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Norwich Evening News, Wednesday 17th June 2009
Explore Rail Routes by Bike
People are being encouraged to explore the county by bicycle and train with the launch of a new leaflet.
National Express East Anglia in conjunction with The Bittern and Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnerships yesterday launched the new edition of their 'CycleRail' leaflet at Norwich station.
The pamphlet provides helpful information for visitors and tourists wishing to explore the attractive Bittern and Wherry line routes by rail and bicycle.
The information provided includes details of cycle hire facilities, how to make reservations, the cycle rescue scheme, associated websites and relevant tourist information, all of which will help cyclists make the most of their visit.
James Steward, National Express East Anglia's area manager for rural routes, said: "We're pleased to welcome cyclists onto our Bittern and Wherry line train services.
"The 'CycleRail' leaflet is a must for anyone wishing to explore north and east Norfolk by bike, from details of cycle hire shops in the area, to how to reserve a space for your bike on our trains; it provides lots of helpful information.
"The scenic Norfolk landscape, with its large skies and expansive Fens make perfect cycling country. I hope this leaflet encourages more people to explore the area by bicycle and train."
At the launch, the historic 1895 Crypto Bantam bike was on display and Community Rail Partnership officer Ian Dinmore, along with representatives from Norfolk County Council and National Express East Anglia, delivered the first batch of the leaflets to the station.
Lydia Smith, team manager for Norfolk Tourism, said: "Using the Bittern and Wherry lines to access cycling routes is a great idea. "The CycleRail leaflet will help local residents and visitors plan cycling trips to North Norfolk and the Broads, and leave the car at their accommodation or home, as well as the nearest railway station."
Norwich Evening News, Monday 15th June 2009
Pedal power can ease daily commute
As a week-long initiative to encourage people to get on their bikes gets underway, Environment Reporter Kate Scotter takes a look at the advantages of using pedal power to get to work.
Cycling has proven to be the cheapest and quickest way to get to and from work.
As part of National Bike Week, which officially started on Saturday and urges people to swap four wheels for two, Norwich Cycling Campaign and the Evening News held a Top Gear-style commuter challenge from work to home.
Our reporter Kate Scotter drove to the chosen destination, while Michael Dale, from the cycling group, cycled and fellow member Virginia Greasley took the bus.
All three set off from the newspaper's offices in Rouen Road and headed to the Woodcock Road shops at the junction with Catton Grove Road at about 3.50pm.
The bike was the first to arrive, completing the two and a half mile journey in just 14 minutes, while the car was the second to roll up, two minutes later.
The bus, however, arrived fifteen minutes later as it took a quarter of an hour for the bus to arrive, with the journey itself taking 10 minutes.
Mr Dale, who cycles from his home in Elm Grove Lane to St Andrew's Business Park each day, said: "If you are travelling in rush hour and for a distance of five miles or less then the bike is likely to be quicker. By the time you get in your car, belt up and get going, the cyclist can be well on their way.
"For my own trip to work, it's about five miles and takes about 20 minutes. If I got the bus, I would have to catch two and it would take more than an hour.
"Cycling is more efficient, it's certainly cheaper and it's more enjoyable in some respects."
The bike took a route from the Archant car park, down Cattle Market Street to Tombland and along Magdalen Street before turning left into Stacy Road and taking the cycle cut-through to Waterloo Road before heading along Angel Road and then Catton Grove Road to reach the destination.
Meanwhile, the car followed a similar route at first but continued along Magdalen Street, which turns into Magdalen Road, and forked left up St Clements Hill before taking the left turn down Woodcock Road to reach the shops.
Mrs Greasley, who normally travels around the city by bike, said: "The bus was very good and once I got on, it just sailed through, but in rush hour I think it would've taken twice as long.
"The driver was very helpful and everyone was very cheerful on the bus but I still prefer my bike."
To commute five miles each way, it has been calculated going by car would cost £5137.2 annually, while cycling would cost between £100 and £200. Going by bus would cost between £530 and £1012 per year.
A series of events will take place this week as part of National Bike Week. On Saturday, Dr Bike and an information stall were outside St Peter Mancroft, opposite the Forum, offering free bike checks and information for cyclists.
