Cycle Forum 18th May

Edited to include Andrews notes from the meeting (scroll down)

(i) In view of the fact that the cycling budget has been cut to zero in the coming financial year, what does the future hold for this sustainable mode of
transport in Sheffield?

(ii) The PTE is conducting a review of the carriage of bikes on Supertram, including surveying members of its user groups. Does the scope of this
review include the wider environmental, economic and health benefits of integrating cycling with light rail and other forms of public transport, or
does it merely cover the practical considerations?

(iii) What news on new cycle stands near the Fargate big wheel?

(iv) Any news from Peter Serhatlic re. reporting dangerous driving / making formal complaints to the police, with the Sussex & Met police force’s online
systems in mind for comparison?

Good to see new stands at Holy Green (Sainsbury’s on the Moor) and the stands reinstated nearby on Earl St; also the replacement stands on Tudor Square.

The recent continental markets were good for not blocking the cycle stands on Fargate, thank you – although it would of course be good if the stands could
also remain more visible (stands were rendered effectively invisible by many stalls around them).

The new crossings on Upper Hanover Way & Commercial St are very useful; not sure about the re-modelled roundabout at Furnival Square yet.

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Hi,

Here’s my notes on the recent Cycle Forum:

I missed the 1st half hour, not sure what was covered in that, maybe going
over the minutes of the previous meeting.

Train/trams & Cycle Carriage
——————————————–
This item was to discuss the carriage of bicycles as part of the Sheffield-
Rotherham train/tram trial (only). Dave Skirrow was present to represent
Supertram and raised the familiar objections to cycle carriage on trams, but
it was also pointed out to him that this was being setup as a trial – and
therefore an opportunity to try new things like cycle carriage. He seems to
have taken this on board esp. for his meeting with Northern Rail + the PTE on
Friday (21/5) to discuss some of the train/tram issues including who will
operate the trial (both Supertram and Northern being candidates for this).
Northern are understood to be interested in providing cycle carriage since
this would match their rules on other Northern [train] services [if they were
operating the trial].

A decision is to be taken about the no-bikes-on-trams bylaw on 5th June.

Station Cycle ‘Hub’
—————————————
Along with the other 9 towns/cities chosen for this scheme, Sheffield hasn’t yet
received its £500k from the DfT to provide this. Given imminent public
spending cuts there is a fear this could get pulled.

Cycle Sheffield Issues
————————————–
(i) In view of the fact that the cycling budget has been cut to zero in the
coming financial year, what does the future hold for this sustainable mode of
transport in Sheffield?

Response: This paints an inaccurate picture of how funding now works in the
city. The funding has now moved to a regional strategic pot of money – the ITA
(Integrated Transport Authority) which can be accessed via the council – and
the Community Assemblies. Work on Penistone Road is continuing in this
financial year.

My own comment: I think we need to adjust to the new funding arrangements -
the Community Assemblies are an opportunity for us if we can be organised
about asking them for funding for specific schemes (Beeley Woods, Blackburn
Valley/Chapeltown routes both spring to mind); and particularly for small
scale works like cycle stands or dropped kerbs where needed.

(ii) The PTE is conducting a review of the carriage of bikes on Supertram,
including surveying members of its user groups. Does the scope of this
review include the wider environmental, economic and health benefits of
integrating cycling with light rail and other forms of public transport, or
does it merely cover the practical considerations?

Response: Somehow I think we sort of skipped over this one, but I have since
got hold of the questionnaire used by the PTE which would suggest it doesn’t
cover the wider issues suggested. I’m seeking clarification on whether this
questionnaire can be widely distributed for members to complete…

(iii) What news on new cycle stands near the Fargate big wheel as agreed in
the wheel’s planning permission?

Response: It’s now about 1 week away from the deadline by which they should be
installed, so this will trigger reminders to (not sure: Streetforce?) to
explain the delay. It was suggested that it’s probably a long lead time
sourcing the appropriate stands to match the existing ones.

(iv) Any news from Peter Serhatlic re. reporting dangerous driving / making
formal complaints to the police, with the Sussex & Met police force’s online
systems in mind for comparison (follow-up from March’s Cycle Forum)?

Response: No response from Peter Serhatlic yet, this will be chased.

Good to see new stands at Holy Green (Sainsbury’s on the Moor) and the stands
reinstated nearby on Earl St; also the replacement stands on Tudor Square.
Response: A few more on Tudor Square still due, also Paternoster Row.

The recent continental markets were good for not blocking the cycle stands on
Fargate, thank you – although it would of course be good if the stands could
also remain more visible (stands were rendered effectively invisible by many
stalls around them).

Response: Good feedback always well received, please pass this on to City
Centre Management (Richard Eyre).

Own comment: I’ve passed on these comments to Richard Eyre, including the
invisibility “but” bit.

The new crossings on Upper Hanover Way & Commercial St are very useful; not
sure about the re-modelled roundabout at Furnival Square yet.

One late entry – is there any way that the Beeley Woods section of the TPT can
be designated as a bridleway without the surfacing previously planned for it?
Response: No. At present the surface (road planings) gets into horses’ hooves,
so it does need a proper resurfacing before the council will consider going
through the make-it-a-bridleway formalities, although the latter is unlikely
to be problematic. Beeley Woods is definitely in transport planners’ sights so
should remain a priority to make it happen soon.