Campaign News
Updates from our latest campaigning activities.
York Access Control Barrier Review
The city council has commissioned consultants Transport Initiatives to construct policy about access control barriers.. Campaign member Jamie attended the first stakeholder meeting and gives us his update.
Bootham Park
Planning has been approved for renovation of Bootham Park, including securing a 999 lease for walking and cycling routes through the site.
42 Ways to Transform York Launch
42 Ways to Transform York is about making cycling in York safe, convenient, and accessible for everyone. This is York Cycle Campaign’s manifesto for a better city.
No to Question 13?
Following a FOI request CoYC have released their answers to the ATE self assessment. Campaign member Jamie has looked over their response and given us his thoughts on one question in particular. Question 13…
FOI: York’s ATE Self Assessment
A FOI request means we now know how York answered the ATE self assessment form
Riverside Path Response
City of York Council are consulting on improvements for pedestrians and cyclists on the riverside path between Scarborough Rail Bridge and Jubilee Terrace.
Hospital Fields Road Consultation
The Campaign questions whether the proposals being put forward for Hospital Fields Road present best value for money for improving facilities for cycling within the city and increasing the modal share. We understand from the November executive meeting that £800,000 has been put towards the scheme, and is influenced by the route appearing in the council’s list of targeted routes. But we question whether the proposals will deal with the issues present on the stretch of road. Hospital Fields Road is a 20 mph road with limited levels of traffic not being a through-route. Reference to figure 4.1 of LTN…
2022 AGM Chair’s Report
Our Chair’s Report, giving a round up of 2022 achievements and looking forward to 2023.
Knavesmire Coach Park
Whilst visitors being brought to the York’s christmas markets by coach rather than numerous individual cars is a Christmas hit. The preferred parking spaces of those coaches along the Knavesmire is getting overplayed and tiresome.
A1237 Planning Response
Our response to the planning application for the York Outer Ring Road
What is Active Travel England (ATE)
And why is it good that it’s based in York? This week, the Transport Committee, a panel of cross-party MPs, met with CEO Danny Williams and National Commissioner Chris Boardman of Active Travel England to discuss the new government agency’s role and remit. The ATE is tasked with improving cycling and walking infrastructure, managing the active travel budget for England, and enabling half of journeys in towns and cities to be cycled or walked by 2030. Olympic cycling legend Chris Boardman set out the purpose of ATE at the start of the meeting with MPs from across the country, ‘The…
Justice for Leeman Road Community
Residents of Leeman Road are looking to raise legal action against the planning decision to close Leeman Road, here’s how you can help.
Inactivity on Active Travel
The projected emissions pathway in the draft climate change strategy (which doesn’t even get York near its commitment to be net zero by 2030) reports that York needs to see a 71% reduction in transport emissions by 2030, which will be achieved by a 25% decrease in the number of miles driven and a 33% increase in active travel. York Council has been awarded £1.2m in total via the last three Government Active Travel Fund bids, and yet the record of delivering these schemes is abysmal. Not one of the major cycle schemes has reached the consultation stage, let alone…
City of York Council: get your act together
We’re livid about City of York Council’s failure to deliver on its active travel schemes, and their current recommendation to scrap two vital schemes. We’ve put together an email asking City of York Council to ‘get their active travel act together’, and we’re asking you to Email York Council now – in one click and let them know that you want to see real progress on safe cycle routes for York. All you need to do is sign the email, and include your address (so that your MP knows you live in their constituency). Feel free to add a personal…
Active Travel Funding Threatened
Last week City of York Council was awarded £350,000 of active travel funding to carry out cycle parking improvements and create ‘people streets’ outside two schools. This small crumb from the £2 billion active travel funding pot confirms that York, along with Bournemouth and Worcestershire, has been placed firmly on the naughty step by the Department for Transport. The slap in the face reflects it’s failure to implement previous active travel schemes such as the segregated cycle route along Bootham and Shipton Road, and its refusal to follow Government guidelines on schemes such as Tadcaster Road and Piccadilly. Meanwhile, councils…
Piccadilly; Whats Going On?
York Cycle Campaign were one of several public speakers criticising the plans for Piccadilly at the Transport Executive Decision Session.
