Brighton & Hove Cycling Campaign

www.bricycles.org.uk April - June 2016 No. 108 Carry on, cabbie! Nine points on his licence and two driving convicons but sll deemed ‘fit and proper’ to drive a taxi in a baffling legal judgement. The driver in queson was found guilty of careless driving and failing to stop following a collision with a female southbound cyclist on London Road at the juncon with Harrington Road (locaon above) in May 2014. The Council revoked his taxi licence but were told they were wrong to do so at an appeal on behalf of the driver in November 2015. At a further hearing on 10 February this year, a judge again rejected the Council’s case that the driver was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence. The driver retains his taxi licence. We have made strong representaon to the Council and we intend to follow this up with aendance at the next Council meeng with responsibility for Licensing where a relevant report will be presented. See page 10

Goodbye, Cyclists’ Touring Club Hello to “Cycling UK, Bricycles AGM th The cyclists’ champion”. Tuesday May 17 at 6.30 pm (New logo le ). The Fountainhead, No longer comfortable 102 North Rd, Brighton, with its cycle touring BN1 1YE roots, CTC has dropped Short meeng + social. the old name and logo, and is conducng a full corporate hp://bit.ly/1Qknarb rebrand and restructure of representaon. See page 30

Local Transport News

The budget for Brighton and Hove’s Local Transport Plan has been approved.

The Local Transport Plan (LTP4) includes a transport strategy up to 2030, and a 4- year delivery plan for maintaining, managing and improving the City’s transport and highway infrastructure. upgrades to the A270 Elm Grove traffic Brighton & Hove City Council’s signals, (above) the bus route on Eastern Environment Transport & Sustainability Road/Edward Street and the commiee (ETS) met on 15 Mar and development of proposals for Boundary referred the LTP budget to the Policy & Road/Staon Road, Portslade and future Resources Commiee who subsequently work on Church Road, Hove. approved it. The 2016/17 LTP capital programme budget is £4.274 million. A report to the The LTP 4 programme of works includes Budget Council noted that “the Safer Routes to Schools, Travel Planning, announced allocaons are lower than compleon of the East Street / Old Town previous years of £5.682m in 2015/16 scheme, improving access to parks, the and £7.479m in 2014/15.” countryside and the South Downs Naonal Park; development of the The LTP programme is at bit.ly/1p91RTs ‘Gateway to the Sea’ from Brighton Council decisions are at bit.ly/1XD4Xer Staon to the Seafront and the Valley Gardens scheme (Phases 1 & 2). Transport Operaonal policies A range of operaonal policies have Also listed is improved cycle parking at been approved e.g. on street works, Hove, Portslade, London Road and trees, bollards, obstrucons etc. Moulsecoomb train staons; the Bike including the new “Events-Permit Policy” Share project; local improvements on 20 and “Grass verge parking and vehicle mph limits, unspecified “high risk sites" overrun policy” aiming to prevent and "cycle facilies". muddy verges due to car parking. Technological assistance listed in the Open Spaces Strategy plan includes the Intelligent Transport There will be a consultaon on new ways Systems package (for improved traffic of managing parks in the light of limited signals and driver informaon), council resources. (Includes places like Traveline, JourneyOn and electric vehicle Preston Park Velodrome which has charging points (allocated £55,000). aracted funding from Brish Cycling.) Planned work on routes includes 2

Parking consultaons There will be consultaons in Preston Village / Surrenden and West Hove. Walking & Cycling Study Ditchling Gardens / Hollingbury Road Bricycles parcipated in a workshop parking plan will go forward because on 9 th Feb ’16 run by transport there have been no objecons. consultants Mo MacDonald, Hanover, Elm Grove and Craven Vale appointed by Brighton & Hove City Inial residents parking consultaon: Council to conduct a study about from 30 Mar - 6 May 16. walking and cycling improvements in East Brighton. The area is from the Old Bush Farm Drive Cllr Peter Atkinson (Lab, North Portslade) raised the issue of speeding motorists at Bush Farm Drive, Downs Park Estate, N. Portslade. Next ETS meeng: 28 Jun 2016 at 4.00pm ? ? ?

Steine in the west, Arundel Road in Don’t miss out! Keep an eye on the east, Edward Street/Eastern Road consult.brighton-hove.gov.uk/portal/ to the north and the upper promenade to the south. Stanmer Park and Estate Plan Parcipants represented community, Heritage Loery funding available. resident, business, health, university Consultaon ended 25 April. Bricycles and bus/walking/cycling perspecves. put in a response. There will be a Many excellent points were made separate later consultaon on parking. about routes, crossings, parking, bus Public Spaces Protecon Orders stops, one way streets, and an PSPOs aim to stop an -social behaviour improved public realm. in a park / public space and last for 3 The consultants had already years. Issues include driving on grass, researched the area. They were aware the occupaon of land by people in of one-way streets issues and referred caravans, vehicles or tents, fly pping, to Brussels where it’s compulsory to lighng fires or defecang/urinang. allow contraflow cycling unless road Whilst useful, there are civil liberes width or similar issues prohibit it. The concerns about the criminalisaon of project is funded by the Local otherwise non-criminal acts. Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) for Consultaon ended 27 April. 2015/2016. See page 4 “Council bid”

3 Brighton Staon suspends cycle parking The sign said: “Temporary closure of cycle storage facilies. From Monday 18 April 2016. Dear passenger, from Monday 18 April, these storage facilies will be unavailable die to relocaon and servicing of these racks. If you wish to leave your bike at the staon, why not use the Cycle Hub, which is a free storage facility. All you need is a Southern key card, for which you can register online at southernrailway.com/the key It takes only a few minutes to register and the card will be sent to you by post within five days. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this will cause.” See www.southernrailway.com/ckets -and-fares/the-key-smartcard/

