These items are now a bit out of date, but are kept here for reference (most recent first).
| February 2002 | [Top] |
All local authorities are now obliged
to produce air quality strategies for reducing pollution. Two Air Quality Management
Areas
(AQMAs)
have been identified in Bristol. Consultations will take place shortly. To
get a booklet about this phone (0117) 922 4488.
| February 2002 | [Top] |
The Bristol City Council is asking for comments (by 1 March) about plans to change the layout of the St. James Barton roundabout and pedestrian subways.
The option of putting the cars underground has been rejected as too costly for the time being. Other possibilities are described in displays around the city and in leaflets available from the public libraries or by calling (0117) 922 3010.
There is also a web page on the council's site where you can view the leaflet and complete the questionnaire.
The full report from consultants Urban Initiatives can be viewed at
Department of Environment, Transport, and Leisureor
Brunel House
St. Georges Road
Bristol
Wilder HouseTo check for opening hours, telephone (0117) 922 2169.
Wilder Street
Bristol
| December 2001 | [Top] |
| December 2001 | [Top] |
Cable-laying is not likely to go ahead on the Bristol end of the Bristol and Bath path -- at least not in the immediate future. There has been some cable laying in the South Glos. section. The money from this was intended to be used to create a cycle link to Yate, but the council have backtracked on this and it's not clear if the money will be used on cycling at all.
| November 2001 | [Top] |
New vehicles sold in the UK will no longer be allowed to be fitted with bull bars after an EU deal which banned them from 1 January 2002, on pedestrian safety grounds.
The European Safety Council estimates that 2000 lives could be saved each year in Europe, while 18,000 injuries could be prevented if bull bars were banned.
| November 2001 | [Top] |
Outline planning permission has been granted for a development masterplan to regenerate the 20-acre Canons Marsh site in Bristol's historic harbourside. For more information, see the Council's press release.
| August 2001 | [Top] |
Give your boss a present - a video to help businesses become cycle-friendly!
The DTLR (the new government department covering transport) is making available a free video aimed at helping businesses become more cycle-friendly. The twenty minute tape covers all the arguments for cycling -- health, environmental and business benefits for employees, employers and the wider community, and goes on to give advice on how to encourage cycling.
You don't have to be a business to send for it, so why not get it for your boss and pass it on with a nice covering letter?
To get the video write to:
Terry Deere
National Cycling Forum
Zone 3/23
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DR
On a more local note, Cycle West have just brought out a booklet on the same subject called "The Cycle Friendly Employers' Guide". This costs £20, but they produce an order form setting out its main points -- send that to your boss too!
Contact:
Cycle West, 84 Colston Street, Bristol BS1 5BB
Phone: (0117) 929 0440
Email: post@cyclewest.org.uk
| August 2001 | [Top] |
A member said that she had her bike stolen recently but recovered it in two hours by going round to second hand shops. It was helpful that she'd had it postcoded. Palmer's (on Stokes Croft) postcode bikes for three pounds each.
| July 2001 | [Top] |
Bristol City Council are now consulting on the Local Plan. This is an update on the 1997 plan and includes issues such as 'Quality of Life', 'Natural Environment', and 'Economic Vitality'. There are exhibitions about it in various places (phone (0117) 903 6880 for details) or look at it on the web.
Individuals can comment as well as groups, so please try and have your say.
| July 2001 | [Top] |
The City Council has announced plans to improve bus services across the city, starting with the the 76/77 route along the Gloucester Road and through to Parson Street.
This will involve a lot of structural work with bus lanes, pedestrian crossings, etc. We are not sure how this will affect cyclists (although hopefully bicycles will be able to use the new bus lanes).
Some work has already started, but there are also many decisions to be made, so now is the time to let the council know your views.
Visit the Council's web site or download details of the proposed changes.
| June 2001 | [Top] |
Fibre optic cables will be laid on the Bristol-Bath Path after all. Bristol Council have no legal powers to prevent the cable companies from going ahead with the work, but they say they'll keep a careful watch on the contractors. The revenue generated will be used to maintain cycle facilities. The cables will be laid at the side of the track except where there's a need to divert for tree roots. Some stretches of the Path will be closed off for certain periods. The work is bound to cause major inconveniences to commuters and leisure cyclists alike. Recently, a cable company left a trench open across the Path entrance for ten days with very minimal consideration for cyclists' convenience or safety. We wonder if this is the sort of practise to expect when they start digging up the track. There's no date as yet for the work to start, but we'll certainly publish a phone number for complaints when it does.
| June 2001 | [Top] |
Locals in Easton took part in a major clean up of their part of the Bristol-Bath Path at the beginning of April. Clearance of shrubs also took place along a 300 metre stretch that the Police say accounts for 80% of the crime on the Path. The Police do seem to be taking security in this area more seriously and the problem with illegal motorcyclists has abated.