There’s Room On Piccadilly
Photo credit: Richard Lane The Campaign is speaking at an Executive Member for Transport Decision Session today (17th May 2022), at which proposals are being put forward for the redevelopment of Piccadilly as part of the Castle Gateway Masterplan. Whilst it’s great that this part of the city is getting some much needed attention the proposals being put forward don’t meet any of the national guidance for safe cycle infrastructure, a fact acknowledge in the proposals themselves! Following a well attended protest on Saturday, campaign member Jamie Wood is delivering our comments on the proposals, and how they could easily…
City High Streets Fit For The Rest Of 21st Century
Last month York Cycle Campaign and York High Street Forum invited veteran high street campaigner Bill Grimsey to the city.
Clifford’s Tower Planning Response
Planning was submitted in February for the latest section of the Castle Gateway masterplan, under the planning reference 22/00209/FULM. The proposals remove the car park at the base of Cliffords Tower replacing it with a multi-function landscaped area which extends to the Eye of York and along Tower Street in front of the Hilton hotel. Campaign members have assessed the proposals using the Cycling Level of Service tool provided in LTN 1/20 to form our response the application – which you can read in full below. 1. Summary This comment has been put together with the assistance of members of…
Barbican Road Consultation
The Campaign has consulted with it’s members on the Traffic Signal Asset Renewal (TSAR) proposals for the junction of Barbican Road and Paragon Street, as shown in drawing CYC_TST-YK2230-P-001 revision (P01), which was shared to the Campaign for consultation.
Roman Quarter Planning Response
In January developers re-submitted plans for a mixed-use development on Rougier Street, consisting of offices, a hotel, flats, and a new museum exhibiting the city’s Roman heritage – earning the development the ‘Roman Quarter’ name. The project reimagines the development which was rejected on its first application, after numerous objections to its appearance. The project, which sits alongside Lendal Bridge, includes two key cycle links from Rougier Street to the riverside route Wellington Row; Tanner’s Moat and Tanner Row. The submitted designs propose a cycle path through a newly pedestrianised Tanner’s Moat, and a more distinct contraflow down Tanner Row.…
Acomb Scheme Saved
The Campaign were shocked last week the hear that proposals to improve Acomb Road, making it safer for cyclists, could be dramatically slashed from 1.5 miles to just 0.6 miles. With the scheme running only from the Fox Junction to Hebden Rise, instead of all the way to Beckfield Lane. Last week campaign member Nathan shared his own struggles of cycling along this route taking his daughter to school through a series of videos. Listed as one of the city’s Emergency Active Travel schemes, the scheme was awarded funding from central government along with 23 other schemes around the city.…
A Development to Support
It’s not often that the campaign receives a planning application we feel that we can wholeheartedly endorse. Well it’s hats off to City of York Council Housing Delivery Team and architects Mikhail Riches for coming up with an innovative and exciting project on Ordnance Lane / Hospital Fields Road. We are excited about many facets of this development, but most of all welcome the ambition to create a community that puts car-free living at the heart of its vision and goes the extra mile to provide viable alternatives – including community cargo bikes, car-share provision and excellent cycle infrastructure. The site…
National Railway Museum Objection
This week York Cycle Campaign submitted an objection to the reserved matters planning application for changes to the National Railway Museum which will see Leeman Road closed as it runs between the two parts of the museum.
Changes to the Highway Code
As of today (Saturday 29th January) new changes to the Highway Code have been introduced that aim to better protect vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders.
Welcome to York, ATE
We welcome the new walking and cycling body, Active Travel England, to their new home in York
Tadcaster Road Update
We have a look at the latest design updates for Tadcaster Road
Can Anti-Terror Bollards Be Something More?
Proposals have been released for permanent anti-terror bollards around the city, but could given an extra purpose?
Lights Change at Bootham Crossing
Works are due to start on a new improved junction on Bootham
Exchange with ‘Cycle City’
In July this year we plan to visit Münster as part of a cycling ideas exchange
Hob Moor Barriers Removed
Cyclists on Hob Moor got an early Christmas present as barriers to cycling were removed
City Centre Access Statement
We spoke at the executive meeting about Blue Badge access into the city centre
Road Safety Week 2021
We looked into some of the dangers facing cyclists for Road Safety Week 2021
Letter to COP26 Governments
York Cycle Campaign are proud to be signatories of the European Cyclists’ Federation’s (ECF) joint letter to governments at COP26 calling on them to boost cycling levels to tackle climate change.
