Southampton Cycling Campaign Newsletter April 2005 Welcome to the April 2005 Southampton Cycling Campaign Newsletter. Disney's popular Recess characters are taking their two-wheeled adventures onto the internet to teach children about safe cycling. See: www.cyclesmart.org tim@southamptoncycling.org.uk In this issue... 1) A New National Standard For Cycle Training Department of Transport (DfT) News Release 2) Southampton Cycle Forum Meeting Notes Notes from the last Cycle Forum Meeting 3) Hampshire Cycle Training (for children or adults) Cycle control and off-road skill practice 4) Cycle Events In Hampshire 5) Plans for London Road unveiled Radically improve London Road are unveiled 6) Contact Information and Membership application 1) News Release 2005/0024: 10 March 2005 Cycling England And New National Standard For Cycle Training A new national body to plan and co-ordinate the development of cycling across the country and a new National Standard for Cycle Training was announced today by the Minister for Local Transport, Charlotte Atkins. The new national body, Cycling England, will have a budget of at least £5m a year for the next three years to allocate to cycling programmes. Cycling England will change the way that the Government manages and delivers cycling policy to get better value from cycling investment. Investment in cycling has greatly increased in recent years. In 2005/06, local authorities (outside London) expect to spend £46m on cycling facilities - up by 50% from 2000/01, while Transport for London is projecting a record spend of £17m on cycling in London in 2005/06. Cycling England will work to build on the success stories of towns such as Bristol, Hull, London and York to ensure that this greater investment in cycling leads to increases in cycling across the country. One of Cycling England's first priorities will be to promote the new National Standard for Cycle Training - a successor to The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents' (RoSPA) Cycling Proficiency. The new National Standard aims to increase the amount of cycle training, both among children and adults, and improve the quality and relevance of training. Charlotte Atkins said: "By establishing Cycling England we are re-affirming the Government's commitment to cycling. Cycling is fun, fast, green and healthy. It can contribute to a wide range of government objectives - such as accessibility, sustainability, public health - as well as reducing transport congestion. "The Government is already making unprecedented investment in cycling through local authorities and Sport England, Cycling England will work to maximise the return on our investment. "The new National Standard for Cycle Training will be a priority for Cycling England. We need to extend and improve training to give children and adults the skills and confidence they need to cycle on the road. Our aim is to get more people cycling, more safely, more often." Notes to editors 1 Cycling England has been established as part of Department for Transport's review of its Cycling Strategy which was published on Thursday 10 March 2005. A full version of the review is available at Delivery of the National Cycling Strategy: A review http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_susttravel/documents/page/dft_susttravel_035900.hcsp 2 Cycling England will be supported and directed by a cross-government group including representatives from the Department for Transport (DfT), Department of Health (DH), Department for Education and Skills (DfES),Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS)/Sport England and Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM). 3 On Wednesday 9 March 2005 the DH published Choosing Activity: a physical activity action plan which sets out, for the first time, coordinated cross-Government action to promote physical activity and sport nationwide. This includes school PE and sport and local action to encourage activity through sport, transport plans, the use of green spaces and by the NHS providing advice to individuals on increasing activity through the use of pedometers. 