Harrogate Borough Council
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Cycling
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The Government, through North Yorkshire County Council, are funding the implementation of the proposed Harrogate and Knaresborough cycle network. |
Cycling on The Stray moves closer
Harrogate Borough Council's Cabinet last night (4 February
2009) endorsed proposals to allow cycling on a limited number of
paths on Harrogate's famous 200-acre Stray.
Although some concerns were expressed, the Cabinet believes
that the council cannot continue to support a situation where it
does nothing about cycling on the Stray particularly as it is
committed to caring for the health and wellbeing of citizens and to
providing green and sustainable transport.
However, in backing the proposals, Cabinet Member for
Transport and Planning, Councillor Don Mackenzie, was firm in his
praise for those who wish to protect the Stray which everyone
accepts is Harrogate's most famous jewel. He said:
"This council is custodian of the Stray on behalf of the Duchy of
Lancaster and we, like the Stray Defence Association and other
interested groups, are just as proud and as protective of it.
"Nevertheless, I support this proposal which has occupied many
people's minds for a long time. Cycling is a sustainable form
of transport and we have promised to improve facilities. To
do this we need to make sure that our existing cycle routes
interconnect and that we can provide safe routes.
"Added to that, Harrogate is likely to become the fulcrum for
a new coast to coast cycle route - between Morecambe and
Bridlington. This won't be possible without this cross-town
route. I believe that these proposals are consistent with the
duties of this council as custodians of the Stray to manage it for
the benefit, health and recreation of residents and visitors.
These proposals have also found favour with the majority of those
we have consulted."
In adding his support for the proposals, Council Leader,
Councillor Mike Gardner, added: "I want to reassure people
that we will keep the Stray as our jewel and that none of this
wonderful green land will be lost. Many of the Royal public
parks allow some cycling. We promise that on Harrogate's
Stray, cycling will be limited to just a handful of paths.
There will be no lighting as people seem to think, we wouldn't
allow it because it would certainly be detrimental. The paths
will be 2.5 metres wide not the 3 metres some have mistakenly
suggested. Signage will also be kept to the bare
minimum.
"Finally, by using new legislation to allow this move, our
lawyers have confirmed that we will have the power to issue fixed
penalties on those who cycle on paths not so designated."
No date for implementation is yet known as the council will
now have to issue the necessary legal documentation and before that
to seek approval from the Duchy of Lancaster. The council will also
be formally consulting users, interest groups and the general
public on changing the bye-laws.
These paths would link up with other established cycle routes
and assist in the creation of a more comprehensive cycle network
advocated by the Cycling Implementation Plan, which has already
been adopted by the council.
The proposal is to provide a limited number of 'shared-use"
paths. The alternative would be to segregate paths. It
has been demonstrated that both cyclists and pedestrians exercise
care when using shared paths of this nature but that segregated
paths can cause issues of 'ownership'. Many of the current
paths would be unaffected and remain pedestrian only should the
proposals go ahead.
You can view the proposed plans (252kb pdf) or view the map of the area (opens in a new
window).
The council has overall responsibility for the management of
the Stray but will also need to consult the Duchy of Lancaster,
which owns the land, and other key agencies before the council's
Cabinet considers the eventual way forward.
Funding for the proposals is available from the Local
Transport Plan allocation from North Yorkshire County Council and
the council says it can respond to the requirement in the Stray Act
that no grassland is lost.
Cycling Demonstration Town - Update
Harrogate Borough Council has not been succesful in the
Cycling Demonstration Town Bid. Cycling England received record
numbers of applications, totaling 75.
The first batch of Cycling Demonstration Towns funded in 2005
included Brighton Hove, Lancaster and Morecambe, Darlington, Derby,
Exeter and Aylesbury, all of which have seen an increase in cycling
since the introduction of the scheme. Cycling England have
now secured £140m for the next 3 years from the Department
for Transport, with a £15m contribution from the Department
of Health and is now seeking to partner with local
authorities across England to create 10 new Cycling Towns and 1
large Cycling City. For further information about the chosen city
and towns please visit www.cyclingengland.co.uk
We would like to thank all individuals and organisations for
their continued support in the development of Harrogate and
Knaresborough's Cycle Network.
