I’ve been happy to sign up to support the ‘Space for Cycling’ Campaign. This is a national campaign to get local councils to ensure they think about cyclists when making decisions on roads and transport.

The campaign is asking local councils to think about how they can make decisions which can create a good cycle network, which would mean people of any age or ability could travel safely and confidently in safe conditions.

Broadly speaking this requires a combination of:
– Protected space for cycling along or when crossing major roads and junctions.
– Low traffic volumes and speeds in town or city centres, in residential
neighbourhoods, and on rural lanes (e.g. 20mph in residential areas)
– Traffic-free routes using parks and open spaces or the rights of way network.

Space for cycling have produced a video, with the BBC’s John Snow here:

In Prestwich we have some important decisions to make in the coming months:

– The Government has provided funding to make Prestwich Metrolink one of the first ‘cycle and ride’ stations AND a safe cycle route from Prestwich to the city centre – we need to make sure this money is spent best to get a good deal for local people.

– There are plans to undertake work on Bury New Road – we need to make sure that these plans include thinking about cyclists and potential cyclists.

– At the moment we have cycle lanes on our main ‘north / south’ roads (Bury New Road / Bury Old Road – but very poor east / west routes across Prestwich. (The good provision up Heywood Road to Simister being a welcome exception!)

Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign have organised a Space for Cycling ‘Big Ride’ this Saturday. More information here.

It would be great to hear people’s views and thoughts on this issue.

Tim

 

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