Road Safety budget Bricycles supports The area includes the Cllr. Phélim Mac Cafferty, Lewes Road and Valley Council bid Gardens (Steine Gardens convenor of the Green group Brighton and Hove City etc.) and east to include has expressed concern over Council is seeking Whitehawk. the £40,000 reducon to the addional funding for The aims of the fund are Road Safety educaon budget projects for 2016/17 to support the local proposed by Labour-led under the Sustainable economy, reduce carbon Brighton and Hove City Travel Transion Fund emissions, improve Council. This was one of many which is aimed to access to employment, cuts made in response to the connue funding for a educaon and services) reducon in local authority previously funded and increase physical funding by central government. scheme. acvity. City Plan Bricycles has wrien a The Council will also seek leer of support, to assist On 24 March, Brighton & Hove funding from the “Access the bid to the City Council adopted the City Fund ”. Department for The full bid is at Plan (Part 1) as part of its Transport. development plan for the City. bit.ly/1WaXrZl Cllr. Gill Mitchell, Lead Member for Environment, Cars turn verges into a muddy mess! Transport & Sustainability Some councillors are calling for an end to wrote “The City Plan includes vehicles parking on verges. At present, parking policies that promote wardens integrated and sustainable can only transport systems to reduce issue a the negave and unhealthy cket in impact of traffic congeson on both a local and sub-regional some basis.” Read more at: areas of hp://bit.ly/1VdPiEw the city. 4 Lewes Road crash In this incident on Tuesday 12 April, the cyclist was reportedly riding southbound with a bendy bus on his outside going in the same direcon. He was hit by a no. 48 bus which turns right across the road here into the Highway to Lower Bevendean (locaon in photo right). The bus company has launched an invesgaon. The cyclist was taken to hospital and later discharged.

Cyclist/car crash at Gyratory Reports say that the cyclist was heading for Bear Road when hit by a car on Friday 29 April. She was taken to hospital and discharged a few hours later. We will be closely following both cases and looking for improvements to reduce risk for cyclists. Views? Informaon? [email protected]

Preston Park cycle track progress A new fence has been installed around the whole cycle track (le ). This does not look hugely remarkable but apparently the top of the barrier helps prevent riders going over the fence. Also, if you hit it side-on you are more likely to slide along and avoid your handlebars geng caught on the fence i.e. more chance of staying upright if you go into the fence. (Thanks to Rupert Rive on Facebook for the explanaon!). The roof on the grandstand has been removed (le ) and will not be replaced. This will help to deter an -social uses of the area (we were informed by the workmen.) Contact Rupert Rive on [email protected] and see hp://www.facebook.com/saveprestonparkcycletrack Next phase is fundraising for lights at the track.

5

1 2

1

3 4

5 6 1. Heart bike parking: Sydney Street Instantly adopted for rough sleeping 2. Upgraded cycle path Hove Park 5. Bike parking, Osborne Rd 3. Arundel Place contraflow 6. Firle Straight (A27) bike path 4. Bike parking at the Co-op, London Rd. resurfaced.

6 Massively tall road signs! Difficult to understand how road signs were erected on London Road of about 6 metres high, here (le ) by Francis Street, well up to first floor level! They were adjusted to normal size within a few days.

Patcham roundabout (right) was turned into a barren wasteland when Highways England responded to complaints about poor visibility by total clearance of the vegetaon!

Shoreham level crossing Campaigners are calling for the subway to be reopened at Shoreham by Sea railway staon following a pedestrian death at the level crossing in February.

Seafront diversion “Share the space, drop your pace” (right and below). Watch out for pedestrians.

7 New cycle map Bricycles contributed points for the revision of the Brighton and Hove cycle map. The map has now been printed and is available in the Jubilee Library, other Council outlets, and at: hp://bit.ly/1VE2L8T Many thanks to the Road Safety Team who oversaw its producon. There are further plans for an interacve and updated on-line version. As a consequence of the feedback, some new and very specific Traffic Regulaon Orders have been adversed to address anomalies. If approved, cycling will make some gains in the East Street and Market Street area including use of the Avenue (which links to the Steine) and Nile Street. An order will clarify cycling in Gloucester Road (though the Kensington Place to Queens Gardens secon will be lost to “no cycling”). The cycle map also includes advice about posioning oneself on the road (see panel right). Points made are about using Advanced Stop Lines, looking out for turning vehicles, how to turn right, avoiding cycling too close to parked cars and being aware of vehicle blind spots.

Camera car trial Brighton & Hove’s parking enforcement company, NSL, has trialled a camera car able to ‘read’ number plates and to direct Civil Enforcement Officers to vehicles without permits. The month-long trial of Automac Number Plate Recognion (ANPR) took place in February in streets within the Preston Drove, Stanford Avenue and Preston Park Avenue area.

8 Focus, Look, Listen The Road Safety Team want feedback on their new “Focus Look Listen” campaign. The poster, right can be seen at many locaons around town. It says: “42% of collisions in Brighton and Hove occurred because road users were not looking properly.” How effecve is the poster and this kind of campaign? The Team have collected some views in a survey (now closed) entled “Percepon of road collisions.” To give your views or for more informaon contact: [email protected] Road Safety Officer, 01273 292258

Safer Driving Course cyclists on the road. Part of this involves 14 professional drivers (HGV, bus, coach being a cyclist in the centre of the city – and removals) recently swapped their an eye opener for many drivers who had vehicles for bikes in a new ‘Safer Urban not ridden a bike for many years! Driving Course’. The free courses, run by Key points include understanding how “Cycle Confident” and Brighton & Hove modern cycle training has changed e.g. City Council’s Road Safety Team, are riding in a more asserve posion on the funded by government grant and are road – to be seen more easily available to all HGV drivers for their (parcularly at juncons) and to avoid Cerficate of Professional Competence being hit by a door opening from a (CPC) training. parked car. The council’s Road Safety The course highlights ways motorists can Officers would encourage all professional improve their driving e.g. explaining why drivers to take this kind of training. road layout changes are being For more informaon, contact Keith implemented and the behaviour of Baldock, details above.

