Southampton Cycling Campaign

TWO wheels beat four during the latest “commuter challenge” to find the quickest way to travel into Edinburgh city centre.
The annual time trial to see which is the fastest way to get to work saw bicycles and motorbikes take the honours in four races from the edge of town to Frederick Street.
Motorbikes came out on top in the journeys from Ocean Terminal and the Ingliston Park and Ride. But the cyclists, who were described by event organisers as typical commuters rather than competitive racers, were fastest on the trips from Newcraighall Station and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

Read the article in Edinburgh News

The Brompton bike, designed by Londoner Andrew Ritchie in the 1970′s, is one of only two mass production bike builders left in the country.

Watch the BBC video here

From Times Online, September 21st:

The richer people become the further they cycle, according to official figures overturning conventional wisdom that the bicycle is largely a poor man’s mode of transport.

The richest fifth of the population cycle on average 2½ times as far in a year as the poorest fifth.

Reasons cited in the article include:

• Richer people more likely to cycle for health reasons
• Richer people more likely to care about green issues
• Cycling role models tending to be middle/upper class
• Lack of secure cycling parking in poorer areas

See The article for more.

Petition for strict motorist liability. Have a look, consider signing!.

Just married!

Get on that bike and ride! A comparison of methods to promote cycling in three cities.

Summer newsletter [pdf] from Hampshire cycle training

The Southampton Cycling Forum was held on Wednesday night. Several SCC members were there as well as other local cyclists, over in the Ordnance Survey building with amazing wheeled chairs, and a good selection of free biscuits.

First, a talk from a Sustrans dude about the connect2 project; he said get blogging but given voting for it isn’t till December that can wait really.

Then, a talk from Angela Gill of Portsmouth about the 20mph limits that they’re covering the residential areas of the city with. Where the traffic is already not exceeding an average of 24mph, you can whack a 20 limit sign up. The aim to is to change the feel of the area and adjust people’s perceptions of the space—residential areas are living areas where children may be playing, vulnerable people crossing the street, whatever. There was some discussion about which parts of Southampton might be suitable for this kind of zone. Several people were vocally keen to have these put in. Councillor Gavin Dick is the dude whose mailbag you want to be in to push for or against the things.

Time went and ran out, as it always does. The final item on the agenda was to discuss changing the format of the Cycle Forum. The cyclists were worried their opinions would be pushed out in favour of a more formal forum with a genuine police presence. Perhaps we should take along a fake police presence next time … Individuals, of course, can keep bothering the council about what they want to see on the roads. They’ll get themselves out on the streets and have a look at your proposals and if they can find the money might even implement them.

I got a lift home, the Brompton tucked in the back of the little Renault between me and Lindsi…

Next stop is 27 October, a Saturday morning ride, 9am at the Civic Centre, to discuss cycle facilities in the St Denys and Bitterne Park area, and have a look at the planned route from Horseshoe Bridge to Jamie’s Computers (the one that will go ahead much faster if the connect2 project wins “The People’s Millions” in December… ). All welcome.

It’s the same deal people, it’s always the same deal. The council wants to spend its cycling budget where it’ll benefit cyclists most (well, the more happy cyclists, the more likely they are to vote for them, right?). It has to judge this based on the opinions of the half-dozen people who noisily bother the cycling officer once a week. Give them feedback people.