Balance Bike Sessions for 3 – 5 year olds

York Sport Village Cycle Circuit :

Starting Fri 5 Aug :

10.00am – 10.45am & 11.00am – 11.45am :

£4

Aug 5_Balance BikesFun and enjoyable sessions for young children to learn to ride balance bikes.  By learning through games and activities with qualified cycle training instructors, these sessions provide youngsters with a very positive early experience of being on two wheels which can help with the transition to a pedal bike without a need for stabilisers.

Balance Bikes and helmets are provided for the duration of the session, but you are welcome to bring your child’s own balance bike and helmet if you wish to.

The dates are as follows :

Fri 5 Aug, Mon 8 Aug, Fri 12 Aug, Mon 15 Aug, Fri 19 Aug, Mon 22 Aug, Fri 26 Aug, Fri 2 Sep

The sessions will be £4.00 per child. Sessions to be paid for at York Sport Village Reception and receipt taken to Cycle Circuit.  There are 12 places available per session.

York Sport Village Cycle Circuit, Lakeside Way, York YO10 5FG

Conveniently located near the Park & Ride at Grimston Bar and the University of York, York Sport Village is easily accessible on foot, by cycle, car or public transport (the number 66 stops right outside!). There are 250 car parking spaces, including dedicated accessible and parent and child parking.

For more information visit itravel or email cycle.training@york.gov.uk or ring 01904 555579.

Facebook – www.facebook.com/iTravelYork

Twitter – @itravelyork

Council to spend £800,000 on rapid chargers for electric vehicles

Many transport investment projects – due to be completed in the last financial year – will now be slipped into the current year.

A council report says that “This high level of underspend was due to delays in progressing some of the larger schemes in the programme; additional DfT funding being received too late in the year to deliver the schemes; and delivery of some schemes under budget”.

In total over £8 million will be spent.

Traffic lights will be moderdenised

Traffic lights will be modernised

  • £1.6 million of this will go on public transport mainly involving bus stop improvements and modifications to reduce emissions.
  • £3.6 million will be spent on traffic management including £1.2 million on easing problems on the A19 near Fulford, £800,000 on “rapid vehicle chargers” and over £400,000 on renewing traffic signals
  • £1.2 million will be spent on pedestrian and cycle schemes with the largest proportion of this going on a new cycle/pedestrian crossing next to Scarborough Bridge
  • £300,000 is allocated to safety schemes including improvements near Hob Moor School (changes to signing & lining), at the Kingsway West/Tudor Road junction and at the Cornlands Road/Gale Lane junction

Following a successful bid to the Government’s Office of Low Emission Vehicles, the council has been awarded £800k funding for the installation of rapid charger hubs around the outer ring road and city centre areas over the next two years. The Council will also complete the installation of electric vehicle rapid charging points at ten businesses in York.

Council report lacks transparency!

Council report lacks transparency!

The Council says that the conversion of tour buses to electric drive was not progressed in 2015/16 due to delays in appointing a contractor to carry out the work. It is proposed to add the £476k grant to the 2016/17 programme to allow the conversion work to be progressed.

Existing "cycle network" click to access

Existing “cycle network” click to access

Although funding has been allocated for the installation of electronic “next bus” real time information screens at sub-urban bus stops it is unclear whether the busy stops in Acomb will finally get the facility.

A full list of the scheme due to be completed this year can be seen by clicking here.

Separately the Council is trying to sort out where it goes next with improvements to the cycle network. The Council currently has 141 separate cycles schemes in the pipeline for implementation.

We think this is too many and that they should concentrate resources on providing direct, off road, links on routes with the highest commuter demand. They are taking a step towards that approach at a meeting next week.

Under a newly prioritised list the most urgent schemes are now judged to be:

  • University Road/Field Lane (near University),
  • Monkgate roundabout,
  • York University internal links (Heslington East)
  • Tower Gardens access gates &
  • a cross City centre route (e.g. High Petergate / Low Petergate / Colliergate / Fossgate / Walmgate)
Extensions of the expensive orbital cycle path around the A1237 – controversially started near Monks Cross – will now have a low priority.

What’s on in York: Free Guided Bike Rides in York!