9

Licensing Commiee

We raised the issue of taxi driving (Non Licensing Act 2003 Funcons) standards with the members of Mo Marsh (Chair, Labour) Brighton and Hove City Council’s Saoirse Horan (Deputy Chair, Labour) Licensing Commiee (listed right). Denise Cobb (Cons. Spokesperson) Many thanks to the Chair, Cllr. Mo Lizzie Deane (Green Spokesperson) Kevin Allen (Labour) Marsh (Lab, Moulsecoomb & Steve Bell (Conservative) Bevendean) and Simon Court Penny Gilbey (Labour) Nick Lewry (Conservative) (Senior Solicitor, Housing and Clare Moonan (Labour) Ligaon, BHCC) for helping with Jackie O'Quinn (Labour) our enquiry. Many thanks also to Dick Page (Green) Dee Simson (Conservative) Duncan Dollimore of Cycling UK Carol Theobald (Conservative) (CTC) for his legal experse. Lee Wares (Conservative) Unfortunately, the outcome of the Pete West (Green) Council’s appeal (see front page) was very disappoinng. We are very pleased that Cllr. Dick Page, (Green, Hanover & Elm Grove) has asked for a report to be brought to the next meeng “on this worrying case as it affects the ‘fit & proper person’ test for taxi drivers” . He also wrote “It would at least be useful to have a brief review and see if there are any lessons to be learned for taxi licensing, notwithstanding this Judge’s unusual decision.” The next meeng of the Licensing Commiee (Non Licensing Act 2003 Funcons) is on 30 Jun 2016 3.00pm We will follow this up.

A c t n o w! What’s your view of taxis? Are you OK with taxis / private hire vehicles or do you experience problems? Let us know! Email [email protected]

Did you know… “Compared to similar authories, Brighton and Hove has the 2 nd highest level of provision of hackney carriages to populaon level – twice the average for England (excluding London). From a report to Brighton and Hove City Council http://bit.ly/1RRVUqN entitled “Survey of Demand for Hackney Carriage Services”, 30/10/15

10 requested for this message to be Sharing the road? distributed amongst drivers.” (29/10/15) hp://bit.ly/20EPhaB

We recently forwarded Brendan’s traffic audit (see leers page 28) to Brighton and Hove City Council’s Road Safety Team. Many thanks that one of the team aended the Taxi Forum and wrote on Facebook: “I was invited to taxi forum meeng last week to talk about Advanced Stop Lines. All accepted that they help visibility of cyclists and risk minimisaon, thus should not be stopped Brighton and Hove City’s cycle map in. Taxi drivers are professional drivers encourages cyclists to use Advanced thus collisions have a direct economic Stop Lines as part of “Juncon safety”, impact on their business. Those there but many vehicles, parcularly taxis are accepted their responsibility and blocking them. requested other road users do as well. Back in October, taxi drivers were asked Specific menon was made of cyclist red to observe ASLs at the Taxi Forum light running and signalling/looking. We meeng. The minutes record the point are all in it together ...... ” thus: “Advanced Stop Lines – Recent We responded with “Thanks for raising complaints have been received about this again with the Taxi Forum. Of course drivers not stopping on advanced stop professional drivers must always obey lines. This has been causing fricon, the Highway Code Rule 178. Are there any trade forum was asked to as far as sancons that the council can apply to possible avoid doing this. It was also habitual offenders?” So far, no reply. Respond to Road Safety issues: hps://www.facebook.com/sharetheroadsbrightonandhove/

Don’t block the drop DisabledGo , the organisaon that publishes informaon on accessibility for disabled people is campaigning to keep dropped kerbs clear. They write: “Our aim is to get 1,000 examples of motorists blocking dropped kerbs within 8 weeks and we’re calling on everyone to get involved to help raise awareness so we can highlight the issue to police and parking enforcement teams.” If you see an obstrucon, email [email protected] or comment on Facebook: hp://www.facebook.com/DisabledGo or Twier: hp://twier.com/DisabledGo

11 Bricycles at the Refreshers Fair Bricycles ran a stall to promote

cycling as part of the University of Sussex students’ "Refreshers Fair". We were in the volunteering secon at the Sports Centre on Wed 27 th Jan 2016. Bricycles Secretary, Adam Pride (centre in photo le ) organised

and manned the stall with help from John Clinton (above). There were friendly relaons with the “Cicabs” stall holders who generously distributed their mugs and freebies branded with the taxi company logo.

Bricycles in the Argus on parking The Argus also published an arcle by Becky in cycle lanes and road building Reynolds on 25 Feb. It started: “The knee- Bricycles got some news coverage in the jerk response to congeson from policians Argus on 7/4/16. The arcle reported that is bigger roads, but many journeys on the the Council have issued 577 ckets for A27 are short and would transfer to public parking in cycle lanes since 2013, though an transport, walking and cycling. For our own FOI request showed few ckets for several wellbeing, we should be doing this. problemac roads. The Dyke Road /Avenue Dependence on motor vehicles is causing cycle lanes demonstrate how useless major health and environmental problems advisory lanes are. Enforcement is not including air polluon, road casuales and possible (unless double yellow lines are also community severance. there) and drivers simply park their vehicles Read it at hp://bit.ly/1THjxCB ( on them, regardless. hp://bit.ly/1My3Zzx

12 Duncan of Bricycles knows about Traffic management! “I recently obtained a Naonal Highways Sector Scheme 12D T7 for Managers and Client Officers qualificaon. This means I can oversee installaon, maintenance, and removal of temporary traffic management (TTM) on rural and urban roads. I can also tell when installed works are not compliant with requirements.”