4 Increasing levels of physical exercise are key if obesity is to be tackled. The Chief Medical Officer recommends at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity each day for children and 30 minutes a day for adults at least 5 days a week. 5 Members of Cycling England: * Cycling England is made up of experts in transport policy, engineering, public health, the cycle industry, local government, cycle sport, cycle training and education. They are: * Phillip Darnton (chair) - was Chairman and Chief Executive of Raleigh plc for two years following successful career with Unilever plc. Also President of the Bicycle Association, which represents the cycle industry. * Lynn Sloman (sustainable transport) - transport consultant, formerly with Transport 2000 and specialist advisor to the Board of Transport for London * Dr Alison Hill (health) - Programme Director South East Public Health Observatory * Christian Wolmar (integrated transport policy) - writer and broadcaster specialising in transport * John Grimshaw MBE (engineering) - Director and Chief Engineer, Sustrans * Peter King (sport) - Chief Executive of British Cycling, the key cycle sport body * Kevin Mayne (training) - Director of the Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC), the National Cyclists' Organisation * One education expert and one local transport expert will be appointed in due course. 6 The National Standard for Cycle Training DfT has sponsored work involving a group of more than 20 road safety and cycling organisations to develop new standards for cycle training. These groups also comprise the Cycle Training Reference Group (CTRG), convened by the cyclists' organisation, CTC and the Local Authority Road Safety Officers Association (LARSOA). The result is the new National Standard document. Available at: Child Cyclist Training National Standard and Guidelines http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_susttravel/documents/page/dft_susttravel_035901.pdf * The National Standard has three levels: * Level 1, Beginners and basic cycling skills - held off-road and teaching children how to control, balance and manoeuvre; * Level 2, Introduction to on road cycling - held on quieter roads in groups, children will learn where to position themselves when riding on the road and how to observe traffic, signal, turn/manoeuvre safely and basic Highway Code; * Level 3, Advanced cycling - held on busier roads to teach skills required for making longer journeys and to develop strategies to deal with all types of road conditions - e.g. roundabouts, traffic lights, multi-lane roads. * The Standards describe the outcome of the training and can be delivered through different schemes. So they can be applied to child or adult cycle training. Where applied to child cycle training, the training ages for the different levels would typically be 7 years (level 1), 9/10 years (level 2) and 11/12 years (level 3). * Currently, cycle training is received by only around one-third of children * DfT is committed to the following steps: * to formalise a curriculum and accreditation body - a role for the CTRG. CTRG will become the 'governing body' for cycle training, with formal reporting lines to Ministers and a formal membership, comprising local authority, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and commercial training interests; * build capacity through subsidised instructor training and accreditation of training schemes and centres; * provide a help desk and web database of trainers to support local authorities, schools and parents. DfT has agreed to fund the cyclists' organisation CTC to provide this service. Press Enquiries: 020 7944 3066 Out of Hours: 020 7944 4292 http://www.dft.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2005_0024 2) Held at Ordnance Survey16/02/2005 Southampton Cycle Forum Meeting Notes Previous Minutes: Cycling at Northlands Road erasing. Lynsey raised difficulties crossing road and possible site for speed cameras. Tina raised poor condition of footway along The Avenue. South West Trains: Person from SWT to be invited for next forum. Riverside Park Proposals: Planning permission has been sorted - route going through housing estate end to Monks Brook Greenway. East of City: Possible quick fixes in east of city - On lane road markings in Bursledon Road and Bitterne Road. Vision for Transport LTP2/Active Travel (Geoff Cornford): LTP2 for period 2006-2011 Plans have to be submitted as provisional plus July final 2006 local plan has to have 1 Context - of where we are now 2 Challenges and opportunities 3 Local transport strategy 4 Targets to be achieved What are the challenges: South East plan 80,000 homes in region. Increased traffic in the city and into city from outside. Significant increase in out-community. Public transport - has to be better quality. Encourage sustainable transport - including cycling and walking. More to be done maintaining viability of port. More to be done maintaining viability of centre. Accessibility - to healthcare. Need to produce accessibility strategy. Congestion: Road Safety - Address targets in LTP1 Air Quality - May need to implement Air Quality Management Strategies. No major new road building proposed. Need to promote more public transport. More sustainable transport choices. Park & Ride. Major development likely to be to the east. Need to have joined-up policies in place. Working with Hampshire and Portsmouth for transport in sub region. LTP needs