Coppergate Contraflow: A Standard Design
We put forward our ideas for a better Coppergate for everyone
Letter: Concerns Over Consultations
We wrote to council to raise concerns about their approach to consultations
Statement: A1237 Dualling
We gave a statement regarding dualling of the north ring road and the potential impact it could have on cycling
Tadcaster Road Consultation Response
During September 2021, City of York Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) consulted on design for changes for Tadcaster Road that aim to improve active travel and public transport along the key route in and out of the city. Earlier in the month we shared our first impressions of the design, below we share our formal response that was submitted to the consultation in which we assess the designs against LTN 1/20 – the current guidance on providing cycle infrastructure produced by the Department of Transport. The Core Design Principles Section 1.5 of LTN 1/20 sets out that cycle…
Letter: Decline in Cycling
We wrote to the council expressing concern at the decline in cycling in the city
Tadcaster Road Improvements: A First Look
At the end of August a consultation was launched between City of York Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WCAS) for changes to Tadcaster Road. A team of members have been raking through the proposals, and comparing them against the latest cycle infrastructure design guidance LTN 1/20.
Statement: Cycling Numbers Decline
Since 2014 cycling rates in ‘cycling city’ have been declining. A recent council report showed that since 2014 12,000 less people are cycling in the city. The report also shows that during lockdown cycling levels plummeted by 84%, a drop made all the more dramatic when compared to figures in the rest of the UK which saw an increase 46%.
Piccadilly Proposals
In early July plans were revealed for the redesign of Piccadilly as part of the Castle Gateway masterplan. The Campaign were dismayed that despite various conversations during the public engagement process space has been found for any segregated cycle lanes leading into the city centre linking from the Ouse riverside paths via the new cycle bridge announced last year. Instead road safety measures are reliant on a 20mph speed limit and ‘meandering’ design which the Campaign don’t believe provide the best approach possible in providing safe cycling for everyone wanting to reach the city centre. We’ve previously covered this in…
Inclusive & Disability Cycling In York
Our new report identifies more than 30 instances of York cycle infrastructure which do not comply with the Equality Act 2010. It comes with the warning that if City of York Council does not step into gear and rectify the problems, they will be forced to take legal action, which could end up with the council having to forkout as much as £50,000 for every person that pursues action via the small claims court. The report, Inclusive and Disability Cycling in York details non-complaint infrastructure across York and details many types of disabled-friendly cycle infrastructure that a welcoming and inclusive…
CoYC Update June 2021
The Sustainable Transport Manager Julian for City of York Council, Julian Ridge, gives us an update on the latest cycle news from the council.
Letter: Clean Air Day Protest
This article was updated on the 2nd August 2021 to include a response recieved from the council. Jump to the response. The following letter is being sent to York City Council: We are writing to ask you why there has been so little progress on the Emergency Active Travel Fund Schemes in York? It is now nearly a year since the council was awarded over £850,000 of Government funding for active travel schemes in York and yet very few of the proposed schemes are in place. In particular we are greatly concerned by your failure to install safe segregated cycle…
Clean Air Day Protest Ride
On the eve of Clean Air Day so join our mass protest cycle through the city to ask the council where our promised cycle lanes are.
City Centre Access: A Proposal
This page was updated on the 3rd July 2021 to include a missing map of the route. City of York Council are currently consulting on what the city centre might look like in years to come through the My City Centre York program. As part of this questions are being asked on what access to and around city centre could look like. The following events area being held over the coming month (June 2021) which we’d encourage you to take part in: Cycling in York City Centre WorkshopsFriday 11th June 2021 – 10:00am to 11:30amThursday 17th June 2021 – 6:00pm…
Why the Dutch cycle…
What can be learnt from the Campaign’s screening of Together We Cycle
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire 2021
Responses from PFCC candidates 2021
CoYC April 2021 Update
The Sustainable Transport Manager Julian for City of York Council, Julian Ridge, has offered to provide the Campaign with regular updates of progress on schemes by the council across the city. Here is the first of those updates; As the weather warms up there has been a lot of cycling activity at CYC. We have made job offers both to a new Active Modes Planner (who we hope to introduce next month once they’ve started) and to a Programme Manager for the Active Travel Fund. Design work is continuing on the cycle lane scheme for Bootham and Shipton Road, with…
Taking Legal Action on Barriers
In December campaign member Jamie shared with us details of a Freedom of Information request he put in about the inaccessible barriers at Hob Moor. Now he updates us on what happens since, and how you can follow his lead.
