Rail White Papers Addresses Bikes on Trains

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly today announced a new rail strategy.

The strategy document, Delivering a Sustainable Railway, has a full
page on bikes on trains.

Cycling England chair Phillip Darnton has welcomed the introduction
of a new taskforce to establish a consistent approach to better
integration of bike and rail journeys across different train
operating companies. He said:

"For the first time this [White paper] offers the prospect of real
clarity for the public on how they can use their bicycles as part of
their wider journey. It should encourage more commuters to give up
their cars in favour of bikes when travelling from home to the
station. The measures announced today may actually lead to fewer
bikes on commuters trains because cyclists will have access to more
secure cycle parking at stations and feel safer about leaving their
bikes there."

The white paper says:

There is a strong synergy between cycling and rail. Used in
combination, they provide one of the most environmentally friendly
options for travel to work. This form of commuting is likely to
expand as concern about climate change grows. It is in the railway's
commercial and environmental interests to facilitate this.

Action is needed to include cycling provision to, from and at
stations, and on board trains. Local authorities already have powers
and resources to provide safe cycle routes to any destination and the
pilot station travel plans will encourage a more joined-up and
environmentally focussed approach to station access. But cycle
storage facilities are also important since the priority requirement
is to facilitate use of cycles for travel to work, and commuters are
those most likely to want to store their bikes, rather than take them
onto the busiest trains. The adequacy of cycle storage facilities at
stations varies widely, as does the quality of their management.
Improving cycle facilities at stations is also the key link in most
cycle-plus-rail journeys, which require a distinct focus.

To provide the necessary focus in this area, ATOC, Cycling England,
Network Rail and Passenger Focus will be invited to form a Cycle-Rail
Task Force, actively supported by the Government. The Task Force's
job will be to promote best practice (particularly at stations), to
help Government get the detail of the franchising regime right, and
to monitor the effectiveness of measures to promote cycle-plus-rail
travel.

Future franchises will clarify the position on carriage of cycles on
trains:

. Folding bicycles should be able to be carried at all times, free of
charge.

. Train operators should be able to exclude non-folding cycles during
peak periods. Train operators are best placed to know where such
pressure exists. The apparent attractions of a single national set of
rules are outweighed by the fact that it would be unduly restrictive,
because it would subject lightly used services to the more onerous
restrictions necessary on busy commuter routes.

. Train operators should normally require advance reservation where
there are limited cycle spaces on trains, so that cyclists do not
discover too late that there is no room for their cycle. Where there
is pressure on space, operators may consider charging a reasonable
fare for that reservation. Not all do or will want to. But all
operators should ensure that a passenger-fare and any cycle-
reservation can be booked together at the same time.

. Operators must indicate clearly against each service on the
timetable whether or not cycles are permitted, whether there is a
charge and whether reservations are required; a reservation must
guarantee the space. Cyclists should not have to refer to separate
guidance.

It now seems that the improvements we have been asking to be made
with regards to local trains and services may well follow suit.

More information will be made available when the paper is
made public.

Park Hill Flats Plans on Show

£146m flats revamp plan on show: See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/6913017.stm

The plans are on show at Park Hill community centre, Duke Street.

Questions you might want to ask:

What secure storage for cycles will there be in the refurbished flats:
How will people cycle into town, given that the plan for a new bridge over the Sheaf Valley didn't make the Connect2 shortlist?
How will they access centres of employment in the Don Valley and elsewhere.
Will there be a link to the National Cycle Network?

==posted by simon

Cycling Features on the BBC

A saint in the saddle?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6900694.stm

Cycle disaster law change debate
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/6901391.stm

==posted by simon

CALL GOES OUT FOR FIVE WEIRS CLEAN UP

CALL GOES OUT FOR FIVE WEIRS CLEAN UP


Calling all river users! Walkers, anglers, canoeists, nature lovers, joggers, cyclists. A mass volunteer clean-up of the Five Weirs Walk is being planned for the last weekend in July to shift tons of debris left behind by the June floods.


