Post by Bracken Van Ryssen on Jun 19, 2015 9:21:31 GMT
My notes from the June cycle forum in Birmingham:
Birmingham Bicycle Revolution update
Bike Right
Birmingham Greenways Map- Roy Watson
Bournville Gentle Cycling - John Bennet
Cycle South Brum
Bike2Life
Missed opportunities in Planning - Chris Lowe
Video:
Birmingham Bicycle Revolution update
- Grand Union Canal route improvements will be extended to the border between Acocks Green and Olton.
- The Canal and River Trust have no objections to the removal of access barriers to the canals as they restrict legal access more than hamper illegal access.
- All BCR phase 1 green routes have been completed now and the highways routes will be rolled out in a more complete package next year.
- BCR are looking at a Cole Valley to Castle Vale link to extend and improve the network.
- The first 40 free bicycles from Big Birmingham Bikes have been given out on Wednesday.
Bike Right
- Bike Right are a training organisation funded by Centro under the Smarter Network and Smarter Choices, running courses such as bicycle maintenance, Bikeability and cycle awareness courses for drivers.
- The HGV driver training as part of the cycle awareness courses does much to foster understanding of cyclist road positioning and environment.
- Bike Right also run 4 day instructor and 1 day advanced bicycle maintenance for those that are already confident with the basics.
Birmingham Greenways Map- Roy Watson
- The Birmingham Greenways map is a documentation of the off-road green routes around Birmingham and Solihull and is primarily aimed at occasional cyclists (but it is an extremely valuable resource for all).
- Roy got involved on making the map after receiving a copy of the Birmingham Cycling map and making modifications to it.
- Birmingham is in need of an image change and more should be done to highlight the green spaces across the city.
Bournville Gentle Cycling - John Bennet
- Everyone should put more effort into leading and encouraging small groups of local people to take leisurely rides in the local areas.
Cycle South Brum
- A partnership with the Northfield Eco Center, encompassing led rides, cycle maintenance and learning to ride courses for both adults and children.
- Majority of people on rides are women and girls and mostly dressed in ordinary clothing (the "nearly cyclists").
Bike2Life
- Maintenance training, rides and cycle training.
- Organisers of the annual Ride to the Wood ride to the road traffic remembrance memorial event.
Video:
- Need more people to respond to consultations.
- BCR is doing a very good job at planning for cycling but the general highways department tend to ignore cycling - there is a lack of expertise sharing and cohesive approaches to providing for cycling across Birmingham.
- Ashted Circus plans that BCR drafted planned to put cycling routes underneath the roundabout but the latest highway plans show a crossroad with disjointed shared-use crossings.
- Iron Lane Gyratory highways plans fail to allow bicycle users from the neighbouring housing areas from accessing the green route that cuts through the middle of the scheme, the only alternative to the pavement is cycling around the multi-lane Gyratories.
- A student housing development near the University of Birmingham putting in less than half of the amount of cycle parking that the council requires despite having £84,000 for car parking.
- BCR should use Cyclescape as a tool to identify areas for change in the proposed Green Travel Districts.