Yorkshire cycling website
Cycling in the UK, including news, cycle infrastructure, campaigns, the politics and government decisions affecting people on two wheels in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the latest results of British racers.
3rd September 2018
62% of adults in England think it's too dangerous to cycle. Cycling trips are stuck on about 2% of total journeys, but cyclists are riding further, according to the latest DfT statistics.
Read about 62% say it's too dangerous to cycle.
13th August 2018
The DfT has announced that it is 'looking at' changes to the Highway Code on overtaking cyclists, and it has asked a working group to develop national guidance on cycle infrastructure.
Read about DfT passing distance & infrastructure guidance.
18th July 2018
Cycling Yorkshire Dales, by Tejvan Pettinger, Licence CC BY 2.0
An extraordinary anti-cyclist tirade by a North Yorkshire County Councillor was reported in the national press yesterday. 'All they do is speed', Councillor Caroline Patmore is quoted as saying, as she describes how she wants it to be easier and quicker for her to overtake people riding bikes. She complains that there's just not enough space for anyone to cycle in England's largest county.
Read about North Yorkshire Councillor Patmore in anti-cyclist tirade.
Stephane Rossetto wins Stage 4 Tour de Yorkshire 2018, by SWPix
The Tour de Yorkshire 2018 gave a £98 million boost to the Yorkshire economy. Accommodation, food and drink, cultural venues, and transport businesses were all beneficiaries of spending by 2.6 million spectators.
Read about the economic impact of the Tour de Yorkshire 2018.
10th July 2018
Parker's Piece, Cambridge
In a report for the National Infrastructure Commission, former London cycling commissioner Andrew Gilligan says that the answer to congestion problems in prosperous and expanding cities Oxford and Cambridge is 'staring them in the face'.
Read about Gilligan on Oxford and Cambridge.
29th June 2018
Close pass, by Tejvan Pettinger, Licence CC BY 2.0
Cycling UK have published the results of a survey which show that 52% of British adults don't know the Highway Code rules for passing cyclists. In a coordinated announcement, cycling minister Jesse Norman has given details of new initiatives, including training for driving instructors on passing cyclists.
Read about the Cycling UK close passes survey.
27th June 2018
Visualisation busy street, © TFGM
Chris Boardman today announced the first step in implementing his Made to Move vision for Greater Manchester. It's called Beelines, and it's a detailed walking and cycling infrastructure for Greater Manchester with 1,000 miles of routes. Read about Beelines Manchester.
5th June 2018
A poll of 2,000 British adults for Cycling UK reveals the top reasons why more people don't cycle. They include sharing the road with large vehicles and close passes. What would encourage more people to ride bikes? Find out about the Cycling UK poll.
17th March 2018
Jesse Norman, minister for cycling at the DfT, is asking for ideas to make cycling and walking safer. Probably the DfT should know how to do this already - after all, organisations like British Cycling and Cycling UK have been telling them for years, but unfortunately they haven't been listening. Will the DfT actually act on what they're told? Who knows, but if you have any interest in active travel, you should respond.
Read about the CWIS consultation, and follow the link to the consultation.
9th March 2018
Law firm Birketts have produced a report about the possible introduction of new cycling offences. They were commissioned by the DfT as part of Jesse Norman's urgent review which definitely isn't a knee-jerk reaction to the Alliston case. Read about the Birketts dangerous cycling report.
16th December 2017
Manchester cycle & footpath, by Pete Birkinshaw, Licence CC BY 2.0
In his first action as Cycling & Walking Commissioner for Greater Manchester, Chris Boardman has set out an ambitious vision to transform the way people travel in Greater Manchester. He plans a high-quality cycle network throughout the area, with continuous, joined-up provision.
Read about Chris Boardman's Made to Move report.
2nd October 2017
Jesse Norman, minister responsible for cycling in the DfT, by Policy Exchange, Licence CC BY 2.0
The new minister with responsibility for cycling in the DfT, Jesse Norman, responded to the Charlie Alliston case by announcing a review to look at introducing new offences of causing serious injury or death by careless or dangerous cycling. Mr Norman claims that there are already strict laws which 'ensure drivers who put people's lives at risk are punished'. Is he right? Is this review cynical and populist, or genuinely trying to improve road safety in an even-handed way? Is Mr Norman applying double standards, to bike riders and other road users?
Read about cycling minister Jesse Norman's response to the Charlie Alliston case.
28th September 2017
In August this year, the LGA produced a report called A Country in a Jam, looking at innovative solutions to congestion being employed by local authorities. This includes investment in active travel in Bristol. The report calls for more powers for councils to deal with traffic jams in various ways. Read about A Country in a Jam.
