Cycle Forum 18th November 2009

What issues would we like to bring to the attention of the Council this time round?

- Progress with Bus Gate enforcement e.g. Boston St, West St, NIRR?

Five Weirs Walk re-opening?

Chapeltown Greenway  - Grange Rd proposals, Completion of Greenway to Chapeltown, Chapeltown – Tankersley section in very poor state

Penistone Rd proposals – what’s in it for cyclists?

http://www.smartroutes.co.uk/penistoneroad/proposals.html

Note that the cycle path alongside P. Rd is part of NCN6.

Will cycles be able to use the new bus lanes? Previously , 40mph lanes were mooted.

Ped xings should be toucans.

A Council officer says:

In terms off the off-carriageway (footway) route currently being
constructed along Penistone Road, the impact of the Smart-route is
unclear.  The potential to extend this cycle facility from Claywheels
Lane towards Wadsley Bridge, seems to be compromised.  Clearly, it is
not possible to say this proposal is, at the moment, better for cyclist
- certainly probably not for cyclists using the carriageway.

*       Yes, cyclists can use the short lengths of bus lane – but then
you’re dumped into the 60,000 vehicles per day general traffic, as now
for most of the route.
*       I suspect that space will be ‘pinched’ from the general traffic
lanes, narrowing them to provide in part for the bus lane (so if you
want to stay in, or use at any point the general traffic lanes, they
will be narrower).
*       I further suspect that the bus lane will be of minimal width and
shared with buses (obviously), taxis and motorcycles.
*       The way presignals generally work, anyone using the bus lane
will have to stop at the signals – not good for cyclists – cycle
bypasses should, therefore, be built in (and I can see cyclists (if no
bypass), m/c and taxis, nipping into the general traffic lanes, from the
bus lane, at the presignals).

I have other concerns too.  My personal view is that over all it is a
good, well intentioned scheme that has some green credentials and some
overall benefits.  But, probably not something for everyone – it’s not
possible to say that without the detail – it could make things worse (if
that is possible) from a cycling point of view.  Anyone with a
cycling/health interest should get their views over now.  The minimum
response should be to have a proper cycle audit, with an open brief and
to build in any necessary costs to the scheme, to ensure provision for
cyclists is at least no worse than the current situation and ideally,
much better.

The above is not meant to be negative.  Please try and be positive.
Public support for this scheme means that it is more likely to proceed
and there will hopefully be some benefits to cycling.  Just need to
cover the bases at an early stage and ensure that what is needed can be
built in as part of the scheme.

Fargate Cycle Stands & Xmas Market

An update: I’ve now spoken to Andrew Chapel who’s responsible for the
markets (and other events?) when they happen on Fargate. He accepted
that there is a need for more cycle stands to remain available on
Fargate when markets are on – he said the shiny stands (outside
Zavvi) shouldn’t get obstructed in the future, but was less
forthcoming about the other set of 4 stands outside River Island – he
pointed out that the stalls concerned run generators which raise
health & safety concerns.

He noted that the markets had been pushed further into Fargate because
of the Carousel still there after Fright Night; normally this
wouldn’t be there at the same time as the Continental Markets.

I’m pleased that the shiny stands should now remain usable at all
times, but disappointed not to see more movement on the River Island
stands – how do other PP members feel about these?

Simon: Please could you include this in the issues for the Cycle
Forum, I think the issue needs to at least be noted.