Going down Fleet Road southbound I notice there are now “no
through road except buses” signs before the “no entry except buses” signs are
reached at Jenkins Lane. I don’t know whether these are additional to or
replacement for the previous no entry signs, but either is bad. As my thousands of regular readers will know I have bought up the issue of the restriction on cyclists here several
times over several years. I don’t know why it persists and regard it as a clear indication
of lack of consideration for cycling.
Saturday, 11 August 2012
Friday, 10 August 2012
Stibasa - now far more rides
For the first time in years I've added a new page to www.stibasa.org.uk. It is to contain links to websites listing rides of which some are within reach of Barking, but that are not listed by date on stibasa (which will be because they are too numerous/frequent, or I haven't got around to it, or I didn't know). The link is near the top of the rides/events page (not in the menu, sorry).
At the moment, there are only two links, but I will try to add more - and you can help by submitting them to me.
To qualify, either a ride listed must pass near to Barking, or it must pass a point easy to get to from Barking (ie basically on a train line).
As always, if you plan to go on a ride, share the news, so that others can tag along. Make sure you meet the organising group's requirements - and it's probably best to contact the organiser, rather than just showing up.
At the moment, there are only two links, but I will try to add more - and you can help by submitting them to me.
To qualify, either a ride listed must pass near to Barking, or it must pass a point easy to get to from Barking (ie basically on a train line).
As always, if you plan to go on a ride, share the news, so that others can tag along. Make sure you meet the organising group's requirements - and it's probably best to contact the organiser, rather than just showing up.
Cycling Event at Barking and Dagenham College?
I hear rumours of a cycling related event at Barking and Dagenham College in Rush Green on 19 September 2012, but I haven't got any details.
If you know anything, please pass it on. Obviously the event is aimed at students and staff at the college, but it may not be exclusively
for them. Typically such events would include Doctor Bike, advice about cycling, bike try outs, sign up for training.
I don't know if there's a Bicycle Users' Group (BUG) for staff and/or students. That would be a good idea. Again, please get in touch with any information you may have.
I don't know if there's a Bicycle Users' Group (BUG) for staff and/or students. That would be a good idea. Again, please get in touch with any information you may have.
Thursday, 9 August 2012
Permeability and the scarcity of the dropped kerb
I devised a little circuit for the ride with Sustrans last Tuesday. Riding round it gave a sample of the types of problems that face cycling in Barking, though I'm sure they're not uinque.
The ride started off on a shared segregated path, segregated just by a white line. Pedestrians walk in the cycle bit all the time, and even when several of us rang our bells the pedestrians then resolutely stayed in the cycling bit. It's not illegal, but why?
Then we turned onto another segregated path to Gascoigne Road and beyond to King Edwards Road. This path is segregated by flowe beds, but the plants and shrubs are in much need of cutting back ob the outside of the cycle section. Oh and of course pedestrians are in need of "cutting back".
At King Edwards Road the path ends, but does not join the carriageway with a dropped kerb, or any attempt to keep parked vehicles clear.
We then crossed the Rover Roding by the barrage. On the west side the towpath is blocked by a 'temporary' fence so people cannot walk/cycle to the Town Quay that way. I believe that the fence was put there by local residents of boats moored on the River, as they do not want passers by. I could be wrong.
So, we proceed along the top edge of Handtrough Creek. Here again the shrubs need cutting back. I reported this via fixmystreet.com, who passed the report on to BD council, who told me (not FixMyStreet) that the problem was in LB Newham (which information is incorrect). I pushed it back to BD council who then said that the riverside path was on private property. All I can hope is that someone goes down there with their secateurs.
That path ends at Fleet Road (that I called The Road to Nowhere before it was completed and named, again without a dropped kerb. Near this point, to either side, are the 'no entry except buses' signs that either BD or Newham (or both, I have never found out) installed before the road was even complete. Luckily for the Police who have their big station there, the rule doesn't apply to them. And so up Fleet Road, to join Highbridge Road at a dreadful mini roundabout, with a very wide circulation lane and fast traffic joining the A406. I objected to this roundabout, but was told that this road was not intended for use by cyclists, because there would be a leisure route along the river side. Well there would be, except for the fence mentioned above, but why shouldn't we be able to cycle along Fleet Road and Highbridge Road in safety anyway.
So through the Town Quay, across Abbey Road, and onto Abbey Green. The paths across this green were designd without cycling in mind, and the opportunity to improve this a bit at the Brodway end was missed, despite my contribultion to the consultation about the works. So we negotiate another undropped kerb and cross to Clockhouse (or is it Clock House) Avenue and thence to the Town Hall.
It isn't clear whether the path between the Library and the Health centre was intended to be shared use, but the signposting at Axe Street is for pedestrians only, so I'm guessing tjhey managed to forget cycling again, despite my input.
At St Paul's Road there is a crossing (a Toucan I think), "conveniently" placed between two motor vehicke free entrances to the estate, one of which was made in my campaigning period, and, you've guessed it, my suggestion of a dropped kerb for cycling was not taken up. Little wonder that the suggestion of a retro-fitted one at the other, older entrance wasn't either.
