& Cycling Campaign

www.bricycles.org.uk July - September 2015 No. 105 Wires across Lewes tracks We have Road and contacted Sussex Police asking for Valley any progress in the invesgaon Gardens to find the people who strung wires review across tracks in The new City Council will review two / major transport schemes proposed or completed under the woods with the previous administraon. apparent aim of

At the Environment, Transport & Sustainability Commiee on injuring cyclists. 7th July Cllr. Gill Mitchell (Labour) said that addional data On 7/7/15 the collecon on the Lewes Road will be completed in September police said: “There and “a full evaluaon will be made of the overall impact so have been no that any migaon measures can be considered.” suspects

Valley Gardens delay idenfied.” The The “concept plan” for Valley Gardens had reached an worst incident was advanced stage and had been expected to be brought to actually near East commiee with final construcon details. But the Council’s Brighton golf Labour leadership has negoated a delay with the funding course where a body, the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership. cyclist suffered a Following traffic modelling a new plan will be presented to broken collar commiee with a deadline of October. Up to £14m funding is bone. riding on the scheme. Bluster or real threat? See page 3

Your new Council Facebook phenomenon “The People’s Republic of Brighton and Hove” which Brighton and Hove now has a describes itself as “an isle of sanity in a sea of blue” with a mix of surreal Labour-led Council with the and serious content and 7,200 Conservaves in second place and members! the Greens with fewest seats. It Bricycles hopes to work with remains a hung council with no policians and sympathisers of all party having an overall majority. persuasions to encourage good (See table below) sustainable transport policy. Contributors to this issue of Bricycles

No. of seats News have differing polical views. Party Pre- Now We will contact all councillors about Conservave 18 20 acng upon Space for Cycling principles. Green 20 11 Labour 13 23 Independent 2 0 UKIP 1 0 Total 54 54

The new Council needs to find a direcon on transport without reversing the progress made by previous administraons. The negave impact that poor transport choices have on public health and the Where are we going? environment needs to be clearly re- stated and acted upon. The Council is responsible for Public Health as well as transport. Switching to the naonal scene, Constuency MP Party Brighton and Hove is unusual in Brighton Simon Conservave having MPs from 3 different Kemptown Kirby pares. (See right). Brighton Caroline Green Also, outside of London, non- Pavilion Lucas conservave members of Hove Peter Labour parliament in the South of Kyle England are very few. Hence the 2 TRAFFIC SCHEME REVIEW Environment, Transport & Sustainability Commiee If a good traffic scheme displaces traffic, that’s not a reason to Gill Mitchell, Chair (Labour) reverse it, you just need to deal Maggie Barradell , Deputy Chair with the displacement. (Labour) Are we serious about enabling Tony Janio , Opposion more sustainable transport? Spokesperson (Conservave) Earlier this year, the Lewes Road Pete West , Group Spokesperson improvements won a Smarter Travel (Green) Award for the “Most Improved Journey Peter Atkinson , Labour to Work” with cycle trips up 14% and Louisa Greenbaum , Green bus passengers up 7% with quicker, Joe Miller , Conservave beer journeys. Robert Nemeth , Conservave But how will the new Council deal with Geoffrey Theobald , Conservave claims that traffic is rat running through areas adjoining the Lewes Road such as Alan Robins , Labour as raised by Cllr. Dee Simpson (Cons) at the ETS Commiee on 7/7/15 who said that increased traffic had led to the Department for Transport for the Lewes residents wanng roads closed. Road scheme was subject to a 10 year guarantee so any removal of measures could Cllr. Pete West was keen to ensure that the lead to calls for repayment. context for this (e.g. 4% rise in car ownership, people’s travel choice) is taken And what alteraons might be made to the into account. Valley Gardens plans? They had reached quite a high level of detail with input from Meanwhile Cllr. Daniel Yates, (Labour, ourselves and other community groups & ) who is not on through many meengs over several years. the commiee is peoning for a full review On this, Brighton Area Buswatch said: “Bus of the Lewes Rd scheme, including car, taxi lanes are an essenal element of the Valley and bus travel mes, the impact on Gardens scheme which must be protected alternave routes and consideraon of me from use by other vehicles.” restricons on bus lanes. There is no menon of cycling at all in his peon, nor At the ETS meeng, Cllr Gill Mitchell said of any impact on cycling that changes to the that Valley Gardens: “I fully acknowledge the scheme might have. Cllr. Yates is also the democrac mandate that this scheme has.” Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board so he She said it had real potenal to deliver good will need to be aware of the benefits of public realm improvements for the City and acve travel. needed to move to traffic modelling of the impact on the City’s roads. A tested In response to this peon, the Brighton management plan would need to be Area Buswatch newsleer said: “Bus lanes produced. NEXT MEETING: 13 Oct must remain effecve or they will be of lile value.” CONCERNED? EMAIL THE COMMITTEE AND YOUR COUNCILLORS! & LET US KNOW We understand that funding obtained from 3 Travel advice team

ready to go!

Residents in Brighton are being offered free travel advice and incenves as part of an ongoing scheme to ease congeson and give people a beer experience while travelling in the city. Brighton & Hove City Council’s Personalised Travel Planning Project, understand how residents choose to which was launched in 2006, has already travel around the city, and what barriers helped thousands of residents to save exist that prevent them from travelling money and travel around the city in a sustainably. Our travel advisors will more sustainable way. listen to your concerns about travelling This year our team of travel advisors will around the city, answer your quesons be vising Queen’s Park, Tarner, St and provide a wide range of James’s, , Craven Vale and informaon. Bristol Estate. They’ll also tell you about free cycle So, if you live in these areas you can training and bicycle maintenance expect a knock on your door and will, courses, available for people over 14 hopefully, agree to take part in a “door- years old who live, work or study in the step” interview. current PTP area and how you can You’ll be asked about your travel habits organise community iniaves such as and whether your journeys in the city “Playing Out” events and Dr Bike are usually taken by car, bicycle, bus, sessions. train or on foot. The aim of the Travel If you are 14 years or over and live, work Planning scheme is to encourage you to or study in these areas then free cycle look at how you might benefit from training and maintenance courses are making a change in your travel habits. available to you. These courses are also If, a er talking with one of our travel available to residents in the Hanover advisors, you would like to try travelling and Elm Grove areas. in a different way, you will receive a Our travel advisors will be vising small incenve gi to reaffirm your new residents in the PTP area between 1pm travel choice. and 7pm, from now unl August, so if In exchange for the incenve, you will be you hear a knock on the door, it could asked to fill out a travel diary. be your turn! The diaries will help us measure and Daniel Bianco, Transport Planner

For more informaon visit: www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/travelplanning 4

2

1

4

3

5

1. East Street traffic free at weekends. 2. Widened pavement & reposioned traffic lights, London Rd. 3. “Orcas” or bolt-on delineators on contraflow, Queens Road. 4. Stripy finish to Ditchling Rise & Sha esbury Place. 5. Lewes Staon cycle hub: Covered cycle parking for Key card holders. 6 6. A259 Peacehaven - Newhaven link

5

Bikestock was on Sat 27 June, . Bike It Ben Sherra (in photo right) was there to encourage children to ride their bikes. He had cycled 1,000 miles during visits to 30 + schools in Brighton and Hove in the 10 days before the event. Below: Demo by “Puncture Kit”, the bicycle drummer. He runs “Acve Beats” electronic music workshops for children www.puncturekit.co.uk/ Brish Cycling ran cycling sessions for children (boom of page). Also represented were Freedom Bikes, CycleLife electric, Brighton and Hove

Council’s Sports Development Team and TakePart. Right: “I’m in touch with my inner tube”. www.facebook.com/BikestockBrighton See also opposite.

6 Quick response sckers Access to Brighton Staon I am asking everyone for their views These new “iceQR” sckers display a QR and experience of the “orcas” or cycle code which can link to 1500 characters lane delineators which have been and 10 photos of individual medical and installed at the top of Queens Road next of kin informaon. This would be near Brighton Staon. (See “Out and available to paramedics and first about” page 5.)

responders who would be able to access the details at a crash scene by scanning the QR code with a smartphone. Sckers can be applied to cycle helmets.

Any broader points on the provision of cycle access to/from the staon are welcome. The photo above shows the end of the cycle lane which goes on to the pavement with cycle parking ahead. Please contact: becky.reynolds2@bnternet.com

The naonal database is space being updated, for but you can sll ask your cycling Keith (on the right) at the Bikestock cycle councillor to fesval with Becky of Bricycles. support S4C aims if Keith Baldock from Brighton & Hove City you go to : Council’s Road Safety Team has been www.space4cycling.org.uk giving away these useful sckers. The 1. Protected space on main roads and at scheme is supported by Sussex Safer juncons Roads Partnership. “iceQR” stands for In 2. Removal of through motor traffic Case of Emergency Quick Response 3. Lower speed limits. See hp://www.cerql.co.uk/ 4. Cycle-friendly town centres Wristbands are also available from the 5. Routes through green spaces and website. parks 6. Safe routes to schools 7 Brighton Rock

65 riders entered Brighton and Hove CTC’ s first Audax event, “Brighton Rock”, a route of 117 kms themed around the classic Graham Greene novel. Starng from Falmer, the riders went through the City (mingling with the Minis on the London to Brighton run!) then to Steyning, Partridge Green, Devil’s Dyke, Ditchling Beacon, Lewes and Newhaven. The event was well supported by volunteers from the club who helped with the riders’ sign-on and the provision of many excellent cakes and sandwiches. Promoons Officer, Robin Biswas (right) says: “Hope to see you next year for Brighton Rock Audax (Pinkie’s ghost) May 2016.” See - www.brightonandhovectc.co.uk

Here’s ‘Bikeit’ Ben Sherra (right) geng ready for the Take Part

launch event at Preston Park on Sat 20 June. Also (le ) lile bikes ready for children’s “have a go” sessions. The fesval of sport and physical acvity connued with events around the city unl 5 July 2015.

8

Geng neglected bikes back in acon! Duncan Blinkhorn on the far right and Aidan McGrath next to him ready for acon in the bike workshop at the re-launched Circus Street. Supported by CTC, the naonal Cycling Charity and the Department for Transport. The event was held naonally from 23 May - 7 June. Apart from geng bikes checked and repaired by expert mechanics, there were ps to help people look a er their bikes, opportunies to buy or donate a bike and advice about local cycle routes, clubs and acvies. www.bigbikerevival.org.uk/

Preston Park Commiee on 18 June, but he cycle track reports that lile was said other than that the required >£300,000 is not update available. There is another Council Earlier this year meeng in September. In the this facility failed meanme, Rupert is aiming to have Brish Cycling another campaign meeng and a standards for racing events due to public ride to draw aenon to the the fencing and other issues. There track. He needs help with the was a fire in the stand on 8 June. campaign and marshals for the ride Rupert Rive has led the campaign on 5th September. to save the track for compeve Contact him: Tel 07771928201 racing. His successful peon (4089 E-mail [email protected] signatures) was referred to the Facebook:

Economic Development & Culture www.facebook.com/saveprestonparkcycletrack

9 alone – I saw several other – my bikes cycling around with bike's part in her similar set-ups and there re-election was a PA system being towed around as well, by Andrew Coleman urging the voters out to the polling staon. There were 8 polling I judge myself exceedingly lucky to be staons across the ward and the job living in the only UK constuency inevitably involved a lot of climbing up represented by a Green MP – especially the valley sides from the ward HQ near one as arculate and impassioned as St Peters Church. So from 8.30am unl Caroline Lucas. So helping to get her re- 9.30pm I went up to West Hill and down elected was a no-brainer for me and to Viaduct Road, up to Downs Infant during March and April I spent most of School in Ditchling Road and down to my Sunday a ernoons, Wednesday Lewes Road. Over the day I gradually evenings and some Monday a ernoons honed my knowledge of the easiest, less pounding the streets knocking on congested and less polluted routes people's doors asking if they'd vote for between the polling staons which has her and our Green candidates in the stood me in good stead ever since. In local City Council elecons. This is known as 'canvassing'. Come elecon day, I'd volunteered my services and energy as a 'runner', circulang between the polling staons in St Peters and ward collecng lists of voters' polling numbers that had been collected by the 'tellers' who sit outside the polling staons. These lists were then compared with the lists of people who had said they'd be between these sores (which I shared vong Green during canvassing and with another chap who'd come from 'knockers-up' are despatched to try to Southampton), I soaked up the encourage people who haven't voted to atmosphere and refuelled at the ward go out. HQ which hosted a steady stream of volunteers coming down from Brighton I've done 'running' before and know it staon. Volunteers came from London, can be a very ring day, so I decided to Norwich, Denmark, Hungary and use my 'town bike' for the job. This was Australia to help get the Greens re- a great opportunity to get the Green elected. Over the day, more and more message across so I ziped some Vote people came out to vote and by 5.30 Green posters below my saddle. I wasn't

10 there were queues of 30 people outside Other pares are available! the Viaduct Road polling staon. hp://www.carolinelucas.com/ In total I cycled over 26 miles, climbed hp://www.brightonhovegreens.org/ over 1500 feet and was in the saddle for over 4 hours. Was it worth it? Yes it was - even if I made only a ny contribuon to an increased majority of nearly 8000 for Caroline. And the 3 Green Councillors Editor writes: In the interests of for the St Peters and North Laine ward balance, you might like to connue were all re-elected. It was very the polical theme by reading the disappoinng that the Greens are no arcle on Page 24 by a newly elected longer the biggest party on the City Conservave councillor to Rother Council and that I didn't get elected in District Council. Bricycles is Rongdean Coastal ward, but we will independent of any polical party or rebuild over the next 4 years and come persuasion. back stronger.

Elecon vehicles in London Road Brighton Right: Quad bike ad for the NHS connected with 38 Degrees parked outside Aldi just before the May elecon. Below: Green Party ad conveyed by tricycle and the Green Party bus.

11 Cycling Matters with Bruce Jonas

I see that quite a by my company few notable cycling Bike For Life to our John Clinton writes: developments have professional Bruce Jonas's arcle about cycle taken place in our Protech 4 standard, training (in the last issue of Bricycles, seaside city aimed at those No. 104) made me think about the recently. wishing to enter the origins of what was Cycle Training bike repair industry South East and is now known as Bike Polically, the or for the keen for Life . It began around 2000 by me Tories won the amateur (it's our looking around for something to do general elecon and local affordable a er returning from Ireland having are firmly equivalent to the run a restaurant and a bike touring ensconced in costly naonal business in Co. Clare. Westminster. The Cytech Gold ). effect on cycling that the loss of the The council has Green lead council secured funds to in Brighton and offer free Bikeability Hove will have, training to adults remains to be seen. which we at Bike For Life will deliver Meanwhile, hopefully. The naonal hero uptake for cycle Bradley Wiggins has training has always Applicaons at that me were sought been busy breaking been quite low as it the world one hour by Brighton and Hove City Council for is seen as cycling instructors for what was in distance cycling unnecessary by record at an effect the old Cycling Proficiency. I people at large, so joined the Council's team but did average speed of whether a free around 30 mph, enough sessions to realise this service increases training was woefully inadequate for faster than many of parcipaon us go down hill! riding condions at the me. Two remains to be seen! major things showed me there must Brighton has just Now we're on the be a beer way! Firstly some opened it's 'Bike subject of training, instructors including council Hub' at the staon it may be of interest employees arrived in cars and which offers secure to read our former secondly no training took place on covered cycle manager's recount the roads. With poor training kids parking and a of his aempts to were despatched into the world mechanics service. kick start Bikeability clutching a cerficate and not much Its new work force in Brighton back in else. They remained kids on bikes was recently trained year 2000. without proper skills. 12 Cycle Training in London was formed by Simeon Bamford in the ninees and looking at their programme at the me it was clear here was an organisaon that wanted to do things properly. They produced a manual, they ran courses for trainee instructors, the Council were never commied to they took the good sense from John 'our way of doing things'. Road riding Franklin's book Roadcra and applied it was sll not on the agenda at that me. praccally. Road riding at the Magnanimity was never their strong appropriate stage they considered point. This was an opportunity missed. essenal. Sessions with children and adults included issues about 'taking the Today things have moved on. Bikeability lane', awareness of other road users, (another Cycle Training iniave) was how to use brakes and gears. All of the rolled out by the CTC and has now stuff that seasoned cyclists know about become the naonal standard for cycle but kids and adults with lile experience training. generally do not. Cycle Training in London is hugely successful teaching Instructor courses were introduced, five thousands of kids and adults. They days of quite intense training for became the preferred supplier of individuals and groups providing a training for many local authories. A naonally acceptable and qualitave conversaon with one local authority mark by which to judge instructors. showed why they had chosen Cycle Training. "Well" came the reply, "they Well that was then, how about now? are the experts, they train all the me, The training has changed, it's beer, we cannot expect to train to that level.". markedly so. However, the profile and This was the way forward and so with focus for cycling and training needs to be the help of Ronnie Rodrigues and Bruce massively improved. There is sll a view Jonas, Cycle Training South East was that bikes are for kids and cars are for born.

We ran the company for three years arranging training for schools and adults in East and West Sussex and the major towns within those areas. Brighton was our focus and training took place in some of the Council's schools. However

13 adults. When you think about how Air Polluon much money goes into car adversing www.airqualitynews.com/category/news/ and easy availability of finance it is no More evidence is emerging beyond the wonder that car sales have shot up by shocking figure that 29,000 people per 6.4% over an already increasing year are dying prematurely due to demand. Where is the adversing for poor air quality. There is a new link to cycling? How can cycle training and strokes, and although most vehicle riding a bike wriggle itself a future into emissions occur less than one metre this congested landscape? above ground (at buggy / child height) current sampling and monitoring does It's easy to say that what we need to do not take account of this. is to park all those new cars in the garage and dust down the bikes, millions of them languishing in their place and cycle. But how? Cycle training for children and adults promoted and paid for by councils is one way. Use adversing hoardings along main roads displaying the benefits of cycling. Show As part of the judgement on stascs of cycling, confound the ClientEarth vs Defra of 29 April, 2015, negave views of 'dangerous' and that training and cycling stops when you the Government has been ordered to take “immediate acon” on air grow up. Pay people to leave the car polluon, producing effecve plans by and ride the bike. Congeson is quanfiable, measure the benefit of the end of the year to cut illegal levels riding bikes and give it to the users. of air polluon in Britain. Campaigning MP Tom Watson, (Lab, They, the users will be surprised at their West Bromwich East) has launched a improved fitness and well being. Those already doing it will be that ny bit less peon calling for a new Clean Air Act. hp://www.tom -watson.com/newcleanairact inmidated on the roads. Cycle training is cheap but eminently worthwhile.” John Clinton “Easit” travel scheme launched Sustainable travel opons for employees of parcipang organisaons e.g. EDF, So on that note, let's all get out there BSUH, BHCC and the universies are on our bikes while the weather is provided by this scheme. A card offers good! Enjoy the summer everyone. reduced bus and train fares, access to loan bikes, discounts on bikes and Bruce Jonas electric vehicles and other incenves to reduce congeson and improve air www.bikeforlifesouth.org.uk quality in the city as well as improving www.getafixcycles.org.uk health. hp://www.easit.org.uk/easitbrightonhove.php 14 Transport lobby to MP Wildlife and Audax Over the years I have had many wonderful encounters with wildlife whilst cycling, but have also seen many dead creatures mostly killed by cars. On a sunny Saturday a ernoon of the first day of Windsor-Chester-Windsor 600km event I saw a pair of buzzards engaged in a spectacular aerial display. I stopped to watch them moving so gracefully in the sky. As if it was a dramac finally they Campaign for Beer Transport (CBT) locked talons and fell together towards the Officer for East Sussex, Derrick Coffee ground, only separang at the last moment nd (2 from the le above) lobbied new then swooping in opposite direcons. Eastbourne & Willingdon MP Caroline Later on the same ride during the early Ansell (Conservave, holding sign) in hours of Sunday morning I was heading London on 17 June. He emphasised back from the halfway point at Chester that transport begins with walking baling against a strong headwind and rain and that the Eastbourne 'travel to work area' is poorly served by non-car alternaves. A27 measures should be the last resort while the Hailsham - Eastbourne sustainable transport corridor should be priorised. CBT backs safe routes to school, walking and cycling investment plus a reversal when I was joined by a barn owl. At first of bus cuts and beer rail services on the bird flew beside me, but then just in the exisng tracks. See front of me and very close to the ground. www.beertransport.org.uk/ My front light was illuminang the creature, this went on for at least 30 Hasngs Council error seconds. In the end I slowed and then Hasngs Borough Council has stopped because I was geng mesmerised by the bird and in danger of falling off. The accepted that it made an error of law bird then vanished and I connued alone. in granng planning permission for In recent years I have had 2 other similar the £15 million Queensway Gateway experiences with barn owls while cycling at road, and has agreed to cancel the night, but not as dramac as this one. permission, making the planned High Tony Green Court hearing unnecessary. This is a success for the sustainable transport Note: Sustrans train volunteer Wildlife lobby, but the council has already Champions to undertake wildlife surveys felled trees in Hollington Valley. A as part of a programme to monitor and new applicaon could also be made maintain biodiversity on Sustrans routes. hp://www.sustrans.org.uk/ by developers SeaChange. 15 Interviews by Mike Aiken

M e an d Me and my bike: Dr. Rachel Coam

m y Bi k e It's amazing living in a city like Brighton where there are so many keen cyclists and even a velo café. Rachel is a GP in Brighton and the GP Commissioning Group lead for sustainability. She's been working on issues like geng inhalers recycled (at present the 73 million inhalers prescribed each year mostly go to landfill). She has also worked with colleagues on the Council to bring a bike share scheme to Brighton - watch this space.

How long have you had this bike? Would you lend it to a friend? Rachel: ‘Twenty five years.’ Rachel: ‘No way! Anyway, it would be too small for most people. And I What kind of bike is it? wouldn’t leave my bike outside either. Rachel: ‘It is a Mercian road bike.’ Not on your life!!’

Where did you get it? What do you use your bike for Rachel: ‘ I got the frame direct from mainly ? Mercian, and then I put it together Rachel: ‘I mainly use it for cycle touring myself with the help of a fabulous bike - though I do also use it for going to shop in Oxford.’ meengs across town if I

can be sure I will be able to Does your bike have a pet name? lock it up safely at my Rachel: ‘No!’ desnaon.’

What do you like most about it? What do you like most Rachel: ‘I'm quite small and so it was about riding your bike in the first bike I ever had which was my Brighton and Hove? size because it is a custom built frame Rachel: ‘I love cycling in the (19"). Of course, now I've had it so Downs around Brighton. Every year long what I like about it is that it has without fail I go out for a long ride on been all over the place with me and my birthday (which is end of we've had some great mes. I always May). I've also done some great rides say that I would like it buried with me - elsewhere in Sussex.’ to keep me company.’