The heavy rainfall left much of the popular 7.5km route under water. Many sections still remain blocked by tree trunks, and compacted rubbish whilst there is up to a metre of silt under several of the bridges.


A consortium of agencies and charities are working together to organise the event including Sheffield City Council, the Five Weirs Trust, the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, the Council’s Park Rangers, Groundwork Sheffield and the Environment Agency.


Councillor Tim Rippon, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Culture and Planning at Sheffield City Council said: “We are calling on all users and supporters of the walk to join myself and others to turn out and help for two days of clean-ups on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July. The efforts will be concentrated around Effingham Road, Salmon Pastures Royds Mill and Sandersons Weir where the worst blockages have occurred. The aftermath of the floods has brought so many people across the city together and we call on anyone who can spare a couple of hours of their time to help restore the walk to it’s former glory.”


Volunteers are asked to assemble from 12 noon onwards on Saturday 28th or Sunday 29th July at Washford Bridge on Attercliffe Road where they will be supplied with protective gear and tools.


Lisa Judson, Chair of the Five Weirs Trust said: “There is no need for special skills or strength, we will find suitable jobs for everyone and there will be experienced staff around to provide safety advice and leadership. We are also appealing for the loan of skips to take away the tons of rubbish and of a friendly JCB and driver to help with shifting heavier materials.”


Scott Porter from Sheffield City Council’s Park Rangers Service commented: “Many people like myself want to do something to help the city recover after the floods and haven’t yet found an opportunity. This is one everyone can get involved with.”


Volunteers wanting to register can call Sheffield City Council Parks and Countryside Reception on 0114 2 500 500.

Arriva Wins Cross-Country Franchise

The Department for Transport (DfT) today announced that Arriva plc has been awarded the contract to run the New Cross Country rail franchise.

It combines the majority of the existing Cross Country franchise services currently operated by Virgin Cross Country and the Nottingham - Cardiff and Birmingham - Stansted Airport services currently operated by Central Trains.

The new franchise will begin on 11th November 2007 and end on 1st April 2016. DfT has the right to terminate the franchise after six years if the operator fails to meet agreed performance targets. Over the life of the franchise (eight years and four months) DfT will pay a subsidy of £1.056 bn (NPV) to Arriva.

The contract will deliver increased capacity, better performance and improved customer services. Passengers will benefit from:

40 extra train carriages for operation on long distance services, using High Speed Trains (HSTs), refurbished to the standard of the existing Voyager Trains. This, together with internal changes to the current fleet of Voyager trains, will provide nearly 3,000 more seats each day on the busiest routes at the busiest times. Internal changes on the Voyager trains will also provide for a 20-25% increase in luggage storage space; Increased staff visibility with the busiest long distance services having at least three members of staff passing through the train; A new web-based ticketing system which will be introduced from December 2009; Refurbished Class 170 units on Birmingham - Stansted and Cardiff - Nottingham services including extra seats, and first class on all trains; Help and advice for passengers who need to change trains. The Government will continue to limit annual rises of regulated fares in line with national policy, which is currently RPI+1%.

As with all franchises, unregulated fares will be the responsibility of the operator. Arriva have indicated that they may wish to raise unregulated fares by an average of 3.4% above inflation each year.

Passengers will benefit from new arrangements to be compensated for delays and poor performance.

==ENDS===

Sheffield Cycle Campaign says: Whilst many will be pleased to see the back of Virgin XC, Arriva will have to do a lot better than their disastrous performance as Arriva Trains Northern, and their lacklustre performance in Wales. Today's passenger demands trains that run on time and are cleaned occasionally, toilets that work and of course space for bikes. Also when they say, "High Speed Trains (HSTs), refurbished to the standard of the existing Voyager Trains.", many would see that as a downgrading.

Sheffield Cycle Campaign will work with our partners to try to ensure that cyclists rights are not affected.

==posted by Simon.

Garmin Edge 205 GPS cycle computer

Going to need one of these I think...
Garmin Edge 205 GPS cycle computer

Highway Code Government Response

The Prime Minister 's office has responded to the Highway code petition (roads4bikes) as follows:

Having listened to the concerns of cyclists regarding certain aspects of rules 61 and 63 of the proposed revisions to the Highway Code, we sought views from key stakeholders on proposals for further changes to these rules.