Cyclists are then invited to join an evening pub and meal ride which will see a group cycle from the Forum at 6.15pm on Tuesday, June 16, or alternatively at the University of East Anglia Porters Lodge at 6.30 pm, to The Cock in Barford for meal and drinks.
The week will then be rounded off with the Ketts Rebellion Bike Ride on Sunday, June 21.
Meeting outside Norwich Prison in Britannia Road at 9.30am, the group will head through the city to Cringleford Bridge, Eaton and on to Wymondham stopping en route to discuss the rebellion.
Copyright © 2009 Archant Regional.
EEN Friday February 20, 2009
One-way plan to go ahead despite delay Anglia Square delay
Traffic planners have allayed fears that a new one-way system will be delayed by the downturn in development due to the recession. Highways teams at the city and county councils are still planning for a summer start on a new traffic scheme for St Augustine's, despite the delay to the Anglia Square development. It had been hoped that the multi-million pound redevelopment of the shopping precinct would start this year, but that is now in doubt. However, the traffic scheme, which is aimed at lowering air pollution and needs to be put in place before the development can go ahead, does not depend on funding from the developers. Norwich City Council said it was waiting for formal planning permission for the redevelopment .of Anglia Square, which is to become Calvert Square, and agreements over developers contributions. Then a strip of land between Edward Street and Pitt Street, which is owned by the developers, can then be transferred to Norfolk County Council so work can start. Stuart McLaren, of St Augustine's Community Together Residents' Association, said: "We are pleased it doesn't depend on funding from the development and be another two years before the residents of St Augustine's see the air quality improvements." It has been estimated that up to 17,000 vehicles use St Augustine's each day, so the air quality is poor. To alleviate this, a one-way system is planned based on St Augustine's becoming one way north-bound, Road, and Edward Street one way south-bound. A link road will be built between Edward Street and Pitt Street. Junctions will be controlled by traffic signals and include pedestrian facilities. Bakers Road will be closed to traffic at its junction with St Augustine The scheme, a joint project between the county and city councils, will include street and landscape enhancements. Spokesmen for both councils confirmed work was expected to begin in the summer. Earlier this month Centenary Ashcroft was unable to say when work would start on demolishing Anglia Square shopping centre.
Do you have a story about a development in the city? Call reporter Kim Briscoe on 01603772419 or email kim.briscoe@archant.co.uk
EEN
Business case for new road criticised
Campaigners against a northern bypass for Norwich have commissioned an independent expert to assess the business plan put forward by Norfolk County Council. The Norwich and Norfolk Transport Action Group (NNTAG) has enlisted the help of transport planning consultant Keith Buchan, who assessed the concerns of the group and has presented his case to the Department for Transport and Norfolk County Council. His concerns about the proposed bypass also known as the northern distributor road (NDR), include a lack of proper consideration over alternatives to the road scheme, which would stretch from the A1067 west of Taverham to the A47 at Postwick Park and Ride, and significant increase in carbon emissions. Denise Carlo, spokeswoman for the NNTAG, said: "First of all we I asked him to produce an interim report for us and we've given a presentation to the Department for Transport and Norfolk County Council. "We also spoke about the Postwick Hub. We wanted Keith Buchan because it's better for national policy. "We wanted him to look at the Norwich distributor road traffic model and he's an expert in these things." The presentation, based on the interim report, was put before the DfT and the county council late last month. In the report Mr Buchan said: "The conclusion that the public transport option, as developed so far by the county, is extraordinarily ineffective therefore stands. "In general terms it remains the case that Norwich lacks an integrated plan which could deliver sustainable transport without the NDR. "The Department for Transport should reject the conclusions of the major business case, as submitted, and request that a sustainable transport plan for Norwich should be prepared." But Adrian Gunson, Norfolk County Council cabinet member for planning and transportation, defended the county council's business case for the northern distributor road. He said: "If the group has got a consultant saying the plan is no good, he's entitled to his view but I'm confident our plan has been professionally prepared and it's been done on sound principles and now we've submitted it."