Fix Your Bike Vouchers
The Government has brought back its Fix Your Bike Voucher scheme, offering a voucher for use towards cycle repairs up to the value of £50. Apply for a voucher of up to £50 on the Fix Your Bike website when vouchers become available.Find a Fix Your Bike Voucher Scheme-registered bike mechanic to repair your bike using the map of participating bike shops and mechanics.Bring your bike in to your chosen repairer to be fixed, using the voucher to cover up to £50 of the total cost of the repairs needed. Be quick, as vouchers are limited and previous releases have been taken up…
Terry Avenue Closure: What’s Happening
If you have travelled up Terry Avenue or across Millennium Bridge this week you’ll have noticed that works to form the construction compound for the Environment Agency’s flood defence works for Clementhorpe. This is in preparation for the main works, and closure of Terry Avenue for 12 months, starting from the 1st of April. So what exactly is happening? And what do you need to know if you travel through this area? We’ve gone through the Environment Agency’s Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP) and outlined the key points on how it will affect cycling in the area. Struggling to view…
Don’t Cycle
Work is starting on the Clementhorpe flood alleviation scheme, and the popular riverside walk/cycle route along Terry Avenue will be closed from Monday 15th March for at least one year. Compound construction work will start on Monday 1st March. York Cycle Campaign are recommending that cyclists avoid the area during working hours and consider alternative means of transport if they need to travel between Southbank and Fishergate, or from the Millennium Bridge to Skeldergate. “Cyclists and HGVs don’t mix and the danger to cyclists at the junction of Butcher Terrace and Bishopthorpe Road is very concerning,” the Campaign says. “We…
Upcoming Talk: Cycling in a Medieval City
We are excited to host Simon Munk, Infrastructure Campaigner from London Cycle Campaign to hear his thoughts on cycle in a medieval city.
York Minster Neighbourhood Plan
York Minster is currently consulting the public on a draft proposal for it’s Neighbourhood Plan
Campaign Welcomes e-Bike Hire
Early this week (18th Jan 2021) City of York Council agreed to allow Tier expand its current offer to include e-bikes for public hire as well as the e-scooters currently on offer. The range in which hires will be allowed to be used, enforced by the e-assist cutting out if you go out of range, will be gradually increased to cover the whole of the city by March 2021. As with all e-bikes, the bikes on offer still require riders to pedal with the motors providing additional help. The e-assist function limited to 25 km/h (15.5mph) – at speeds over…
Ride to Dunnington
“I used to cycle to work, but I’ve given up now; it’s just too dangerous,” explained Zoe. A small group of us were watching cars hurtle by, trying to figure out how conditions could be made safer for cyclists and pedestrians accessing the village of Dunnington .
Navigation Road LTN Consultation: Response
York Cycle Campaign broadly welcomes the proposals for conducting a trial low traffic neighbourhood on Navigation Road. Navigation Road. Navigation Road forms part of NCN Route 658, better known as the Foss Islands Route, which provides a connection to shops and workplaces in the city centre from areas to the east of the city such as Tang Hall, Derwenthorpe, Osbaldwick, and Heworth. The short section of road being considered for the LTN is often complained about by members as a weak point in the Foss Islands Route, which is mostly quietways through the city centre and greenway to the east.
YCC Welcomes Navigation Road Consultation
The Campaign is welcoming a council consultation on improvements to Navigation Road, a key walking and cycling link into the city centre, to reduce traffic using the neighbourhood as a short-cut.
Safe Streets York Recap
During the summer we ran our Safe Streets York campaign with thanks to Commonplace who opened up their community engagement platform in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Between May and September 764 respondents from around York and it’s surrounding areas contributed to the map to give us a snapshot of the issues around the city facing pedestrians and cyclists. Struggling to view the map above? Try viewing the map directly in Google My Maps What’s the survey shown us? Comments relating to the design and provision of infrastructure equate for nearly three quarters of responses to the map, with the…
York Central Access
On the 12th of November, CoYC planning committee approved the reserved matters application for the access road into the York Central development north of the station. York Cycle Campaign spoke at the meeting to welcome the changes that had been made to the design for cycling and walking, but also highlight some remaining concerns about parts of the design. Below is a copy of the statement the Campaign delivered, and you can watch the committee meeting in full on the Council’s Youtube page. York Cycle Campaign welcomes that York Central access proposals have been revisited to improve their provision against…
