Thursday, 13 September 2012
Sign error
B&D council have installed an information sign in Ripple Road to reinforce the no motor vehicles signs that many motorists seem ignorant of. The problem is the new sign is wrong. It says "no vehicles beyond this point", but pedal cycles are vehicles and there are no restrictions on them here.
The error could give the wrong impression that pedal cycles are not vehicles, or that cycling beyond that point would be an infringement.
Roadsafe London
http://www.met.police.uk/roadsafelondon/
"Roadsafe London is an information and Intelligence gathering tool. It is the Metropolitan Police response to requests to provide a means for members of the public to advise us about criminal, nuisance and anti-social behaviour on the roads of London. It is part of the Road Crime Intelligence Unit and staffed by experienced traffic officers.
We want to know about people who; -
"Roadsafe London is an information and Intelligence gathering tool. It is the Metropolitan Police response to requests to provide a means for members of the public to advise us about criminal, nuisance and anti-social behaviour on the roads of London. It is part of the Road Crime Intelligence Unit and staffed by experienced traffic officers.
We want to know about people who; -
- Drive under the influence of drink or drugs
- Drive with no insurance
- Drive without a licence or whilst disqualified from driving
- Speed
- Use an un-roadworthy vehicle
- Locations where there is a problem with anti-social driving e.g. vehicles racing on public roads."
Barking to Waltham Abbey
Here are 46 photos that I took on our (indirect) ride from
Barking to Waltham Abbey on Saturday 8 September. Many of the photos are taken with
my camera mounted on my bike – some whilst in motion. Composition was a bit of
guesswork, as I couldn’t see the screen on the camera, but some nice shots have
come out (IMHO). I haven’t tampered with them! This was experimental – my
first attempt
As you may gather, my offer to ride as the back marker was
taken up. It means many photos featuring the backs[ides] of the other 11
riders.
The second Saturday in September must be the biggest leisure cycling day in the country as it is the day that bike rides in support of what's now called the National Churches Trust take place all round the country.
Sunday, 9 September 2012
Vandome Cycles
I've mentioned Vandome Cycles before. The company is run by B&D LCC member Russell Coe. They offer free cycle training as part of their "extensive range of cycling services" and also host an over 50s cycling club in Barking Park in Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5pm.
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Cycle4all.com
www.Cycle4all.com is a new venture aimed at getting people of all ages and abilities cycling. Come to Barking Park on Wednesdays and/or Sundays between 10am and noon for the change to try out a bike or trike or to get advice / encouragement.
If you need something other than a standard bike, contact Tony Harvey at Cycle4all and he will let you know what he can have available for you at one of the try out sessions.
If you need something other than a standard bike, contact Tony Harvey at Cycle4all and he will let you know what he can have available for you at one of the try out sessions.
Gascoigne family bike rides
The Sustrans led rides starting at the Gascoigne Children's Centre held successfully over the summer, will continue, though at the later time of 4pm to fit in with school. Bikes can be provided for those that don't have their own, and there are some child trailers too. It is helpful to know if you want to borrow a bike/trailer. Contact
Christabel Buchanan / +44 7833 057603 for more details and to reserve your bike.
I'm not sure yet how much longer the rides will continue - perhaps until the clocks go back.
I'm not sure yet how much longer the rides will continue - perhaps until the clocks go back.
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
The stibasa bike?
Riding the wave of enthusiasm for cycling post olympics, I have posted details of rides and events on www.stibasa.org.uk like never before, and set up a stibasa facebook page, to be a sister to the new B&D LCC branch Facebook page.
Whilst in may be the case that people have used this information and joined the rides featured (or intend to) the information has not resulted in any contact with me. There may be many reasons for this, but from talling to an old friend in the cycling world recently, I've come to the conclusion that people who want to go on rides are already in groups whether publicised or private and there is no supressed demand for rides.
In a Sustrans meeting recently, someone observed that there are people interested in cycling, but who haven't got bikes. This led me to think of ny friends and acquaintances who don't cycle, but probably could - not on leisure rides particularly, but a bit of local pottering about.
This in turn leads to thoughts about the ideal bike and whether it exists. Mountain bikes with a low ticket price are going to be pretty poor quality and not good value for money in fact. Neither are mountain bikes particularly practical for local pottering around Barking. It seems to me that a simple folding bike is what is needed - one that has a low ticket price, but is not poor quality and therefore poor value for money.
A to B magazine, who I trust about such things, mention this Marine Compass 20" wheeled single speed bike http://www.compass24.com/web/catalog/shop/technics_comfort_bicycles/4857423# , which they say is a badged Dahon. It costs £125 + £13 delivery, and I wonder whether it could be the "stibasa bike".
Whilst in may be the case that people have used this information and joined the rides featured (or intend to) the information has not resulted in any contact with me. There may be many reasons for this, but from talling to an old friend in the cycling world recently, I've come to the conclusion that people who want to go on rides are already in groups whether publicised or private and there is no supressed demand for rides.
In a Sustrans meeting recently, someone observed that there are people interested in cycling, but who haven't got bikes. This led me to think of ny friends and acquaintances who don't cycle, but probably could - not on leisure rides particularly, but a bit of local pottering about.
This in turn leads to thoughts about the ideal bike and whether it exists. Mountain bikes with a low ticket price are going to be pretty poor quality and not good value for money in fact. Neither are mountain bikes particularly practical for local pottering around Barking. It seems to me that a simple folding bike is what is needed - one that has a low ticket price, but is not poor quality and therefore poor value for money.
A to B magazine, who I trust about such things, mention this Marine Compass 20" wheeled single speed bike http://www.compass24.com/web/catalog/shop/technics_comfort_bicycles/4857423# , which they say is a badged Dahon. It costs £125 + £13 delivery, and I wonder whether it could be the "stibasa bike".
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