to fit with other policies: Need to make efficient use of existing network. Active Transport. Include Active Travel - and link to Health Agenda - not looking at just transport. Advanced Stop Lines: Looked at 103 junctions (Hill Lane Archers Road). Eric Reed 3) Hampshire Cycle Training Traditionally, cycle training has only been available to children in certain schools where the local authority has managed to recruit volunteers; not always possible and not always cyclists. There is rarely any follow-up. Riders are taught to the new National Cycling Standards, created and approved by the Dept. for Transport, ROSPA, CTC, local authorities and many other organisations and a national certificate is awarded on completion. Commence with cycle control and off-road skill practice, followed by riding on quiet roads before introduction to more specific traffic situations. Training is to the new National Standard introduced in 2004 All training is by accredited qualified instructors and is suitable for children, adults, family groups, schools and businesses. Courses vary from training for small groups of children to one-to-one adult training. Organised courses for schools, community groups, businesses or individuals at venues to suit you with holiday courses during the school holidays • Group Training for schools, clubs or businesses • Refresher courses for 'returning cyclists' • Training for Road Safety or Leisure • Holiday Courses in basic skills and road sense • Training for non-cyclists - we teach you to ride. The training scheme is officially approved by: DfT, the Department for Transport; CTC, the UK's National Cyclists' Organisation; ROSPA, Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents; LARSOA, Local Authority Road Safety Officers Association, and other bodies. The instructor will be a competent practising cyclist, CRB police checked, have Public Liability Insurance and be trained in First Aid. For more information about courses contact: http://www.hampshirecycletraining.org.uk/ enquiries@hampshirecycletraining.org.uk Tel: 07963 237619 4) Plans for London Road unveiled New plans to radically improve London Road are unveiled in April. Following an initial consultation, designers have come up with a range of solutions to make London Road a much more people friendly street. The proposals aim to reduce both the volume and speed of traffic to create a better environment and improve road safety for pedestrians and cyclists. High quality paving materials and street furniture will be used to enhance the area. On-street parking will be retained and fully integrated into the design. A taxi rank will also be provided. Official launch of the consultation exhibition for London Road is on Thursday, 21 April at 11am. The consultation will be open to the public on Thursday and Friday early evening and Saturday until late afternoon. People are being asked to give their views and feedback on the designs. Final designs will then be drawn up and work should start in 2006. For more information - E-mail: nss.team@southampton.gov.uk Visit: www.southampton.gov.uk/streets Tel: 023 8083 4553 5) Cycle Events Saturday 9th April. NHDA Hampshire - 100/50 km. CTC/AUK event., see: www.nhampshirectc.org.uk Sunday 17th April SHDA/TVBC Test Valley Tour - 100/50 km. Spring Road route. www.testvalley.gov.uk An event which regularly attracts over 500 riders of all ages. Choose one of three distances starting from Andover's attractive new town centre with its Time Ring Mosaic. Head south to ride the leafy lanes through Hampshire's traditional landscape featuring thatched cottages and mellow bricked houses set against wooded hills, water meadows and chalk streams. Start venue: High Street, Andover. Free parking. Refreshments: Water stops on route. Start time: Between 9am and 10.30am For brochure and booking form email your name and address to tbradley@testvalley.gov.uk or visit www.testvalley.gov.uk 6) Get in touch Chairperson Eric Reed. Tel: 02380 497512 E-mail: eric.reed@eastleigh.gov.uk Membership 39 Swift Road, Woolston, Southampton, SO19 9FP. Want something raised at a meeting? Call or e-mail Eric. Or e-mail agenda@southamptoncycling.org.uk. And finally, to keep our meetings on track, how about getting that winge out of your system by emailing winge@southamptoncycling.org.uk Meetings at 19:45 every 2nd Monday of the month (except August) at Friends Meeting House, Ordnance Road. This newsletter is available online at www.southamptoncyclingcampaign.org.uk Membership application Join us and help make a difference! Name Address Telephone Email Annual fee (please circle) £10 Waged / £5 Unwaged Return this form with your fee to SCC Membership Secretary, 39 Swift Road, Woolston, Southampton, SO19 9FP Cheques payable to Southampton Cycling Campaign, please.