All entries for November 2009

Bicycle User Group

Dear Bicycle User Group member

As part of the evolving Transport Strategy at the University, it has
been suggested that ‘formalising’ the Bicycle User Group (along the
lines of Warwick Car Share for example) and adding benefits such as…

- reduced cost of Warwick Sport membership to enable access to shower
facilities
- reduced cost purchase of accessories
- links to Car Share scheme to assist occasional cyclists
- access to on-site cycle repair facilities
- regular free cyclists ‘breakfasts’ (apparently an employer can
provide these as a tax-free benefit up to 6 times per year)
- commitment from the University to meet with Users and take account
of needs in new and existing works to campus.
- cycle training scheme

...would be desirable.

Please do let me have feedback here or though bug[at]listserv.
I’ll take views back to the next Transport Strategy Group on Thurs 10
December.

Andrew Marsh : 22 Nov 2009 16:39 |  Tags: Bicycle Bug Cycle Cycling Strategy Transport |  Comments (8) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Free Bike Registration

Writing about web page http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/insite/newsandevents/notices/bikeregistration

Resident PC Mick Parkes will be registering bikes for free on Monday 16 November between 12:30 – 14:00.

You can find PC Parkes out by Bike Racks at entrance to Bio Sci building. He will register your bike for free (normally this service costs £11.95) which will help protect your bike from theft. Campus Security as well as the local Police station will hold details of your bike.

Many bikes stolen on campus do get found by Campus Security or the local Police, but it is sometimes impossible to identify the owner. If your bike does get stolen then by registering it with PC Parkes you have a much better opportunity of it being reunited with you should it be recovered.

Catherine Fenn : 16 Nov 2009 12:47 |  Tags: Cycle Thefts Security |  Comments (4) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Developing effective alternatives to car commuting

Summary of some points to bring to Transport Strategy Group 11 November 2009

Publicising alternatives to car use is often more cost-effective and attitude-changing than civil engineering.

• Better web- and physical signage of routes for cyclists and pedestrians (some exists already).

• http://www.coventry.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/transport-and-streets/sustainable-transport/travelwise/

• Webtools for personal cycleroute planning such as Google pedometer http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

• Advertise Cycle to Work scheme benefits + 20 p per mile expenses claimable if own cycle used for work-related travel versus real costs of motoring

• Regular updates on e.g. Sustrans’ cross-campus to Kenilworth route http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk/schemes/project_detail.php?id=146

Small works bring big benefits

• Covered ‘Sheffield Stand’ parking close to building entrances

• Secure cycle parking across campus

Planning and implementation in consultation with user communities

• Improving cycle routes around campus would have a significant impact on safety of all campus users, on foot, cycle and car

e.g. entrance / exit to Gibbet Hill cycletrack behind SU; entrance / exit to shared use path between boilerhouse and University House.

• Unforeseen consequences of parking changes on campus – surrounding roads are more congested, more dangerous for cyclists.

Consider http://www.cycletoworkguarantee.org.uk/ The guarantee covers 5 areas:

• Cycle to work scheme – the University subscribes to this

• Cycle storage

• Changing facilities

• Repair/maintenance facilities

• Inspiring cycling – including cycle training)

Adoption of the full guarantee would be a good step towards encouraging more staff and students to take up cycle commuting to campus.

PDF version here cycleagenda.pdf

Andrew Marsh : 10 Nov 2009 21:27 |  Comments (15) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

Items for TSG

Follow-up to TSG agenda from Cycling to and around Warwick University

I have had a flurry of large and small suggestions, all excellent, to bring to Weds Transport Strategy Group:

1. Small works to improve cycle routes around campus woudl have a significant impact on safety of all campus users, on foot, cycle and car.
e.g. entrance / exit to Gibbet Hill cycletrack behind SU;
entrance / exit to shared use path between boilerhouse and University House.

2. Better web- and physical signage of routes for cyclists and pedestrians (some exists already).
e.g.
http://www.coventry.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/transport-and-streets/sustainable-transport/travelwise/

3. Webtool for personal cycleroute planning as for recent pedestrian initiative.
Google pedometer is useful for planning cycle routes http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/

4. Consider http://www.cycletoworkguarantee.org.uk/
The guarantee covers 5 areas, one of which is buying, which is the cycle to work scheme. The others are cycle storage, changing facilities, repair/maintenance facilities and
inspiring (including cycle training). Adoption of the full guarantee would be a good step towards encouraging more staff and students to take up cycle commuting to campus.

5. Updates on Sustrans’ cross-campus to Kenilworth route http://www.sustransconnect2.org.uk/schemes/project_detail.php?id=146

6. Advertise 20 p per mile expenses claimable (or Cycle to Work scheme benefits) versus real costs of motoring.

7. Secure cycle parking still needs to be improved across campus.

8. Unforeseen consequences of the changes in campus car parking policy. Since the start of term (and the new parking policy) there has been a massive increase in on-road parking on Sir William Lyons Road and the residential roads leading from De Montfort Way. This has in turn lead to an increase in traffic and congestion on these roads and Lynchgate
Road during both rush hours (particularly the evening). As well as no doubt frustrating local residents, this makes these roads considerably less cycle friendly, which is particularly unfortunate as they form part of the most convenience cycle route between the campus and Coventry City Centre.

Andrew Marsh : 09 Nov 2009 12:02 |  Tags: Bicycle User Group Bug Cycling Environment Strategy Transport Transport Strategy Group |  Comments (18) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

TSG agenda

Writing about web page /cyclingtowarwick/entry/transport_strategy_group/

Writing about an entry you don't have permission to view

BUG has been invited to attend the Transport Strategy Group which will meet Weds 11th November and report by end December.

Terms of Reference are:

“To develop a coherent strategy for transport and travel designed to support increased use of alternative modes of transport to the car for journeys to and from the University for staff, students and visitors, particularly to reduce the number of single occupancy car journeys to campus and reduce congestion, in line with the University’s Green Travel Plan, Carbon Management Plan and other related responsibilities.”

I welcome any comments or specific suggestions from Bicycle User Group members to take to the meeting.

Andrew Marsh : 09 Nov 2009 10:21 |  Tags: Bicycle User Group Bug Cycling Environment Strategy Transport Transport Strategy Group |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem