All 11 entries tagged Environment
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January 15, 2019
UK National Survey of E–bike Use and Potential Use
Writing about web page https://uwe.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/survey-of-e-bike-users-copy
Do you live in the UK, and have you ever used, or considered using, an e-bike (an electrically-assisted cycle with pedals)? If so, this survey is for you.
The research is being carried out by the University of the West of England (UWE). It is part of a wider project (REPLICATE) with local trials of e-bikes and other modes of transport in Bristol, UK, and some other cities. If you would like any more information about the project please contact: steve.melia@uwe.ac.uk or caroline.bartle@uwe.ac.uk.
E-bike sales have been growing; we certainly see more on the roads nowadays, but who is riding them, and why, or why not? Can you help us to find out? This national survey is being conducted by the University of the West of England, as part of this project. The findings will be used to write a report, and a brief summary for everyone who takes part; the
individual data will be kept confidential and will not be passed to any other party.
The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Please email us if you want to know any more about the survey. Thank you for your interest.
We are interested in your responses even if you have not yet used an e-bike.
September 10, 2013
Cycle to work day
Writing about web page https://www.cycletoworkday.org
Thousands of people across the UK have already pledged to cycle on the 12th, will you join them?
September 09, 2013
Save a cyclist
Follow-up to Sustrans Route Planning Application from Cycling to and around Warwick University
These images show the position that a cyclist needs to adopt in the central reservation to wait while turning right. Several buses travelling at <20 mph came within 10 - 30 cm of the cyclist, note the bus wheel position relative to the central markings.
Now look at the position of these cars as they negotiate the corner.
Other possibilities
Follow-up to Road design standards from Cycling to and around Warwick University
This is a very simple mock-up of how one BUG member thought this junction might be improved. I still have deep reservations and doubt the road is wide enough to accommodate this (buses will not be able to negotiate bollards on a corner safely and would risk hitting pedestrians or mounting the pavement).
September 08, 2013
Road design standards
The Sustrans Route has been designed to Transport for London and Sustrans guidelines, by Jaime Uriarte, Churchman Architects:
http://churchmanlandscapearchitects.co.uk
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/businessandpartners/lcds_chapter5.pdf
5.2.3
“Right-turning cyclists are exposed to danger when turning into or out of a minor road, both on the approach and when crossing. Turning movements both into and out of the junctions in all directions must be considered, not just on designated cycle routes. If satisfactory layouts cannot be achieved then small (cycle friendly) roundabouts or, as a last resort, signals, may be appropriate.”
5.2.4
“Acceptable solutions may include:
Central islands on the main road to assist cyclists turning in and out of side roads (can include short offside cycle lane)
Central refuges or entry treatments on side roads.
Junction tables to slow motor vehicles
Kerb realignment and build-outs to improve visibility, reduce motor traffic speeds and prevent parking close to the junction
Separate cycle approach lanes where there are high vehicle flows
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/businessandpartners/lcds_chapter4.pdf
Figure 4 suggests Cycle Lanes with traffic calming (i.e. raised table) might be viable.”
4.2.5
“Cycle lanes as such appear to have little impact on road safety targets, but *there is clear evidence of safety benefits in continuing lanes across junctions. *“
4.2.12
Gives min. traffic lane widths (I think the road fails here) and cycle lane widths (1.5 m, not marked currently, but really must be).
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I have proposed making Uni Road one-way to traffic north-south which would allow provision of 1.5 m cycle lanes and help with problems at the Piazza entrance onto Uni Road, but it might have to be two-way again at Car Park 7 junction.
I have located the DFT Design Manual which must have some force and Vol 6 Sect 3 Part 5TA 90/05 states in 3.6:
“Any crossing of a trafficked road should be located such that drivers of vehicles have full visibility of NMUs wishing to use the crossing point. Desirable minimum SSD to TD 9 (DMRB 6.1.1) should be available for drivers on the highway approaching an NMU crossing point. “
Leaving aside the fact the road is not wide enough to accomodate two cars and a cyclist, never mind a bus on that bend, the lines of sight are obstructed by mature trees to the left and there is no visibility of approaching traffic for a cyclist until they are about 10 metres or so from the proposed junction.
Sustrans Route Planning Application
Writing about web page http://planning.coventry.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=747767
Planning application and documents here:
http://planning.coventry.gov.uk/portal/servlets/ApplicationSearchServlet?PKID=747767
Architects drawings are here:
http://planning.coventry.gov.uk/portal/servlets/AttachmentShowServlet?ImageName=1071387
Please note the drawings of the right hand turn at Sports Centre corner are inaccurate in the dimensions of the traffic lanes, yet these have been interpreted literally in the version on the ground.
This is where the road markings (as painted on Friday 6 September 2013) place a cyclist turning right. Whilst observing traffic on this corner (buses, taxis and cars) the cyclist looked extremely vulnerable and within touching distance of buses. Before cyclist took up this position we observed that 9 out of 10 vehicles cornering here cut across the white hatching markings on this bend.
September 07, 2013
Making it happen!
Follow-up to Developing effective alternatives to car commuting from Cycling to and around Warwick University
Some previous posts to the BUG blog are a great place to start for inspiration on how to continue attracting more people if you have little experience of cycling.
http://blogs.warwick.ac.uk/cyclingtowarwick/entry/developing_effective_alternatives/
There some very positive suggestions that make it clear the biggest impediment to people not getting the car day after day is largely about perceptions, not civil engineering projects How do recent developments at Warwick fit into the big picture locally and nationally?
Sustrans Route and Cycle Coventry
Writing about web page http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/200123/cycling/1798/cycle_coventry
Sustrans and Cycle Coventry have received significant funding to improve cycling provision in all sorts so ways around the City and Campus.
Additions to Sustrans Route 52 are under construction on campus and there are plans for extending the route to Canley and the A45 crossing at Canley Ford.
I will try and post more here as the details emerge – I do not currently have maps of what is being proposed and implemented.
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/route-52
Is only partially correct and the maps at
http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/200123/cycling/1798/cycle_coventry
conflict with what I have seen elsewhere.
November 02, 2010
Connect2 Kenilworth to be completed
Writing about web page http://goo.gl/fb/P2iQV
Petition seems to have made an impact :)
The Connect2 Kenilworth scheme, the joint project between Warwickshire County Council and Sustrans, is to be completed as planned, including the pedestrian and cycling bridge over the A429 Coventry Road.
Cllr John Whitehouse, chair of the Connect2 Kenilworth Steering Group, said:the recent mass petition to WCC demonstrated the strength of on-going public support.
November 09, 2009
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.