22nd September 2017
Motorway - No Thanks, by JL57, Licence CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
The Campaign for Rural England have shown that new road projects generate extra traffic - over and above the increases which would have happened otherwise. Their report is based on Highways England data. This is relevant to the bypass which the county council is seeking to impose on Harrogate & Knaresborough. Read about the CPRE Impact of Roads report.
26th July 2017
DEFRA today published its latest clean air plan, designed to combat illegal levels of NO2 pollution caused by diesel vehicles. The headline-grabbing feature of the document is the re-announcement of an intention already made public in 2011, to end the sale of conventionally-powered vehicles by 2040. Is there anything practical in the plans which will reduce pollution now? Read about the UK clean air plan July 2017.
April 2017
The government's Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, published on 21st April 2017, contains an 'ambition' to make cycling and walking the natural choices for short journeys, or as part of longer journeys. It sets some aims or targets, includes a statement of resources, and an action plan. Read about the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy.
26th September 2016
The Department for Transport today published an unhelpful and gratuitously gory 'road safety' video, which appears to put all the onus on people riding bikes to avoid being crushed by left-turning lorries - while the message to the drivers of large vehicles is, apparently, 'drive how you like, you're not the one who is going to end up dead.' Chris Boardman described the video as 'desperately misguided', and accused the campaign of trying to make death fun. Harrogate & Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones is the Minister in the DfT with responsibility for road safety and cycling. Read about appalling DfT THINK! video.
17th September 2016
A West Midlands Police initiative to educate and, if necessary, prosecute drivers for close passes has been described as the best cyclist road safety initiative ever, by Cycling UK. Read more about 'best cyclist safety intiative ever' by West Midlands Police.
1st September 2016
Jason Kenny, by Pistol Peet, Licence CC BY-ND 2.0
Olympic cyclists including Laura Trott and Jason Kenny have written to Prime Minister Theresa May, to tell her that the best way to honour their achievements is to invest heavily in everyday cycling. They ask her to meet British Cycling policy advisor Chris Boardman. Read about the Olympic cyclists ask for everyday cycling investment.
19th August 2016
Theresa May, by DFID, Licence CC BY 2.0
Prime Minister Theresa May is backing Yorkshire's bid to host the 2019 World Road Championships. Her support was set out in an article in the Yorkshire Post yesterday, which also made vague reference to government cycling investment of £24m, or £15m, or maybe both. Read about May supports Yorkshire World Road Championships bid.
5th August 2016
Andrew Jones MP with Chris Boardman, by Carlton Reid, Flickr, Licence CC BY 2.0
During the recent reshuffle at the Department for Transport, Andrew Jones, MP for Harrogate & Knaresborough, kept his job as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, but added sustainable travel, cycling, and walking to his brief. Read about the UK cycling minister.
29th July 2016
Cycle commuters, by Tejvan Pettinger, Flickr, Licence CC BY 2.0
Following a consultation with 20,000 of its members about the best way to make cycling easier, safer, and more appealing, British Cycling has launched a 3-point Charter, and it is urging local authorities to sign up. The Charter covers cycling infrastructure, and the investment needed to improve it. It also calls for stronger leadership to normalise cycling, and make it safe, accessible, and aspirational. Read about British Cycling launches Choose Cycling Charter.
RideLondon
-
Surrey in 2013, by Sludge
G, Flickr, Licence
CC
BY-SA 2.0
Ride London 2016 is packed with cycling events, including FreeCycle on Saturday 30th July, a closed-road family ride past some of the most famous sights and monuments in the capital, RideLondon-Surrey 100, an amateur sportive following the route of the Olympic road race, and the RideLondon-Surrey Classic professional road race, which features Tour de France winner Chris Froome. Read about RideLondon 2016 and RideLondon Classic race report.
17th July 2016
Chris
Boardman, by Dave
Smith, Flickr, Licence
CC
BY-SA 2.0
Chris Boardman's mum was killed while cycling in North Wales yesterday. Carol Boardman was hit by a white Mitsubishi pick-up truck at a roundabout, and died from her injuries. Read about Boardman's mum killed while cycling.
16th July 2016
Robert
Goodwill
MP, by International
Maritime
Organisation, Flickr, Licence
CC
BY 2.0
Robert Goodwill has left the Department for Transport. The former Minister of State for transport moves to the Home Office, and is replaced by John Hayes. Read about Robert Goodwill leaves DfT.
15th July 2016
Chris
Grayling, by LadyGeekTV,
Flickr, Licence
CC
BY-ND 2.0
Chris Grayling was yesterday appointed as the Transport Secretary, replacing Patrick McLoughlin. Robert Goodwill remains the minister in the DfT with responsibility for cycling, and Philip Hammond is the new Chancellor. What does it mean for cycling (and is it time to despair?) Read about Grayling new Transport Secretary.
24th May 2016
The All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group (APPCG) yesterday held an enquiry into the government's Cycling & Walking Investment Strategy (CWIS). Cycle campaign organisations have been critical of the pitiful level of funding planned. Robert Goodwill gave evidence to the enquiry. Read about APPCG enquiry into the CWIS...
