LCAG

Mark Cavendish said winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011 is a victory for his beloved sport of cycling.

Here is some of his acceptance speech…

“Thank you to everyone at home who has voted. This is a landmark in cycling and I take this on behalf of cycling.”

“It makes me incredibly happy and so proud that I can play a part in making cycling a mainstream sport.”

“Its incredible to see, its incredible to be part of that, and see the amount of people out riding bikes to work commuting and doing it as a hobby.”

“I see a lot of people out and about riding bikes and it always makes me smile every time I see a family or a child on a bike.”

Attached here is the latest Leeds City Council drawing showing a proposed arrangement on the A660 near Golden Acre park. They had hoped to bring this to the next cycle forum but the scheme needs to be progressed. If you wish to make comments please email Bobby Virdi at bobby.virdi@leeds.gov.uk by 23rd December 2011.

After viewing the standard of cycle lane that could be provided, and after initial feedback from cyclists, they have taken the view that cycle lanes would not be the correct solution at this location.

They will retain the item on the Agenda for the next Forum and take the opportunity to discuss provision of central hatching and/or right turn pockets versus cycle lanes.

On Wednesday 16th November a deputation consisting of members of Leeds Cycling Action Group, the Leeds University Bicycle Users Group and CTC made a statement to all 99 Councillors calling for better consideration for cycling in Council policies. Pointing out that cycling brings benefits to health, the environment and traffic congestion, the statement lamented the slow progress on cycling facilities in Leeds, the lack of adherence to DfT guidelines on facilities, and the failure of the Council to effectively publicise the facilities and training opportunities which do exist.

You can read a copy of the statement here. Council asked that the matter be referred to their executive, and required a report on our complaints to be prepared.

We await their response and hope it will generate some action.

Change is caused by campaigning – whether shouting loudly or more traditional letter writing.

There has been a Cycle to Work scheme for many years now, set up by the government to encourage cycling. It encourages employees to start commuting by bicycle with discounted costs (of the initial bike purchase and accessories using tax rebates – see www.bike2workscheme.co.uk for details). Most employers are happy to encourage this as it is no charge to them and simple to operate. Indeed, they may be attracted to the benefits of healthier and happier employees, less pollution, congestion etc.

However Leeds City Council seems to be less enthusiastic than most employers. Our inside contact has told us that the council may not run the scheme this year, though their HR department often receive enquiries about it, perhaps two per week.

Whether the senior council leaders are pro-car anti-cyclists or simply apathetic about this issue, it is LCAG’s view that the council should be encouraged to operate and actively promote the Cycle to Work scheme, particularly as it is a public sector organisation with responsibility for transport infrastructure and public health. In fact the council has publicly stated environmental aims (see www.leeds.gov.uk) yet in relation to this matter it does not seem to be serious when it says, “We want to lead by example and to encourage others to improve their environmental standards”.

Letter – print out or e-mail LCAG encourage you to send a letter to your councillors about this issue. Cross ‘X’ appears in four places where you need to make the letter personal (these are your address, Councillors address, Councillors name, and your name under your signature). The linked to letter provides further suggestions but please feel free to amend it for yourself, indeed it would be better to use your own words as far as possible.

To find out who your councillors are (everyone in Leeds has three) simply enter your postcode into the website democracy.leeds.gov.uk/mgFindCouncillor

This Thursday 1 Dec, LCAG hold our first “Action Planning Evening”, your opportunity to share your cycling issues, and together look for ways LCAG can make things better. This may be gathering evidence, contacting authorities, or anything else to empower us to take Action.

By popular demand we’re using an informal environment – a pub – it will also be a great opportunity for pre-Xmas cyclist socialising. The venue is an experiment, we have some alternative suggestions for next year if this doesn’t prove ideal.

Please come if you can – if successful these could be a real campaigning force. Planned action would take place during Jan and Feb 2012, and we’ll get together to see how it went and plan more action on Thu 1 March 2012.

When Thu 1 Dec
Time 7.30pm for a 7.40 start
Food Same place from 6pm
Where Mr Foley’s, The Headrow, back room. Map

The long dining table has been reserved from 7.30 in the name of Dave Holt, and there should be a LCAG logo on the table. Other tables will be commandeered as needed. Please buy at least one drink to support this venue who are providing their space at no cost to LCAG.

Parking? Cycle Point is free to LCAG members, park before 7pm when they close, make sure I know to let you back in to collect your bike when we’re done (approx 9.30pm).

Further information? Just ask!