Adam went to Japan “Saw this very high-tech bike parking facility in Nagoya - presumably the storage is underground. Part of a newly built office block so presumably paid for by the developers.”

For more about cycling in Japan: hps://vimeo.com/157120644?ref=tw -share

Tony’s 50 th Audax On 25 th Feb, Tony Green completed his 50 th 200 km Audax event. “It was very cold, frosty and icy for the first 3 hours, but once the sun came up I started to warm up and feel more posive about compleng the ride. I was back on my old familiar route to New Alresford and back. Not my fastest me, but the ice made me cauous.” Right: a frosty field 2km from Fernhurst.

13 Another Velo event took place on Sat April 16 th at the Preston Park Velodrome, with St Luke's School now joining the Downs Infant/Junior Schools’ free bike & scooter event for local primary aged children. Aracons included Bikeability training with Brighton and Hove City Council and Sustrans’ Ben Sherra, musical Bike Trains with Duncan Blinkhorn, a ramped course, the smoothie bike, Sussex cycling Police, Dr. Bike, all kinds of bikes to try and sponsored laps for Asher’s Fund. See hps://fodis.org.uk/ The Friends of Downs Infant School. Above: Organiser Al Mackintosh. Below: Ben Sherra fixes a small bike!

Le : The bike train takes off with Duncan Blinkhorn! Below: Duncan (centre ) with Tom, le , at the Bricycles stall.

14 Nongham's new bike scheme By Anne Doyle As part of a 48 hours visit to Nongham, I managed to persuade my daughter Sophie (in photo below) and her boyfriend Jordan to join me on a ride along the canal towpath on hired city bikes. At only £1 for a full day's hire it has to be the bargain of the weekend.

There are plenty of hubs to pick up the bikes with more being planned. The scheme is operated by registering online at first, paying an inial £1 charge then following some simple instrucons to send a text both at me of hire and then again on return of the bike using your mobile phone We followed the most obvious route along the canal towpath which is accessed by the main railway staon which was a great introductory ride. Further along the towpath links into the Trent riverside route which we plan to explore next me as now that we're registered we'll definitely hire city bikes again on my next visit.

15 Cycling in New Zealand

by Howie Blanks

CYCLE touring on the South Island of New Zealand had been on our bucket list for some me and in January the dream finally came true. We flew Singapore Airlines to Christchurch, a mammoth journey taking 24 hours - but boy was it worth it! Meculous planning of our four week trip meant we had covered every night’s accommodaon along 400 miles of one of the most barren stretches of road on the West Coast, a place where there was nothing apart from a few towns interspersed with lots of sheep, waterfalls, a windswept coast line and dense rainforest. The format was simple - fly to Christchurch, hire bicycles and spend two weeks crossing the Southern Alps, cycling down the West Coast. Once we reached Queenstown we would then pick up a camper van and tour the rest of the island, heading east and then back north with two bikes strapped to the back of the van. Arriving in Christchurch we were shocked by the devastaon le behind from the earthquake in 2011. With a magnitude of 6.3 it had virtually destroyed Cathedral Square area killing 163 people. Five years on, the city centre sll resembled one large building site and minor earthquakes sll take place on a regular basis. A er a couple of days recovering it was a case of cycling ourselves into fitness as we took on the 3,000 climb (perhaps the hardest climb on the South Island), crossing the Southern Alps via Arthurs Pass (photo right) whilst cycling into a head wind and I was thankful to a passing motorist for reminding me I must be an idiot to do it via a bicycle. Cycling in New Zealand can be challenging, not so much because of the terrain, but rather the lack of roads which tend to be single carriageway and transverse the country from top to boom. 16 On the West Coast the roads carry very lile traffic, but when you do come across something, it tends to be very large and moving very quickly. Minor roads tend to be gravel tracks. On the East Coast it is a lot busier, but not like Brish standards of busyness. The West Coast (photo le ) of the South Island in New Zealand is a truly beauful place with lush dense rain forest which emits an audible call from its inhabitants. The noise from exoc birds like the Bell bird bounces across the tops of trees and waterfalls cascade down from the mountain tops crashing on the rocks below.

By bicycle, there is a respite from the main road if you pick up the West Coast Wilderness Cycle trail that starts in Greymouth (photo at the top of the arcle). The trail skirts the coast (photo above) and then inland passing through abandoned ‘Gold Rush’ towns, before finishing further down the coast in Ross. The West Coast is one of the weest places in the world and Ross is weer than the Amazonian Rainforest. When we arrived, we were warned of a ‘weather event’ that was to take place in the next few days – half a metre of rain fell in two days and

17 certainly made for some prey impressive waterfalls. We reached Queenstown the adventure capital of New Zealand (photo le ), whose young cosmopolitan inhabitants reminded me of my home town of Brighton and it was a strange feeling to be suddenly amongst people again. Here we picked up a campervan for the next part of our adventure. First stop was Milford Sound – a huge spectacular Sea inlet which is one of the wonders of the world and easier to reach on four wheels and a four hour drive from Queenstown and via a very scary pot holed infested, dark narrow tunnel which cuts through the rock to reveal a scene that takes your breath away. (Photo below). For the next two weeks we sought out the highlights of the South Island starng with the Otago Central Cycle trail an hour’s drive from Queenstown. This cycle path follows the old ‘Gold Rush’ railway lines from Clyde to Middlemarch and could be described as the Downs Link on steroids. A dusty journey by bicycle that runs for 75 miles through Lord of the Rings country via an ever changing landscape of giganc boulders set in front of snowcapped mountains and huge plains that stretch out as far as your eyes can see. The Otago Peninsula nearby is another South Island gem nestled on the East Coast below Dunedin, where we saw our first Penguin. Seals were just chilling out on the beach without a care in the world and above the extraordinary Albatross soured