16 …and what do you like the least? few mes - seng off from Rachel: ‘I dislike the way the police Storrington.’ o en seem to be ready to try and catch a cyclist out - if you veer into a If your bike was a piece of music, footpath (e.g. along the seafront) …’ what type of music would it be? Rachel: ‘If my bike was a piece of music What’s your favourite ride/route? it would be The Rite of Spring – Rachel: ‘My favourite route ever was Stravinsky.’ from London to Rome - over the Alps..... but that was a long me ago Thanks Rachel! now. There's a great ride I've done a Mike Aiken ©

Paents in the Park

This Community Health Event was hosted by the Preston Park Surgery Paent Parcipaon Group and the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership on June 6 in Preston Park, John Clinton (above right) of Bike for Life South provided the free Dr. Bike service. There were cookery demos, informaon and advice and a cycle-powered smoothie maker. Organiser Mike Holdgate (above) who sits on the Governing Body of Brighton and Hove NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) aims to create opportunies for paent and public parcipaon in the work of the CCG.

17 A QUESTION OF PRIORITIES

Killed and seriously injured road casualties in Sussex (West and East combined) increased by 11% from 921 in 2013 to 1029 last year. (Details taken from the “Sussex Safer Roads” data portal.) This was the highest casualty rate of all years listed on their website i.e. from 2008 onwards. Surely you would imagine that, in those circumstances, our County Councils would be urgently acting on this very serious situation? I made FOI requests with both West Sussex County Council (WSCC) and East Sussex County Council (ESCC) to find out (among other things) how their funding for Road Safety has changed over recent years. The replies are shown below. Question: For each of the years 2010 to 2014 inclusive, what was the County Council budget for Road Safety? Please include staff costs but not building running costs. Replies: YEAR WSCC YEAR ESCC 2010 £563,601 2010/11 £1,149,500 2011 £708,027 2011/12 £1,250,800 2012 £952,725 2012/13 £1,195,600 2013 £946,391 2013/14 £940,700 2014 £973,298 2014/15 £601,700

For me, the most shocking aspect of these figures is the drastic reduction on Road Safety spending by ESCC. This is when, not only are casualties increasing, but ESCC is forking out no less than £57m (with the Government spending a further £59m) on the controversial Bexhill to Hastings Link Road.

I wrote to my two county councillors about this, and eventually received a reply (shown in full below), which came from Rupert Clubb, Director of Communities, Economy and Transport. No doubt you will draw your own conclusions. Gavin Smith

“The Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (comprising East and West Sussex County Councils, Brighton and Hove City Council, Sussex Police, East and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Services and other interested organisations) has completed a comprehensive assessment of road safety activities undertaken by the partners. This has resulted in a more targeted and prioritised approach to road safety projects 18 delivered by all the partner organisations. majority of ring fenced grants were Much of our road safety work now stopped. This has meant that funding for supports delivery by a wide range of road safety work has to compete with a organisations including East Sussex Fire wide range of services and functions that and Rescue Service, Safer Sussex we perform from a reduced overall Community Partnership, local road safety budget. groups and Public Health. This work includes the delivery of a comprehensive Following the removal of the road safety range of interventions such as: grant we have maintained the level of revenue funding available for road safety − Theatre in Education: delivered to year to the best of our ability. Revenue 10 pupils aimed at raising their funding is used for the normal day to day awareness of poor driving and how to work of the team. Funding for specific influence it. schemes that have been identified by the − Safe Drive Stay Alive: delivered to year Road Safety Team are now fed into our 11 pupils to show the impact of poor overall prioritisation process for funding driving from our capital allocation for transport − New Driver/Rider Awareness: training improvements. The level of funding aimed at newly qualified drivers committed from our capital allocation for road safety work will be dependent on the − Community Speed Watch: empowers relative priority of the scheme. Whilst the local communities to address level of funding available to undertake incidences of speeding. road safety work has been reduced, it − Operation Crackdown: online reporting remains a priority for the County Council of anti-social driving that enables and we will continue to explore more Sussex Police to target their efficient and innovative ways to influence enforcement activities. road user behaviour. The increase in − COSTS: helps companies understand casualty figures, whilst disappointing, do road risk legislation, their reflect the national situation which has responsibilities and how to keep up prompted a wider debate about road with the latest road safety best safety and how it should be delivered in practice. the future. These increases have been recognised by the County Council and It is important to note that due to the analysis of the data is ongoing and will financial constraints being placed on all help us understand what actions will be public services we have looked very appropriate in the future." carefully at how we undertake road safety interventions. Mr Smith has identified that the level of funding for road safety has decreased over the last few years. These reductions must be seen in the context of the reductions that have been experienced by all local authorities. Prior to 2010 we received a specific annual road safety grant from central government. Following the election of the previous coalition government the

19 Naonal update

The inclusion of the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS) in the Infrastructure Act was a major achievement for CTC and its allies, but we sll don’t know how much funding the Government will allocate to it. We urgently need a funded roll-out backed with naonal design standards END LORRY DANGER for cycling infrastructure. Our aim is for a cycling budget of at least £10 per person more can be done to protect vulnerable per year, rising to £20 as cycle use grows. road users including a ban on “killer Short term funding should be maintained lorries” in our towns and cies at peak while the strategy is under development. mes. Collisions with lorries are the All road and traffic schemes are now biggest cause of cyclist deaths. Riders supposed to be 'cycle-proofed' to ensure (mainly women) being killed at juncons cycling is properly designed into them by construcon lorries trigger mass cycle from the outset. protests in London. Ruth Cadbury MP (Lab, Brenord), Alex We need to end the stop-start Chalk MP (Con, Cheltenham), Dr. Sarah culture of cycle funding. Wollaston MP (Con, Totnes) and Ben Bradshaw MP, all members of the All Most local authories have no funding Party Parliamentary Cycling Group, spent earmarked for cycling beyond April 2016 20 minutes with the Prime Minister on when the Local Sustainable Transport 15 July discussing cycle safety, juncons, Fund (LSTF) runs out. We need to end lorry design (e.g. needing all-round the stop-start culture of cycle funding. vision) and regulaon. There will be a In the Summer budget, the Chancellor further in-depth meeng with the ended tax concessions for low emission Transport Secretary, Patrick McGloughlin cars to recreate a 'road fund' which to discuss evidence from cies that seems to be a doubly bad idea. A budget already use lorry bans, traffic-light of £5 billion per year in England could phasing, lorry design improvements, unleash a dal wave of new road greater enforcement of lorry safety building raising fears of damage to rural regulaons and improvements to roads areas, more congeson, more air and juncons to make them safer for polluon, damaging health cyclists and pedestrians. CTC believes consequences and higher carbon that there should be a contractual emissions. See hp://scate.org.uk/ requirement for safer lorries for At Prime Ministers' Quesons on 24 government contracts such as the HS2, June, Ben Bradshaw MP (Lab, Exeter) and greater enforcement against asked for a meeng to discuss what unscrupulous haulage operators.

