Southampton Cycling Campaign Newsletter September 2006 Welcome to the September 2006 Southampton Cycling Campaign Newsletter. Please note that our Monday 11 September meeting will begin at the earlier time of 1900, rather than 1945. This is because we are hosting the Southampton Cycle Forum. I hope you have all enjoyed the (mostly!) good weather this summer. I am still cycling most days, but given that I am 4 months pregnant now, must admit that it is getting harder, especially pulling the trailer. I am hoping to continue editing the newsletter, but please make allowances for bleary eyes next year! As always, any contributions to the newsletter, no matter how small, will be gratefully received. I would also like to hear from you about what information you would like in the newsletter, so please get in touch, or come along to a meeting. Debbie Back - editor@southamptoncycling.org.uk In this issue... Inconsiderate Cycling? page 1 Cyclist is prosecuted whilst following published guidelines Solicitors, 62 The Avenue page 2 Concerns about the ‘give way’ markings aimed at cyclists “Whose streets are they anyway?” page 3 Brief summary of the Living Streets conference AGM page 3 Update on Southampton Cycling Campaign AGM Local route updates page 4 Work in progress on cycle routes Cycling England Annual Report page 5 Now available, by the body that coordinates cycling across England Tour de France to visit Kent and London in 2007 page 6 Active travel directions page 6 Events page 6 Contact Information and Membership application page 8 Inconsiderate Cycling? Daniel Cadden, a CTC member, has been prosecuted for inconsiderate cycling. This case has drawn attention as Daniel was travelling in accordance with the guidance provided by “Cyclecraft” (Franklin, J. 2004), which is a guide to skilled cycling technique published by The Stationery Office! The book states that “The primary riding position (the centre of one’s lane) should be your normal riding position when you can keep up with traffic, or when you need to prevent following drivers from passing you dangerously.” The CTC says that Daniel “was cycling fast downhill on a single-lane approach to a roundabout when he was stopped by police who believed that the position he had taken in his lane was forcing cars to cross the solid white line in the centre of the road illegally in order to overtake. But rather than stop the cars that had broken the law, the officers decided to charge Daniel Cadden with obstructing the highway (CTC, August 2006)”. The judge was of the opinion that Daniel should have crossed three lanes of busy traffic and used a segregated cycle track instead (Mayne, K in CTC, August 2006). He was fined £100, with £200 costs by a District Judge at Telford Magistrates Court (CTC, August 2006). Daniel Cadden has now decided to appeal against his conviction (CTC Newsnet, 18.08.06). The case is of huge significance to cyclists given the proposed revision of the Highway Code (see the April Newsletter). Daniel was supported in his case by the Cyclists’ Defence Fund, the independent charity founded by CTC to provide cyclists with support in legal cases (www.cyclistsdefencefund.org.uk). CTC (August 2006) “Cyclist who refused to stay in the gutter loses case”, http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4516 Franklin, J. (2004) “Cyclecraft”, The Stationery Office, London Solicitors, 62 The Avenue Following Dale Bostock’s (Cycling Officer, Southampton City Council) comments (see April newsletter), the Southampton Cycling Campaign has a number of concerns following the addition of ‘give way’ markings, outside 62 The Avenue. Lindsi kindly wrote to Dale to request information on the following; * the number of accidents at this spot since the cycle path was opened * who decided that cyclists should give way to cars? * Do vehicles have to give way to pedestrians, and if so do they have to wait on the cycle path? * Why were cyclist groups not consulted? * Has extra danger to cyclists been considered at this point, as there is no clear view of exiting vehicles, and cyclists using the path at night would not expect to give way here? Lindsi has given me the following update: “Tina Davis and I had a two hour meeting with Pete Brunskill and Dale Bostock about this issue. The outcome of the meeting was a way to take the matter forward: Cycle Forum will organise a cycle ride in October to look at issues in the west of the city, similar to the one last year looking at the east of the city. This will include looking at the disputed give way lines on The Avenue cycle path. Pete Brunskill will CONSIDER having the lines removed, obviously taking