DORSET CYCLISTS’ NETWORK www.dcn.org.uk founded 1992 Newsletter no 51 November 2005 Recommended price to non-members: 50p campaigning for all cyclists in Dorset TWO PLANS TO COMMENT ON That means all DCN members, please ! LOCAL TRANSPORT PLANS THE FUTURE'S NOT ORANGE by Michael Evans and John Pritchard IT'S GREEN(LINK) ! Two draft plans have been drawn up for the by Michael Evans and John Pritchard future of transport in Dorset over the next 5 The government has asked planners to look at the years. One covers South-East Dorset (the opportunity of providing land for between 40,000 conurbation plus most of East Dorset) and the and 50,000 new homes over the next 20 years in other covers the rest of the county. South East Dorset. That could generate 80,000 to 100,000 extra people according to East Dorset These are consultation documents, and DCN District Council. will be sending in comments about them. This will make greater demands on transport and But it is open to every cyclist to see and recreational facilities which must be managed comment personally on the reports, which are effectively, otherwise unrestricted growth in traffic available to read at libraries and council offices, and informal recreation will have disastrous and on their web sites. consequences for wildlife, the environment and health. The consultation period ends at the end of The Greenlink Partnership has just started November. Don’t delay - read the report and addressing this with consultative meetings at which send in your observations now, or lose any DCN has been represented. However, key decision chance you might have for persuading Councils makers will only make the right choices if, as part to make better provision for cycling in the of a wider consultation, they become convinced of future! the demand for greater provision of safe walking and cycling routes within the conurbation and See Page 3 for details of how to see a copy of the LTP. Continued on page 5 IN THIS ISSUE 2 DCN contacts 9 Poole 16 Letters; Aches and Pains? 3 Diary; Poole Harbour Trail: 10 Sturminster Marshall; Bikes 18 Police Sustrans trails in public service 19 national & international 4 Bournemouth 11 Bike hire 21 Helmets; Silly signs 5 Streets Ahead; Climate 12 Weymouth & Portland 22 Useful contacts; Cycle change 13 Wimborne training 6 New DCN officers; Arts 14 Pollution; Flashing cycle 23 Hi-Vis order form; Institute; Ferry news lights; 3rd part insurance Discounts 7 Purbeck 15 Cycle history 24 Membership information

1 DORSET CYCLISTS’ NETWORK Founded in Wimborne in 1992, DCN now covers most of Dorset. Our main aim is to promote cycling in the County. A committee, elected annually, is responsible for policy, general management and finance. The Branches below are responsible for promoting cycling in their areas. Membership is open to all. DCN is affiliated to the Cycling Campaign Network (CCN), the Cyclists Touring Club (CTC) and Sustrans. We are members of the Dorset Cycling Liaison Forum and agents for the Environmental Transport Association. Our Constitution, policies and minutes are available to members by sending a stamped addressed envelope or e-mail to the Chairman DCN County Committee Chairman Michael Evans QPM Dorchester Roland Tarr Farrs Coach House, Wimborne BH21 4EL 70 Monmouth Rd, Dorchester DT1 2DG 01202 880966 fax 0870 130 6358 01305 262359 [email protected] [email protected]

County Secretary John Pritchard Lyme Regis Julian Bond 3 Alexandra Street, Blandford Forum DT11 7EY Spinney, Rocombe, Lyme Regis DT7 3RR 01258 455699 [email protected] 01297 444595 [email protected] Membership Secretary Peter Watkins 1a Greenhill Close, Colehill, Wimborne BH21 2RQ Poole Bob Frew 01202 884122 [email protected] “Hillcrest” 17 High Park Road, Poole BH18 9DE 01202 693480 [email protected] Treasurer Michael Woodhall 10 Wentworth Avenue, Bournemouth BH5 2ED Purbeck John Thraves 01202 268838 [email protected] 5 Trinity Close, Trinity Lane, Wareham BH20 4LL 01929 554550 [email protected] Blandford John Pritchard (see County Secretary) [email protected] Sherborne Mark Brettell 4 Huish Farm Cottages, Bradford Abbas, DT9 6RE Bournemouth Ann Davis 01935 410462 [email protected] 5A Warren Edge Close, Bournemouth BH6 4EG 01202 432056 [email protected] Weymouth & Portland Mike Kelly 13 Viscount Road, Weymouth DT4 9EP Bridport Matthew Beeching 01305 775363 [email protected] Hillview, Dodhams Lane, Bridport DT6 3DY 01308 421381 Wimborne Michael Evans (see Chairman) [email protected] Christchurch vacant Enquiries to [email protected] (see page 22 for Christchurch Borough Council contact)

Advertising Rates BE SAFE - BE SEEN Commercial Buy a DCN £56 per year full page approx 18cm x 12 cm ½ page £28 ; ¼ page £14 high-visibility waistcoat includes free DCN web site entry for only £3.00 Members’ private ads Free, but we welcome a donation Order form on page 23 if you make a sale or collect for only £2.50 All enquiries: [email protected] by appointment with Jonathan Aris or by post to Chairman DCN 01202 718000

The newsletter is compiled by the Chairman and published in February, May, August and November. Deadlines are 1st day of January, April, July and October. Send copy by e-mail or clearly typed to Chairman DCN. Images in JPG please. Send s.a.e. for return of photos, cartoons and other artwork

2 Rides & Events Visit the DCN web site for updates Entries on this page are free. Send details to the Chairman Sunday 6 Nov West Dorset CTC DCN Wimborne ride Saturday Saunters Michael & Valerie Evans 01202 880966 Every two weeks, starts alternating between Weymouth (RSPB hut, Swannery Car Park) and Sunday 4 Dec. Dorchester (Top o'Town cafe). 10.15 for 10.30 DCN Wimborne ride start. About 25 leisurely miles with pub/cafe/ David Bourne 01202 882721 picnic lunch. Quiet lanes, no one left behind. Gail 01305 261345 or www.wessexctc.org/ Saturday Mornings in the New Forest Meet 8.45am every Saturday See also Page 7 for at the Pioneer Store Car Park, Christchurch or Winter rides with DCN Purbeck 9am near “The Oak PH”, Burton. Return by noon. 20 miles. Car park available. Just turn up. Local Transport Plans Poole Harbour Trail continued from page 1 A story of great voluntary effort As well as being available at libraries and Bernard Corby and Peter Strudwick of Poole Council offices. copies can be downloaded free have spent the past few years lobbying MPs, on the internet or ordered on payment from the Councils, the RSPB, the Harbour Authority and phone nos below. English Nature in order to create a trail around Poole Harbour. They have achieved a lot and South East Dorset provisional LTP many sections can now be used by walkers and www.bournemouth.gov.uk/ltpweb/ltphome.htm some by cyclists. There are difficulties on the Philip Shearing 01202 454678 (Bournemouth) Upton to Wareham stretch. Ken Pearce 01202 262041 (Poole) Poole Council have committed £10,000 towards matched funding and the result of a bid to Rural Dorset provisional LTP AONB funding is awaited. www.dorsetforyou.com/localtransportplan There is potential for this trail to link into Steve Williams 01305 224258 (Dorset CC) existing and planned cycle routes and to create commuting routes between Wareham and Poole. You need to get moving because To find out more or to offer support, contact the consultation period ends Bernard Corby 01202 382323 on 2 December. [email protected]

DCN member Susy Ellis has spotted these CORNWALL The Camel Trail Bodmin to fairly easy cycle trails around the UK Padstow 17 miles. which you might well fit into one of your SOUTH WALES The Celtic Trail Kidwelly to future trips. More information about these Llanelli 18 miles PEAK DISTRICT Ashbourne and back 13 and other parts of the 10,000 mile National miles Cycle Network as well as the book KENT Crab & Winkle Way around Canterbury “Cycling in the UK” can be obtained from 7½ miles Sustrans 0845 1130065 or SCOTLAND Edinburgh to Forth Bridge 11 www.sustrans.org.uk miles YORKSHIRE Selby to Beningbrough 24 miles

3 Bournemouth DCN contact: Ann Davis Ann Davis, DCN’s new representative ways of overcoming this, but feels that the in Bournemouth, writes: ultimate goal should be to achieve mandatory status. The Council will also look at the narrow road over the railway to see what improvements When I moved to Bournemouth 3 years ago can be made for cyclists’ safety at this pinch I realised it could be a wonderful town for point. cycling: great climate, few hills, and wonderful surroundings ideally suited to Council rivalry in Bike Week! cycling. But it is not very cycle-friendly from Richard Barnes, Bournemouth Council and I would like to contribute to some improvements in this field by working During Bike Week the Borough of Poole through DCN. challenged Bournemouth Borough Council to see DCN is a local organisation where I can put which council could get the most staff cycling to work during the Monday to Friday of Bike Week. forward your ideas and problems about A day’s cycling counted as 10 points but cycling and help bring about improvements participating senior officers counted as 25 points for you, whether you cycle to work or shop, and councillors as 50 points. Congratulations to for exercise or recreation. Poole who got 3105 points but Bournemouth got a After working in education for most of respectable 2405. It was very encouraging that the my career I spent some time working in Chief Executive of Bournemouth participated. financial services. I chaired Southampton CAB for several years, and later served on We offer a the Southampton Hospitals Trust Board for Warm Welcome at 4 years. I used to cycle to work in Southampton by using a route across the West Bay near Bridport Common and various side roads, and in Bed and Breakfast Bournemouth I use my bike for shopping for cyclists and also for trips to the Purbecks, or take it Tent rates or Room Rates We can provide a few tents and sleeping bags on the ferry to France for holiday . All you have to bring is a sheet sleeping bag I am looking forward to representing DCN in Bournemouth, and I hope local Phone to book 01308 423475 members will get in touch with me so that or e-mail [email protected] we can arrange to meet and discuss local cycling issues in the near future. ACCOMMODATION PRICE PER NIGHT

Single Bed own room £15.00 Glenferness Avenue cycle lanes Steve Bissex, a DCN member of West Moors, cycles to work at Sandbanks and has to go via Double room 2 people £10 per person 1 person £15.00 Glenferness Avenue where he finds cars parked in the cycle lanes. Steve wrote to DCN, who Tent provided £12.00 PER TENT passed on the complaint to Bournemouth Sleeping bag included Maximum 2 people Council. Martin Dover, Head of Planning & BRING YOUR OWN Transport, replied that it was originally intended SHEET SLEEPING BAG to install mandatory cycle lanes but councillors Bring your own tent £6.00 per tent yielded to pressure from residents, so there are (limited space) advisory lanes only. This results in the lanes Breakfast £8.00 being ineffective. Martin has looked at various

4 Greenlink -your chance to influence the future continued from page 1 linking to the countryside. Projects such as the You, the members of DCN can start playing a Bourne Valley Greenway, Castleman Trailway, part by completing the small form at the back of and the Mude Valley Greenway, have made a the enclosed North Dorset Trailway leaflet and promising start, but much more needs to be sending it to the address printed on the reverse. done.This small network must be extended to Next , get hold of the paper called “Greenlink - enable access from residential areas to local the Future” from your Council office. Don’t be parks and nearby countryside on non-motorised put off by the cover saying it says it is a paper routes. It is essential that people should be able for decision makers etc. It is important that we to get their exercise and enjoy the environment all write in supporting extension of Greenways. without having to get in the car and drive a long Finally, you could offer to help the DCN support way, only to spoil the places they visit by by doing simple tasks in your own area, such as congestion and large unsightly car parks. The riding on potential routes as they are proposed future depends on finding the funding. For and reporting on their suitability. Please contact example, £100,000 is needed for a full time the chairman or secretary if you can offer some project officer to get it off to a good start. time, however little and we will contact you when the need arises. Voluntary help is being sought, and we have said DCN wishes to be be involved, as we could provide a working group with local knowledge, checking suitability of routes, examination of safety issues, help and advice for new cyclists, consultation in the planning process and publicity through our newsletter and web site.

STREETS AHEAD by John Pritchard On 12 November I shall be going to We will learn how Hilden in Germany the National Cycle Conference on spends less than £10,000 per annum on behalf of DCN. It’s being hosted by cycle-specific facilities yet achieves the Warrington Cycle Campaign 24% of in-town trips by cycling. We group, and is entitled “Streets Ahead”. will also hear about the challenges It will explore how the urban faced by Hull City Council in environment can be transformed developing on and off-road cycle through the promotion and development of facilities. Sounds familiar? cycling. For further information, visit www.warringtoncyclecampaign.co.uk/streets-ahead/

CYCLING IS A VITAL PART OF THE ANSWER TO CLIMATE CHANGE

The Commission for Integrated Transport has advised DEFRA on the subject of “Transport & Climate Change” and has included the observation that “. . . Cycling and walking . . . can play a vital role in reducing the need for short car journeys. These are neglected modes in policy . . . “ www.cfit.gov.uk/reports/ccdefra/index.htm

5 LATEST SCORE: Bournemouth Arts Institute WON 2 LOST 1 Contact: Simon Adams 01202 363041 TREASURER [email protected] In November 2005, January and Following Peter Watkins’s appeal April 2006 there will be a bike (August issue), Michael Woodhall mechanic who will do a talk and give of DCN Bournemouth has offered advice on bike repairs for staff and to fill the post. We thank him very much for this. students. His details now appear on page 2. In addition to keeping an eye on our finances, Michael will also We are organising a Travel Plan deal with third-party insurance and ETA week from 8 - 12 May 2006 which membership. will have a heavy emphasis on cyclists. Prizes include 2 new bikes. Our sincere thanks to Peter for his hard work in filling the post since DCN began 13 years ago. For the time being he will continue as Dorset Belles Ferries membership secretary so please note that You may have noticed that the Dorset Belle subscription renewal cheques and applications advert no longer appears in the newsletter. to join should still be sent to him, not to the The company has changed ownership, but we Treasurer. are assured that bikes will still be carried free of charge outside peak passenger times as However, Peter says "If anybody else could take before. up the challenge of the membership secretary I would be most grateful as I would like to move on to other voluntary activities". St Martin’s BOURNEMOUTH House Another piece of good news is that we welcome Ann Davis of Soutbourne Bed & Breakfast who has agreed to represent DCN in Accommodation Bournemouth. On page 4 Ann has written to introduce herself and her White Cliff Mill Street, contact details are on page 2. BLANDFORD FORUM, Dorset DT11 7BP 01258 451245

CHRISTCHURCH [email protected] As so often happens, it’s two steps forward and one step back. Chris Birkhead, who has looked after DCN Christchurch since Located in the town of Blandford Forum, the end of 2002, has reluctantly had to step with its fine Georgian architecture, down. This is understandable as he is a busy man, and St Martin's House offers delightfully light, actually lives in Bournemouth. Our thanks are due to spacious accommodation, combining classic him for looking after Christchurch Branch so actively period features with warmth and comfort. Easy walk to Blandford town centre. and for so long. Is there a DCN member living or riding regularly in Christchurch willing to Secure, lockable, undercover offer to represent cyclists there? No expertise is storage for bicycles. needed - just common sense and a bit of time. Please speak to the Chairman without obligation Visit our web site for full details to find out more. www.stmartinshouse.co.uk

6 Purbeck contact:John Thraves

The Purbeck Freewheelers We formed this group in January and embarked Next April we will continue the Wednesday on a publicity campaign with artwork for posters evening rides but Sunday rides will continue designed by the I T Department of Purbeck through the winter as below, always weather District Council, high visibility vests donated by permitting. We start at Purbeck Sports Centre at the Wareham and District Development Trust 10.30 am. (WDDT) and accommodation support at the Purbeck Sports Centre in Wareham. We decided 13 November to call ourselves the Purbeck Freewheelers . The Lawrence Ride, Wool, Moreton, Our aims are to encourage cyclists and would-be Briantspuddle, Throop, Turners Puddle, Lane cyclists to enjoy the local countryside in an End, East Dorset Golf Club, Puddletown Road. environmentally friendly way and to get fit in the process. We started on 17 April with a turn out 11 December of eight cyclists and continued through the Coombe Keynes to Lulworth Castle. season with a total of 34 cyclists taking part. Our rides cover 15 - 20 miles on Wednesday 8 January 2006 evenings using 6 different routes. Sunday Church Knowle monthly rides have also been successful with an average of six riders. We finished the 12 February 2006 Wednesday evening rides on 31 August with a Puddleton road, Bovington, Wool and return. social at Purbeck Sports Centre. My thanks go to everyone who took part in our rides. I hope you 12 March 2006 enjoyed the experience and look forward to Rempstone seeing you in 2006.

7 8 Poole Contact: Bob Frew New conurbation cycle map LATE NEWS A new edition of the Conurbation Cycle Map from Sally Funnell (Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch) is now available. Copies should be available from Following consultation with the Bicycle User Libraries and Tourist Information Centres in the Groups of large employers and Institutions in area. Poole a further 20 cycle stands are being erected If you have difficulty obtaining a copy please in the town centre at various locations and some forward your postal address to kerbs will be dropped to improve access for cy- [email protected] clists. tel 01202 454645 and a copy will be sent. The map is also available online on Poole's cycle map now has a walking map on the www.bournemouth.gov.uk/Residents/roads/rnm/ reverse side and is proving very popular. cycle_routes.asp The Bourne Valley Greenlink has been included in Steve Maskell of Bournemouth Council would the South West England booklet Scenic Short welcome suggestions for improvement of this Walks Guide 2005/06. This route is also suitable service for cyclists and stretches between Bournemouth Tel 01202 454760 Sea Front and Canford Heath in Poole. e-mail: [email protected] fax: 01202 451008 These up-to-date leaflets can be obtained from the cycling officer on 01202 262066. Seafront cycling • Poole cycling/walking map A survey on people’s attitudes to cycling on the • Area cycle map (Poole/B’mouth/Christchurch) seafront has been carried out by Poole Leisure • Bourne Valley Greenway Services who manage the Promenade area. DCN • Heritage Cycle route has been assured that we will be informed of the • Cycling in Poole information booklet. results