York Outer Ring Road Proposals
City of York Council have been holding a consultation on the proposed dualling of the A1237 (Northern Outer Ring Road) between Clifton Moor and the A64 Hopgrove Roundabout. As well as dualling the road along the existing route, the proposals include a shared cycle/footpath running parallel to the road and enlarging existing roundabouts along the route. More information about the scheme can be found on the Council’s consultation page, where you can also lodge a comment up until Monday 16th November 2020. Below is a copy of the Campaign’s response to the consultation. York Cycle Campaign is significantly concerned by…
Cycle ride with Councillors in Rawcliffe and Clifton Without
A ride was organised by members of York Cycling Campaign for councillors in the ward in order to view some of the problems and some of the good provision within the ward. Two of the ward councillors were able to attend: Sam Waudby and Daryl Smalley. From YCC the participants were Tom Franklin, Robyn Jankel and David Hirst. A big thank you to Sam and Daryl for taking the time and trouble to join us, and especially to Sam who hasn’t cycled for a long while. The Route taken is shown on the map below: This differs from the original…
Marygate to Bootham Consultation
York Cycle Campaign has welcomed proposed changes along the link between Scarborough Rail Bridge and Bootham Park that have been released by the council for consultation. Since the redevelopment of the bridge this route has become increasingly popular, despite the weaknesses in the link between the bridge and Bootham. The Campaign believes the proposed interventions put forward in this consultation will make significant improvements to this route, especially for accessibility of pedestrians and cyclists travelling east-west across the north edge of the city including towards York Hospital and York St. John. The proposed interventions are: Widening of the shared path…
Emergency Travel Fund Letter
On Monday the 3nd of August members of the Campaign came together to protest against the apparent lack of suitability in the Council’s proposals for tranche 2 of the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund (EATF). The EATF is a pot of money that has been allocated from central government to aid local authorities in implementing improved walking and cycling infrastructure in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The fund is targeted at improvements for opportunities for social distancing on our streets and making active travel modes a viable method of travelling around the city to avoid a traffic meltdown of travellers…
Cycle Provision During COVID-19
Cycling is played a crucial transport role during the Covid-19 crisis, providing a safe means of transport for key-workers, enabling volunteers to deliver food and medication to those who are isolating, making green spaces accessible for those without access to gardens, and providing a much-needed safe means of exercise for ordinary people. Social distancing is going to be necessary for many months to come. In order to cope with this the city needs to adapt its infrastructure to support people and enable them to continue carrying out essential tasks and exercising. We outline our reasoning more fully in our blog post. Over…
Make Room for Walking & Cycling in York During the Covid-19 Crisis
Our lives have changed dramatically in recent weeks. It’s been amazing and heartening to see how everyone has pulled together and adapted in creative and thoughtful ways. Cycling has played a crucial role, providing a safe means of transport for key-workers, enabling volunteers to deliver food and meds to those who are isolating, making green spaces accessible for those without access to gardens, and providing a much-needed outlet as a safe means of exercise for ordinary people. The drop in vehicle traffic and need to avoid public transport where possible has encouraged more people to start walking and cycling –…
Remembering Paul Hepworth
“His bike… his tucked in trousers into his socks and his general deportment marked him out as One of Us.” York has lost one of its cycling legends. Paul Hepworth, AKA ‘Pedalling Paul’, was a tireless and doggedly polite campaigner for the rights of York’s cyclists. Many would have come across Paul in his various guises, not only as a lifelong cycle activist, but as a volunteer and active contributor to numerous causes in the local community: be it the Holgate Windmill, Poppleton Road Community Hall, Jo-Ro Theatre, the York Cycle Rally or with Visit York. But it’s as a…
Beat The Social Distancing By Bike
This article was edited on the 24th March 2020 reflect the latest instructions issued by the Government on the evening of Monday the 23rd March. In the past week the world as we know it has changed beyond what could have been imagined a few months, weeks, even days ago. Schools are closed to all but children of key workers, people are being encouraged to work at home, and pubs & restaurants have been closed. Whilst these social distancing moves are essential to beat the coronavirus pandemic, they will undoubtedly take their strain on on all of us. In the…
How would you spend £500,000 on York’s Cycle infrastructure?