18 high above your head - an impressive huge bird that has the wing span of a small airplane. My number one ambion, did not involve a bicycle, but instead concerned something larger and I was not to be disappointed as we headed back north to the small seaside resort of Kaikoura. Here a narrow deep funnel lies a few miles off shore and home of numerous Sperm Whales and other species of sea the relevant paperwork and has fantasc life. We saw five sperm whales, blue intermient views as the bush cleared – sharks, dolphins and pilot whales – a but be warned, tread carefully as it is truly memorable day. very narrow and rocky in places with a Following my nose we headed to sheer drop. Marlborough Country and home to The South Island off New Zealand is a numerous vineyards where you can pop spectacular place and no wonder they in for a free sample, but be warned it is filmed many scenes there for the Lord of not for the faint hearted by bicycle with the Rings series of films, given the scores of psy motorists and fast moving terrain and lack of people. Picture narrow roads. postcard scenes rise up on every corner. Finally we headed for the Queen Despite the abundance of bush there are Charloe Track at Marlborough Sound, no creepy crawlies and they drive on the (photo above right) situated at the very le . A must visit place if ever you get the top of the South Island overlooking opportunity. Howie Blanks ferries heading to the North Island. This narrow track is permissible by foot or mountain bike provided you purchase

19 ‘Me and my Bike’ n d M e a Reem and B i k e m y

Interviews by Mike Aiken ©

Everyone has a different story about their bike. And many of us have a very special feeling about that almost living being we pedal round town. Reem likes cycling in Brighton and travelling in South East Asia. Here’s a tale about her colourful bike and the very special bond she has with it.

How long have you had this bike? ‘I’ve had it three years. I only started riding What do you like most about riding it a er two or three months. I travel in your bike in Brighton and Hove? Britain and South East Asia. I tried to give it I like the short cuts and pathways through away once - but it got shipped back to me! Brighton - they are becoming very familiar.

Does your bike have a pet name? I love riding it in the city.

It’s called ‘Beez Neez’ – I tried to call it …and what do you like the least? ‘Rainbow’ but it didn’t work. Someone said I used to think it would be challenging with to me ‘look - it’s called Beez Neez!’ buses but it’s quite relaxing in the city.

Why do you get a bike? Where did you get it? I use it for geng around Brighton. It's my A friend gave it to me, it was her gi . She flying unicorn! It gets me across town. It’s gave it to a group of girls. It was in the made me realise why cyclists can’t live yard for a while. No-one wanted it - but without their bike! they all decided it was for me.

20

What do you like

most about it? It’s a feeling. It’s aached to me. My bike’s alive and I like to talk to it. Once I was in Stanmer Park with friends. We went up the hill and I took my bike with me. It didn’t want to leave me. My other friends le theirs - but they had their bikes stolen. Somemes by mistake I have le it unlocked but didn’t noce - and it didn’t get stolen.

Would you lend it to a friend? ’If it was a good friend, yes!’

What’s your favourite ride/route? I don’t have a favourite ride. I look forward to riding in the countryside around Rongdean – between the hills and the sea.

If your bike was a piece of music, what type of music would it be? Doe ray me far so!

Thanks Reem! [email protected]

21 Sussex news Spithandle Lane extension

This is the bridleway which connects the eastern end of Spithandle Lane to Love West Sussex! Henfield. Tony Green says: “The first The Love West Sussex app is free to 200m of the track east of the river download from the App Store. It used to be a mud bath, but as the enables quick locaon and reporng picture shows it is now much of highways issues and improved and I was able to ride the environmental crime such as graffi, whole way.” fly-pping or potholes though a hps://ridewithgps.com/trips/8242696 mobile phone. Even if it's not a West Sussex County Council problem, issues will be forwarded to the relevant authority. Issues can also be reported online via the WSCC website where you can register with Love West Sussex. See: hp://love.westsussex.gov.uk/reports/home

Downs Link works, W. Sussex West Sussex County Council has upgraded the Downs Link between Shoreham and Upper Beeding, including path widening, surfacing enhancements and vegetaon clearance. It is aiming to “aract high value visitors from London and the south east for weekend and short trips” through its ‘Beauful Outdoors’ programme.

Le : the path surface was improved when we tried it out (in pouring rain) but rather so at the edges! 22 E is for Eastbourne and E-bikes! Local Access Forum news An electric bike rental service for University of Brighton staff and students has been set up in Eastbourne. Associate Professor Anne Mandy, from the university’s Centre for Health Research, won £36,000 DfT funding to trial a fleet of 10 Electrically Assisted Power Cycles to “help tourists, residents and workers go further by bike”. Southern Railway and Eastbourne Borough Council are also involved. hp://bit.ly/1QJYpJS

Cycling "Ambassadors" The Brighton and Hove Local Access Training has been arranged for keen off- Forum added its voice to the many road cyclists about the geology, history, others calling for a reducon in the economy and wildlife in the South Downs proposed 60% cuts to the number of Naonal Park. Organiser Brian Deval wrote: Countryside Rangers in the City. “The ambassadors can feed informaon The LAF has idenfied 'missing links' in and ideas into SDNPA and we can ulise the the network of bridleways and ambassadors to network info and ideas into footpaths in our City. This includes the local and cycling community.” some parts of the exisng shared use [email protected] paths (like the old Dyke railway route) that aren't officially bridleways. East Sussex Capital Programme Andrew also emphasised the need to Bricycles commented on the East Sussex talk to Highways England about some Capital Programme for Local Transport of the A27 crossing points. Improvements and recommended more The Council is connuing to apply for investment in sustainable transport rather funds to develop Stanmer Park and than road schemes. the LAF has been consulted. Maximising its potenal for cycling is Roads in the South Downs being discussed as well as addressing A highway design guide by Hamilton-Baillie the occasional conflict between Associates and the 4 Local Highways cyclists and other users. Authories in the South Downs Naonal Please contact Andrew Coleman if you Park “aims to raise awareness of best want to raise issues about cycling on pracce for rural road design and open spaces in the City. management for highway authories, the Naonal Park Authority and all the [email protected] communies within the area.” See Congratulaons to Chantelle Hoppé, the hp://bit.ly/1NPDDnK The dra South new Rights of Way Officer with BHCC’s Downs Local Plan can also be seen on the Countryside Team based at Stanmer website at hp://bit.ly/1VyBD8s Nursery. She is supported by 6.2 full me equivalent Rangers. 23 Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy

The Government wants to make cycling and walking the natural choice for shorter journeys so we can enjoy beer health, less traffic congeson, improved air quality and many other benefits. Transport Minister Robert Goodwill has launched a consultaon on the new dra Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy which aims to double cycling by 2040. Connected with this, Brighton and Hove has received a compliment from the Department for Transport (DfT). The Lewes Road cycle lanes and North Laine contraflows are cited on the DfT website as “examples of good pracce when developing new cycling infrastructure” . See hp://bit.ly/1XZ5qrg Doubling cycling might sound impressive, but it’s actually quite modest. The naonal target will be for about 3.5% of all trips to be made by cycling by 2040 from the current low average of below 2%. This aspiraon is well behind cycling levels achieved already by several neighbours e.g. France (5%), Germany (10%) and the exemplary Netherlands (26%) Unfortunately, no new money is being announced. The £300 million pledged to fund the strategy over this parliament is not enough. It amounts to about £1.38 per person per year compared to the £10 which was recommended as a minimum cost in the Parliamentary inquiry report “Get Britain Cycling”. What is worse is that the money has to cover other major objecves in the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy aiming to reverse the decline in walking, reduce the rate of cyclists killed or seriously injured and increase the number of children walking to school. Councils and other bodies can bid for specific funding where available, but this will not be an adequate or reliable way to finance the essenal improvements necessary to fulfil this strategy.

A Give your views! The consultaon runs unl 23 May. c t no w! See hp://bit.ly/22L3HN1

24 Hello Highways England,

I would like to draw your aenon to the many motor vehicle crashes which have involved cycle paths next to the A27 and A23 on the outskirts of Brighton. Two lamp posts were brought down on the A23 (northbound side). The crushed remains are sll visible in the photos here: hp://bit.ly/1QdkPPY You can also see a vehicle registraon plate in another of those pictures, which is on the eastbound A27. I frequently see debris and damage from motor vehicle crashes on cycle tracks adjacent to trunk roads. I have seen far more than shown in the photos on our website which were taken in the last 3-4 months. Do you keep any record of these crashes? What are your plans to protect vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians from high speed vehicles careering out of control across cycle paths? Regards, Becky Reynolds, Bricycles (S ent 12/3/16. Response 24/3/16 below).

Dear Becky Reynolds, investigating any location where they have been reported to us. We also carry A23 and A27 Brighton – Cyclist Safety out annual skid resistance surveys across Thank you for contacting Highways our network and take remedial action England Customer Contact Centre about where any survey results are not at the safety for cyclist on the A23 and A27 near required standard. Brighton. Please be assured that the safety of the We hold data relating to personal injury public and road users on our network is a accidents (all accidents that record an top priority for us. Although safety injury or fatality) as legally these must be barriers between roads and footpaths or recorded to the Police therefore providing cycle paths are often suggested to us, reliable information. We also hold data of these are designed to absorb the impact damage to our network, known as of a moving vehicle and therefore damage to crown property. Unfortunately crumple when hit. This would mean that non injury accidents are not as readily anybody on the other side of the barrier recorded and we do not have access to would be hit with the same force and reliable information regarding damage unfortunately would not be protected. only incidents, regardless of their severity. I hope this information is helpful but please do not hesitate to contact me if Any reports to us of this type of accident you have any further queries. are invaluable to us and can be used towards our statistics and evidence for Kind regards any future improvements at this location. Customer Care Officer To protect road users, such as cyclists, On behalf of Highways England we aim to prevent incidents by

25 Bexhill Hasngs Link Road open for traffic! COST: £120 million +

In March we rode the new Bexhill Hasngs Link Road, renamed Combe Valley Way. This prime East Sussex valley was unrecognisable. It is now a mini-motorway with muddy roadsides and barren embankments. There were no cycle lanes, Advanced Stop Lines (see juncon top right) or pavements on the road and no bus shelter for the newly linked “Enterprise 2015, but there was connued lack of Park” bus stop. progress on the Greenway. In Feb 2016, Why isn’t the promised “Greenway” the Project Director explained that “The open? It was an integral part of the reason for the lack of progress was due scheme and a planning condion but the to the short period of me since road has gone ahead without it. Since construcon acvies resumed planning approval, East Sussex County following the Christmas break, the poor Council (ESCC) has sought to reduce its weather and hence the presence of input into the Greenway (by narrowing unsuitable ground condions for widths, removing crossings, bridges etc. undertaking such works.” The update from the plans) and dropping the bus (15/4/16) from Hochef contractors says lane through so-called “non-material “It is sll planned to complete all of the amendments” to which Bricycles Greenway’s, including surfacing objected in April 2013. When asked dressing, by the end of May 2016.” about the lack of progress on the Bricycles calls for a switch from Greenway in Feb 2015, ESCC explained destrucve road building to proper that: “Substanal secons of the investment in sustainable transport. See proposed Greenway is [sic] currently hps://combehavendefenders.wordpress.com/ occupied by a temporary haulage route.” hp://scate.org.uk/ The road opened with fanfare in Dec Becky Reynolds 26 Myklops mirror Becky and Tony of Bricycles met Mark Jay, the inventor of the new Myklops rear view mirror and have offered to give him some feedback on the device. Myklops was designed and developed in the UK. Mark says: “This is a genuine cycling safety product, not a gimmick or novelty. The Myklops has been designed to wear comfortably on your wrist, just like a watch. It has been developed for safety, praccality and convenience.” With one of these, you won’t need to have a mirror for each of your bikes. Suitable for straights or drops. Easy to use. Available on-line for £19.99 from www.myklops.com We’ll have some Myklops to give away at Bricycles AGM!