The CDT application has enabled us to develop a comprehensive
work plan with new ideas which we will endeavor to implement from
08/09 onwards where funding allows.
Further details will be posted on the website in due
course.
Bilton to Ripley Bridleway
Big Lottery Win
£500k for Bilton to Ripley Bridleway
12 DECEMBER 2007: CYCLISTS, horseriders and walkers wishing to see the opening of the Bilton to Ripley bridleway are celebrating today. They have just heard that the Sustrans Connect2 bid was the outright winner in the £50m People's Big Lottery.
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As one of 79 projects, which countrywide made up the Sustrans
bid, it means that this district will get £500,000 to fund
the creation of the Bilton to Ripley route.
Councillor Michael Harrison, who chaired the local steering
group, says that many people have worked hard to achieve this
magnificent result. He said:
"This is just the best news ever. Our scheme was
one of 400, originally shortlisted to become part of the Connect2
bid by Sustrans, so our first battle was to make sure we were in
it. Then, when Connect2 got down to the final
four bids being put forward for the public vote, Sustrans were up
against stiff competition from the likes of the Eden Project and
Sherwood Forest. So all that hard work has paid
off.
"I want to say a huge thank you to everyone involved because
without their efforts it could have so easily gone the other
way. I also want to thank everyone who voted for
us."
Partners in all the projects will now begin the process of
working with the Big Lottery Fund to establish the timetable for
funding.
Councillor Don Mackenzie, Cabinet Member for Transport and
Planning at Harrogate Borough Council, said:
"Although this lottery bid had been a long drawn out process, it
has had a number of advantages. It has been an
unprecedented opportunity for positive public consultation and
every scheme now has that most precious ingredient of strong, local
support with a large number of individuals committed to seeing the
scheme realised.
Colleagues at North Yorkshire County Council and our own
transport team have backed this bid because without the lottery
funding it was highly unlikely that the route could ever have been
financed locally."
The proposed off road path for cyclists, walkers, horse riders
and wheelchair users over the Nidd Viaduct from Bilton Lane to
Ripley is now making great progress. This path is key to opening up
a safe route for cyclists and walkers from Harrogate to the Dales
and will be a major step linking Harrogate, the largest town in
North Yorkshire, to the National Cycle Network.
Network Maps
As the network is completed, it will encourage lapsed cyclists
to return to cycling and to allow parents to feel confident when
their children cycle to school.
The following are the targets for 2006.
- 15% of journeys to work
- 20% of journeys to secondary schools
- 90% of 10-12 year olds cycle trained
- 50% fall in the rate of casualties in proportion to the level of cycling
- 200 new cycle parking spaces
Cycling Implementation Plan & Network Maps
A comprehensive report about our plans to increase cycling in Harrogate and Knaresborough and maps showing the network are available.
Harrogate & Knaresborough Cycling Implementation Plan (105 kb)
Knaresborough Cycle Network Map 2007/8 (see top of page)
General Information
For advice on adult cycling we recommend that you read:
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ISBN: 0117020516
Author: Franklin John
Price: £9.99 (nett)
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| Cycling in Great Britain Factsheet | |
A Suitable Type of Bicycle
For cycling around town we advise you to:
- use a bicycle fitted with:
- mudguards
- a basket or panniers
- lights - British Standard approved LED's (light emitting diodes) which have very long battery lives and are very reliable
- a lot of pedestrians like bikes to have bells, but courtesy is the most important accessory
- wear something bright and reflective if you are riding at night
- keep the tyres inflated close to the pressure indicated on the side wall of the tyre. A lot of people get punctures because their tyres are never properly inflated. A track pump makes this very easy.