9 Sturminster Marshall We don’t often have an article about • Upton Country Park through Lytchett this pretty village, affectionately known Matravers and across Upton Heath 14 as “Stur” but Steve Gerry, a DCN miles member who lives there, has made a • Pamphill, Hound Hill and Chilgrove list of bike rides which he hopes will and back to Cowgrove 8 miles prove popular with locals and visitors. • Blandford on National Cycle Route 20 Steve hopes people will suggest miles additions to the list. • Wimborne on National Cycle Route 10 miles They are all interesting rides of varying • Cowgrove, then green lanes to Shap- difficulty and length, and he hopes to be wick and return 8 miles able to lead one of them next year as • Up the Tarrants and on to Ashmore part of the Wimborne DCN ride • Calmer, Mapperton and off-road to programme. The rides are all from Stur Spetisbury and follow these routes: You can see fuller descriptions on • Lytchett Matravers, Organford, Ware- http://cycle-routes.sturminstermarshall.co.uk ham Forest & back 14 miles or contact Steve on 01258 857131 • Cowgrove, Chilgrove, High Hall and Holt 20 miles Beryl's B & B PUBLIC SERVICES GET ON THEIR BIKES

If you want to see an inspirational video on the web, tune in to

www.streamcity.co.uk/clients/ transport/bikes.htm

Attractive Victorian house on the and see how the City of London outskirts of Wareham Police, London Ambulance Service and the Isle of Purbeck with its and other services are giving a faster beautiful views, places to visit and more effective response by using and the Jurassic Coast bicycles. En suite rooms, parking, children welcome, open all year. They are faster in heavy traffic than Sorry no pets. motor vehicles and can easily get into shopping centres and pedestrian Cycle storage. areas, right to the heart of the Tel 01929 550138 problem they have been called to deal Mobile 07860 503944 with. Email [email protected]

10 BIKE HIRE France Some cycle hire firms 15,000 inhabitants of Lyon have joined a in and around Dorset collective bike scheme that allows registered users to hire one of 1,500 bikes dotted around Bournemouth On Yer Bike 01202 315855 the city. Rental costs one euro an hour with the Dorchester Dorchester Cycles 01305 268787 first half-hour free. In practice that means Stalbridge Dorset Cycles 01963 362476 borrowing a bike is as good as free, since 90% of New Forest the journeys last less than 30 minutes. Cyclexperience 01590 624204 Balmer Lawn Bike Hire 01590 623133 London Forest Leisure Cycling Village centre, Burley : The YHA has launched a hire fleet of 100 bright 01425 403584 yellow 'Budgie' bikes operating from five Forest Leisure Cycling National Motor Museum, London youth hostels. An hour's rental costs Beaulieu 01590 611029 £1.50. YHA’s Rob Brock said: “As the bikes can New Milton Adventure Cycles 01425 615593 be rented by the hour it’s possible for people at Poole Oceanus (Sandbanks) 01202 706166 work to get out for a quick spin during their Trax MTB hire 01202 383898 lunch break in one of the parks.” The bikes are A1 Hire & Sales Ltd tel : 01202 736899 available from YHA hostels at Rotherhithe, Swanage Cycle Sales 01929 425050 Earl’s Court, Holland House, Kensington, St Wareham A1 Hire & Sales 01929 556460 Pancras and Hampstead Heath. Norden 07971 929598 Weymouth Tilleys 01305 785672 RALEIGH CENTRE Greenwood Guest House

Small friendly B&B in a quiet road (some off road parking)

Lockable garage for bicycles

42 ST. MARY ST, Easy level walking distance to WEYMOUTH beach and town centre Conveniently located for railway station 01305 781831 (mainline to London) and Condor Ferry (to the NEW AND USED Channel Islands) BICYCLES Open All Year CYCLE SALES 1 Holland Road, Weymouth, DT4 0AL SPARES, REPAIRS Tel: 01305 775626 SERVICING AND www.greenwoodguesthouse.co.uk ACCESSORIES E-mail [email protected]

11 Weymouth & Portland Contact: Mike Kelly It has been a good summer concerning the current serious risk. Where there is though the early evening of 31 proposals for the A354 definite evidence that an old August produced a huge Weymouth to Dorchester Road highway had a history of thunder storm over south and the related Integrated vehicular use, albeit by horse Dorset. Unfortunately it Transport Strategy. A meeting and cart, redesignation may coincided with our planned has been offered by Matthew have to be accepted but recent Weymouth cycle-in with 6 routes Piles, the Weymouth Relief discussions at Dorset County from outlying areas set to Road Manager and if you would Council suggest that the officers converge for a meeting and wish to attend please contact may not be applying a picnic at Radipole Park me concerning the time and sufficiently rigorous legal test. It Gardens. We were quietly place for the meeting as these is not sufficient to conclude that confident of a good response. In have not yet been arranged. simply if a route has been used the end there were only 5 of us on occasions or for access by who met but the discussion A matter of local and wider vehicles that makes it a lawful soon turned to when should we concern are present attempts to right of way for all vehicles. have another go at organising designate certain tracks (some We need to be vigilant and if the event. If anybody has a view currently designated as you see notices in the local as to the best timing e.g footpaths or bridleways) as press or site notices concerning weekend morning or afternoon Byways Open to All Traffic. I the possible upgrading of routes or weekday evening I would be see this as a serious threat to to B.O.A.T. status it is worth pleased to hear. If the latter we the tranquility of much of our doing some research and would need to look to late spring most appreciated countryside making representations. at the earliest so that we have potentially leading to heavy use good daylight (thunder storms by 4 wheel drive vehicles and If there are issues you wish to permitting). off road motor cycles. Where discuss on this you are welcome the current status is that of a to phone me. My details are on We are in discussion with bridleway walkers, horse riders page 2. Dorset County Council staff and cyclists could be put at

Main Shimano Repair Centre for West Dorset Main Agents for Brompton, Saracen, Specialised, BH, Peugeot 0% finance available on new bikes over £169 New and Used Cycles Repairs, Spares, Accessories for all types of cycling Open until 8.00pm Thursday Ample Free Parking 128 Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth DT4 0JS Tel 01305 776977 e-mail [email protected] Web Site www.cycles.freeservers.com Discount for DCN members Hire Bikes

12 Wimborne Contact: Michael Evans Wimborne Hospital Kingston Lacy At last it seems as if our hospital is going to provide For over 10 years DCN has sought a safe route from somewhere for staff and patients to lock their bikes Wimborne town centre to the National Trust estate at safely. Around 20 doctors, nurses and other staff Kingston Lacy and the campaign is at last bearing regularly cycle to work there, and able-bodied out fruit. It is the NT’s national policy to encourage patients and visitors frequently use bikes to get there. visitors to use sustainable transport but until now the But until now, this has resulted in bikes being left all only access to this estate is by the dangerous B3082 over the place (see photos), in some cases obstructing Blandford Road which cannot be recommended as safe passages. for cycling. We obtained the support of John Grimshaw, CEO of Sustrans, and a possible route has now been proposed. The National Trust are carrying out an “environmental impact study” and there are “high hopes” that the route will be in place during 2006.

A nice ride Our August ride from In July I met Simon Hayter, Admissions Manager, and Wimborne to Long Janet Wilson of S-E Dorset Primary Care Trust and Crichel Organic learnt that funding has been approved by the County Bakery was a gentle Council for 50% of the project. It is hoped to find the 16 miles, half off- rest locally, possibly with the help of the powerful road, on a lovely “Friends of Wimborne Hospital”. summer’s day. DCC funding is on condition that the project is We were served very tasty snacks and excellent coffee. finished by 31 March next year. The photo shows us at the Bakery, refreshed and ready for the return journey.

13 Pollution on roads Flashing legalised Research is NOT bad news for cyclists

The British Heart Foundation has refuted a claim By the time you read this, it should be made by the Sunday Times that the benefits of legal to use flashing lights on your bike. cycling could be outweighed by the polluted Provided they are bright enough, flashers conditions of a busy road. Polluted air affects front and rear will be all the lights you drivers, pedestrians and cyclists and is estimated need. to kill up to 24,000 people every year. However, the BHF pointed out that that the air which cyclists breathe is between 2 and 4 times To be legally approved a light may flash less polluted than that which accumulates inside at least once and not more than four times a car. Cycling is part of the solution to this per second with a brilliance of at least problem, not the problem itself. It has clear four candle-power. Most quality flashing overall benefits for health, fitness and overall life lights on sale today meet that requirement expectancy, as well as helping society to reduce but you should check with the dealer air pollution in the first place. We should be tackling the source, not the before buying. symptoms of this problem, and that means encouraging more people to cycle, rather than However if you continue to use only a frightening them into not doing so with incorrect steady light it must still conform to reporting. BS6102/3.

Third party insurance GROVE LODGE B & B WIMBORNE DCN recommends that cyclists should seriously DCN members Ruth and Richard Bush consider having 3rd party insurance. At present only 2% of the 5 million people who cycle regularly are covered by a specialist insurance policy that offers third party liability cover and legal aid.

The CTC’s Director recently announced “Most cyclists simply don’t give the issue of third party insurance any thought, and although cycling is safe and healthy, it’s dangerous to ignore the threat of legal action in the event of an accident. Cyclists may not realise that although household insurance policies may offer a degree of third party cover, many exclude road offer a warm, friendly welcome to their family home, with its quiet, peaceful garden. traffic accidents.” A few minutes level walk from the town centre. Off road parking, lockable garage for bikes, drying DCN can arrange insurance for members facilities. Maps, routes and useful information from through the CTC. The current rate is £12.50 per cyclists for cyclists! Situated opposite Samways cycle person per year. This gives £5 million third shop for all your cycling needs. party public liability insurance and free cycling- Open all year . Children welcome. related legal advice. If you are a CTC member 2,Grove Road, Wimborne BH21 1BW you get this automatically, but if not and you 01202 882697 want to take advantage of this facility, please www.grovelodgewimborne.com speak to the DCN Treasurer e-mail [email protected]

14 A bit of history by Michael Evans In the 17th and 18th centuries when trying to Women who rode bicycles had to modify their build a human-powered vehicle, inventors could dress, and some people were scandalised. only come up the hobbyhorse with wooden Newspapers had banner headlines such as wheels and no pedals. It was all the rage for a “SHE WORE TROUSERS!” while despite costing £500 in today’s money. The Royal College of Surgeons warned that it Some doctors warned that they would suffer could cause “ruptures”and it went quickly out of damage to their “organs of matrimonial fashion. necessity.” Even today, in some societies, women who cycle are regarded as immoral. The first bike with pedals was the “pedal As recently as 1996 women cyclists were velocipede” made by Pierre Michaux of Paris in attacked in Teheran just for being on bikes. 1861. It was heavy but fun to ride. When spoked wheels and rubber tyres were introduced in Motorists have a lot to thank the bicycle for, Britain it cut down the weight but without gears since many automobile companies started out the only way to increase the vehicle’s speed was making bikes, and used much cycle technology to have a large front wheel, hence the in making cars. It’s sad to read in today’s press pennyfarthing. that countries like China, where millions used to cycle on their daily journeys, are turning away In 1886, the Rover Safety Bicycle with its chain from the bicycle which is being squeezed off the drive was the first modern design and soon streets by increasing traffic, causing accidents to almost every working man in Britain was said to cyclists to rise at an alarming rate. have owned one.

E-mail [email protected] 10% discount for DCN members

15 TENSE or INJURED MUSCLES, ACHES & PAINS? from Peter Smith-Nicholls, Broadstone David Pattison of DCN is a Registered (organizer of the annual Dorset Bike Ride) Therapist offering a generous discount to DCN members needing his services. He can Dear Michael, give massage therapy for sports strains and I was interested to read your article on how to injuries, neck and back pain, and deal with cycling critics in the recent DCN occupational therapy for work-related stress. newsletter. I did have a go at replying to one of DCN members can have up to an hour’s your critics earlier in the year. It does concern treatment for only £12, a large reduction on me the number of people riding bikes with little his normal prices. He normally treats people respect to the rules of the road and I wondered as in the clinic at his home, but can also bring a the winter approaches does DCN ever ask the portable couch to do home visits. David says police for a crack down on those who give “I’m good on cyclists from calves to the cyclists a bad name? I often feel I am at a greater back and neck”. risk from cyclists who hop on and off of In addition, David is offering a free clinic for pavements than from the cars on the road. charity rides or give backup to help fund So far we have collected over £20,000 following raisers’ events. the Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride. I am pleased to say we are able to use the same routes in 2006, Contact him at 10 Whitehouse Road, so if you would like to give us a mention in the Wimborne BH21 1QP tel: 01202 882824 event column next year I would be most grateful. e-mail [email protected] The next ride will take place on Sunday 2 July with a choice of 15, 25, 40, and 60 miles. Our web site should be updated in the early part of the year - www.macmillan-bike-ride.co.uk

Editor’s reply: Yes Peter, we have often asked the police to stop and deal with cyclists whose bikes are unfit, unlit or ridden dangerously because we do not condone cycling behaviour that causes risk to others. I asked our police contacts to comment on this and their reply is on page 18. While writing this, can I say that I’m grateful for the letter you recently wrote to the local press answering a motorist who had it in for cyclists. Your hard work in organising the annual ride deserves praise for raising so much money for Macmillan Cancer Relief and of course we will go on giving it publicity every year to encourage cyclists to enter for it.

OBESITY GETTING WORSE The rate of obesity in the USA is accelerating with 64.5% of the adults being overweight or obese. The UK National Obesity Forum says that obesity is also rising fast here, and that we are only 7 years behind the Americans. Competitive prices http://news.bbc.co.uk/2hi/health/4183086.stm and £5 discount for DCN members

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17 POLICE MATTERS By David Lawrence, Dorset Police DEALING WITH CYCLING OFFENCES We have been asked what is Dorset Police reasonable period we can issue a ticket - policy on cyclists who commit road traffic as long as they can understand English. offences. There is no written policy on the matter but we are encouraged to stop Very few cyclists cause injury or damage cyclists who commit road traffic offences when committing road traffic offences but and deal with them as seems appropriate. when they have an accident it nearly In most cases this will be words of advice. always results in injury to themselves. On Cyclists without lights are told to walk and some occasions they have collided with a those using the footpath to cycle on the pedestrian and injured them, but this is road. very rare. When this happens the cyclist is The problem is that sometimes it is safer for prosecuted. the cyclist to break the law, for example on a busy trunk road where there is a footpath So far this year one cyclist has been killed in a rarely used by pedestrians and where the road traffic accident: a South Korean student cyclist would be safer on the footpath. was in collision with a bus in Bournemouth late at night. Unfortunately it was the cyclist’s fault. Another problem is deciding at what age we should tell children they should be cycling on the road and not the footpath. Some as UK CYCLING CASUALTIES young as 4 are able to ride on two wheels, In 2004 there were 16,648 cases, a drop of 2.2% but are obviously too young to go on the nationally, but fatalities rose by 20 to 134 including 25 children, the highest figure for 4 years. road.

We are expected to use common sense when dealing with cyclists. In many cases advice is sufficient but when cyclists commit acts we deem as dangerous they are dealt with. An example of this is cyclists who do not stop at red traffic lights. Traffic Department officers are encouraged to issue fixed penalty tickets for this offence and for cycling with no lights on busy and main roads. If the offender is a foreign student staying in the country for a

CHECK YOUR BIKE BEFORE YOU RIDE It’s always good practice to give your bike a quick check every time you go to ride it. DCN has a thorough check list that we use for Bike Clinics. If you would like a copy send s.a.e or e-mail to the Chairman

18 National and International News Bikes and horses charity ride commuters used their initiative and used two In the New Forest, cyclists and horse riders wheels to get home. combined to help raise over £1000 in aid of the Does this get up your nose? Julia’s House and Motor Neurone Disease An estimated 20% of people suffer from hay fever charities in July. The event was organised by which can be particularly troublesome for cyclists. Ringwood Rotary Club. There is a new nasal filter aims to stop the pollen entering the nose in the first place called NasalAir Pay cyclists and save money Guard. It fits into the nose helping to filter pollen GlaxoSmithKline found that parking space at and other airborne pollutants. For further their Brentford site costs them £2,000 a year per information, and how to order, visit the web site car. They are offering staff £400 a year to cycle www.nasalairguard.co.uk instead so are saving £1,600 a year per employee. Recycling unwanted cycles ReCycle, the group that sends unwanted bikes to Crossing trunk roads parts of the world where they are useful, is based DCN members may recall that we took part in a in Colchester and has a collection hub in East consultation with the Highways Agency 2 years Glasgow. They want to set up more around the ago to advise on where we thought the most country, including London, Oxford, Bristol and dangerous places were for cyclists wishing to Bath. Anyone who can help with storage should cross the A31 and A35 in Dorset. Having done a contact Re-Cycle www.re-cycle.org lot of work on it, we then learnt that the government had pulled the plug on the Highways Agency’s programme by axing its funding which was due to be £250 million over 10 years. Following protests by cycling groups including DCN, the government has now agreed to allocate £10 million in next year’s budget to improve crossings of trunk roads. Whether this will include Dorset we don’t know, but we have written to the DfT to find out.

Cycling in Jersey Apparently Jersey, which has more cars per head of population and per square mile than most other places, is returning to cycling. There is a 96 mile cycle network, with improvements to the surfaces being made, an increase in cycle parking facilities at many places including supermarkets, the hospital and leisure destinations. If you’re thinking of a holiday in Jersey with your bike next year, or hiring bikes, visit www.jersey.com/cycling or ring Jersey Tourism on 01534 500700. Commuters jump on their bicycles Cycling levels in London experienced an unexpected boost following the terrorist attacks in July. Cycle sales in central London started to rise immediately after the blasts, as stranded

19 National and International News Cycling plans get government backing Deep sea cyclist breaks record If you have ever cursed wet weather while cycling, spare a thought for Vittorio Innocente. Cycling England, the new body set up by The 59-year-old Italian set a world record in the government to get more people cycling has sport of underwater cycling. At a depth of 61 announced its plans. These include measures metres, he beat his own record by cycling a such as secure bike storage and cycle training to distance of 52.5 metres encourage more pupils to cycle to school, investment for five ‘cycling demonstration National Cycle Network reaches 10,000 miles towns’, support for local authorities and work September marks the completion of the 10,000th with central government to ensure cycling plays mile of the National Cycle Network, which has its role in programmes to encourage healthy taken 10 years to create. Intended to promote lifestyles. CTC Director and Cycling England cycling and walking in the UK, the network has board member, Kevin Mayne, said: “I am created routes along canal towpaths, disused excited about the potential we can achieve with railway lines, riversides and through parks. The this work plan, it has been very exciting being completion of the Network is being marked by a part of such a forward looking team. Of course series of celebratory bike rides around the we know we need more funding, but what the country. plan does is enable us to make that case again in the future because we are choosing areas of work that can really deliver more cycling.”

The Crown at Winterborne Stickland (formerly The Shire Horse) 17th Century thatched traditional family run pub No background music, pool or amusement machines CYCLING ROUND AUSTRALIA Just a warm & friendly atmosphere, Jenny and Ian Lawrie, DCN Wimborne, who are with a log fire when the weather is cold! touring Australia, sent us this unusual photo A lovely garden to relax in when the which shows that there are no exceptions weather is fine! to obeying the helmet law out there!

Landlord David Heath extends a special NICE and Healthy welcome CTC is working alongside the Department of to cyclists, singly or in groups Health (DOH) and the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) on a new survey Featured in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide regarding cycle training and health. 2005 Good Home Cooked Food Cambridge Bicycle Ban Lifted served lunchtimes and evenings A ban on bicycles in the centre of Cambridge (Please note: The Crown is closed Monday was lifted on Monday 12 September for a trial lunchtimes, except for Bank Holidays) period of 12-18 months. The “exclusion zone” The Inglenook Bar is now reserved for non- for cyclists was introduced in 1992 when parts of smokers. the city centre became pedestrianised. The Ringwood Ales and wide selection of Cambridge Cycling Campaign (CCC) was set up in response to the ban and its 700 supporters have

20 National and International News since campaigned for it to be lifted. CCC is pie. Clarkson responded by saying the pie was calling on cyclists to ride responsibly in the area, very tasty. hoping that the trial will then be made permanent. Motoring organisation sees the light

Clarkson gets doctored The RAC, better known for its opposition to Jeremy Clarkson wrote in the Sun that he “attacks on motorists” by road charging and believes in driving into cyclists who get into his speed bumps, says one in five car journeys is way “for fun”, and that cyclists “use roads paid under five miles and therefore unnecessary. for by motorists, so if we cut you up, shut up.” They are urging drivers to walk or cycle these On Monday he was awarded an honorary journeys. Although this advice appears to be an doctorate by Oxford Brookes University, “for about turn in policy it may simply be that services to engineering and society” despite motoring organisations are returning to their strenuous protestations from university staff and roots; the AA was formed in the early 20th students alike. But anger turned to slapstick after century by a group from within the CTC the awards ceremony when an environmental membership! protester splatted Clarkson’s face with a cream Helmets - be informed Contrary to rumour, DCN encourages cyclists, especially children, to use well-designed and properly fitted helmets at all times. They can reduce head injuries in minor collisions. However, there is evidence that compulsion can cause a decline in utility cycling and fitness, and increase car use. A comprehensive document summarising the existing state of knowledge about helmets has been compiled by the Bicycle Helmet Research Foundation. It is believed to be the most rigorously peer-reviewed analysis on the subject. You can download it from www.cyclehelmets.org//papers/d1139.pdf or send an A4 self-addressed envelope with a 42p stamp to the Chairman who will download it and send it to you by post.

SILLY CYCLE SIGNS Members are invited to nominate silly cycle signs and send in a photo. The one below is on NCN route 25 as you enter Wimborne. But it is NOT the end of Route 25 which carries on to Poole! Wouldn’t it have been a better use of money for the sign to help cyclists by showing the direction and distance to Wimborne Town Centre, Poole and Ferndown?

21 USEFUL CONTACTS COUNCIL CYCLING OFFICERS TO REPORT DRINK-DRIVING, Poole Borough Council DRIVING WHILE DISQUALIFIED Sally Funnell 01202 262066 AND OTHER ROAD CRIME Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 Bournemouth Borough Council New cycle schemes SMOKY COMMERCIAL VEHICLES Martin Dover 01202 451378 / 07881 908768 01506 445216 Safe Routes, Green Travel Plans Richard Barnes 01202 454645 SUSTRANS RANGERS Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch Christchurch Borough Council John Vuagniaux 01202 476404 Bob Baker 01202 495083 [email protected]

Dorset County Council Purbeck, East & North Dorset Andrew Bradley 01305 224269 / 01305 224837 John Thraves 01929 554550 [email protected] ROAD DEFECTS Bournemouth 01202 451463 Poole Potholes & overhanging vegetation 01202 West Dorset, Weymouth & Portland 262200 Litter and glass 01202 261700 Anne Eccleston 01305 266632 Christchurch 01202 495054 [email protected] Rest of Dorset 0800 232323 (CLARENCE) New Forest 0238 063388 North Dorset Jude Hopkins 01747 830617 NEW FOREST [email protected] Route closures, safety advice 02380 284476 Camping information 02380 283771 DORSET COUNTY COUNCIL Tourist Information 02380 282269 FREE CARSHARE SCHEME Share your journey: 08700 111199 Mon-Fri 9-5 or www.carsharedorset.com RAIL, BUS, FERRY INFORMATION 0870 608 2608 www.traveline.org.uk NATIONAL BLOOD SERVICE Give blood - 08457 711711 or WHO’S YOUR MP? Visit www.upmystreet.com www.blood.co.uk CYCLE TRAINING Dorset County Council Poole Phase 1 (Year 3 and above, off road) Phase 2 Sally Funnell 01202 262066 (Year 5 and above, on road) To enquire about Phase I and II and individual adult scheme training for young people, contact your local Leisure Centre For phone numbers visit www.dcn.org.uk or get East Dorset a leaflet from 01305 224558 or All ages and levels. Fees include bike hire and [email protected] refreshments and may be reduced if you have your own bike. Cycle hire available. Booking Bournemouth essential Claire Elkins Transport Group, Moors Valley Country Park, Horton Road, Development Services, Town Hall Ashley Heath, Ringwood, Hants, BH24 2ET Annexe, St Stephen's Road, 01425 470721 Bournemouth BH2 6EA 01202 454636

22 ORDER FORM FOR HI-VIS WAISTCOAT

To Jonathan Aris, Tower Supplies, 10 Yarrow Road, Poole BH12 4TS I wish to order Hi-Vis waistcoat model C15.SHV06/DCN ¨ ¨ ¨ ¨ Quantity M L XL XXL I enclose cheque for £______payable to TOWER SUPPLIES (£3 per garment including p & p) Name: Address: Phone: " ------DISCOUNTS FOR DCN MEMBERS The cycle shops below offer discounts on production of a current DCN membership card. Please ask at the shop for details. Bikes (Branksome), 431-433 Poole Road, Branksome, Poole BH12 1DF 01202 769202 fax 762377 Revolutions, 21 West Street, Bridport 01308 420586 Cycle Experience Brookley Road, Brockenhurst 01590 624204 and Barrack Road Christchurch 01202 486278 Forest Leisure Cycling 1143-1145 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth 01202 424945 & Village Centre, Burley 01425 403584 Horswills, 1 Ensbury Avenue, Ensbury Park, Bournemouth BH10 4HE 01202 512761 fax 514234 Lawsons Cycles, 29 Somerford Road, Christchurch, BH23 3PF tel & fax 01202 486633 On Yer Bike, 88 Charminster Road, Charminster, Bournemouth BH8 8US 01202 315855 fax 319533 Primera Sport, 244-248 Charminster Road, Charminster, Bournemouth, BH8 9RR 01202 775588 fax 775599l Samways & Son, 70 Leigh Road, Wimborne BH21 1AJ 01202 882960 Shepherds, 319 Ashley Road, Upper Parkstone, Poole BH16 6EL tel & fax 01202 742180 Raleigh Cycle Centre, 42 St Mary Street, Weymouth DT4 8PU tel 01305 781831 fax 01305 767062 Westham Cycles, 128 Abbotsbury Road, Weymouth, DT4 0JS 01305 776977 fax 775477 Xtreme, 111 Commercial Road, Lower Parkstone, Poole BH14 0JD 01202 741744 fax 749569

23 MEMBERSHIP INFORMATI0N TO JOIN DCN DONE WITH YOUR NEWSLETTER? Write to the Treasurer (see p.2) with your Don’t throw it away! Recycle it by placing it in cheque and details of all cyclists in your your local library or doctor’s waiting room. household. Application forms are available from our Branches, some cycle shops and SUBSCRIPTIONS 2005-6 libraries and on www.dcn.org.uk Renewal is due now please. Annual subscription: £6.00 per household. Your CHANGES OF ADDRESS reminder and new membership card are Postal address: please write or e-mail the enclosed with this newsletter. If you don’t Membership Secretary have a standing order please send a cheque E-mail address: please e-mail payable to DCN to the Membership [email protected] Secretary (not to the Treasurer). There are now over 1,000 DCN members including families and members of groups! NEW MEMBERS We warmly welcome the following new members whose support adds weight to our efforts on behalf of all cyclists. Mrs C Adamson Blandford Mr & Mrs A Hampton & Mr M Noble Poole Mr & Mrs D Crompton & Family Wimborne Dr S Parlour Wimborne Family Blandford Mr & Mrs T Littler Poole Mrs D Parsonage Wimborne Mr & Mrs A Davies Mr J Longbone Wimborne Mrs M Smid-Weevers Bournemouth Mr F McCulloch Portland Wimborne Ms A Davis Bournemouth Mrs A Monahan Weymouth Lucy Tavener Bournemouth Mr C Forgeard Wimborne Mr & Mrs R Newton Corfe Mr D Wallis Sturminster Mrs S Green Dorchester Castle Marshall

It helps us to budget more efficiently if you take out a standing order. If you do not have one, or still have one for £5.00, please complete and send this form to your bank "------To the Manager______Bank / Building Society Address: ______Please pay to Alliance and Leicester Giro, Bootle Sort Code 72-00-04 to the credit of Dorset Cyclists’ Network Account no 83861081 The sum of £6.00 (SIX POUNDS) commencing on 1 October 2005 and a like sum on the same date each following year until this order is cancelled This replaces any and all previous standing orders payable to Dorset Cyclists’ Network at the same account

Name of account to be debited______Number of account to be debited______Please quote my account name when making the payments Signed (all signatures are necessary for joint accounts)

______BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE: Full name(s) Address

Postcode Phone/fax/e-mail

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