We have now carefully considered stakeholders views and on 15 June laid before Parliament revised versions of rules 61 and 63, as follows:

61 Cycle Routes and Other Facilities. Use cycle routes, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless at the time it is unsafe to do so. Use of these facilities is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer.

63 Cycle Lanes. These are marked by a white line (which may be broken) along the carriageway. When using a cycle lane, keep within the lane when practicable. When leaving a cycle lane check before pulling out that it is safe to do so and signal your intention clearly to other road users. Use of cycle lanes is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer.

Provided that there are no objections in Parliament to the proposed revisions we should be able to publish the new edition of the Highway Code by the end of September. Any delay in issuing the Code would mean delaying the benefits of applying all the improved advice for all road users that it contains, including advice to motorists to be more aware of vulnerable road users such as cyclists.

Council celebrates flooding with more car parking

It would be great to be able to report that the council has started to learn lessons from recent events. In the wake of the flood, and the clear evidence that climate chaos is connected to emissions from transport and other energy uses, your Right to Ride representative is pleased to report that he has received a proposal from the council to create a further 150 on-street car parking spaces in the city centre. Apparently this brings us up to the level of on-street parking we had in 1967. Oh for the summer of love, when sexy girls in mini-skirts were driving around in gaily painted minis and you could park where you liked!

Your RTR has objected to this proposal.

--posted by Simon

"Sustainable" Transport consultants ban cycling

A large consultancy with a specialism in sustainable transport advice
banned staff from travelling on bicycles or motorbikes because they say
they are too dangerous, according to The Times.

Jacobs Batie's clients include Transport for London

from The Times: "(The company) has told staff at
its 36 offices across Britain that they must drive or use public
transport. They can use bicycles only if they are working away from
roads, such as on canal towpaths.

In an e-mail to all employees, a copy of which has been obtained by The
Times, the company's health and safety manager says: "It's patently
obvious that if you are struck by a wayward vehicle when you are on a
bicycle or motorbike you are going to be more severely affected than if
you were in a car. The reason for this policy is to protect our
employees from other vehicles on the road""

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2034087.ece

And the co website

http://www.jacobsbabtie.com/services/7-1_specialismdetails.aspx?id=3&s=690&c=3&d=774

The company website page on sustainable transport has a photo of a
cyclist and states "Jacobs has an impressive track record in the rapidly
developing field of sustainable transport".. ."In the area of cycling,
we can offer expert resources at every stage from cycle policy and
promotion through to the detailed design and implementation of cycle
schemes"

Sheffield Cycle Campaign says: Apart from the total idiocy of the ban, the evidence that cycling on off-road paths such as towpaths is actually less safe than cycling on the road is sonething that you would think a sustainable transport consultancy would be aware of.

Your local Jacobs Office address:

Sheffield
1 Maple Court
Tankersley
Sheffield
S75 3DP

Number of bike thefts soar, say Lib Dems

The Liberal Democrats have released figures showing that a bike is stolen in Britain every five minutes, with a 10% rise in the number of thefts since 2001.

Ahead of the arrival of the Tour De France in London, new figures obtained from a Parliamentary Answer show:

· In the last five years there has been a 10% rise in bike thefts across England and Wales - with 113,206 stolen in 2005-06 alone - one every five minutes.

· Last year there were almost 60 bike thefts reported every day in London

· In the last five years the number of bike thefts reported to the Metropolitan Police has increased by almost 50%

Commenting on the figures, Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary, Alistair Carmichael MP said:

"This huge jump in the number of bike thefts is shocking. When the Tour De France comes to London riders will have to keep a close eye on their bikes.

"Rather than wasting billions of pounds on expensive and ineffective ID cards, Gordon Brown should be investing in more police officers to cut crime and keep our streets safe.

"Cycling is the most environmentally friendly way to travel. The Government should be encouraging cycling by doing far more to tackle bike thefts and make cycling more safe and pleasant.