That said, there's a distressing tale about a cyclist who was hit by an illegal motorbike on the cycle path running from Lockleaze to the UWE. Fortunately the cyclist wasn't badly hurt but his £700 bike was a write-off. The police were initially quite keen to prosecute the motorcyclist, but when they found out the incident happened on a cycle path they said the usual laws didn't apply and they could only get him for breaking a bye-law - probable penalty: a few pounds fine . It seems cycle tracks are highways when it comes to laying cables but not when it comes to protecting cyclists' lives.
| June 2001 | [Top] |
Ashton Court is still completely closed. The Ashton-Pill path is now partially open at the Bristol end. Apart from that, the only other local path closed is the Lawrence Weston Greenway.
Don't forget that the Bristol City Council is maintaining a page of information with details of which cycle paths are currently open or closed.
You can also phone for advice on (0117) 903 1200 (weekdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm).
| June 2001 | [Top] |
A plan to extend the shared use section of the pavement at Cumberland Road has been temporarily suspended. Council officials will reconsider the whole shared use issue following protests by many people, including BCC members, against the plan. One of the members protesting said: "To encourage pavement cycling here would cause danger to both cyclists and pedestrians. Shared use is supposed to be a last resort, according to the Council's own guidelines."
| June 2001 | [Top] |
Work has started on two of the five pioneer schemes for the Safe Routes to School Project. The current projects are at Neath Road, just off Whitehall Road and Luckwell Road, Bedminster. Both will be given extended pavements, advisory 20 mph speed limits and cycle lanes.
| June 2001 | [Top] |
Bristol City Council have created a new managerial post of Co-ordinator of the Cycling and Walking team. This represents a stepping up of the Council's commitment to cycling and is welcomed by BCC. The post has been taken by John Roy, formerly of Sustrans and we look forward to meeting him.
| June 2001 | [Top] |
A new cycle loan scheme is about to be launched with money from the City Council Transport Initiatives fund. Residents from Barton Hill will be able to hire bikes from a depot on the Bristol-Bath Path (probably located near the mosaic tunnel at Lawrence Hill). The scheme will run at weekends and during some of the school holidays and CycleWest will give training in bike maintenance to any interested people. There will be a chance of paid employment after training as staff will be needed to run the scheme. As well as a range of "normal" bikes, there will also be two electric bikes available for hire.
| 3 April 2001 | [Top] |
BCC members joined other local people in an "accountable action" to protest about an offensive advertising poster on Stapleton Road, Easton.
The poster (for an online bookmaker) showed two elderly people on a zebra crossing and a car (with bull bars) coming towards them. Both the elderly people had betting odds on them and the slogan was "Let's make it more interesting". Local people were enraged that this tasteless advert was sited just by a pelican crossing on a road where speeding and reckless driving are commonplace. About 30 people turned up to paint over the offending poster and replace it with an anti-speeding message. The police and press were informed in advance of the action. The police didn't attend but there was widespread press coverage. As well as getting into the Evening Post and Western Daily Press, the story and image were also published in the Times and Guardian and were featured on Irish national radio.
Update: (June 2001) The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld the many complaints that were made nationally about this poster.
| April 2001 | [Top] |
A new bike carrying bus service between Bristol and Chew Valley will begin operating on Monday 30 April. It will consist of three different route numbers (672/673/674) and will run from from Bristol Bus Station (with some journeys starting at the Clifton Triangle) to either Burrington or Churchill (and to Cheddar on Sundays and Bank Holidays) via Chew Valley Lake. The service will be run by Badgerline in partnership with Bath and North-East Somerset Council and North Somerset Council using funds from the DETR rural Bus Challenge Project.
Each bus will be equipped with a rear cycle rack capable of carrying two bikes.The buses will operate more or less hourly on weekdays and two hourly on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays. No details of fares available yet. Pick up a timetable from the bus station or phone (01225) 477 609 to get one sent to you.
Our Comments: Although a bike carrying bus service is to be welcomed, we are disappointed that the new buses will only carry two bikes. There are no booking facilities so you may find that other cyclists have got there before you. Not too much of a disaster if you are heading out of Bristol, but imagine being stuck in the Mendips on a weekend when the next service isn't for two hours. We feel that this initiative is a missed opportunity and will not be widely used by cyclists because of the uncertainty of the return journey. If you agree, please let them know by writing to Local Bus Services, PO Box 2211, Bath BA1 2ZL.
| 20 April 2001 | [Top] |
There was a large turnout for the Critical Mass ride on 19 April (World Car Free Day). Even the Evening Post estimated that there were over 100 cyclists involved.