York Cycle Campaign shared ideas with City of York Council Last July City of York council set aside £500,000 to invest in cycling infrastructure. York Cycle Campaign has been in discussion with the council to think about how this money is best spent. Andy Vose, the council’s Transport Policy Manager, has identified a list of cycle infrastructure projects, and has developed a method to weight and prioritise them. Meanwhile, the campaign’s BIG group have drawn up their own list of ‘pinch points’ and used the same methodology to see how the projects compare. This process has raised a number of…
Opening High Petergate
As of yesterday (03/03/2020) cycling down High Petergate during the daytime has been permitted for the first time in 20 years following a decision by the Executive Member for Transport back in October to approve a Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). Since the year 2000 High Petergate has been included in the city centre footstreets area and as such its use by all vehicles has been prohibited between the hours of 10:00 and 17:00. This is despite the street’s key location within the city’s cycle network linking the north with the city centre and east of the centre – the…
Terry Avenue Disappointment
Earlier this week (13th January) we heard that the Environment Agency had changed its mind, and that there would be no access along Terry Avenue for pedestrians and cyclists during the installation of the Clementhorpe flood defences. It’s disappointing to hear this and we still don’t know the exact reasons for the U-turn, but we will now focus our efforts on campaigning for a safe and accessible diversion route. We will also continue to insist that good measures are put in place in the Butcher Terrace area to ensure that cyclists and pedestrians accessing the Millennium Bridge are kept safe…
Traffic Count: Hospital Fields Road
As regular users are no doubt aware, traffic exiting Hospital Fields Road or Barracks Lane gets an outrageously raw deal at the traffic lights on the Fulford Road intersection. This short phase is putting both cyclists and pedestrians in great danger. On Wednesday 6th November 5 volunteers from the cycle campaign braved the cold morning and performed a traffic count from 8am to 9am at the junction of Hospital fields road with Fulford Road. We were interested in the number of people that moved through this junction and the efficiencies of the light timings in terms of supporting fluxes of…
Clementhorpe flood defence proposals: “Serious safety failings” remain
The Environment Agency has now submitted an amended Clementhorpe and Southbank flood alleviation scheme works. You can see the documents associated with their amended proposal here, using the reference 19/00570/FUL in the search box. However, in our view serious safety failings remain and we will be submitting an objection on highway safety grounds. The amended plans suggest that the works will not be as extensive and as a result are expected to take around one year, rather than the year and a half anticipated for the previous plans. We note that the traffic management plan incorporates some significant improvements for cyclists…
Learn the secret to cycle campaigning, and come to YCC’s AGM on 29 November!
York Cycle Campaign has achieved a lot in recent years, but how do we make it even more successful? We’re delighted and excited to be welcoming Roxanne De Beaux, Executive Director of the immensely successful and influential Cambridge Cycling Campaign to come and talk at our AGM. This will take place at 8pm on 29 November at Cycle Heaven Hospital Fields Road. Roxanne will share her experiences with us and pass on some tips. Founded in 1995 Cambridge Cycle Campaign has 1,400 subscribed members today, and can take much of the credit for the improvements in cycle infrastructure and growth…
Age Friendly York Submission
The following was submitted to City of York Council’s Age Friendly York consultation. Just under a quarter of our membership are aged over fifty-five, with two thirds of them cycling at least 4 times a week. For these members cycling remains the firm favourite with 84% saying its their preferred way of getting around the city, followed by driving (5%) and getting the bus (3%). Rose, who is one of these members, has told us what being able to cycle means to her and the frustrations she faces. “I am an older cyclist, and a disabled cyclist. I’m also late…
Terry Avenue: Latest
We met with the Environment Agency to learn the current situation of the proposed Terry Avenue flood works.
Cycle-only outbound access through Micklegate Bar: lets keep it!
Its nearly eight months since Micklegate Bar was restricted to only cyclists heading out of the city. Talking to our members they think it’s a success and want to see it retained beyond the remaining 10 months of the trial period. We wrote the below response to the Council’s consultation to tell them this, if you’d like to write your own response you can do so to highway.regulation@york.gov.uk In conversation with members since the start of the trial in December, we have heard many positive comments about the restrictions, which are of a huge benefit to cyclists using Micklegate as…
Our formal objection and suggested alternatives to the proposed closure of Terry Ave
The York Cycle Campaign has submitted a formal objection to the Environment Agency’s planning application to build flood defences for Clementhorpe on highway safety grounds. Our main focus is on the data which strongly suggests the proposed diversion could cause at least 20-30 cyclist casualties over the 18 month construction period. As we have long stressed, we are not against the flood defences themselves. But as an organisation campaigning to make cycling in York safer, we cannot condone any proposed development that would clearly put cyclists in York at increased risk of injury and possibly death. We do not believe…
Will the new Piccadilly be safe for a 12 year old cyclist?
York Castle Gateway’s latest development is the release of revised proposals for St George’s field and Piccadilly. Part of the wider masterplan to revitalise the area around Clifford’s Tower, these proposals will form the first phase of works. To the south, a new multi-storey car park on the site of St George’s Field will allow Clifford’s Tower car park to be closed and made into a public space. A new cycle path will come past the carpark to cross the inner ring road at a new signalised crossing, arriving in the gardens behind Castle Museum. From here a path will…
Our formal objection to the Council’s removal of a segregated cycleway on Queen Street in its Station Front plans
We have long had concerns at the City of York Council’s removal of a segregated cycleway on Queen Street from its Station Front plans. Today we submitted a comprehensive, detailed, evidence-based objection to this and other proposed cycling aspects of the Council’s plans. You can read our objection here.
