October saw an unlooked for improvement to Reading’s cycle network, or at least the route along Watlington Street heading south-east from the town centre (Routes R2 & R20). Watlington Street is a key artery for cyclists heading to the University, hospital and numerous schools in the area, as well as those venturing to Earley and […]
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In June Transport Minister Jesse Norman announced additional training for driving instructors to “ensure cyclists’ safety is at the forefront of their minds when they teach new drivers”. The Department for Transport plans to spend £500,000 for a pilot scheme to improve driving instructors’ cycle safety awareness. Mr Norman acknowledged the benefits of cycling when […]
Continue ReadingSouthcote has a new 20 mile an hour speed limit, and various measures to reduce traffic issues, and make it marginally more pleasant for cyclists. This is a success for the cycle campaign, as it was ALL OUR IDEA! I kid you not. Way back a bunch of us turned out to ride around the […]
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I remember some years ago a Zimbabwean colleague told me a joke that was doing the rounds in his home country. It went like this. Question: how do you spot a drunk driver in Harare? Answer: he’s the one driving in a straight line. The joke was in the context of the dire economic situation […]
Continue ReadingRecently there has been a campaign raging over the East Reading MRT, a bus, cycle and walking route between the station and Thames Valley Park. Many local people have been protesting vehemently about the destructive impact on their much loved green lung, formed by the Kennet Mouth, the Coal Woodland protected Local Wildlife Site to […]
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Oxford Road is due a redesign! As many of you know, Oxford Road is a major route for cyclists into and out of the town. It is certainly not ideal: you share a relatively narrow road with cars that are either stationary due to the traffic, or go too fast for it to be pleasant, […]
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The Vastern Road roundabout by Reading Bridge is by far the most dangerous area for cyclists in Reading. The official collision records (STATS19) show 19 cyclist casualties in three years. These atrocious figures should be generating urgent action by Reading Borough Council. Unfortunately, four months after the issue being raised RCC have seen no remedial […]
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A Caversham walkabout meeting was held with Adele Barnett-Ward, who is a prospective Labour candidate for the Caversham Ward, accompanied by three cycle campaigners. Adele rides a bike slowly (she says) and therefore is keen to make cycling safer and feel safer. We spent nearly two hours looking at Caversham’s streets and discussing various issues. […]
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The Newsletter Editor interviewed Cllr Debs Absolom to find out more about her and what she thinks about cycling issues. You have recently become the Chair of the Traffic Management Sub-committee and the Cycle Forum. Did you seek these positions out due to a particular interest in transport issues? I took on the role as […]
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In 2017 the UK Government published its first Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy which sets out the Government’s ambition to make walking and cycling the natural choices for shorter journeys or as part of a longer journey. The Strategy sets a target of doubling cycle journeys by 2025. As part of the Strategy the Department […]
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