20 Road Justice notes Road Casuales, Great Britain, 2014 Published 25 June 2015 Two transport managers who hired a driver who killed cyclist Alan Neve by • Overall rise in deaths and casuales careless driving have had their • Overall long term trend sll downward licences to operate revoked. • Disproporonately more casuales The driver in queson had previous among vulnerable groups (pedest- bans for drink-driving and was not rians, pedal cyclists and motorcyclists) even insured or licensed to drive the for distance travelled.

pper lorry that killed Alan Neve as he Pedal cyclists cycled outside Holborn underground In 2014 there were 113 deaths, up 4 on staon on 15 July 2013. the 2013 figures. There was an 8.2% rise The driver was found guilty of causing in seriously injured pedal cyclists to 3,401 death by careless driving and in 2014. With the excepon of 2012 to sentenced to 3½ years in prison and 2013, the number of seriously injured disqualified from driving for ten years. pedal cyclists has increased every year Following this, the Traffic since the low of 2,174 in 2004. “This long Commissioner for London and the term rise indicates that there is an ever South East began an invesgaon into increasing problem with pedal cyclist the haulage company that had casuales.” says the DfT report. employed the driver. When the managers failed to aend two A mix of background factors: hearings, he revoked their licences. • On-road pedal cycle traffic rose by 3.8% in 2014. Cycle traffic has risen by A driver was found guilty of causing 27% since 2007. death by dangerous driving and • Traffic volume increased in 2014. aempng to defeat the ends of • Road traffic deaths are lower in jusce by deleng a phone record. economic recession (..but now it’s She had collided with cyclist Alistair over?) Speed on the A91 in Fife, on • Good weather (as in 2014) increases September 5 in 2013. She was casuales due to more trips. sentenced to 5 years in prison and • Beer technology and engineering of disqualified from driving for ten years. roads and vehicles. The cyclist died from head injuries. He • Improved trauma care reduces deaths. was a member of Fife Century Road • Beer educaon, training, road safety Club. policies.

The number of drivers found guilty of • “There is also evidence that the any 'causing death' offence in England average traffic speed in free flow areas and Wales dropped by 11% between as well as the proporon of drivers 2013 and 2014, even though the exceeding the speed limit has decreased over the last decade.” number of people killed on the roads has recently shown an upward trend. See the gov.uk website at: hp://bit.ly/1eIDK9Q

21 LEWES

HIKE + BIKE FESTIVAL

www.leweshikeandbike.co.uk This 3-week fesval included a Street Fair in Lewes on 30 May. Groups and organisaons offered bike rides, related sales and services, guided walks and countryside informaon. Fesval Co -ordinator, Brian Deval (above right) organised addional events in Peacehaven, Seaford and Newhaven. There were stalls by East Sussex CTC, (below, with David Rix far le ), Cycle Lewes (boom le , with Neil Dickinson), South East Mountain Biking (below) the South Downs Naonal Park Authority, Cycle Shack & Velopace.

22 Eastbourne Cycling Fesval Saturday & Sunday 13 & 14 June. www.eastbournecyc lingfesval.com/ This is a great free annual cycling event with something for everyone. We saw the women’s road race on Sunday morning, followed by the penny farthing race. (One rider fell but wasn’t hurt!) There were other events and a range of stalls e.g. Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, Brish Cycling, and Bespoke, (the Eastbourne Cycling group), plus bikes and cycle clothing for sale, taster sessions for children and led rides. Well worth a visit!

23 Cycling and elecon success in East Sussex

compromise. Promenades, created in Victorian times were perfect for walking while carriages kept to the road. Cyclists accepted this as the dangers were minimal, but this is no longer the case. Fortunately this battle of minds is by and large won. Since July 2013 it has been legal to cycle along Bexhill's seafront.

The next bale is I believe to stand up for the rights of pedestrians and improve road safety. Living Streets Having been a cycling campaigner held a conference and interesngly for over 15 years, with many Bexhill they admire the cycle campaigners residents opposing promenade raising awareness and succeeding in cycling, I was surprised to receive geng walking and cycling in the the most votes in my ward. A er Infrastructure Bill. being elected I was also given a seat Since being elected it has been non- on Cabinet with Porolio of stop learning how Rother works, who Transport, Environment and Public does what and the role of a Realm. Councillor. It helps get a foot in the door of decision makers, e.g. off this Bexhill had for over 100 years a “No week for A21 reference group Cycling” bylaw on our seafront. meeng with Greg Clark MP Starng in the last century a few locals (Secretary of State for Communies & decided to work to change this. Ken Local Government). Our MP Huw Becke started the Bexhill Cycle Merriman (MP for Bexhill and Bale) Forum and worked with East Sussex has been given a seat on the Select County Council (ESCC) to create a Commiee for Transport. At every Bexhill Cycle Network, on paper at opportunity we discuss cycling. least. It included a segregated path on the promenade, however it was Safe and Happy Cycling, never built as ESCC had no funds to Cllr. Ian Hollidge. take it forward. Hence changing the Cabinet Porolio for Transport, bylaw become the only opon to Environment and Public Realm, achieve safe, traffic-free cycling. This Rother District Council was my introducon to polics and

24 Norwood , a charity for special educaon needs and learning disabilies, raised

funds th with this 20 annual London to Brighton hp://capitaltocoast.org.uk/pages/ bike ride. On Sun 28 th June, riders streamed down Grand Avenue and into the pavilion on Hove Lawns for medals and a massage. Chris Todd (le ) of the Campaign for Beer Transport marked up the route on the day before the event. We also saw Keith Baldock (below) of Brighton &Hove

City Council delivering the Road Safety message on the day. One rider (right) arrived carrying his bike across the finish line!

