Chesterfield Cycle Campaign

Campaign meeting Tuesday 9th March, 7.30pm, Meeting Room 1 upstairs in the Market Hall.

Campaign info stall will be at the Winding Wheel on Friday 12th March, 10.00am - 4.00pm

The Spring Newsletter is now available to download in PDF format.

You can also get back issues from our Newsletters page.

Government releases Active Travel Strategy which outlines plans to put walking and cycling at the heart of local transport and public health strategies over the next decade.

The other aims of the strategy include every major public sector employer to be signed up to the Cycle to Work Guarantee, announced last year.

The DfT also wants to see cycle parking at or within easy reach of every public building, and sufficient secure bike parking at every rail station.

There will also be more support for local authorities who want to introduce 20mph zones and limits into more residential streets to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said:

"Active travel means a transport system where walking and cycling become the norm.

"Instead of automatically reaching for their car keys, I want to see people feeling confident enough to jump on their bike or pull on a pair of trainers.

Read the document here.

Ultra-endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont will be appearing at The Winding Wheel in Chesterfield on 17th March 2010.

The Man who Cycled the World is the remarkable story of ultra-endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont.  In 2008, he broke the world record for cycling solo around the world, an epic journey of over 18,000 miles, cycling 100 miles per day for over half a year.  In 2009, Mark set out on his second ultra-endurance solo challenge; to cycle the length of the American Cordillera.  On this 13 000 mile expedition, Mark will not only be cycling down the longest mountain range on the planet, but will also be climbing the continents two highest peaks, Mt McKinley in Alaska and Aconcagua in Argentina, making his second self-filmed documentary for BBC1 - The Man who Cycled the Americas.

The Man who Cycled the World is Mark’s story of his solo-cycle expeditions, a personal rollercoaster of mental and physical endurance as well as a fascinating insight into the world we live in.

Wednesday 17th March, 7.30 pm, The Winding Wheel, Chesterfield

Tickets:    £13 (£12 concessions)  - group booking discounts available on request.

Box office: 01246 345334/ 01246 345222 
 

Campaign members have been working with Derbyshire County County officers to complete a cycle audit of Chesterfield. Firstly, several meetings to discuss present cycle routes and wish lists. Then we have completed a total of six days cycling around Chesterfield looking at improvements and where routes could be developed. The 'practical' phase is virtually complete but we are already seeing results. Some signing has already been put in place and some 'quick fixes' are being started - for instance the shared pavement on Boythorpe Road is being widened so that the 'Cyclists Dismount' signs can be removed.

Development of the north - south route (Trans Pennine Trail/Whittington Moor to Storforth Lane) is scheduled for the coming year and we hope for definite improvements.

Unfortunately the path from Park Road past B & Q will probably not be open by the end of February as promised because the developer is now in receivership and of course the Tesco area remains a problem but we are hoping for progress.

VELO BELLE is a new project dedicated to promoting cycling amongst women by removing some commonly-harboured preconceptions. Created in partnership with Cyclemagic, the project aims to prove that cycling is more than just practical and healthy – it can also be stylish and something that fits seamlessly into the average woman’s everyday life.

An important part of this on-going project will take place on March 16th 2010 – a festival of cycling in Queens Hall and surrounding grounds at the University of Leicester. The event will illustrate the objectives of the project at large and there will be a range of activities for the public to engage in. Exhibits include a cycle try-out area with odd and unusual bikes, free bicycle

Don't forget the Campaigns February meeting. Tuesday 9th Feb at 7.30pm. Meeting Room 1 upstairs in the Market Hall.

Had an email today from Paul at ReCycle Bikes in Sheffield to tell us about Sheffields first Bike Jumble.

Saturday 13th Feb 2010, 9.00am - 12.30pm

Heeley Institute, Gleadless Road, S2 3AE

Stalls cost £6 inside and £3 outside
(outside stall holders please bring your own table, max size 4' wide).
Open for stallholders from 7.30am.

Entry £1 (£5 before 9am). Refreshments available.

Phone 0114 2507717 or email info@recyclebikes.co.uk to book a stall.
http://www.recyclebikes.co.uk/
Check out other bike jumbles round the country here:
http://www.campyoldy.co.uk/events.htm
 

Derbyshire County Council will shortly be commencing works to create a ramp from the Sheffield Road/Forge Lane junction at Killamarsh up to the Trans Pennine Trail.  This will allow all users to gain access onto the TPT at this busy location where there is currently only a flight of steps.  These works are part of on-going access improvements in the area. It is proposed that the whole package of works will culminate in a safe off-road route from the centre of Killamarsh via the new Greenway, the Trans Pennine Trail and the new “Connect 2” multi-user trail, to the Halfway Supertram stop.  Works are scheduled to commence in either week commencing 8th or 15th February 2010, and the work is likely to last approximately 6 weeks.  A short section of the TPT to the south of Sheffield Road bridge will have to be closed to all users for the duration of works due to the constrained nature of the work site and the large amounts of earth moving required.  During the works, walkers may be able to descend the current flight of steps and regain access to the TPT by following Forge Lane due south.  Access for other users will not be possible.

Residents in Brimington have received a letter from the Chesterfield MP Paul Holmes supporting the building of a Brimington by-pass. This road has been planned for a long time and follows the route of the Chesterfield canal. When the plan was first conceived the canal was derelict and there was no Trans Pennine Trail. Staveley Works was in full production. Circumstances have changed now and we shall debate the Campaigns stance on this issue at the next meeting. the proposed route can be seen here. Paul Holmes letter can be read here.

Many of our members who use Morrisons supermarket in Brampton will be aware of the poor cycle parking situated next to the smokers 'area'. One of our members has staged a one 'woman' campaign to get the stands moved to their rightful position under the 'cycles' sign. After a few false starts with the racks being moved but just as quickly moved back she has now been assured by the manager that the racks will stay in their proper position. Anyone using Morrisons please check and report to the management if they get moved again.