Various meeting points : Sun 15 May : Various Times : Free

British Cycling _Sky Ride Local Poster - Social MediaThe City of York Council Sport and Active Leisure Team have continued their partnership with British Cycling to provide the Sky Ride Local programme to York residents. The Sky Ride Local programme offers free guided bike rides starting at a variety of locations across the city.

This year’s programme offers riders with progressive rides over a 10 week block starting from one of three locations within the city. This article is promoting the rides taking place around the Heslington area. The programme offers three beginner/easy rides, followed by four steady/intermediate rides, followed by three challenging rides.

It is encouraged that people book onto these rides in advance via http://www.goskyride.com/. The website also provides further information about the rides, including ride duration and meeting points. Information on rides starting from different locations within York is also available via the above link. If you have any questions please contact Matt Orme (Matthew.Orme@york.gov.uk) on 01904 551577.

The first two rides take place at the York Cycle Circuit, the timings for which vary. Following this all rides will start at 10am, although the finish time will depend upon length/difficulty of ride. Exact timings for all rides are available at http://www.goskyride.com/.

Plus many more cycling events throughout May.

  • Bike Belles Social ride to Askham Bryan follow link here
  • Try Cycling Saturdays follow link here.
  • Bike Belles York Greenways Charity ride in aid of York Blind and Partially Society follow link here
  • Coffee and Cake Bike Maintenance Workshop follow link here.

 

Spring into action with Sky Ride Local in York

Sky rideResidents are being encouraged to get out and about on their bikes this spring and explore York and the surrounding area with Sky Ride Local, a series of free guided bike rides.

British Cycling and Sky, in partnership with City of York Council, have scheduled a series of Sky Ride Local rides in York for 2016. The rides are guided by British Cycling Ride Leaders along scenic local routes and pitched at three different levels. Rides will cater for complete beginners with easy going rides to people who like to test their skills with more challenging rides.

The free, guided rides begin on Sunday 10 April at 10am with an easy-going four mile ride starting from Rowntree Park taking in the Knavesmire.

Further rides will take place on:
17 April – Rowntree Park – easygoing (four miles)
24 April – Rowntree Park – easygoing (four miles)
1 May – Rowntree Park – steady (six miles)

To register for a free guided bike ride, to see the full calendar of up and coming rides or find out more about getting into cycling, visit: www.goskyride.com/York

Cllr Nigel Ayre, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism, said: “The York Sky Ride Local programme gives residents an opportunity to discover the joys of cycling on great routes in and around York with the help of friendly ride leaders. I’d encourage people to dust off their bikes and take part as there are routes for all abilities and it’s a great way to get some of your 150 minutes of recommended exercise a week.”

 

Holgate Road cycle scheme

A report which outlines plans for a preferred layout for the Holgate Road cycle scheme following a consultation with local residents will be considered on Thursday 14 April at a Decision Session for the Executive Member for Transport and Planning.

The report includes proposed changes to Holgate road between the Iron Bridge and Acomb Road to provide more continuous cycle lanes.

The new scheme aims to address the balance between the need for residential parking and a cycle lane.

In 2013 a feasibility study was carried out looking at the possibility of providing continuous cycle lanes along Holgate Road between the Iron Bridge and Acomb Road. The study showed that the cycle lane provision would be largely determined by the amount of on street parking.

The Decision Session takes place on Thursday 14 April at West Offices from 2pm and is open to members of the public or is available to watch later online from: www.york.gov.uk/webcasts

To find out more about the report, or to attend, visit: http://democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=738&MId=9035

Police target cyclists without lights in York

In high-profile operation over the next few days, officers will be targeting cyclists in York who cause a danger to themselves by cycling without lights during hours of darkness.
Incident - Cycle

There are many who continue to break the law  and this initiative is designed to highlight the real danger these people cause to themselves and others by not displaying lights on their bikes in the dark.

The initiative will see Police Officers  issuing  tickets for cycling offences and offering advice and education on the dangers of cycling without  lights.   City of York Council  have funded a limited amount of high-visibility rucksack covers and small sets of emergency cycle lights, to support the campaign.  These will be given to children and other vulnerable people as part of this education programme which makes up part of this initiative.

