Cycle Forum 17th March 2009

Improvements in the Ecclesall Area.

Psalter Lane>>Glenalmond Rd toucan Crossing needed.

Measures to make it easier to cross between Bannerdale Rd and Gisborne Rd are needed.

Possible designation of Peak Park Aniversary Route as NCN57

Putting additional signs on Ecclesall Rd South to persuade people to drive faster is ridiculous.

Bike stands are need on the corner of Greystones Rd & Greystones Drive (for “one stop” shop, highcliffe pub, bus stops)
(comment Paul Grayson: I think we should have more detail on how SCC approach installing bike stands, as it appears a little ad hoc to me, I assume their resources are limited, and so should be targeted. I cant imagine that they have reached such saturation yet (of either cyclists or stand locations) that ones outside the highcliffe pub are being cried out for. EG the ones outside John Lewis are always full, but the (recently installed) ones at Banner cross shops are always empty)

Penistone Road “Smart Route”

20mph zones for city centre, other residential areas.

ASL Survey.

How about making it easier to cross the inner ring road (St Mary’s Gate)
from London Road? Even the police cyclists mount the pavement at the
pedestrian crossing in front of the fireworks shop and then pedal past
the “cyclists dismount” sign to get through the subway. Buses also have
trouble wedging into the right-hand lane before Boston Street in order
to get into the bus/cycle lane that crosses the ring road.

How about a promise from the council that all future cycle parking will
consist of Sheffield stands?

Street Force should be complimented for responding quickly to reports of debris in roads and
cycle paths.

What studies did the council make on the effect on cycle journeys of reducing the hours of use of the bus / tram gates on the Wicker and at Hillsborough Corner? Did they consult with local cyclist groups group before
they made the change?

Have they any cycling accident stats for the period that the Hillsborough corner tram gates have been enforced by camera?

What temporary arrangements (eg warning signs or 20mph limit) will be put in place to ensure motorists take extra care whilst overtaking cyclist who are negotiating the many dangerous tram lines at Hillsborough Corner to cover the trial period of reduced hour of operation.

What facilities are planned for Hillsborough Corner and the Wicker to make the junctions safer for cyclists if the new hours of operation are made permanent?

A bike park for Sheffield?

Sheffield has only one city centre bike shop which is Decathlon.

The city centre needs stimulating now the recession is progressing.

The city is very hilly and this deters if not prevents people teaching youngsters to ride a bike

The weather is inclement which deters/prevents people getting youngsters out on bikes

Could the Council set up a ‘space’ for cycling and cyclists to address the issues above

My idea would be that SCC takes up the lease on the empty No Frills DIY store and with appropraite organisations turns it into a space where

* people could bring their young children in order to teach them to learn ride a bike in the dry on a flat surface. Organisations like Pedal Ready could be involved

Some people could bring youngsters and bikes in a car, park, use the facilities and so on

* space could be allocated for bike shops/agencies so that repairs and maintenance and Dr Bikes could be run again in the dry and it could be a great place for commuters/shoppers to leave a bike for attention/repair

* cycle maintenance classes could be offered

* people could bring bikes for sale/swap and so on

* There could be a refreshment place and notice board where cyclists could find out what is going on

It could be like a giant bike DIY, its on the bike routes, its in the city centre, its not used, it will be near the ‘new’ markets,

all of this needs vast amount of organisation but the present times need bold ideas and daring innovations, – didn’t it used to be called ‘Focus’

what do peop think – is this an idea for the cycle forum?
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It occurred to me the other day that there is a whole row of traditional cycle stands doing nothing in the car park of the now empty Psalter Lane campus of SHU.

Would it be worth having these relocated to some of the many site that need decents stands? One commercial site which needs some decent stands is the Somerfield supermarket on Ecclesall Rd. Another non-SCC site is Carterknowle Surgery at the junction of Abbeydale Rd. – just suggestions.