Gear Change and LTN 1/20 – the start of a cycling revolution, or another false dawn?

31 August 2020
Categories: Cycling for All, Influence, Liveable Neighbourhoods, News, Space for Cycling

Months, years and sometimes decades go by with only warm words and crumbs from Government on cycling. We’ve had false dawns before but on July 28 the government published two potentially revolutionary documents for cycling: Gear change: a bold vision for cycling and walking, and the less snappily titled LTN 1/20 Cycle infrastructure design. Showing commitment based on what has worked in London, in the foreword to Gear Change Boris Johnson says about cycling: It doesn’t just make you happier. It doesn’t just make you healthier. It helps millions of others too, whether or not they have any…

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Workshops on changes to the Railway Path – have your say!

14 October 2019
Categories: Space for Cycling

Sustrans have funding to improve the Bristol end of the Railway Path between Trinity Road and Clay Bottom. The £1.2m project is being called the One Path: BS5 project and “aims to encourage positive behaviour and tackle issues such as conflict between path users”. It is funded by the Department for Transport and will be delivered by Sustrans in partnership with Bristol City Council. Hooray! But hold on there. There’s a line of thought that what’s needed are speed bumps, bollards, and chicanes. What do you think needs to be done? There are four events coming up to find out what the local community…

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Proposals for Coronation Rd – Dean Lane crossing

1 December 2017
Categories: Consultations, News

Draft plans have been circulated for this is very important and heavily used route for walking and cycling at the south end of Gaol Ferry Bridge (plan). The current arrangement is most unsatisfactory and long overdue for improvement. This has come to top of the pile as Bristol Council tries to find deliverable schemes as the Cycling Ambition Fund completion deadline approaches in 2018. 

The CAF team have increasingly struggled to get through projects that demonstrate any real ambition for cycling with councillors failing to support plans for the Filwood Quietway Victoria Park, a missed opportunity or is something better than nothing?, and now we hear Easton Safer Streets – ask councillors to support is likely to have only token measures to remove rat-running through traffic.

Schemes at problematic junctions like Coronation Road are welcome, but will be little more than sticking plasters that fail to achieve significant increases in cycling in the absence of a strategic vision and end-to-end routes that enable ‘Triple A Cycling’, for All Ages and Abilities.

We were interested in the proposals from Bristol Walking Alliance for a more radical change to include the Dean Lane junction.

Here’s BCyC Response to Coronation Rd _ Dean Lane crossing, or as follows:

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Bristol University Tyndall Avenue public realm changes – our response

28 February 2017
Categories: Consultations

Bristol University are proposing to ‘stop up’ Tyndall Place including the junctions at either end as part of their master plan. Here’s our view.

Response to Consultation (BCyCResponsetoTyndallAvenue)
Bristol Cycling Campaign
23 February 2017
Tyndall Avenue Public Realm Project

www.bristol.ac.uk/estates/projects/tyndallplace/

Our overall position on this consultation is: Support with strong qualification

Space for Cycling
Does this measure deliver 1) Protected space on main roads; 2) Remove through motor traffic; 3) Safe routes to school; 4) Cycle friendly town centres; 5) Cycle routes in green spaces; 6) 20mph speed limits?

Amber – overall neutral

Road Danger Reduction
Does this measure seek a genuine reduction in danger for all road users by identifying and controlling the principal sources of threat?

Green – overall benefit

Triple A Quality
Will this measure be attractive to all ages and abilities using all kinds of cycles? This means ‘Triple A’ quality for All Ages and Abilities

Amber – overall neutral

Strategic Cycling Network
How does this measure contribute to the development of a planned, integrated and coherent strategic cycle network?
Green – overall benefit

Cycle-proofing
How far does this measure provide for Triple A Space for Cycling in the future?
Green – overall benefit

The Bristol Cycling Campaign welcomes many aspects of the proposals to redesign Tyndall Avenue as a public space which is wider, greener, and free of cars and buses. These proposals could produce significant benefits for the University and the City, in terms of well-being, in providing a clear physical focus for the University, and in drawing the public to the Royal Fort Gardens.

However our approval is subject to a major caveat. It is important that cyclists retain the use of Tyndall Avenue as of right, a right which is not subject to possible future removal by the University.  It is not enough to have a broad statement that “Cyclists will still be allowed to pass through Tyndall Avenue after it is pedestrianised” (Tyndall Avenue Public Realm Project Consultation Document p.8).

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Review of recently completed shared use route schemes – July 2016

31 July 2016
Categories: Space for Cycling

A Bristol Cycle Forum meeting on 21 July 2016 was in the form of a cycle ride to review some recently completed shared use route schemes, and two long-established schemes. The ride was attended by 7 people (no council officers). The sites we visited and reviewed are listed below, using the unsegregated/ delineated (line or different surface)/segregated (different levels) classification of the BCC draft shared use route policy (see BCyC Policy – Shared Space Streets and Shared Use Pavements which includes a link). Merchants Dock – proposed widening – unsegregated Centre – re-designed route opposite the Hippodrome – delineated…

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Shared Space

27 July 2016
Categories: FAQ

In relatively quiet spaces where competition for space is not an issue sharing can be relaxed, convenient and sociable. When pedestrian or cycle traffic is heavy (even for shorts periods) shared space provokes anxiety and avoidance. Layouts and marked routes for cyclists should be clearly laid out and easy for all to follow and pedestrians to notice. Particular attention should be paid to consistent design of signalised crossings where many cyclists and pedestrians and cyclist might be waiting together at peak periods. BCyC Policy – Shared Space Streets and Shared Use Pavements…

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Campaign to keep Prince St Bridge for people walking and cycling

15 July 2016
Categories: News

Prince Street Bridge is possible the most important single point in the city for walking and cycling. It is very heavily used and already a point of significant congestion. This will get worse as ever more people choose to walk and cycle.

It is clear that it can no longer continue to function safely and comfortably while meeting the needs of walking, cycling and motor traffic. Something has to give.

We’ve launched a petition for a one year trial of a proper design for walking and cycling. It’s been closed to motor traffic for six months so we know the city can cope.

There is a consultation on Prince Street out now to create a proper All Ages and Abilities (Triple A) route from Cumberland Road to the Centre, but it gives up at Prince St Bridge (and also doesn’t link to Gaol Ferry Bridge).

There’s a ‘plotting’ meeting for everyone who wants to make this happen on Weds 20th July, 5.45pm at Roll for the Soul. Come along!
Here’s the text of the petition

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Huge response to Space for Cycling survey

15 February 2016
Categories: Influence

We have had over 600 responses to our survey on what people think about cycling in Bristol. Most responses were from those who cycle regularly, 73% cycle more than 3 times a week, and the main motivations were for excecise and pleasure, commuting, and concern for environment There is strong support for removing motor traffic from shopping areas to create ‘Living Hearts’. and 3 out of 4 saya there’s not enough secure cycle parking. People want police to priortise cycle theft. in 20mph local areas half support further traffic slowing measures, but others feel these don’t help cycling and cause other…

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