Tim Locke’s Holocaust talk Lewes author and cyclist Tim Locke spoke on Holocaust Memorial Day in Lewes Town Hall on 27 Jan 2016. Tim’s mother’s family and her brother came over to England from Bavaria on the Kindertransport. Other members of the family died in Nazi camps. Read more at: hp://bit.ly/20A3WWF Tim wrote “Slow Sussex” travel guide published by Bradt. He is on the le in the photo, accompanied by family member Tobias, at the exhibion in Lewes library.

New York introduces the European achievement “Textalyzer” The Declaration of Luxembourg was The inventor of the “Textalyzer” which signed in October 2015 between the detects whether a phone or other 28 EU member states and the device was being used around the me European Commission. It articulates of a crash without accessing personal their “commitment to promote data, was developed by Ben Lieberman cycling as a climate friendly and whose son was killed in a car crash in the USA. He retrieved the driver's efficient transport mode”. See also phone from the scrapyard and found the study “Global High Shift Cycling that the driver had been texng in the Scenario” which showed that cycling lead-up to the crash. could save the world trillions of hp://bit.ly/1NDWVBz dollars! http://bit.ly/1Uabiw1

27 Leers General cycling queries can be sent to [email protected] or tweet @BHCC_Transport Abandoned bikes The B&H Road Safety Facebook page is at “I've been waging war on abandoned “Share the Roads, Brighton & Hove”. Andrew bikes, reporng them using FixMyStreet Coleman is taking the second query above to hps://www.fixmystreet.com/ the B&H Local Access Forum. Consideraons Slowly starng to have an impact and when laying asphalt include cost, perceived starng to see bikes cleared and cycle urbanisaon of the rural environment and parking restored. Would be good to whether the path is to be shared with encourage others to do likewise…” joggers.

Chris Taxis ignore Advanced Stop Lines Of all the photos I take the following are the percentages for diver types pulling up in the cycle safe zone at ASL juncons.

• Taxi drivers 55% • Bus drivers 31% • Commercial vehicle drivers 10% • Private car drivers 2% • Ambulance drivers 1% • Post office van drivers 1% Bin and path quesons Hi Becky, Not sure if there is a link but, it's Not so much arcles as a couple of interesng to see that the Post Office bugbears. which uses bicycles as a means of 1. There's one of those car-sized transport for it's employees and recycling bins 'parked' on a double ambulance drivers who presumably deal yellow on the east bound carriage way of with lots of cycling accidents are the one Upper Lewes Road and causes a real who transgress this secon of the hazard, especially in the dark. Why highway code the least. doesn't it get a cket? And please remember these stats are 2. The rather splendid new cycleway/ from a 10 minute cycle commute across footpath at the top of Ditchling Road out town each day. Brendan to the A27 is very nice, and admiedly Speeding drivers quite smooth for a gravel path, but why Speeding (including by buses and taxis) is couldn't they have laid it with some a parcular problem in Edward Street asphalt and made cycling along it as and its connuaon as Eastern Road. smooth and quick and as it could be? I This is all within the 20 mph zone. The reckon that path is going to break up two roads run almost dead straight for within 3 to 5 years and need resurfacing about a mile. There are several schools anyway...Cheers, Dan 28 plus the main hospital on this stretch. The council Welcome parking provision recently installed a central refuge on one of the Hi Becky, zebra crossings by Sussex Square which has made thanks for another packed and this crossing much safer - previously drivers were informave Bricycles News, it's bearing down on this at 40 mph and failing to well worth the subscripon. stop. Reporng from West Hove, I'm The 20mph limit has made some difference on happy to say that the six new Eastern Road - previously I would have completely bike stands are now in place in avoided cycling on it, due to speeding on what is Richardson Road. They came quite a complicated road with parked cars, bus into use straightaway and I stops and varying road widths. Since the new wonder how we managed speed limit was imposed, I do cycle on this road, without them all this me. but I remain wary and use alternaves if I am not Anne in a hurry. Michael

Park Centre - Cyclists not welcome? When Bricycles member Angela found the Park Centre for Breast Care at 177 Preston Road, Brighton was failing to welcome cyclists, she wrote to the Manager and sent a copy to Bricycles. This is what she wrote:

“I was recently called for my triennial breast review. Informaon was provided for parking and public transport but there was nothing about arriving by bicycle.

On arrival there were no signs explaining where the bike racks were. I found them but one was full up and the other had chairs stacked around it (I have a photo).

Being physically acve helps to prevent cancer. hp://bit.ly/1pJTePr and cycling is cheap and praccal. Not menoning geng to your clinic by bicycle helps to further marginalise groups of older women, such as myself, and ensures the connued lack of normalisaon of this form of transport.