into account the views of other cyclists and safety issues. He agrees that there was inadequate consultation and as regards accidents, they have details of only ONE accident, which involved a vehicle turning from The Avenue into 62A.” We will keep you posted on any further developments. “Whose streets are they anyway?” A number of Southampton Cycling Campaign members attended the Living Streets Conference, hosted by Southampton City Council, on 15 July 2006. There was an interesting mix of delegates, including many local councillors both from Southampton and other areas. The discussion was lively, and focused mainly on case studies of how both residents and councils had worked to improve streets, and make them more usable by residents. Examples included the Northam Home Zone in Southampton, and Southampton City Council’s Junior Wardens scheme. A Southampton group is to be set up soon, details to be announced. For further information on Living Streets (formerly the Pedestrian Association) please see www.livingstreets.org.uk or call 020 7820 1010. Debbie Back AGM The Southampton Cycling Campaign AGM was held on 8 May 2006. The main outcomes were; We have two volunteer vacancies; Chairman & Secretary. Chairman - Eric Reed has been doing a fantastic job of chairing the SCC, but feels that he would like to step down from the role. If anyone is interested in taking this on, then please contact Eric on chairman@southamptoncycling.org.uk for further details. Secretary - This post is currently vacant. Secretarial support would mean that the Chairman would have more time to devote elsewhere! Again, please contact Eric if you are interested in helping in this capacity, on chairman@southamptoncycling.org.uk Local Route updates Sustrans Routes: “Southampton NCR23 Supports in place for the boardwalk Recent construction work by Network Rail on the riverbank alongside the main Southampton-London rail line at Mount Pleasant is the key to eradicating a gap in National Route 23 in Southampton. Sustrans and the Southampton City Council have provided the funding for steel supports to be driven into the riverbank to support the proposed "board-walk" structure that will provide the missing link from St. Denys Rail Station to the Radcliffe Road Home Zone. Many thanks to Dave Bostock, SCC Cycling Officer; and to Network Rail, Dyer & Butler and the City Council Design Engineers. A planning application has been submitted for the boardwalk, and we hope construction can begin later this year. Following on from our success at St. Denys, formal route signing of National Routes 2 and 23 has been completed by Southampton City Council, with permanent signs put in place where the two routes meet at the Basepoint Business Centre, Southampton, just south of St. Mary's Football Stadium. National Route 2 runs east across the Itchen Bridge towards Woolston, and National Route 23 runs north towards St. Denys and beyond to Eastleigh. Both routes run west towards Southampton Town Quay for the ferry links to the Isle of Wight (Route 23) and the New Forest via Hythe (Route 2). NCR22 Isle of Wight Lottery funding has been won to create a new walking and cycling route from Carisbrooke (west of Newport) through to Yarmouth, to form National Route 22 along the disused railtrack. Nearly £2 million has been awarded from the Heritage Lottery Fund for 17 projects to improve the area’s landscape. The scheme, called "Through the Eye of the Needles", has been put together by the West Wight Landscape Partnership, with support from the Isle of Wight Council’s Agenda 21 unit and Sustrans. The scheme will deliver projects ranging from physical improvements to landscape features, heritage trails, new memorial features, educational projects with local schools, and training in traditional building and countryside techniques. The keynote project will be to create National Route 22 between Yarmouth and Newport, and to provide a better experience for visitors who want to understand the landscape and its cultural associations. Furthermore, the route will eventually connect east towards Newport via a number of schools in the region, providing additional Safer Routes to Schools. Design work is underway, landowners are being contacted, and the scheme will be submitted for Planning Approval during 2007. We hope that all work can be completed by 2009.” Nick Farthing, Sustrans Regional Manager Eric Reed, Sustrans Liaison Ranger Other local routes; Chilworth At Chilworth, work is progressing on the foot/cycle route alongside A27 between Chilworth roundabout and the Science Park west of the Clump pub. The work includes altering the side road at The Clump