What do you think? Write to Evening News Letters, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich, NR1 1RE or e-mail eveningnewsletters@archan.co.uk
Rebecca Gough rebecca.gough@archant.co.uk
EEN Saturday, February 28,2009
After shaky start marshals may be here to stay
Council and transport bosses have hailed the success of a marshalling scheme which helped free up the city's roads - even though hundreds of drivers initially ignored it. Private contractors were employed in the city on Saturdays in December to improve traffic control and move on motorists who were clogging up busy areas. The marshals, from EventGuard, took registration plates of drivers who ignored their directions and on the first day took 600-number plates. But by the last day less than 100 were taken, feedback from the scheme, was generally positive and was showed how traffic flow, was improved and congestion was eased, particularly close to Chapelfield shopping centre. The initiative was backed by Norfolk County Council and Norfolk Constabulary, and the accredited staff were deployed at a number of locations around Norwich city centre in the run-up to Christmas - mainly at car park queues and busy intersections where blockages occur. Traffic was successfully directed to ensure car parks were safe and traffic was not obstructing roads, with motorists who disobeyed directions reported to police if necessary. Key locations included the eastbound lane of Chapelfield, the entrance to Chapelfield car park and St Stephen's roundabout. Adrian Gunson, Norfolk County Council's cabinet member for planning and transportation, said the scheme's success paved the way for discussions about it being rolled out long-term. The practical arrangements of using marshals full-time to control traffic will be discussed at the county council's- planning, transportation, environment and waste overview and scrutiny panel on Wednesday. The county council will be asked to consider funding from within their existing budget for emergency incidents and regular events. The meeting will be held in Edwards Room, County Hall, Norwich.
-» Do you have a story about transport in Norwich? Call Evening News reporter Sarah Hall on 01603 772426 or email sarah.hall2@archant.co.uk
EEN February 2009
Cycle lanes are a thorny issue
Mark Vincent (EN, February 25), wants cyclists to be fined if they ride on the road where there are separate cycle lanes for them. Not in Little Plumstead, please. There, a magnificent cycle and pedestrian path was built recently over 1.5km long, but a thorn hedge has been planted along much of its length. When cut mechanically, this leaves thorns on the path that rule it out not only for puncture prone cyclists, but also for tender footed dogs. It's rumoured that a landowner with interests in this short- sighted development may also have interests in a business park in the village too, with searing light pollution that destroys any sight of evening skies. So far the road through the village is mercifully spared streetlights. If true, and I'm mown down when cycling on the road to avoid punctures, I'll come back to haunt him.
Peter Lanyon
The Times Tuesday March 31 2009
Wine-loving cyclists ride into a storm over 'prohibition' police
Nationwide crackdown to curb drinkers
Adam Sage Paris Marie was cycling home from a dinner party in Bordeaux after drinking five glasses of the local wine when she was stopped and breathalysed by police. "They said I was over the limit and put me in their car, drove me to the police station, strip-searched me and placed me in a cell," said the 49-year- old marketing executive. "It was a nightmare." That same evening this month, nine other cyclists were arrested in Bordeaux for drunkenness as part of a nationwide crackdown denounced by diners as an insult to the country's gastronomic tradition. Police claim that the action is in response to a spate of accidents involving road-users on two wheels, but it has increased an already heated debate over official attitudes toward alcohol consumption. French food lovers, who say it is impossible to savour the country's cuisine without its best-known beverage, are calling for tolerance when they cycle home afterwards. Seven years ago many reacted with indignation when the authorities launched a nationwide campaign against drink-driving to cut one of the highest road death rates in Europe. This, combined with other public health campaigns designed to reduce the French alcohol intake, has sparked anger in wine-growing regions. Marie-Christine Tarby-Maire, the chairwoman of Vin & Societe, the wine producers' association, says that France has fallen into the grip of "a prohibitionist lobby". In Bordeaux, where the row is dominating news headlines, 15 cyclists have been detained after being found to be above the legal limit, according to officials. They face fines of €90 (£84). Cyclists' associations say that dozens more have been arrested in other French towns and cities as the police adopt a similarly intransigent approach to drink-cycling. "Soon we'll be arrested if we walk home drunk," said Jean, 23, on a phone-in on Radio France, the state radio. Michel Duchene, the Deputy Mayor of Bordeaux, accused police of treating cyclists as "potential criminals". He said: "They are being stigmatised". However, Albert Doutre, the Bordeaux police chief, said that his officers were targeting all two-wheeled vehicles- motorbikes as well as cycles-because they were responsible for 60 per cent of accidents on urban roads. A total of 1,412 fines had been issued under the campaign. "It's surprising that the police are being criticised," he said. "If we didn't allow these people to sober up in custody we'd be leaving them in a dangerous condition where they'd be liable to commit an offence." Gastronomes are taking a different view. Marie, for instance, telephoned France Source: Times archives France Bleu Gironde, her local radio station, to complain about her treatment. "I was told to take off all my clothes except for my knickers so that I could be searched," she said. "After they told me I could get dressed again, "I was put in a cell on my own. I was thinking, 'I mustn't cry, I mustn't cry'. "Then I saw all these other cyclists being. brought in, handcuffed - apparently because they'd been drinking too much as well. It became sort of a farce"
The Observer 01/03/09
The great escape from bike theft
A stolen bicycle can leave the victim broke as well as stranded - but is traditional cover your best insurance? By Sally Hamilton
When the brusque Australian played by James Coburn was on the run from a prisoner-of-war camp in the second world war classic film The Great Escape, he did something that happens more than 1,000 times a day in Britain nowadays: he stole a bicycle. . Unfortunately the usual motive for bike theft is less heroic and, on a daily basis, leaves its many victims out of pocket and without transport.