The ride started off on a shared segregated path, segregated just by a white line. Pedestrians walk in the cycle bit all the time, and even when several of us rang our bells the pedestrians then resolutely stayed in the cycling bit. It's not illegal, but why?
Then we turned onto another segregated path to Gascoigne Road and beyond to King Edwards Road. This path is segregated by flowe beds, but the plants and shrubs are in much need of cutting back ob the outside of the cycle section. Oh and of course pedestrians are in need of "cutting back".
At King Edwards Road the path ends, but does not join the carriageway with a dropped kerb, or any attempt to keep parked vehicles clear.
We then crossed the Rover Roding by the barrage. On the west side the towpath is blocked by a 'temporary' fence so people cannot walk/cycle to the Town Quay that way. I believe that the fence was put there by local residents of boats moored on the River, as they do not want passers by. I could be wrong.
So, we proceed along the top edge of Handtrough Creek. Here again the shrubs need cutting back. I reported this via fixmystreet.com, who passed the report on to BD council, who told me (not FixMyStreet) that the problem was in LB Newham (which information is incorrect). I pushed it back to BD council who then said that the riverside path was on private property. All I can hope is that someone goes down there with their secateurs.
That path ends at Fleet Road (that I called The Road to Nowhere before it was completed and named, again without a dropped kerb. Near this point, to either side, are the 'no entry except buses' signs that either BD or Newham (or both, I have never found out) installed before the road was even complete. Luckily for the Police who have their big station there, the rule doesn't apply to them. And so up Fleet Road, to join Highbridge Road at a dreadful mini roundabout, with a very wide circulation lane and fast traffic joining the A406. I objected to this roundabout, but was told that this road was not intended for use by cyclists, because there would be a leisure route along the river side. Well there would be, except for the fence mentioned above, but why shouldn't we be able to cycle along Fleet Road and Highbridge Road in safety anyway.
So through the Town Quay, across Abbey Road, and onto Abbey Green. The paths across this green were designd without cycling in mind, and the opportunity to improve this a bit at the Brodway end was missed, despite my contribultion to the consultation about the works. So we negotiate another undropped kerb and cross to Clockhouse (or is it Clock House) Avenue and thence to the Town Hall.
It isn't clear whether the path between the Library and the Health centre was intended to be shared use, but the signposting at Axe Street is for pedestrians only, so I'm guessing tjhey managed to forget cycling again, despite my input.
At St Paul's Road there is a crossing (a Toucan I think), "conveniently" placed between two motor vehicke free entrances to the estate, one of which was made in my campaigning period, and, you've guessed it, my suggestion of a dropped kerb for cycling was not taken up. Little wonder that the suggestion of a retro-fitted one at the other, older entrance wasn't either.
There is now a Stibasa page on Facebook, please 'like' us there.
Also, to avoid confusion (or cause it, arguably) with the Barking and Dagenham Branch of the London Cycling Campaign, they now have a separate Facebook Page as "Barking and Dagenham Cycling Campaign". Please 'like' that, too.
Also, to avoid confusion (or cause it, arguably) with the Barking and Dagenham Branch of the London Cycling Campaign, they now have a separate Facebook Page as "Barking and Dagenham Cycling Campaign". Please 'like' that, too.
Friday, 3 August 2012
Nip Nip
http://nipnip.co.uk/
Nip Nip ofers electric bikes for sale or lease to businesses, and runs a mobile bike mechanic service, about which they say:
"Dr NipNip bicycle repairs and servicing facilities are between 30-50% cheaper than well known high street cycle stores" and
"All of our mechanics are recruited through a social enterprise scheme designed to help unemployed Londoners get back into the job market"
Worth knowing. If you use them, let me know how you get on.
Nip Nip ofers electric bikes for sale or lease to businesses, and runs a mobile bike mechanic service, about which they say:
"Dr NipNip bicycle repairs and servicing facilities are between 30-50% cheaper than well known high street cycle stores" and
"All of our mechanics are recruited through a social enterprise scheme designed to help unemployed Londoners get back into the job market"
Worth knowing. If you use them, let me know how you get on.
Saturday, 28 July 2012
Active Women Programme
According to The News (B&D Council Newspaper) there are hour long cycling sessions at Central Park Dagenham on Wednesdays at 12.30pm, free of charge. The numbe to phone is (020) 8227 3167. A little light Googling revealed this page:
http://www.lbbd.gov.uk/LeisureArtsAndLibraries/ActiveLeisureHome/Pages/WomensSport.aspx, which mentions Breeze Cycle Training, but the places on the p[age where you might click don't seem to be clickable, at the time of writing, and the contact is susy.davies@lbbd.gov.uk / 020 8227 3984.
susy.massey@lbbd.gov.uk / 020 8227 3984 seems tyo be the main contact person for the programme.
http://www.lbbd.gov.uk/LeisureArtsAndLibraries/ActiveLeisureHome/Pages/WomensSport.aspx, which mentions Breeze Cycle Training, but the places on the p[age where you might click don't seem to be clickable, at the time of writing, and the contact is susy.davies@lbbd.gov.uk / 020 8227 3984.
susy.massey@lbbd.gov.uk / 020 8227 3984 seems tyo be the main contact person for the programme.
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