories from their experiences, and musical entertainment was provided by Adderstone. We’re very grateful for these generous contributions, as well as to everyone else who turned out on a particularly icy cold night.

Student stall

Credit: Andy D’Agorne

Members of the YCC recruitment team (Heather, Mia and Andy D’Agorne) supported a police and University of York safe cycling initiative in late November. Free lights, reflective ankle bands and hi vis were handed out to students. Mick the mechanic was also kept busy.

Media coverage

Credit: Andy Farndale

The Christmas parking initiative got coverage in YorkMix and BBC Look North interviewed YCC chair Robyn Jankel about the parking as part of a package that we hope will be broadcast early w/c 9 December.

News

North Street works – are they satisfactory?

Credit: Rebba

The works on North Street have been completed but we have reservations. For instance, the cycle lane is narrower than the LTN 1/20 standards and the lines parallel to the motor vehicle parking are too close – car doors open wider than that – and therefore give every road user a false sense of safety.

Safe cycling to school

/Image BeBright poster

Trainers from Bikeability and pedestrian training sessions have joined forces with the City of York and North Yorkshire Council and iTravel, to remind families of the importance of children wearing cycle helmets, bright clothing and putting on their bike lights. If you have contacts with a local secondary school and they are interested in the Active Travel Ambassador programme they can email Jason for more details. iTravelYork has cycling tips and other information.

Festive Bikeability competition: no physical activity required!

Bikeability is running a free competition with the chance of winning a child’s bike. Closing date: midnight on 22 December.

Winter cycling tips

Sustrans has published some helpful advice on cycling safely in winter. If you have other tips to share, let us know.

Making cycling an everyday activity

In countries like the Netherlands and Denmark, getting around by bike doesn’t raise an eyebrow. The mayor of Paris is trying to make this the case in her city as well. An article by the ETA (Environmental Transport Association) argues that the British need to switch from seeing bicycles as a sport and leisure luxury to a simple device for getting from A to B.

Opportunities

Help us provide secure cycle parking this Christmas

Credit: Andy D’Agorne

We have a great central York location (York Minster Refectory) to trial supervised cycle parking during the Christmas Market. However, we do still need a few of you to support us in supervising the area and registering users so we can email them for feedback and encourage non-members to join YCC. There will always be at least one other helper present. In case of bad weather, there is a covered area to shelter underneath. If you can help, send us your availability (day(s) + time(s) – max 2 hour shifts) and your mobile contact number so we can create a rota for the weekend. Volunteers needed for Sat 14th and Sun 15th 10am-5pm

There is also a ride to advertise the whole activity on the first evening (Thurs 12th December) starting with a photo opportunity at 6.30pm (see Diary section) – please come and support this, with festive decoration if possible!

York International Women’s Week 2025

If you have any ideas for a YCC event for International Women’s Week let us know. This year’s theme is “Looking Forward, Moving Forward”. The event runs from 3rd-8th March 2025 and closing date for submissions is 8th January.