The event was largely peaceful and "fluffy" although the police were more heavy-handed than usual. There was one arrest of a cyclist for 'criminal damage'.
More details as we get them.
| 3 April 2001 | [Top] |
The Bristol City Council is maintaining a page of information with details of which cycle paths are currently open or closed.
You can also phone for advice on (0117) 903 1200 (weekdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm).
| [Top] |
A couple of trial schemes will be started soon. These will comprise 20 mph areas around the schools and other walking/cycling facilities.
| [Top] |
This used to be done on a voluntary basis but there is a now shortage of trainers, as fewer parents have cycled these days. The council are looking at the idea of employing professional trainers on a similar basis to the adult cycle training now taking place.
| [Top] |
The council has now appointed John Roy as a cycling and pedestrian officer at a higher grade than the existing cycle team.
| [Top] |
National Bike Week will start with Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride on Sunday 17 June.
The BBR will run along the Portway (closed to motor traffic) as usual and will finish at the open space opposite the Create centre. The short ride will not run along the Pill path this year, as it's closed due to Foot and Mouth restrictions (see the Routes page). On Wednesday 20 June there will be the usual Bike Breakfast on College Green plus a home from work event (with food, I think) at Mangotsfield Station on the Bristol-Bath Path. This last event will be funded by South Gloucestershire Council. There may be a ride afterwards.
| [Top] |
The council say they intend to do work on the Centre to improve it for cyclists but at the moment they are concentrating on improvements for disabled people.
| [Top] |
The police looked at the location of crimes on the path and discovered that nearly all of them took place in a 200 yard stretch in Easton. There response to this has been to get the council to clear the undergrowth at the sides of the path in this area. Some members thought this a good idea but others wondered if it wasn't a simplistic solution to a more complex problem.
| [Top] |
Despite our protests, cables are coming to the Bristol-Bath Path. The council have no powers to stop the companies, but they can ask for safeguards. They will ask the cable companies to lay the cables by the side of the path and to only cross when it is unavoidable, due to tree roots, etc. A council engineer will be in attendance at all times during the work. The companies say they will have to close off the track for certain periods of time, but the council is resisting this. Even so, there is bound to be a lot of disruption cyclists as the work takes place. The council have told us that money received from the companies will be ring-fenced and used for cycle facilities.
| [Top] |
Over the past few months a Bicycle Users Group (BUG) has been set up by staff at the United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust. The Trust boasts a General Manager who cycles from Bath every day but facilities for cyclists have been poor.
An enthusiastic group have now got together to work with the Trust to improve facilities and to promote cycling as a healthy, environmentally friendly way to get to work. Cycle parking has improved with the installation of Sheffield stands at a number of points and there are proposals for a Cycle Centre at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. This would have secure parking for 100 bikes, showers, lockers and space for drying clothes. Car parking in and around the city centre hospitals is very limited and the new centre could have a real impact on the number of staff coming to work by car - presenting cycling as a real alternative.
The BUG is developing information on safe routes into and between healthcare sites and is setting up a ³Buddy² scheme to put new cyclists, or those interested in cycling to work, together with experienced cyclists who have a similar journey. The new cyclists can find out about the best routes to work and gain confidence.
The aim of the BUG is to make cycling to work a more pleasant experience with good facilities on site and a friendlier attitude towards cyclists. It is also a hope to at least double the number of staff cycling to work.
The BUG will increase the profile of cycling, influence planning decisions to include cycling facilities and make sure existing facilities are well maintained.
For further information contact Marian Connolly at the BRI or on marianconnolley.freeserve.co.uk.
| April 2001 | [Top] |
The Council have had a change of heart over the decision not to support Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride. The Ride, which has been an annual event for several years, attracts thousands of cyclists from Bristol and beyond. It gives us a rare chance to see the beautiful Avon Gorge with no traffic noise or pollution. thanks to everybody who wrote to protest.
| ?April 2001 | [Top] |
After months of promises and prevarication, it finally seems as if the "Cyclists Dismount" signs will be removed from the new Temple Quay Bridge. This very useful bridge provides a cycling/pedestrian link between the Bristol-Bath path and Temple Meads Station. The dismount signs are totally inappropriate and would, if they're left, cause inconvenience to cyclists and lead to needless conflicts. However, thanks to the persistence of a BCC member we have now received a letter saying they'll be removed in April.