25 Orkney to Paris Paul Bonne and friend Jim Stevenson are mid-way in a 1,000 mile cycling and golf challenge to raise money - a cycling and for Brighton-based homeless charity, the First Base golf combo! Day Centre. They are cycling from North Ronaldsay to Paris playing golf along the way at grounds such as Royal Dornoch, Pitlochry, Bathgate and Kendal. There was a successful fundraising day at East Brighton Golf Course on 18 June. Paul has only recently taken up golf. He is also an Aikido teacher and will incorporate some Aikido along the way! To make a donaon for this worthwhile cause: www.justgiving.com/paul-bone2/ Blog: www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/OrkneytoParis Paul is Managing Director of Bonne’s Estate Agents www.bones.co.uk

Vincent Tickner, 2015 Paris-Brest-Paris Parish Councillor The most famous endurance cycling event Paris-Brest- Paris held every 4 years takes place this summer, 90hrs Quite a number of long- to ride term Bricycles members 1233km. will remember Vincent I tried to Tickner’s keen advocacy ignore the of cycling from the early event siren days of Bricycles. In the calls but in recent May ‘15 elecons, the end he stood as a Labour could not. candidate for Ditchling So, during and Westmeston in the the first five Lewes District Council months of Elecons, but lost to the this year I Conservave candidate. have gone However, he connues through the process of riding the qualifying events of to be one of the Parish 200, 300, 400 & 600km distance. One thing I know for Councillors for certain is that qualifying gets harder as I get older. Westmeston with All being well I will be on the start line in Mongny-le- responsibility for the Bretonneux, Pariwest on Sunday 16 th August and so will Environment. He is also Bob Harber of Brighton Excelsior & Bricycles, plus Tree Warden in the around 5500 other riders from all over the world. parish. Tony Green 26 The Philosophy of Cycling Nick Sayers solargraphs Clive Cazeaux, Professor of Aesthecs at Cardiff School of Art and Design, gave a talk for Bike Week at the Gate Arts Centre in Cardiff about the Philosophy of Cycling. Clive has lectured in philosophy since 1992. He notes the diversity of forms of cycling and how it encompasses many ways of life. He says: “It is because the bicycle achieves a very special relaonship with the human body and Nick Sayers, the arst long associated the human being’s interacon with with the Brighton Naked Bike Ride has others in an environment that cycling an exhibion of his solargraphs at the opens up so many possibilies.” Red Roaster Café in St. James’s Street Clive visits Brighton occasionally and unl 2 August . “Brighton Solargraphs: The Sun Over The City” is a collecon of 6-month exposure pinhole camera photographs of iconic Brighton and Hove landmarks. The ghostly images track the passage of the sun across the sky. www.facebook.com/nsayers

Space for Cycling ride Be ready to join in a ride to promote our Space for Cycling came on a Brighton and Hove CTC ride to aims at a date to be announced in Waldron in October 2012, shown in the the week 27 Sept to 1 October ! picture above on the far right.

Brighton Naked Bike Ride The tenth ride on Sunday 14 th June - celebrang bikes, body - power and low-impact living had around 1000 parcipants! Here are some of their bikes as they take a refreshing dip and have a picnic at the naturist beach. Facebook: Brighton Naked Bike Ride worldnakedbikeride.org/brighton

27

Leers

Bikeavan Photo of Neil's self-built bikeavan (right) in Carats Café car park in Southwick. This is the 2 nd he's built and he's currently making another lighter one. Andrew Coleman

Bricycles in the news! Hi Becky - I'm sure you've already seen the Independent (29/5/15) which is lisng you as one of the hundred most influenal people in the city - congratulaons! So, my reason for wring is to say that this is news and should get a menon in the next newsleer - reflecng the significant impact that Bricycles is having on public awareness - keep up the good work. Regards, RH Becky writes: As a representave of Bricycles I was very honoured (and surprised) to be included in a grand list of “the people who make our city what it is” with reference to making the case for beer cycle lanes and contraflows. Shows what a community group can do! hp://bit.ly/1FeaFIB

North of Coldean Lane at the juncon with Stony cyclists shouldn’t be there Wrien on behalf of a Mere Way to go to the or on the carriageway. correspondent: University of Brighton There is a shared use path campus and the Keep. for cyclists and Signage states that cyclists pedestrians and also a bus are allowed to use the lane going north of the bus lane (please check this juncon of the Lewes for yourself) and so there Road with Coldean Lane. is no excuse for hoong Some cyclists stay on the and dangerous overtaking road so they can turn right by drivers who think that

28 Points Birthday honours for cycling. CTC's Campaigns and Policy • Alexei Sayle talked about cycling in a guest Director, Roger Geffen (below) appearance on Radio 4’s sarical “The was appointed a Member of the Now Show” on 7/7/15. Order of the Brish Empire (MBE) • Cycling virtuoso guitarist Richard Durrant in the Queen's 2015 Birthday has recorded his new piece "The Girl at Honours List, for his services to the Airport" in Prague with the City of Cycling. Becky Reynolds said: Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. “I’ve met Roger several mes. www.richard-durrant.com He’s • The opening of a Downslink alternave A283 fantascally crossing route and riverbank 'walks for all' hard path took place on 25/7/15 (report next issue). working, and helpful and Bus crash, North Street, Brighton has proven to be a very effecve campaigner at naonal level.” At the same me, Sustrans chief execuve Malcolm Shepherd has been made a Commander of the Order of the Brish Empire (CBE) for services to Transport and the Environment.