6th May 2016
A petition to Parliament asks for a minimum passing distance when overtaking cyclists. It says the current requirement to leave 'plenty of room' is too open to individual interpretation. Read about passing distance petition...
27th March 2016
In a bizarre move, the Department for Transport published its draft cycling and walking investment strategy today, Easter Sunday. One might speculate that the publication date was chosen for media managment reasons, to generate minimum adverse publicity. British Cycling and CTC have condemned the dismal funding committed to cycling and walking. Read about draft cycling and walking invetment strategy published...
25th March 2016
The outgoing London Mayor, Boris Johnson, has produced a report on the achievements of his 'cycling vision', with suggestions for his successor. In the foreword, he says, 'my biggest regret as Mayor is that I did not do it sooner'. Read about the London Mayor's cycling report...
The Cycling Embassy of Great Britain published draft design
principles for mass cycling last month. They suggest categorising
roads as 'through', 'distributor', or 'access', and providing for
cycling according to the road category. Read more about the Cycling
Embassy
of Great Britain's design principles...
A YouGov poll for British Cycling shows that 71% of people support
building segregated cycle tracks on main roads. Support holds across
social grades, age groups, and political preferences. Read more
about support
for
segregated cycle infrastructure...
The NHS is to help create ten healthy new towns. It will work with
town planners to build healthy living into the new housing
developments which have been chosen for the project. Read more about
NHS to help
create healthy new towns...
13th February 2016
There was more traffic on Britain's roads than ever before, in 2015, according to a DfT report. Traffic rose above the level before the financial crash, for the first time, and rush hour speeds decreased. Read about more traffic than ever before in 2015...
7th February 2016
MPs debated funding for cycling, at Westminster Hall, on 3rd February 2016, on a motion by Conservative MP for Bolton West Chris Green. Read about MPs debate investment in cycling...
The number of cyclists entering central London during rush hour tripled between 2000 and 2014, according to a TfL report. Read more about increase in cyclists in central London...
Research by the University of Bath's psychology department shows
that wearing a helmet may increase risk-taking. Read more about helmets may increase
risk-taking...
Chris Froome was awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours List. Read more about Chris Froome awarded OBE...
19th December 2015
The government has published a document called 'Setting the First Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy', which sets out the timetable for publishing and consulting on the final strategy, which should be complete by summer 2016. Read more about DfT publishes timetable and approach to Cycling & Walking Investment Strategy...
25th November 2015
Chancellor George Osborne today betrayed Britain's cyclists, announcing dismal funding for cycling in his spending review. The result is spending per head in England which will be a tiny proportion of the £10 supported by David Cameron during the General Election campaign. Read about Osborne's spending review slashes cycling funding...
18th November 2015
Chris Boardman recently met with transport minister Robert Goodwill, to discuss funding for the Cycling & Walking Investment Strategy, in advance of the Comprehensive Spending Review on 25th November, but was left 'none the wiser.' Read a Cycling Investment Strategy progress report...
11th November 2015
Chris Boardman has produced a video for British Cycling, following
his recent visit to Copenhagen with Cycling Minister Robert
Goodwill, setting out three lessons the UK can learn from
Copenhagen, to make cycling safer and more attractive. Read more
about British
Cycling's
3 lessons from Copenhagen...
21st October 2015
Sustrans Bike Life survey results released today show that 75% of people would like national governments to invest more in cycling. Read about Sustrans Bike Life survey results...
18th October 2015
I had a look at the Leeds Bradford Cycle Superhighway today. It's said to be about 50% complete, and enough has been done to get some idea of the quality of what is being built. Read my account and see some photos of the Leeds Bradford Cycle Superhighway...
13th October 2015
Cycling minister Robert Goodwill said he was 'blown away' by a visit to Copenhagen with Chris Boardman, at the invitation of British Cycling. He intends to re-double his efforts back in the UK to do more for cyclists. Read about Boardman and Goodwill visit Copenhagen...
Otley's Lizzie Armitstead yeterday won the elite women's road race
at the World Championships in Richmond Virginia, and will wear the
famous world champion's rainbow bands jersey in road races for the
next year. Read more about Lizzie
Armitstead
is World Champion...
4th September 2015
Alan Duncan has been appointed to oversee a taskforce to
'obliterate pointless road signs'. It all sounds a bit Bruce Willis,
but is it necessary, and are there some new road signs (such as a
cyclists passing distance sign) which should be introduced? Read
about the
traffic signs reduction taskforce...
2nd September 2015
It's Cycle to Work Day tomorrow, Thursday 3rd September. Whose idea
was Cycle to Work Day? More importantly, what events are going on
around the country, and where can you get a free breakfast? Read
about Cycle to Work Day
events around the country...
