Cycling in Yorkshire
Chris Batley wrote to the Yorkshire Post objecting to positive plans for the town centre. I set out the reasons why I don't agree, and why his arguments don't reflect the facts.
The Rapid Cycleway Prioritisation Tool suggests Leeds Road as a top ranked new cycleway, so I went to see why it's suitable.
Read about the Leeds Road, Harrogate.
5th June 2020
North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) is to bid for funding for active travel improvements in response to the pandemic.
Read about the NYCC bid for active travel funds.
The clock counts down to midnight on 2nd May 2024, the date of the next General Election under the Fixed Term Parliaments Act.
9th May 2020
Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps today announced £250 million for pop-up bike lanes. He promised further money, and measures including a National Cycling Champion.
Read about the Grant Shapps announces £250m for pop-up bike lanes.
28th March 2020
The DfT has started the process of devising a plan to decarbonise transport. Their consultation document accepts that we'll have to use our cars less, and states that public transport and active travel will become the natural first choice for our daily activities. There's still a reluctance to accept reality in some areas of transport decarbonisation, with an insistence on airport expansion.
Read about DfT transport decarbonisation.
18th June 2020
The owner of Woods Interiors wants Harrogate's Coronavirus response to be that we abandon all plans to make the town more friendly for people on foot and on bikes. He's worried about parking. I suggest some hiking routes to Woods Interiors, including Victoria Avenue to Station Parade.
Read about hiking routes to Woods Interiors.
28th May 2020
Ricky Ross (Deacon Blue band member) kicked off a thread of cyclist-bashing on Twitter. All the usual prejudices were trotted out, before some pithy replies.
Read about the Ricky Ross cyclist-bashing.
9th February 2020
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has put the environment and sustainable transport at the heart of her 2020 re-election campaign, with parking spaces to be replaced by wider pavements and bike lanes.
Read about Paris to become "100% vélo".
17th January 2020
The European Cyclists' Federation has produced a report titled the Safer Cycling Advocate Program. It draws on Dutch and Danish expertise, and is designed to help people in other countries campaign for better cycling facilities.
Read about ECF Safer Cycling Advocate Program.
Andrew Jones MP | Redwings 'not British enough' - rabbits | Area 6 active travel requests |
28th February 2020
Harrogate District Cycle Action is today launching its new website, alongside an updated manifesto and refreshed social media accounts. The website invites local people to sign up as supporters and contribute their ideas.
Find out more about the HDCA website.
8th January 2020
Can anyone guess the purpose of this 12m long cycle path? It's by the roundabout at the Bellway housing development, on the old Dunlopillo site, but it doesn't seem to lead anywhere.
Read about daft cycle infra at the Bellway Pannal development.
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.
Read about this Côte de Lofthouse road cycling route.
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.
Read about this Yorkshire Dales road cycling route.
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.
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.
Read about Stage 6, Settle to Clapham.
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.
Read about Lofthouse Scarhouse mountain bike ride.