Southampton has marked national Bike Week with a series of popular events reaching out to new and old cyclists across the city.
On Saturday, the Family Bike Cavalcade was graced by VIPs including the Mayor of Southampton and city MP Alan Whitehead. Stuart Mason-Elliott joined the ride on his 1874 Penny Farthing (fresh from his triumph at the head of the Naked Bike Ride the previous evening!). Riders followed a loop from Bargate to Mayflower Park then up the parks to the Peace Fountain.
The following day, the Big Bike Celebration, organised as part of the Sutrans Street-tread project, featured an array of displays and activities, including the try-a-bike arena with The Company of Cyclists, mountain bike displays by M.A.D. (Europe’s largest stunt/trials display team), a bicycle smoothie-maker, and the Bike Doctor providing a free health check for bikes.
Yet to come we have Five Miles to Fabulous (June 20), a five mile, easy ride aimed specifically at women, and promoting the health and fitness benefits of cycling.
Bike Week is the biggest nationwide cycling event in the UK. A national celebration of cycling, Bike Week helps you get more out of life – by getting on your bike and exploring your local community.
As usual, Southampton will host many cycling events during and around Bike Week. Highlights include:
- Saturday 13 June 10am at The Bargate, FAMILY BIKE CAVALCADE
- Mainly on cycle routes and some on road. A loop to Mayflower Park then up the parks to the Peace Fountain. Suitable for all abilities. If parent/guardian is happy that children are competent on their own two wheels, they are more than welcome, as long as under 18 year olds are accompanied by an adult who is responsible for the child. Decorate your bikes and yourselves if you wish! Do join us with your picnic lunch afterwards. Just turn up www.southamptoncyclingcampaign.org.uk/
- Sunday 14 June 10am at Weston Shore, on National Cycle Route 2, the BIG BIKE CELEBRATION.
- The main attractions include the try-a-bike arena with The Company of Cyclists (this is great – it’s how we tried trailer and tandem then bought), mountain bike displays by M.A.D. (Europe s largest stunt/trials display team), a bicycle smoothie-maker, The Bike Dr who can check your bike for free, led rides, cycle training and fun! Just turn up. (Natalie Gledhill, streettread@sustrans.org.uk)
- Saturday 20 June 10am, Southampton Common Bellemoor Road entrance: Five Miles to FABuloUS
- Shift the ‘L’ from FLAB – lady cyclists WEAR SMALLER smalls! Easy flatish five mile led ride for ladies on cycle paths or quieter roads around Southampton City
Full details of these events are available in the Events section of this web site, and more Bike Week events can be found at www.bikeweek.org.uk and www3.hants.gov.uk/whatson-cyclehampshire.
A peaceful, imaginative and fun protest against oil dependency and car culture. A celebration of the bicycle and also a celebration of the power and individuality of the human body. A symbol of the vulnerability of the cyclist in traffic. The world’s biggest naked protest: 50+ cities and thousands of riders participate worldwide, including around 2,000 in the UK in 2008.
Date: 12 June 2009
Time: 6pm (ride will set off around 6.30pm)
Location: East side of Southampton Common at the clearing next to Highfield Road and opposite the junction with Omdurman Road.
More details: http://www.worldnakedbikeride.org/uk/southampton
Message from Natalie Gledhill of Sustrans StreetTread project:
I would like to bring your attention to the Big Bike Celebration taking place on Weston Shore on Sunday 14th June, from 10:00 til 17:00. The event is a celebration of cycling in Southampton. I aim to encourage new and returning cyclists to have a go, with fun events and a good atmosphere. There will be mountainbike stunt displays, the Company of Cyclists, bike maintenance, led cycle rides and much more, all for free!
Contact: StreetTread, 02380 515206 / streettread@sustrans.org.uk for more details.
Spotted on gumtree:
TOO MANY CYCLISTS ARE BEING INJURED OR KILLED…SO…MEET UP AT THE BARGATE (FACING ABOVE BAR), ANY FORM OF H.P.V WELCOME…..FRIDAY 24TH OCTOBER AT 6PM….THEN JUST RIDE OUT EN-MASSE AND GENERALLY GET IN THE WAY AND FIGHT BACK WITH THE POWER OF NUMBERS…SEE YOU THERE…
Southampton based charity the Sailors’ Society are holding a charity cycle event on Sunday 5th October. Starting and finishing on the waterfront at Mayflower Park, with an optional cycle tour through the docks, the event offers something for everyone with three routes to cater for all ability levels – 10, 25 and 45 miles. The route will be fully marshaled and there will be an array of entertainment and catering at Mayflower Park throughout the day.
We hope to enter a team from Southampton Cycling Campaign – if you would be interested in joining in, please email chairman@southamptoncyclingcampaign.org.uk or discuss it at the next meeting on 8th September.
Sailor’s Society webpage
During Bike Week we had several pleasant rides. It’s always good to find new cycle routes or cycling routes. Here we are in Hamble after following the splendid route from Woolston along Weston Shore and through Victoria Country Park. more here
There was also a good showing of bikes at a BBQ in Hythe. Below are three cycling campaigners investigating Brompton’s folding mechanism:
more here
more summer updates shortly!
A draft Cycle Strategy and Network Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) has been produced for the Test Valley area (Chilworth, Romsey, Chandler’s Ford, up to Andover). Formal public consultation period lasts until 11th July 2008.
You can view the documents on the website at http://www.testvalley.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=8038, in particular the supplementary planning document here [pdf]. There are also maps of cycle routes in Andover and the Southern Test Valley.
Have a read of the document and email planning@testvalley.gov.uk with your views.
* Millbrook Roundabout -
– work is ahead of schedule
– but the next stage is weather-dependent
– some of the roads will to be closed over the next few weeks for surfacing
– View details here [pdf]
* Two proposed schemes on Tebourba Way:
1. Pedestrian crossing at Oakley Road junction.
View proposal [pdf]
Send feedback or ask questions to Mr HC Hii by 13 June:
Direct dial: 023 80834529
Fax: 023 80833981
Email: hc.hii@outhampton.gov.uk
2. Pedestrian crossing with Toucan at Romsey Road
View proposal [pdf]
Send feedback or ask questions to Mr HC Hii by 13 June:
Direct dial: 023 80834529
Fax: 023 80833981
Email: hc.hii@outhampton.gov.uk
They would particularly welcome feedback from cyclists as there is to be a toucan crossing.
Bike Workshop, Saturday
This weekend at Chamberlayne Leisure Centre (Weston), Natalie Gedhill of Southampton StreetTread is running a free Bike Workshop:
* From 10:30 til 13:00 there will be a bike doctor who will be available
to check, fix, repair bikes, at no labour cost.
* At 12:00 there will be a free bike skills course for 8 to 15 year olds.
* At 14:00 there will be a free led bike ride from Weston Shore (public
car park on Weston Lane) round Royal Victoria Country Park and back.
(For adults only. Must be confident cycling on the road. Must bring a
safe, working bike).
Bring your bikes and helmets! Limited spaces available at each of the
events. Registration for the events is from 10:30 at the StreetTread
area, to the right of the Leisure Centre building.
Kids cycle training
Dilys of CycleWise cycle training is running half-term cycle training courses:
* When: Mon Tues & Wed 26, 27, 28 May
3 sessions : 6.5 hours
* Where: Shirley, Southampton
* Cost: £42. includes :
National Standard Certificate + Report of achievement
More here [word doc][pdf]
A recent BBC article said that four out of five children are banned from cycling to school by their parents … but cycle training would make them feel more reassured about their child cycling without any adult supervision. This half term could be your opportunity to increase your children’s skills and confidence!
