Cycling in Yorkshire
5th December 2019
Ambitious plans from all the parties - but one - to tackle the climate crisis, pollution, inactivity and obesity by funding walking and cycling. No vision or ambition from the other party - no interest and next-to-no funding.
Read about parties' election promises on cycling.
Misinformation - Sir Tim Berners-Lee - UK election 2019
Russian donation to factcheckUK - UK election 2019
Cons pretend to be independent fact-checkers - UK election 2019
Kompany on Brexit - UK election 2019
Sustrans election manifesto - UK election 2019
Johnson underwhelms flood victims - UK election 2019
Brexit party won't stand against Cons - UK election 2019
Jones 85% against the environment - UK election 2019
Cons against the environment - UK election 2019
Cons doctor Keir Starmer interview - UK election 2019
14th November 2019
Sustrans has produced its own manifesto for the General Election 2019. It is asking all parties to commit to more investment in walking and cycling, as a solution to the climate crisis.
Read about Sustrans Election Manifesto.
Hedgehog's Yorkshire wildlife guides and this week's Yorkshire wildlife photo.
1st July 2019
Bradford Council have linked Shipley to Bradford, by adding the Canal Road Cycleway onto the existing Greenway.
The result is a usable route. It's generally safe and convenient. The Cycleway has priority over drives and side roads, except in places where the route designers lost their nerve, and made it give way.
Read about the Canal Road Greenway & Cycleway.
26th March 2019
Sustrans surveyed teachers about air pollution outside schools, as part of their Big Pedal event.
Read about Sustrans school run survey.
18th May 2019
The challenge has been set: drag as many times your body weight as possible to the shops. With your 4x4, you're doing well, but follow my advice, and you could do much better.
9th May 2019
At the heart of Harrogate, bang on the Yorkshire Worlds route, there's a 36cm cycle lane. It's brilliant that Harrogate is welcoming the world in September, but what about everyday bike riders all year round?
Read about 36cm cycle lane.
Bike lanes in the Netherlands are designed with thought and intelligence to create a joined-up, easily usable network. I took a few photos of cycle infrastructure in Zandvoort, and I've added some comments about the intention of the planners. In the UK, we should pay particular attention to the way they give bike routes continuity, instead of making them give way to every side street.
Read about inspiration from Dutch cycle infrastructure.
12th September 2019
A survey by the local MP shows what people think of shopping in the town centre, including how they get there and their opinions of the cycling facilities.
Read about Harrogate Retail Inquiry.
17th September 2019
In a letter to the Yorkshire Post, Bishop Monkton Councillor Brown claims that 'motorists' are being knocked and made to feel unwelcome in Harrogate Borough. This is a response to some of his arguments.
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.