All best wishes to Ian Davey, 6 July 2015. We hope that all casuales previously BHCC’s Transport Lead, recover quickly. We were informed by a on whatever he does next! police person that no cyclists were involved. Web Manager needed! Bricycles needs a Web Manager with experience of Wordpress. Contact Becky [email protected]

i360 in progress Aiming for a 450 feet high tower with views of up to 26 miles, the jacking tower (le ) by the seafront cycle track is will be jacking 11 “cans” during July, August and September.

29 Diary Worthing Street Velodrome st nd 1 and 2 August Beach House Grounds, Worthing Bale Randonnée Track riding, taster sessions, cycling for Sunday 13 September children, taster sessions, demos, Dr Bike 9 - 11 am from the Guide www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/street-velodrome/ Hut, Bale Recreaon Ground, North Trade Road, Prudenal RideLondon FreeCycle less than one mile from Sat 1 August Family ride to experience the fun Bale Staon. and freedom of cycling on traffic-free roads in This on-road ride is in aid of London. CTC is looking for volunteer Dr. Bikes. Bale Health Pathway, a hp://bit.ly/1Dl2oTy proposed all-weather shared track. Don Lock Memorial Ride Entry forms: send a stamped Sun 6 Sept . Details to be announced. addressed envelope marked hp://www.worthingexcelsior.co.uk/ Bale Randonnée to Esther Carpenter, 10 Maplehurst Big Dog 2015 mountain bike event Road, St Leonards, TN37 7NA 15/16 August 2015 Stanmer Park Organised by East Sussex hp://www.brightonbigdog.com/ CTC. 50km costs £5 or 100km costs £8. Routes include hills. Apple Day Fesval, Stanmer Park Please contact Sue if you Sun 27 September need any further details on Bike Trains at 11:00 and 12:00 from The Level 07952 166819 www.1066cycleclub.org.uk/ London-Brighton-Paris Bike Train Sun 6 - 13 Dec 2015 Cycle to Work Day Mass 5-day ride to the Paris COP-21 climate talks, 3rd September 2015 converging with others from Europe. hps://www.facebook.com/groups/biketrain/

Save Preston Park Cycle Track Brighton Pier to Preston Park Sat 5 th Sept This is a naonal event, which 10:00 –13:00 aims to encourage everyone 2.8 miles, route at to take to two wheels and hp://goo.gl/n7f5mA cycle to work for just

one day. www.facebook.com/saveprestonparkcycletrack www.cycletoworkday.org/ 30 Max’s Cycling Science Tour Saturday 5th September 2pm-5pm, Brighton Back by popular demand! Unique, fun, entertaining and informave bicycle ride which explores and explains the surprising science of cycling. You know HOW a bicycle works - pedal along to find out WHY it works. A big hit at Brighton Science Fesval, Science Oxford and Chester University's Bike Weekend. Book now at hp://nyurl.com/maxscienceride

It's a family-friendly, easy-riding and enjoyable event that reveals the strange secrets of cycling. You know HOW a bicycle works - pedal along to find out WHY it works. Bring your bike and your brain as we ask: • Where does your energy go? • Why don't cyclists fall over? • What's so great about gravity? • Why is walking rubbish?

Explanaons, demonstraons and experiments will happen en route, with YOU as both guinea pigs and sciensts - all in an easy five-mile round trip along public roads, cycle lanes and paths. We'll stop in the middle so you can buy a cuppa. Tickets are limited so make sure of yours by booking now. Suitable for adults, teenagers and young people aged 11 years and up. Bring your own bicycle and your curiosity. Max Author of Cycling Science Event: nyurl.com/maxscienceride M: +44 7981 490516 T: @cyclingscience1 B: cyclingandscience.com E: [email protected]

31 Find Bricycles on Facebook & Twier www.facebook.com/Bricycles Contents twier.com/Bricycles Your new Council 2

Traffic scheme review 3 Cycling Infrastructure Adviser Travel advice team ready to go! 4 ( & Twitter) Duncan Codd Out and about 5 [email protected] Bikestock 6

Treasurer/Membership Brighton Staon / Space for Cycling 7

CTC Right to Ride rep Brighton cycling events 8 - 9 Tony Green 01273 552662 Caroline Lucas, my bike’s part ... 10 - 11 [email protected] Cycling maers, cycle training 12 - 14 2 Glovers Yard, 121-123 Havelock Road, BN1 6GN Air polluon and environment 14 - 15

Secretary Me and my bike 16 Adam Pride Paents in the Park 17 01273 570039 [email protected] A Queson of Priories 18 - 19 76 Foredown Drive, Naonal update 20 - 21 , Brighton BN41 2BE Lewes / Eastbourne Fesvals 22 - 23 Campaigns / Editor Cycling & elecon success E. Sussex 24 CTC Right to Ride Rep Capital to Coast 25 Becky Reynolds 01273 552662 Orkney to Paris & events/people 26 [email protected] Leers 28 2 Glovers Yard, 121-123 Havelock Road, BN1 6GN Points 29 Diary 30 Development and Outreach Tom Jones Max’s Cycling Science Tour 31 [email protected] Bricycles contact details 32 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 20 September 2015 Brighton and Hove (& further Send to the Editor afield). Report to Tom Jones, Development & Outreach. CONTACT US IF YOU CAN DISTRIBUTE LITERATURE OR IF YOU HAVE A NEWSWORTHY STORY OR PHOTO .

32