A similar thing happened in South Gloucestershire, where another member spotted Cyclists Dismount signs planned for installation at a mini-roundabout - and this was in a plan to make the road more cycle-friendly! South Gloucestershire Council has said it was a mistake. Hmmm!
| April 2001 | [Top] |
Bristol Council has received quite a good result from their transport plan bid. They have got over £10 million of the 12 million asked for. This will mean more money for traffic-calming, safe routes to school schemes, etc., but unfortunately most of the money earmarked for cycling will be used up completing the National Cycle network through Bristol. When you remember that this is the funding plan for the next five years, then it doesn't look so good. But there may be some opportunity for cycle funding from other sources.
The Portishead railway line, which runs alongside much of the path, is being restored, currently as far as the docks at Portbury, which, ironically is used for importing a massive number of cars from Japan, Italy and the States. Funding is £5 million from the port company, and £17 million from central government.
| ?April 2001 | [Top] |
| ?April 2001 | [Top] |
Over 10/11/12 February BCC members planted and fenced in eight new fruit trees at Mangotsfield Station. The famous damson trees there are getting old, and these young apple, plum and greengage trees will grow to replace them. The idea, and finance, came from Sustrans. Susan organised our part of it. All trees and tools were taken to the site on bicycles and trailers. If you spot any damage, phone Kean on (0117) 955 3670,
| ?April 2001 | [Top] |
In an effort to create more facilities for cyclists, Bristol Council have created a number of shared use pavements. By painting a white line and some cycle and pedestrian symbols they have, in their view, made more cycle friendly routes. I would suggest that the increase in these paths should be a matter of concern for cyclists. Because only a painted line divides cyclists and pedestrians a danger exists where walkers may stray into the bike lane.
Many of the pavements that have had this treatment are in a bad state of repair. Some even have trees and phone boxes growing out of them! A further point to consider is that Maintenance for these paths is, as I understand it, covered by the Leisure Services Directorate of the City Council as part of their maintenance of open spaces so, at present, a cycle path is not eligible for the same funding by the Council as a road.
If you decide not to use these paths and continue to cycle on the roadway, you risk the wrath of the motorists who will wind down their window and with a broad smile say "Excuse me old boy but I wonder if you shouldn't cycle on that lovely pavement thus allowing me to go faster and not risk scratching my nice car as I overtake you" (or words to that effect).
Unless there is a purpose built cycle path which has a physical barrier to keep cars and pedestrians out, then the road still provides the fastest and most direct means of travelling on a bike and pavements still provide the safest means of travel for pedestrians.
But not everyone agrees with that: one Southville cyclist said: "As someone who uses this bit of road virtually every day I think the plan is right. There is a problem with a steep camber on the river side of the road and the pavement is very wide - about 12-15 feet. I think there are excellent reasons for legalising what already takes place completely successfully."
| ?April 2001 | [Top] |
Bristol Cycling Campaign has now joined the Pedestrians Association. While some pedestrians see cyclists as a menace due to a small minority of selfish pavement cyclists, many of the problems we face are the same - and, of course, we're pedestrians too when we get off our bikes. We hope to run a section on pedestrian issues in every newsletter from now on.
The Council have said they'll consider making a bye-law against pavement parking. This will give their traffic wardens powers to issues tickets. In the meantime it's down to the courts. There's a law against driving on the footway but the courts won't accept that a car parked on the pavement has driven there. However, there is a way of taking action - at least, if the offending vehicle is a taxi or private hire vehicle. These are licensed by the Council, and they will have a word with the drivers if you report them. Take a photo if possible and note the date, time and location and send the information to Steve Bird, Environment, Transport and Leisure, Brunel House, St. George's Road, Bristol BS1 5UY.
The "wheeling" bit refers to wheelchair users, not people pushing bikes! Unfortunately, the deadline for responses has just passed, but it's a reasonable attempt to set out a plan to improve walking in Bristol. BCC has responded to it with broad approval.
| ?April 2001 | [Top] |
Over the past few months a Bicycle Users Group (BUG) has been set up by staff at the United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust. The Trust boasts a General Manager who cycles from Bath every day but facilities for cyclists have been poor.
An enthusiastic group have now got together to work with the Trust to improve facilities and to promote cycling as a healthy, environmentally friendly way to get to work. Cycle parking has improved with the installation of Sheffield stands at a number of points and there are proposals for a Cycle Centre at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. This would have secure parking for 100 bikes, showers, lockers and space for drying clothes. Car parking in and around the city centre hospitals is very limited and the new centre could have a real impact on the number of staff coming to work by car - presenting cycling as a real alternative.
The BUG is developing information on safe routes into and between healthcare sites and is setting up a "Buddy" scheme to put new cyclists, or those interested in cycling to work, together with experienced cyclists who have a similar journey. The new cyclists can find out about the best routes to work and gain confidence.
