Get into gear for the Festival of Cycling

 

A renowned free event, the York Festival of Cycling will return once again to Rowntree Park on Sunday 3 September.

The cycling event has something for the whole family with all sorts of fun pedal powered activities and attractions for people to take part in.

There will be bikes and trikes of all shapes and sizes including adapted bikes, balance bikes and tandems for people to test ride on the day.

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “The festival of cycling gives residents and visitors a great opportunity to find out about the travel and health benefits of cycling, no matter how old or fit you are. It’s also a fantastic way to see our great city!”

BMX stunt team ‘Savage Skills’ will be performing throughout the day showing some of the amazing stunts and tricks that can be done on two wheels. There will also be ‘The AirBag’ for those brave enough to try out their own airborne tricks without the worry of a hard landing.

North Yorkshire Police will be on hand with their state of the art ‘dot peen’ property marking machine. They will be security marking cycles and other valuable items during the day free of charge.

The i-Travel York team will also be available to provide travel advice and information for residents to encourage them to try out sustainable modes of travel, including cycling and walking. For more information visit www.itravelyork.info

Free cycling taster session at Energise aimed at older people

 

The council is inviting York’s older residents to saddle up and try cycling at a series of free taster sessions and courses that will help people new to cycling to build their confidence and skills.

Taster sessions will be on offer at the off-road York Sport cycle track on 23 March from 10am-12 noon and 28 March from 1-3pm.

Courses that aim to help those new to cycling to ride with confidence will be on offer across the city, taking place on:

  • · 6, 13, 20, 27 April at Energise from 3-5pm
  • · 5, 12, 19 and 26 April at York Sport cycle track from 1-3pm
  • · 6, 13, 20, 27 April at Rowntree Park from 10.30am – 12.30pm
  • · 5, 12, 19 and 26 April at Burnholme form 10.30am – 12.30pm (indoors)

Regular cycling has been proven to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and strokes. It can also help to also enhance mental wellbeing. It’s also a great way to keep weight under control and contributes to the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise for adults.

Executive member for transport and planning, Cllr Ian Gillies, said: “Cycling is a great way to stay fit and healthy as it is a low impact activity where participants can do as much or as little as they feel comfortable with. It also offers a good low cost transport method for getting in and around the city.”

To book a place on a session or course email fiona.barker@york.gov.uk or call 01904 553377. Free cycle hire is also available on a first come first served basis for people who need a bike. For more information visit www.itravelyork.info

York #travelwithtots rides off with national award

City of York Council’s i-Travel York initiative has won a national award for the York Bike Belles #travelwithtots campaign at the annual Modeshift awards in the ‘Excellence in Cycling’ category.

cargo-bike-rolling-orange-e1310195710292The campaign which was run in partnership with Sustrans targeted parents and carers of pre-school children in mainly harder to reach areas. Over 600 carers and children took part in sessions over the course of the project. 95 per cent of carers who took part had not tried cycling with their tots before with 75 per cent now cycling more often thanks to the project.

#travelwithtots uses targeted social media messages and confidence-building activities to address safety concerns, lack of awareness of equipment and lack of confidence among participants.

The campaign has three main sections, Try Cycling sessions, bike loans and additional community support. At each Try Cycling session, participants were offered flexible support with free bike and equipment try outs, safety advice and cycle confidence training. Participants were also offered bike loans in partnership with Giant York and signposted to York’s Sky Ride Local and Ride Social programmes.

Modeshift are a not-for-profit organisation which promotes best practice in sustainable travel delivery. The York Bike Belles #travelwithtots project was funded by the Department for Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund. (more…)

Dozens of cyclists spoken to in bike light safety operation in York

A campaign to keep road users safe in York saw 17 cyclists reported for offences and 12 more given words of advice on Tuesday 18 October.
Dozens of cyclists spoken to in bike light safety operationOfficers were at the city’s

  • Micklegate,
  • Bootham and
  • Walmgate Bars

for two hours on Tuesday evening, to target the minority of cyclists who cause a danger to themselves and others by cycling without lights during hours or darkness, as well as those who cycle on footpaths.

The high-profile campaign will continue as the nights draw in, with further evening operations planned.

As part of the campaign, City of York Council has funded high-visibility rucksack covers and small sets of emergency cycle lights. They will be offered to young people and other vulnerable people who would otherwise have to walk home if they were forced to continue their journey without lights. Officers will continue to issue tickets for cycling offences if necessary.

PCSO Chris Turner, of York Police, said: “The nights are getting much darker now, and it is really important that cyclists take their safety on the roads seriously. Having lights on your bike which are in good working order is essential to ensure that other road users can see you and drive accordingly.

“This operation has in the past been well-received by cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. Thanks to our joint work with City of York Council, cyclists who put themselves and others at risk can be educated and sent on their way, not just with a ticket or fine, but also with the means to get home safely if they are vulnerable.”

Bike light campaign aims keep York cyclists safe

  • Bike lightsA cycle safety campaign will launch in York this month, as North Yorkshire Police and City of York Council urge cyclists to stay safe on the roads.

    In a series of high-profile operations over the coming weeks, officers will be targeting cyclists in York who cause a danger to themselves and others by cycling without lights during hours of darkness, as well as those who cycle on footpaths.

    They will also be available to speak to cyclists to provide them with advice and education on cycling safely.

    As part of the campaign, City of York Council has funded high-visibility rucksack covers and small sets of emergency cycle lights. They will be offered to young people and other vulnerable people who would otherwise have to walk home if they were forced to continue their journey without lights. Officers will continue to issue tickets for cycling offences if necessary.

