The Climate Change Committee has published its June 2022 assessment of
the UK government's progress on cutting greenhouse gas emissions. What
are the implications for transport?
Stage 3 of the 2022 Tour de France is a 182km flat stage from Vejle
to Sønderborg. Historic sights along the way include the Jelling
Stones. The race is likely to end in a bunch sprint.
Stage 4 of the 2022 Tour de France is a 172km hilly stage from
Dunkirk to Calais. It goes via Saint Omer to the Opal Coast. Windy
conditions on the coast, plus climbs at the Cap Griz-Nez and Cap
Blanc-Nez, could be decisive.
Stage 5 of the Tour de France 2022 includes 20km of cobbles, and
finishes in Arenberg. It resembles Paris-Roubaix, and riders who
thrive in or survive the Hell of the North could do well.
Stage 6 of the Tour de France 2022 is a 220km trek from Belgium to
Longwy in France, through the Ardennes.
The punchy climb to the line was won by Peter Sagan in 2017, and
would have suited Julian Alaphilippe in 2022 if he was there - but he
isn't going to be.
Many of us were concentrating on other things when the IPCC published
its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). I thought it would be useful to do
a short summary of the findings.
Harrogate's Active Travel Fund projects on Victoria Avenue and the
A59 Knaresborough Road should have been completed by 31st March 2022,
but no work has started. What has happened to them?
At a meeting of City of York Council's Executive, Council Leader
Keith Aspden promoted the thoroughly debunked theory that
road-building reduces congestion. Why are we still unable to have a
debate based on reliable evidence not wishful thinking?
In the last couple of days there has been anonymous briefing against
Harrogate Station Gateway - an £11 million project to improve
Harrogate town centre. This is after it has already been improved. The
project can't be derailed at this stage.
It's 10 years since The Chimp Paradox was published, but I started
reading it only 7 years ago. In the book, I learned about the
discipline needed for success in achieving my goals - but too late to
make me finish it faster.
In order to become carbon neutral by 2030, Bristol will need to cut
vehicle miles by 40%. A very similar reduction in car trips is likely
to be needed in other UK towns and cities - but how many people are
aware of the scale of change required?
Active Travel England has swung into action - sort of. On Saturday,
there was a semi-announcement of the ATF3 allocations, and some
effective advocacy by Chris Boardman.
North Yorkshire's bid for money from the third tranche of the Active
Travel Fund (ATF3) has failed. What are the likely reasons behind the
DfT's decision to send the cash elsewhere?
What do the local elections that took place on 5th May 2022 mean for
cycling in Harrogate? I don't know, but I think I've written an
informative article on the subject anyway.
The National Planning Policy Framework says that housing developments
should give priority to active travel, but does Persimmon's King Edwin
Park estate in Harrogate do that?
This circular road cycling route starts in Harrogate, and heads up
to Pateley Bridge then Lofthouse. It climbs the Côte de Lofthouse,
which featured on the 2017 Tour de Yorkshire, then returns via
Grewelthorpe, Kirkby Malzeard, Galphay, Studley Royal and Ripley to
Harrogate. It's on quiet, country roads, features beautiful scenery,
and there's the challenge of a steep ascent.
This circular road cycling route starts in Grassington, and heads
north up Wharfedale then Littondale to Halton Gill. It climbs to
Malham Tarn, then returns via Malham, Kirkby Malham, Airton, Hetton,
and Cracoe to Malham. The roads are quiet, and the ride takes in
lanes lined with dry stone walls, open fells, and villages of
limestone-built houses, as well as views of Malham Cove.
The best and most popular cycleway in Harrogate, the Nidderdale
Greenway goes about 4 miles to Ripley, using the trackbed of a
disused railway. It opened in May 2013.
Our guide to the bike trail on Yorkshire Water's land at Fewston
reservoir, through the Beecroft Plantation and Timble woods. Read
about the Fewston,
Beecroft,
& Timble woods bike trail.
Clifton Moor is a car-dominated retail park on the edge of York,
with bad cycle infrastructure. How would you reduce traffic, make
Clifton Moor a nicer place, and increase visits on foot, by bike, and
by bus?
The cycle infrastructure at Clifton Moor is illegible, as well as
being of the lowest possible quality. Some thoughts on this, mingled
with mentions of London Orbital by Iain Sinclair - but what is the
relevance of that book?
This is a fantastic ride in the Yorkshire Wolds, an
under-appreciated but beautiful area to cycle in. The ride starts and
finishes in Stamford Bridge.
There are plenty of sharp climbs to keep it interesting, but they are
only short because the hills are not very high. There are also some
flat roads around Driffield and Hutton Cranswick, in the middle of the
ride.
This mountain bike ride is simple and quite short, but very
enjoyable.
It takes you north west from Poppleton, on a path on the right bank
of the Ouse, to the confluence of the Ouse and the Nidd, then back
via Moor Monkton on farm tracks.
Share the Road is one of these "let's all be nice to each other" road
safety campaigns that conflates physical danger and politeness. How
helpful and effective is it?
A level difference makes all the difference, and Cycle
Infrastructure Design tells councils not to use white line
segregation. Is there a satellite delay in applying the new standards?
The IPCC's 6th Assessment Report says that globally emissions from
transport make up 15% of the total, and are growing. What role can
cycling play in reducing transport emissions?
Paris's Plan Vélo for the next 5 years includes 180km of
new segregated cycle tracks, and a wealth of other good ideas too,
showing a real commitment to promoting cycling.
The Malton to Pickering Cycle route was only launched on 9th May
2022, so I may be one of the first people to test it out. It's a
pleasant ride between two charming Yorkshire market towns.
The Hudson Way uses the trackbed of the old Market Weighton to
Beverley railway line. It goes through pleasant Yorkshire Wolds
farmland, and the destination is the interesting and historic market
town of Beverley. Since the railway no longer exists, you'll have to
pedal back again!
A new Hedgehog Guide to the Cinder Track cycle route, along the old
railway from Scarborough to Whitby, with full-colour (!) photos,
including lots of Yorkshire sunshine. This 21.5 mile route has
beautiful views, and there's wonderful wildlife along the way, for
example house martins and swallows at Ravenscar. Read about the Scarborough to Whitby
Cinder Track.
There's a great cycle route from the centre of York to
Beningbrough, partly on tarmacked path by the river Ouse, and partly
on quiet roads. It ends up at Beningbrough Hall, an C18th National
Trust property (where cyclists are entitled to a free cup of tea).
Read the Hedgehog
guide to the York to Beningbrough cycle route.
The latest in Hedgehog's Sustrans Slow Tour of
Yorkshire series, Stage 6 is a nice ride on quiet back roads
from Settle to Clapham. There's just enough hill-age to make it
interesting, and there are plenty of options for a cup of tea or a
pint of beer.
A mountain bike ride in upper Nidderdale - from Lofthouse to
Scarhouse reservoir, and back via Middlesmoor. It's an enjoyable ride
in the countryside, with great views along the way.
