Cyclists without lights targeted in York police safety campaign

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

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.

University Road safety improvements

A report outlining proposed additional safety enhancements to University Road will go to the Decision Session for the Executive Member for Transport and Planning on 10 September.

The proposals include adding two extra pairs of speed cushions to further help enforce the local 20mph speed limit in the area. The limit was introduced in the first phase to help increase pedestrian safety when crossing the road. It is also proposed that a central crossing point is added to the existing speed table near to the bus stop to make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross the road.

These amendments follow on from the original scheme of work that was carried out in the autumn of 2014 which saw improvements to bus stops, a 20mph zone introduced and the construction of a shared use pedestrian and cycle path.

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North Yorkshire Police host biker safety events

In a continued effort to reduce motorcyclists’ deaths on our regions roads North Yorkshire Police are launching a series of biker events as part of the National Police Chiefs Council Motorcycle Week of Action.

Starting on Bank Holiday Monday and continuing throughout the week, BikeSafe events will take place in a number of locations popular with bikers.

BikeSafe is a nationwide police-led motorcyclist casualty reduction initiative that is run by the majority of forces throughout the country.

A BikeSafe workshop explores the main riding hazards that face bikers on a daily basis. We know that unfortunately 70% of motorcycle collisions are down to rider error; such as taking the wrong line through bends or inappropriate overtaking. By delivering theory based presentations and observed rides, the workshops aim to help riders discover their strengths and weaknesses and also where to go next to develop and get more from their biking.

The BikeSafe scheme is also supported by 95 Alive partnership colleagues who regularly visit venues popular with bikers, promoting Bikesafe and distributing other potentially lifesaving information

Events are scheduled to take place throughout the week at the following times and locations:

Mon 31st Aug – Helmsley Market Place from 12 to 6pm
Weds 2nd Sept – Manor Café, Bellerby from 4pm to 8pm
Thurs 3rd Sept – Whistlestop Café, Whitby from 4pm to 8pm
Sat 5th Sept – Squires Café, Sherburn in Elmet from 10am to 7pm

Police advanced motorcycle officers will be on hand to provide advice and information. Riders will also be able to pick up a copy of the Biker’s Guide to North Yorkshire which has been produced by the 95 Alive York and North Yorkshire Road Safety partnership. The guide provides invaluable advice about riding in North Yorkshire, highlighting hazards and high-risk locations on the most popular riding routes.

Traffic Sergeant Sean Grey, who is the Regional BikeSafe Coordinator said:

“BikeSafe is an invaluable scheme which provides constructive advice to enable riders to get the most out of their biking. By improving skills, knowledge and hazard awareness it makes riding safer and more enjoyable. The events are open to all to come along, have a chat with us to learn more about the training and enrol on a course. ”

As part of the week’s actions, the regions high risk locations will also receive increased police attention with support being provided by the NPAS helicopter on key routes.

Police will also be using a range of other enforcement methods, combining high visibility patrols, unmarked patrols, covert patrols, unmarked motorcycle equipped with speed detection and video recording equipment and mobile safety camera vans.

DCC Tim Madgwick, who is the NPCC Lead for Motorcycling said:

“The BikeSafe scheme offers riders a great opportunity to improve their skills, get more from their riding and ultimately keep themselves and other roads users safe – we know that the more training you get, the better and safer the rider you become.

“From the extensive research conducted by the 95 Alive partnership, five strong themes have been identified which cause the majority of collisions – filtering, junctions, cornering, overtaking and group riding. If we can assist riders in improving their handling of these hazards, this will lead to less tragedy on our roads.

Set back for electric buses in York?

There are calls for electric buses to be removed from York roads until the cause of today’s fire in one of the vehicles has been traced.

The affected vehicles only joined Firsts fleet a short time ago but any incident like this is likely to dent passengers confidence.

York Press:

The fire occurred in the Hungate area. At one point there was a small explosion. Firefighters were initially hindered by high electric currents in the vehicle

The bus driver has been praised for promptly ensuring that his passengers evacuated the vehicle. There were no reported injuries.