I raised this issue three years ago. Please ensure, well before my next visit, that: • Cycling is presented as a means to get to the clinic • Cycle parking is signposted and the cycle racks are not used as a dump”

29 Cycling UK (CTC) elecons Sustrans change The three councillors for the A er 20 years with Sustrans, Malcolm south east who were previously Shepherd has rered as Chief. The new CEO: in post, Richard Bates, Phil Xavier Brice previously worked at Transport for Benstead and Graham Smith all London and with the Mayor of London’s office. lost their seats in the vote in World Bicycle Day October 2015. It was a very low The World Cycling Alliance (a European turn out. Many thanks to them Cyclists’ Federaon iniave to build a global for their work. They showed a lot network of non-governmental organisaons of interest in Brighton & Hove. with a substanal interest in promong The new Cycle UK Councillors for cycling) will campaign for the creaon of a the South East are: #WorldBicycleDay to be observed by the UN. Ian McCabe • Upper Dicker ride • Ian Wescombe Members of East Sussex CTC organised a • Jonathan Naughton 50km ride on Sunday 20 th March with the start Cycle UK aims to move to a and finish at Upper Dicker Village Hall system where councillors are not hp://www.eastsussexctc.org.uk/ linked to local areas. Members in all parts of the country would Bike for Life South new season! vote for Councillors from a Bike maintenance and cycle training naonal list. The CUK AGM is on hp://www.bikeforlifesouth.org.uk/ 7/5/16 and is set to be stormy.

CartoonCartoon CornerCorner Sorry. All the campaign That could mean the CTC groups are vulnerable. You’re back - couldn’t resist Ambious. How can - sorry, Cycling UK – Spokes in Edinburgh – LCC in London – even Bricycles another go, could you. What they jusfy it? taking over Sustrans. is on your mind? could be merged in.

Nothing OMG! Tell me it isn’t true! encourages Unfortunately it’s part of an EU push The new namesomething for the But - look at the date.* towards a single CTC. They wantas much to call as representave cycling themselves ‘’Cyclingprohibition! body for each Member UK’ . Their strapline State. They have seen

will be ‘We are UK 2015-04-CRANX how well the ADFC has CRANX -01 April 2016 Cycling…’ and they will done in Germany and be known as ‘The want everyone to follow cyclists’ champion’ suit.

• Though amazingly, some of it IS true. See hp://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest -news/ctc-to-rebrand-as-cycling-uk-in-april-some-members-object-to-the-change-213541

30 Diary BricyclesAGM Brighton to th 17 May Paris Brighton Naked Bike See front page rd th 23 June 2016 Ride, Sunday 12 June, Big Sussex Bike Ride assembling on The Level from A fantasc four day event Ride with Davina McCall 12 for bike, body decoraon cycling along quiet French Start/finish is the Golf etc. Ride starts at 1.30 pm roads and returning on Club, Uckfield, East th Eurostar. Bike Week Sussex, 12 June th Brighton - Gournay-en-Bray - 11-19 June 2016 21, 40 & 68 miles Chanlly - Paris hp://bikeweek.org.uk/ BBQ and Bar In support of: The Argus www.gosh.org/ Appeal and The Martlets BHF London to Brighton bigsussexbikeride bike ride in aid of Great Ormond Hospice th 19 June 2016 Street Hospital www.theargusappeal.com/

BRIGHTON ROCK AUDAX Sunday 22 nd May 110km starng 9:15am from Falmer Sports Centre, University of Brighton. A scenic challenging ride with free tea and cake for £7:50 for CTC/Cycling UK members ( £9:50 non– members). Entries in advance by Sunday 15 th May www.ctc.org.uk/event/brighton-rock-110km-audax For a paper manual entry see: hp://www.aukweb.net/events/detail/16 -86/ Regular rides list at hp://bit.ly/1rr4Rwe

Cyclefest Duke of York’s cycle fesval Brighton www.bicyclefilmfesval.com/brighton/ Sunday 15 th May 2016, 12 - 5 pm Synergy Centre, West Street,

Cycle security marking Brish Transport Police and Southern Railway Officers will do cycle marking on Wed 1 st June 2016 at Brighton railway staon 17:00 to 19:00

31 Bricycles contacts Find Bricycles on Facebook & Twier Contents Local Transport News 2-5

Cycling Infrastructure Out and About 6-7 Adviser Duncan Codd New cycle map 8 [email protected] Road Safety News 9

Taxi! (Send us your views) 10

Treasurer/Membership Sharing the Road? 11 Tony Green 01273 552662 Bricycles at the refreshers’ fair / 12 NEW EMAIL Press coverage [email protected] 2 Glovers Yard, 121-123 Duncan / Adam / Tony news 13 Havelock Road, BN1 6GN Velo - Friends of Downs Infants 14 Nongham’s new bike scheme 15 Secretary Adam Pride Cycling in New Zealand by Howie 16-19 01273 570039 Me & My Bike by Mike Aiken 20-21 [email protected] 76 Foredown Drive, Sussex News 22-23 Portslade, Brighton BN41 2BE B&H Local Access Forum news 23

Campaigns / Editor Cycling & Walking Investment 24 Cycling UK campaigner Highways England barriers? 25 Becky Reynolds Bexhill Hasngs Link Road 26 01273 552662 NEW EMAIL Myklops / Tim Locke’s talk 27 [email protected] Leers 28-29

Cartoon Corner 30 Development and Outreach Tom Jones Diary 31 [email protected] *NO RIDES LIST INCLUDED. See Diary for links.* Mobile: 07775 736126 Be a Bricycles Ranger!

Deadline for letters, articles, and Join our cycle rangers and anything of interest: ‘keep an eye’ on areas in June 19 Brighton and Hove (& further Send to the Editor afield). Report to Tom Jones, CǟǞǤǑǓǤ ǥǣ Ǚǖ ǩǟǥ ǓǑǞ ǔǙǣǤǢǙǒǥǤǕ Development & Outreach. ǜǕǑǖǜǕǤǣ ǟǢ Ǚǖ ǩǟǥ ǘǑǦǕ Ǒ Details above. ǞǕǧǣǧǟǢǤǘǩ ǣǤǟǢǩ ǟǢ ǠǘǟǤǟ.

32