31st August 2015
Northern Ireland has published an enlightened, sensible, reasonably
ambitious bicycle strategy for the next 25 years. Minister for
Regional Development Danny Kennedy has identified the benefits to
the community and local economy of bike travel, and has set targets
for the percentage of short journeys to be made by bike, by 2025 and
by 2040. There's a plan for how to achieve them, although the
funding is not in place. Read about a
bicycle strategy for Northern Ireland...
21st August 2015
The Mayor, TfL, and the Royal Parks have reached agreement on the section of the east-west cycle superhighway which passes through St James's and Green Parks. This breakthrough allays fears that there would be a gap in the segregated route. Read about Royal Parks agree to east-west cycle superhighway...
14th August 2015
Carlton Reid has released the video 'Side by Side', which explains why cyclists sometimes ride two abreast. This is the follow-up to 'How to Overtake Cyclists' pubslished earlier this week. Read about and watch Side by Side...
12th August 2015
The re-surfacing of the Leeds & Liverpool canal towpath from Shipley to Leeds, part of the Cycle City Connect project, is complete - or phase 1 of it is nearly complete, at least. I rode the full route yesterday to check it out and see what it's like. Read about the Leeds & Liverpool canal, Shipley to Leeds towpath upgrade. Do you use this route? What do you think of it?
10th August 2015
A new video, How to Overtake Cyclists, has been released today. Produced by Carlton Reid, and presented by Chris Boardman, the video shows how to apply rule 163 of the Highway Code, and give cyclists plenty of room when overtaking. Read about and watch Carlton Reid's How to Overtake Cyclists video...
6th August 2015
Julian Huppert, the former LibDem MP for Cambridge, has been speaking to the Cambridge Cycling Campaign about progress made on cycling in the last Parliament, and his personal highs and lows; and Streetfilms has made a video on how and why cycling is flourishing in Cambridge. Read our Cambridge cycling news roundup...
2nd August 2015
The Ride London Surrey Classic, the men's professional road race at the Prudential Ride London cycling festival weekend, took place today. It was won by Jean-Pierre Drucker of BMC Racing, from a breakaway group of four. Read about Prudential Ride London 2015...
1st July 2015
Otley cycle races 2015 took place yesterday evening. Daniel McLay won the men's race, while in the women's event, Sarah Storey was pipped in a sprint by Annasley Park. Read about Otley cycle races 2015...
1st July 2015
Julie Watson, who was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, has been sentenced to 5 years in jail and banned from driving for 10 years, the BBC reports. She hit and killed Alistair Speed, who was riding his bike. It seems Watson was making a mobile phone call at the time, but she deleted the record of the call from her phone.
28th June 2015
Peter Kennaugh won the British Cycling national road race championships for the second year running, beating fellow Manxman Mark Cavendish into second place. Lizzie Armitstead took a comfortable win in the women's race. Read more on the Kennaugh and Armitstead win British road race titles...
25th June 2015
It was the British Cycling national time trials championships today, at Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire. Hayley Simmonds won the women's event. In the men's race, Alex Dowsett was the favourite, and he didn't disappoint, winning by over 3 minutes. Read more about the British national championships time trials 2015...
18th June 2015
The International Sport and Culture Association has produced a report on inactivity in Europe, focusing on six countries, including the UK. It sets out the proportion of adults failing to engage in the recommended minimum amount of physical activity, the health consequences, and the economic costs. Read more about the ISCA report on inactivity time bomb...
UK cycling news reports from 2014...
15th July 2016
Chris
Grayling, by LadyGeekTV,
Flickr, Licence
CC
BY-ND 2.0
Chris Grayling was yesterday appointed as the Transport Secretary, replacing Patrick McLoughlin. Robert Goodwill remains the minister in the DfT with responsibility for cycling, and Philip Hammond is the new Chancellor. What does it mean for cycling (and is it time to despair?) Read about Grayling new Transport Secretary...
British Cycling launched a manifesto, Time to Choose Cycling, in February 2014, accompanied by research from Cambridge University showing the effect that increased cycling could have on inactivity-related illnesses. The manifesto makes ten recommendations for cycling in the UK. Among them is meaningful and consistent investment in cycle infrastructure, of £10 per UK adult, rising to £20. Read about British Cycling's Time to Choose Cycling manifesto.
The Cycle City Ambition grants, announced by David Cameron on 12th August 2013, awarded a total of £94m to eight cities and four National Parks for a period of two years, for cycling infrastructure. Read about the winnning bids, and the projects being pursued, using the Cycle City Ambition money.
The All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group produced a report on cycling in the UK in April 2013, called Get Britain Cycling. The report followed evidence taken by the Group during an Inquiry. It identifies ways to enable more people to take up cycling, to cycle more often, and more safely. Read about the APPCG Get Britain Cycling report.
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