Terry Avenue Under Threat
York Cycle Campaign has been made aware that a major route into the city centre could be shut for up to 18 months. Proposals to install flood defence works submitted by the Environment Agency could see Terry Avenue closed to cyclists during works to install a new flood gate at the foot of Clementhorpe and install a new flood wall in front of Waterfront House. YCC fully understand the need for flood protection in the city, and support their installation, but we don’t feel that enough thought has gone into mitigation measures whilst the works are carried out. Thousands of…
Local Elections 2019
With Local Elections coming up next Thursday (2nd May 2019), and 88% of members surveyed saying they vote considering a candidate’s stance on cycling, we’ve had a look through the party manifestos and selected out policies on cycling.We’ve also selected policies that are closely linked to cycling, and which our members have told us matter, such as road maintenance and local air pollution. Pledges are directly quoted, although we’ve stripped out segments that aren’t relevant to cycling. Each pledge is shown under the headings they appear under in the manifestos so you can reference back to them in the original…
Venus to Velodrome: an interplanetary social ride
In March, York Cycle Campaign organised a rather daunting social ride: to cycle across the solar system. Thankfully, as ride leader Rob Ainsley explains, there was no need for spacesuits or rocket fuel; just a thirst for knowledge and a working set of wheels… York has two separate Planets Trails. The more famous one starts with the sun at Tesco and finishes with Pluto at Riccall, en route to Selby. But there’s a smaller version, wound through the university campus, and this was the one visited by a small but enthusiastic group of riders on York Cycle Campaign’s leisure ride…
Dual benefits: cycle superhighways and a dualled outer ring-road
Including cycle superhighways in a Council proposal to dual part of York’s outer ring road would boost the chances of the bid securing funding while also increasing cycling in the city, York Cycle Campaign has argued at a Council meeting. At the meeting, members of the City of York Council’s Executive (comprised of senior Councillors) were being asked to approve the allocation of £2.8m of match funding to lay the groundwork for a possible bid to dual part of the outer ring road, namely between Rawcliffe Bar and the Hopgrove roundabout, to the north of York. The remainder of the…
Close the Gates
New trial to protect part of the historic city walls & enhance a key shopping street might close a road but could open up a street. Currently it’s the only one of York’s historic bars without any vehicle restrictions, but from this week (10th December 2018) all motor traffic will be banned from driving out through Micklegate Bar. This follows a decision made by the Council Executive in a meeting back in September, at which we represented your views, to introduce a trial traffic restriction suggested at by Cllr Johnny Crawshaw (Micklegate, LAB) at a Council meeting in May. “The…
New station front plans put cyclists in danger, York Cycle Campaign says
York Cycle Campaign will today be urging the City of York Council Executive to direct that the planning application to overhaul York Station Front include a segregated cycleway northwards on Queen Street, as originally consulted on. Council officers by contrast are asking that they be allowed to remove provision for this segregated cycleway after consultation feedback from residents of the seven properties on this stretch, who reportedly feel they would be vulnerable to passing cyclists. As our statement (see below) will make clear however, the existence of a pavement directly outside these properties would mean that residents would not be…
Can’t walk; can cycle – York’s councillors see the benefits of opening up the city centre to cyclists
Travelling to and around York’s city centre should be simple for disabled residents who use cycles as mobility aids. Unfortunately, access restrictions and inadequate cycle infrastructure mean this is rarely the case. Senior councillors from three of York’s political parties saw these obstacles in person, when they joined York Cycle Campaign for a ride highlighting the difficulties disabled cyclists face in traversing and accessing our city centre. Councillors Peter Dew (Conservative; Executive Member for Transport & Planning), Janet Looker (leader of the Labour group) and Denise Craighill (Green councillor for Guildhall) all attended the event, along with two Campaign members who…
Carlton Reid ushers York Cycle Campaign into its second year
At our AGM on Monday 12th November, we voted in a new committee (with several familiar faces), approved a revised pricing structure, and discussed the successes that YCC has had during its first year. This was preceded by a talk by the award-winning journalist, author, and campaigner, Carlton Reid. YCC member Rob Ainsley tells us more about Carlton’s message. In the 1930s, you didn’t go to the Netherlands to see a government confidently building wide, smooth, segregated new cycle paths alongside new main roads. You went to Britain. Sadly, our prewar network of many hundreds of kilometres of high-quality bike infrastructure…