The latest phase of the operation follows the launch of the campaign with a ‘night of action’ in October last year, which saw 36 Traffic Offence Reports issued to cyclists without lights on in just a few hours.
(more…)

Acomb resident wins cycle

 

cycleA resident from Acomb has ridden away with a new bike ahead of Christmas after winning i-Travel York’s grand prize for completing her personal travel challenge.

Ursula Balla has won a bike of her choice to the value of £150 from the cycle shop Recycle York in i-Travel York’s grand prize draw. She won the prize after successfully completing a personal travel challenge to walk more following a visit from one of  i-Travel York’s team of trained travel advisors.

Executive member for Transport and Planning, Cllr Ian Gillies, said: “Over 7,000 households across York like Ursula’s have benefited during 2015 from the most extensive door-to-door exercise ever carried out by City of York Council. Travel advisors have been providing tailored travel advice and incentives to help encourage residents to make informed choices on sustainable travel options such as cycling, walking, car sharing and public transport.”

As part of the initiative, participants were offered the chance to take part in a personal travel challenge to try different ways of travelling and have the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw for completing their challenge successfully.

Ursula and her family were interested in walking as an option to keep active and healthy, so the visit by i-Travel York came about at the right time. For her personal travel challenge, Ursula set herself a target of walking 30 minutes a day.

Ursula said: “It was actually quite easy to achieve and much more convenient than going to a gym! I simply walked home a lot from work rather than getting lifts in the car.”

Ursula also persuaded her husband to get involved “We downloaded some walking maps and went walking together in the summer, which we really enjoyed, we even went as far out as Tadcaster. It’s been a great way to spend more quality time together and talk.”

“‘I’m delighted to have won a bike from Recycle, and am looking forward to getting back out on a bike again!” says Ursula.

Brad Want of Recycle York in Walmgate who donated the prize said: “Congratulations to Ursula on winning the prize! It’s nice to be able to give something back to the community.”

The shop specialises in rescuing and rebuilding unwanted bikes. For more information visit www.re-cycleyork.co.uk

For more information on the i-Travel York programme please visit www.itravelyork.info

Cyclists without lights targeted in York police safety campaign

A clampdown on people cycling without lights in York has been hailed a success.
Incident - Cycle

Police officers and PCSOs, supported by volunteer Special Constables, took part in an operation at Bootham, Micklegate and Walmgate bars last night, aimed at keeping cyclists and other road users safe.

The vast majority of cyclists seen by officers were correctly and safely using lights. However, 36 Traffic Offence Reports were issued to cyclists who didn’t have lights on their bikes

A number of sets of emergency cycle lights and high-visibility rucksack covers were issued to some people who didn’t have lights, to enable them to carry on their journey safely – for example, to young people who would otherwise have had to walk a long distance home.

The lights and rucksack covers have been funded by City of York Council – part of a cycle safety campaign that ran for the first time last year.

Inspector Lee Pointon, of York Police, said: “The operation was really well received, with many pedestrians stopping to make positive comments about the proactive campaign.

“We will undertake further operations over the next few weeks, ensuring that we continue to have a direct and positive effect on the safety of people in the city.”

Cyclists are urged to visit www.northyorkshire.police.uk/cyclesafety for police videos and advice on cycling safely.

Pupils get in to gear with cycle training

 cycle dog Funny-Cycling-291Pupils at Hempland Primary School have proved they are wheelie good at riding their bikes after becoming the first pupils in York to receive advanced cycle training thanks to a partnership with City of York Council’s Road Safety Team.

The training is part of the Bikeability National Standard Training Course. Pupils at Hempland school were able to take part in a combined Level 1 and 2 course in year 5 and Level 3 training was offered to year 6 pupils.  Level 3 training see’s pupils learn the skills to cycle on busier roads, navigate complex road systems, understand road position and decision making.

(more…)

Improved cycle links introduced on Monks Cross route

City of York Council is carrying out works to introduce improved off-road cycle facilities and provide a new crossing and resurfaced road on a busy route leading to one of York’s top retail and business destinations.

road worksThe first phase of works started this week on Jockey Lane, leading to Monks Cross, which is programmed to last up to six weeks.

Works involve modifications to the kerb lines and improvements to the southern footway between The Range store and Sainsbury’s, which will widen the footway to accommodate shared use by cyclists and pedestrians. A new zebra crossing will also be introduced near the Sainsbury’s store entrance.
(more…)