New river safety information pack launched for schools

A new river safety resource pack for schools has launched this week, having been developed to help reach every child in every school and build an early understanding of the risks of open water.

It’s also been endorsed by a York headteacher who saved a drowning man from the frozen Ouse in 2010.

One of the priorities of the council-commissioned River Safety Action Plan (RoSPA) is to improve education about river safety. Following a campaign devised by York St John University’s Students Union, supported by the partnership, the council has also developed a new information and resources pack for use by schools across the city.
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Latest “behind closed doors” decisions by York Council

Holgate Road cycle lane

Parking is to be removed and cycle lanes installed on the uphills section of Holgate Road between Poppleton Road and Watson Street.

Some currently unrestricted carriageway will become Respark spaces.

Click here for diagram showing the proposals

Osbaldwick Lane – extension of 20 mph zone with traffic calming

Click here for map of (revised at annex B) plans

Millthorpe Secondary School – School Keep Clear

Making an Order will allow enforcement of the existing School Keep Clear zig-zag markings, to prevent dangerous parking by the entrance at school times and therefore improve safety for pupils.

Click here for a copy of the plan

Archbishop Holgate’s School – Proposed School Keep Clear and No Waiting At Any Time Traffic Regulation Orders

Click here for copy of plan (annex B)

Pinch Point Scheme, A19 South Transport Corridor – Phase 1 (Designer Outlet/Fulford area)

Click here for proposed revised layout

Free lights scheme to keep York cyclists safe

North Yorkshire Police and City of York Council have joined forces to help keep cyclists safe this winter.

During the dark nights, North Yorkshire Police’s Cycle Response Team are handing out free LED cycle lights to people who they stop riding without them while out on patrol.

Officers are giving the lights, which have been supplied by City Of York Council’s Road Safety Team, to people cycling alone to help keep them safe.

Not everyone officers stop will be entitled to the cycle lights. They will be given to youngsters or other vulnerable people who would otherwise have to walk home if they were forced to continue their journey without lights.

Officers are also giving out reflective back pack covers.
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York launches new summer safety campaign

Plan Safe, Drink Safe, Home Safe – that’s the message York’s River Safety Group is sending people in the city this summer as a new campaign launches on Saturday 19 July.

The campaign has been developed and market-tested by York St John University Students’ Union.
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Out of this world cycling video is a hit with students!

A series of informative videos have been created to promote cycling in a safe and courteous manner around York.

The videos, which are part of the i-Travel York initiative, feature an alien cycling along some of York’s well known cycle tracks, giving tips and advice to cyclists along the way.

The videos encourage cyclists to ride with lights, lock their bike securely and ride on the road and designated cycle paths.

The project is supported by the council’s four-year i-Travel York initiative, made possible by £4.6 million of government funding which the council successfully bid for in 2011.

The videos can be viewed at

http://www.york.ac.uk/admin/estates/transport/cycling/security/meet-the-alien/

Now York Council botches clinical waste collection

Apparently one Holgate resident has been waiting for 10 days for her grey bin to be emptied.

Although the issue will be familiar to many, given the shambolic reorganisation of bins collections over the last week, this case raises more serious issues.

The home concerned is one that is on the schedule for the collection of clinical waste. This type of waste is collected regularly by the Council prior to incineration.

Despite EIGHT attempts to contact the council, the waste remains on the street.

An appalling state of affairs.

NB. The Council describes its clinical and medical waste service in the following terms.

The council offers a free collection to householders who need to dispose of any clinical waste which arises from treatments at home, for example, sharps (needles) or yellow bagged waste. The collections are usually arranged as a result of referral by a GP, hospital, health visitor, district nurse or home care assistant. Please contact us to arrange either a one-off or a regular collection. Please note that we do not provide replacement empty sharps boxes, you will need to request this from your health care provider.
The council can help you to dispose of other non-hazardous medical waste, for example, dressing and packaging, which may not fit in your bin. Please contact us to discuss how we can help you.

It says that a collection can be arranged by clicking here