    A similar operation in October 2015 saw 36 Traffic Offence Reports issued to cyclists without lights on in just a few hours.

    PCSO Chris Turner, of York Police, said: “The nights are getting much darker now, and it is really important that cyclists take their safety on the roads seriously. Having lights on your bike which are in good working order is essential to ensure that other road users can see you and drive accordingly.

    “This operation has in the past been well-received by cyclists, pedestrians and motorists. Thanks to our joint work with City of York Council, cyclists who put themselves and others at risk can be educated and sent on their way, not just with a ticket or fine, but also with the means to get home safely if they are vulnerable.”

    Locations will be:

    Walmgate Bar

    Bootham Bar

    Micklegate Bar

Sky Ride York road closures on Sunday

On Sunday 11 September Sky Ride York will once again take to the city’s historic streets in partnership with City of York Council, British Cycling and Sky.

Click to view

Click to view

In 2015 Sky Ride York saw over 8,500 cyclists take to a 7km route taking in famous York landmarks including Clifford’s Tower and York Minster

Due to the size and scale of the event there will be a number of temporary traffic and transport changes to ensure the safety of everyone taking part.

The Route (more…)

Get in gear for the York Festival of Cycling

A renowned free event, the York Festival of Cycling will return once again on Sunday 11 September.

The event has something for the whole family from toddlers to grandparents with all sorts of pedal powered activities for people to take part in. There will be bikes and trikes of all shapes and sizes including adapted bikes, balance bikes and tandems for people to test ride.

While the Council is right to promote cycling as an environmentally friendly way of getting around, we are increasingly worried about the quality of some of the cycle paths and cycle lanes in the City.
Cars blockig cycle path exit Bishopthorpe 23rd June 2011 Detritus leaves and litter Grange Lane cycle path 1400 13th Dec 2015 Detritus on cycle path near tesco roundabout Tadcaster rd Entrance to sustans cycle path blocked by overgrown hedge 19th June 2011 PM Hedge overgrowing cycle path back Martin Cheeseman Court nettles Water Lane Hazelnut Grove cycle path 0900 5th Sept 2016 Overgrown cycle path near Tesco 5th June 2012 Trees impeding cycle path Tadcaster near Tesco 19th June 2011 Trees overhanging cycle path Tadcaster Road 19th June 2011 Overgrown hedge cycle path Skiddaw to Eden Close

Many cycle paths have become overgrown by nettles, brambles, bushes and trees. Some entrances to the paths are obstructed by parked vehicles while broken glass can also be a problem.

We think that the Council needs to check the paths and lanes on a regular basis and make sure that they are clear and safe for users. 

BMX stunt team ‘Savage Skills’ will be performing throughout the day showing some of the amazing tricks that can be done on two wheels. There will also be ‘The AirBag’ for BMXers to try out their airborne tricks without the worry of a hard landing.

North Yorkshire Police will be on hand with their state of the art ‘dot peen’ property marking machine. They will be security marking cycles and other valuable items during the day free of charge.

Re-Cycle York will be providing a Doctor Bike service at the event to give festival attendees a free health check of their bike.

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “Now in its seventh year the Festival of Cycling continues to draw huge crowds year after year. The festival gives residents and visitors a great opportunity to find out about the health benefits and how fun cycling can be for people of all ages and abilities.”

The i-Travel York team will also be available to provide travel advice and information for residents to encourage them to try out sustainable modes of travel, including cycling and walking. For more information visit Festival of Cycling.

On Sunday 11 September Sky Ride York will take place giving people the chance to ride around a 7km traffic free loop taking in some of the city’s picturesque streets and historic landmarks. The route will be open from 11am-4pm giving residents the chance to ride it as much, or as little as they want and at a pace to suit everyone. Residents and visitors can sign up to Sky Ride York at www.goskyride.com/YorkSkyRide

Cyclists on the Sky Ride York route will be able to enter Rowntree Park from both the Butchers Field/Butchers terrace and Terry Avenue entrances.

What’s on in York: Sky Ride returns to York for final lap!

Sky-Ride-Cycling-York-2013-5-©-OneOther-345x230Following the hugely popular Sky Ride in 2015 which saw over 8,000 cyclists take to the city’s famous streets, the country’s last ever Sky Ride big city event will take place in York on 11 September.

Following the hugely popular Sky Ride in 2015 which saw over 8,000 cyclists take to the city’s famous streets, the country’s last ever Sky Ride big city event will take place in York on Sunday 11 September.

Cyclists of all ages and abilities will have the chance to take to York’s historic streets on two wheels on a fantastic 7km route taking in some of city’s most famous landmarks, including York Minster and Clifford’s Tower.

During Sky Ride York there will be music and entertainment, competitions plus a traffic-free route to ride around the centre of York that will allow bike riders to see York from a different perspective.

Sky Ride York will launch at 11am at the scenic start location at the Eye of York overlooked by Clifford’s Tower, although riders can join anywhere on the route until 4pm. Road closures will be in place throughout the morning until approximately 5pm, or as soon as possible after the event has finished to ensure the safety of everyone taking part.

The York Festival of Cycling will take place on the same day and will once again give residents and visitors the chance to take part in all sorts of pedal powered activities in Rowntree Park, a stone’s throw away from the Sky Ride Route. A stunt team will also be on hand throughout the day to show off their jaw dropping skills.
(more…)