- keep the brakes well maintained for safety and the gears well maintained for ease of use. If you are unsure how to maintain your bike ask one of the local bike shops to service it for you.
Local Cycle Groups
Harrogate Cycle Group
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Harrogate Cycle Group has assisted us in the development of the Harrogate and Knaresborough Cycling Implementation Plan. |
Harrogate Nova
As well as holding many of their own events
this Harrogate based cycling club is an active member of the
Ackrill league time trial series, which takes place most Wednesday
nights in the autumn and the spring. For further details
please send an e-mail to : info@harrogatenova.com
Wheel Easy!
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Harrogate's cycling group for people who don't wear lycra! (and some who do)DO YOU?
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If you do, why not join Harrogate WHEEL EASY! Cycle
Group at 10am at
Hornbeam Park railway station for leisurely 10 mile and longer
rides every
Sunday starting 9.30am from April to September and 10am from
October to March, and every Wednesday eveing at 6.30pm from May to
September (lights essential). Helmets recommended.
Details and risk disclaimer online at www.wheel-easy.org.uk.
For more information contact Malcolm Margolis on 01423 870333
or Dave Preston on 01423 566541 or email info@wheel-easy.org.uk
CTC Ripon Loiterers Section
Holds weekly social rides and campaigns for better provision for cycling in Ripon. Contact James Brook Tel: 01765 605705, jamesbrook16@hotmail.com.
Events
Cycle 'Five Miles to Fabulous' in Harrogate
Burn at least 5 calories a minute this summer in Harrogate by
getting back on your bike for CTC's 'Five Miles to Fabulous'. on
7th June at 10.00. The start venue
and route will be finalised shortly.
'Five Miles to Fabulous' are over 100 free bike rides for
women across the UK on 7th-8th June 2008. The
rides are to encourage women to take up cycling again and have the
confidence to cycle for 5 miles.
It's recommended that all women should do at least 30 minutes
of physical activity five times a week. Many adults, who used to
cycle as children, will now always take the car less than five
miles to the shops. CTC hope the women who take part in 'Five Miles
to Fabulous' will be encouraged to use their bicycles more and will
therefore maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. It will take a
beginner cyclist 30 minutes to travel five miles so it's the
perfect distance to incorporate exercise into your routine, making
it good for you and the environment too.
'Five Miles to Fabulous' organiser, Martyn
Bolt , said: "Why spend hours in the gym going nowhere, when you
can burn calories every time you leave the car at home. There are
over 100 events taking place all over the UK . It's a great chance
to give cycling a go and feel the benefits."
Martyn continued : "It can be very daunting to start riding a
bicycle again. If it has been a while since you last used a bike,
don't worry lots of other people on the day will be in the same
boat. All you need to bring along is a bike that works."
Family members are welcome to support the
women/girls in their family by joining them on
the ride
'Five Miles to Fabulous' events will be hosted by CTC
accredited cycle trainers, cycling development officers and CTC
groups, so there will always be a cycling expert on hand to
help.
Cycle Picnic on the Stray
Wheel Easy! Cyclists and Harrogate Borough Council joined The Big Picnic on the Stray on Sunday 15th July.
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The scene was unfortunately dominated by umbrellas instead of
picnic blankets, but those who attended enjoyed the day.
Cycling 'attractions' at the Big Picnic included free Dr Bike
maintenance sessions, free rides on a tandem in partnership with
Wheel Easy! members, free security coding of bikes by the police, a
display by Helsby Cycles, an opportunity to try riding a range of
different bikes provided by Open Country and an information tent
with an opportunity to find out more about local environmental
initiatives, green travel and cycling opportunities in the
area.
The Cycle 'Show' was just one element of the larger Big Picnic
event which was permitted by the council on the Stray on this
day.
Great Milk (Stout) Charity Ride is held in September of each year.