to aid safely crossing at that point. Cycling England Annual Report Cycling England have published their annual report, which is available online at http://www.cyclingengland.co.uk/docs/Cycling%20England%20Annual%20Report%20FINAL.pdf. They are also contactable at Cycling England, PO Box 54810, London, SW1P 4XX. Tour de France to visit Kent and London in 2007 Bike Biz says, “The opening ceremony takes place on Friday July 6th in Trafalgar Square. The Prologue, on Saturday 7th July, is a 7.9km circuit taking in Whitehall, Parliament Square, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park Corner, Hyde Park, Constitution Hill and a finish in The Mall. The first Stage is a 209km course starting in The Mall and taking in many London sights including the Houses of Parliament, The London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral, the Bank of England, Tower Bridge and the Greenwich World Heritage site. The route proceeds through the Kent countryside passing through a number of historic urban centres before finishing in Canterbury with the Cathedral as a backdrop.” (http://www.bikebiz.co.uk/newsitem.php?id=24314, 30 August 2006) Active travel directions Are you planning an event? Sustrans have published a guide to producing ‘active travel directions’ for visitors and staff, promoting the walking, cycling and public transport alternatives before the car. It can be downloaded from http://www.sustrans.org.uk/default.asp?sID=1146564740234, or call 0845 113 0065. Events Sunday 10 September 2006 – Folding and Electric Bike Demo Day, Dorchester Cycles, 10 am – 4 pm. There will be a led ride from the shop (start at approx 11am), lunchtime BBQ, demo bikes from Brompton, Dahon and Giant. Manufacturers representatives and A to B Magazine (David and Jane) will be there. Plus extra special offers for that day only! Dorchester Cycles are at Great Western Road, Dorchester, Tel: 01305 268787 Monday 11th September 2006 - Southampton Cycle Forum meeting 19:00 – 20:45 hrs upstairs at Friends Meeting House, Ordnance Road, Southampton, SO15 2AZ. Cycle parking can take place outside and for those arriving by car on street and off street parking is available nearby Tuesday 12 September 2006 – Inquiry by the Planning Inspectorate on routes that are about to be signed as footpaths alone (see April newsletter). Saturday 16 September 2006 – Route Opening of Stonymarsh to Hunts Farm section of NCN24 cycle route, North of Romsey by the Mayor of Test Valley Borough Council. Exhibition and light refreshments in the Jubilee Hall, Timsbury, from 9 am, with ribbon cutting at 9.30 am, followed by an optional cycle ride along the track. The ride will head north to Mottisfont, then west along NCN24 through west Dean, continue to the Wiltshire border and return via other lanes and part of the Test Way back to the start .Will stop at pub en route. It will be about 25 to 30 miles, mostly easy going and pretty level but with a few longer gradual climbs. The Hunts Farm playing fields car park, alongside the east side of the A3057 near Timsbury will be available from 9.00am to 4.00pm, if you wish to leave your car while you ride. Please let Eric (ericliz@reed27.wanadoo.co.uk) know if you are interested. Saturday 16th to Sunday 24th September 2006 – Isle of Wight Cycling Festival. Take on the challenge of an orienteering ride, a 62 mile route around the whole island (cycle route) or a ride across the River Medina on a pedal powered vessel. Something for all abilities and many of them are free. See www.sunseaandcycling.com, or call 01983 203891 for details. Sunday 24th September 2006. Eric Reed will be leading a ride form Hedge End station. Meet at 10:00 for 10:30 departure, about 25 to 30 miles, aimed at small wheeled bikes like Moultons, Bromptons etc but others are welcome to join in, if they let him know. There will be stop for pub lunch and an afternoon stop. Contact: ericliz@reed27.wanadoo.co.uk Saturday 4 November 2006 – Stop Climate Chaos National Event, Trafalgar Square, London, 1 – 3 pm. Events and a march to Trafalgar Square. For more information please see www.stopclimatechaos.org. For up-to-date details of events as they are added, please see our website, www.southamptoncyclingcampaign.org.uk. Get in touch Chairman Eric Reed. Tel: 02380 497512 E-mail: ericliz@reed27.wanadoo.co.uk Membership 39 Swift Road, Woolston, Southampton, SO19 9FP. Want something raised at a meeting? Call or e-mail Eric. Or e-mail ericliz@reed27.wanadoo.co.uk And finally, to keep our meetings on track, how about getting that winge out of your system by emailing webmaster@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.