The aim of the BUG is to make cycling to work a more pleasant experience with good facilities on site and a friendlier attitude towards cyclists. It is also a hope to at least double the number of staff cycling to work.
The BUG will increase the profile of cycling, influence planning decisions to include cycling facilities and make sure existing facilities are well maintained.
For further information contact Marian Connolly at the BRI or on marian@conlley.freeserve.co.uk.
| 1 August 2000 | [Top] |
As you may know, Critical Masses (massed bike rides) have started up again in Bristol. These have not been initiated by Bristol Cycling Campaign and opinion within the Campaign is divided on their desirability or effectiveness. There have been two rides so far. The first in May was well-attended and peaceful but the second, in June, had fewer numbers and there was some harrassment by both car drivers and the police.
There's another one planned for 22 September - European Car Free Day - starting at around 5-5:30pm by the Arnolfini.
One of the protestors on the second critical mass had a narrow escape when a car knocked him over and damaged his bike. The police appeared on the scene immediately afterwards and arrested him!! They made no attempt to find the driver who had knocked him off. He was held overnight in the police station and is due in Bristol Magistrates Court on Monday 7 August charged with Obstruction. He thinks that there's a good chance the charge will be thrown out.
Stop Press (4 Aug): the hearing has been adjourned to a later date.
Stop Press 2 (20 Sep): hearing postponed again. Martin (ex-Ashton Court protester) who was arrested after a car ran over his bike on the last Critical Mass ride, has had his trial put off again. It turned out that the only magistrate available to hear the case had to decline it due to a conflict of interest - his son had recently been killed by a car while he was out cycling.
| July 2000 | [Top] |
National Bike Week (this year called the Millennium Festival of Cycling) was different this year for two reasons: firstly, it saw the official opening of the first 5,000 miles of the National Cycle Network and secondly, the usual Bike Festival, held at the end of the Big Bike Ride, was replaced by the 15-mile Festival along the Bristol-Bath Railway Path on the Saturday before.
The usual Bike Breakfast, funded by the City Council, took place on College Green on Tuesday 20 June, along with bike breakfasts at hospitals and other places of work. Unfortunately, the weather was not with us and heavy rain kept the numbers down. The turnout was fairly good at the main College Green site, but elsewhere it was patchy. There were some complaints that these events hadn't been publicised enough.
The next day, Wednesday, saw the official launch of the National Cycle Network, with teams of riders cycling almost all of the routes. There were official send-offs all over the country and the Bristol contribution was a ride from Millennium Square to Hereford. There was also another ride from Glastonbury up to Bristol following the cycle route.
Saturday saw the 15 Mile Festival along the Railway Path. The along the Bristol-Bath path. The idea was to involve local communities along the route and to show people all the places that could be reached along the path. At the Bristol end we started off at 10:30 from the beginning of the cycle track with the Lord Mayor, complete with ceremonial chain being carried on the back of a tandem by Chris White of Whistlestop Cycle Hire. Apparently, the mayor and his wife were keen tandem riders in their younger days. BCC led a ride for people new to the cycle path, complete with commentaries on the various sculptures. There were various things happening along the route - lights and sound effects in Staple Hill tunnel, a musical workshop at Mangotsfield Station and the unveiling of a mosaic by South Gloucestershire councillor Pat Hockey. The media turned up at this last event and we got some good TV coverage later on in the evening. Our next stop was at Warmley where a group of people were making a cairn, incorporating the thumbprints of anyone who wanted to be immortalised in this way. At Warmley we met the four-person pedal car and its exotically dressed occupants who had pedalled it all the way from Bath. They had taken the Mayor of Bath for a short spin in it at the start of the festival at their end.
The next major stop was at the Festival Village at the Sir Bernard Lovell school. There were various stalls there, including a BCC Doctor Bike workshop. After that we split up and made our own way to the other attractions, which in my case meant the Geological Society stall and the Bird in Hand at Saltford. Others carried on into Bath, including three people who had never been there by bike before. Unfortunately, they missed Green Park Station where a display of electric bikes was taking place.
On the way back there was still plenty going on - a band playing at Greenbank, Jon and Jane giving out free strawberries and cream as they collected signatures to oppose the proposed building of flats by the cycle path (see elsewhere on this website for details), and a bike workshop in full swing at Easton Community Centre.
As the festival was held over a large area and over the course of the day, there were never great numbers of people in one place at one time. However, the huge pile of stamped "bike passports" that CycleWest have received shows that many people did make it to most of the events and, hopefully, learnt a bit more about this wonderful cycle path.