Campaign members call for cycling contraflow in Fossgate Consultation Response
During October 2018, City of York Council held a consultation on proposals to improve the street layout of one of York’s most popular shopping streets; Fossgate. York Cycle Campaign contacted all of our members to ask for their thoughts on the proposals via an online survey. The response we submitted to the consultation was based on this feedback. You can read our response in full below:
York Cycle Campaign goes to the cinema
What happens when you combine York Cycle Campaign’s message, a community hall and the beauty of moving pictures? That’s what the Campaign’s ever-industrious Events working group wanted to find out. So they contacted the wonderful people at St Clements Hall, who were more than supportive, even letting us choose the cinematic backdrop – the Oscar-nominated Belleville Rendez-vous. Like films, the evening could be said to have three acts. The first was the introductions, from St Clements Hall, Peter Thompson, and Robyn Jankel, YCC’s Communications Officer. Robyn explained to the packed hall that Belleville Rendez-vous was a fantastic film with hidden…
Why York Cycle Campaign is objecting to the York Central outline planning application and urges you to do the same
We had high hopes for the proposed development at York Central. As a major development next to the station and enjoying a privilege unusual for York – a blank slate – the potential for York Central to be a showcase of sustainability while respecting York’s heritage greatly excited us. We therefore engaged with the consultation at an early stage, helping to organise a guided cycle ride to and from the site as part of the excellent MyYorkCentral consultation process, and making several written and oral representations to Council officers, Councillors and the York Central Partnership to try to ensure that…
Did you know that cyclists make up nearly half the rush hour traffic on Lendal Bridge? Yes really…
“Well it’s not Blackfriars Bridge, but it’s close,” said fellow York Cycle Campaign member Rebecca when I met her at 8am one May morning on Lendal Bridge for a cycling count. I confess that I was slightly sceptical that numbers of cyclists on Lendal Bridge could be comparable to those on London’s Blackfriars Bridge, where around 60% of people crossing the bridge do so by bicycle, but when the count was done, the numbers proved her right. Fully 47% of the vehicles (270) which crossed Lendal Bridge from the east/the direction of the Minster, were bicycles, and 53% (305) were motor vehicles, including buses, lorries, vans and cars. Of these motor vehicles,…
Campaign members call for Micklegate traffic restrictions
Ninety-seven percent of York Cycle Campaign members want restrictions on motorised traffic in Micklegate, according to a poll of members. The poll was carried out in preparation for a Campaign statement to the 13 September Decision Session of the Executive Member for Transport & Planning, Cllr Peter Dew. Cllr Dew was being asked to make decisions on a number of transport issues, including whether motorised traffic should be temporarily restricted in Micklegate, and if so how. By far the most popular option for restricting motorised traffic amongst Campaign members, at 69%, was that which both prevented motorised traffic from entering…
Bike Share Scheme Proposed for York
On Thursday 12th July 2018 the Council’s Executive Member for Transport and Planning met to discuss proposals to pave the way for introducing a Bike Share Scheme to the city. In the run up to meeting York Cycle Campaign polled its members to see if they supported a bike share scheme. 87% were in favour of a bike hire scheme, of which: 39% supported only a docked scheme; 16% supported only a dockless scheme; and 32% expressed no preference. The remaining 13% opposed a bike hire scheme. York Cycle Campaign had the opportunity to share the results of the poll,…
York Station Front Masterplan
York Station Front Consultation was launched by City of York Council on June 11th 2018. York Cycle Campaign has submitted this response based on feedback and comments received from its growing membership. A online survey was created by the Campaign to allow its members to submit their comments on the proposals for cycling infrastructure. As well as being asked for their overall thoughts, the survey asked for comments on four key aspects of the proposal, which were identified from initial discussions on social media at the launch of the consultation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZIiyj6RuUs A 3D virtual tour released by the Council of…
World Bicycle Day 2018
This article was updated on the 8th June 2018 to include a response from Cllr. Peter Dew, jump to that section. Earlier this year the United Nations declared the 3rd of June would be recognised as ‘World Bicycle Day’ in recognition of the bicycle’s, and all other types of cycle, position as ‘a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation’. On World Bicycle Day the UN calls upon all member nations, including the UK, to: devote particular attention to the bicycle in cross-cutting development strategies; improve road safety and integrate it into sustainable mobility and transport infrastructure planning…
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