The problem is likely to grow as more enthusiasts take to pedal power with the aim of cutting costs and saving the planet. The sustainable transport charity | Sustrans, which monitors usage of the 12,000 miles of National Cycle Network in the UK, has already seen usage leap fourfold since 2000.
So how do you protect your two wheels - and is it worth the cost?
The cheapest method is usually by adding cover to your home insurance policy. Some of the more expensive home ' contents policies automatically include cover for a bike, even if it is stolen away from home, so long as it is locked up properly. However, most policies expect , you to pay an additional premium for ; this or they will not cover your bike at all, or else will only cover it while it is locked on your premises.
Cheryl Bevan, aged 24, from Bristol, is one of the growing band of commuters to convert to two wheels. She is taking part in an initiative run by Sustrans to encourage more women to. cycle and has not yet bought insurance for her bike, but feels its modest value makes it a lower priority. "The bike is well protected at home and my workplace has secure storage," she says. "But I'm planning to get a D-lock shortly."
Moneysupermarket research found that cyclists can add a bicycle to their home contents insurance policy from as little as £14 a year, but warns that costs and cover can vary dramatically. For example, a man living in Maidstone, Kent, who has a £40,000 home contents policy with quotelinedirect, will have to pay an extra £17.43 for his bike (worth up to £500) on top of his £73.24 premium. Swinton provides similar cover for £78.59 - that figure includes £23 for the same bike, while Direct Choice charges £80.42, including £23 a year for a bike worth up to £1,000.
Swinton will not pay out for a bike stolen while left in the garden overnight unless it is locked to a permanent structure and Direct Choice requires unattended bikes generally to be locked to an immovable object or in a locked building. Steve Sweeney of moneysupermarket agrees that for most people, adding bike cover to your home contents insurance will be the most cost-effective option. "But if your bike is especially valuable I would advise looking into separate bike insurance, providing more comprehensive cover," he says.
This advice is particularly applicable if your bike is worth more than £500, you use it in competitions or you take it abroad. Standalone insurance typically starts at about £50 a year and many policies come with extras like personal accident or European cover. Moneysupermarket highlights cover for the same householder as above but with an £800 bike from AUA Insurance (£56), E&L Insurance,(£63) and Cycleguard (£63) as providers offering broad cover. Again, there are differences between the policies. AUA Insurance is unlikely to pay out for a bike left overnight unless it is in a locked building - if you leave it overnight near the railway station it may not be covered. E&L excludes theft of the bike at home if there is no evidence of forced or violent entry.
The most comprehensive policy Cash could find that covers you for leaving your bike locked at a station for up to 24 hours (and locked in public elsewhere for 12 hours) comes from the Ethical Transport Association. It charges £64.50 a year for the same £800 bike. Such plans normally include third-party liability, should you cause damage or injury to another person or vehicle. Your home contents insurance may offer this cover, but double check with your insurer that any cycle-related incidents are included. Many cycle clubs and groups also offer discounted insurance and some include free third-party cover as part of the membership fee, such as the London Cycling Campaign (individual member- ship £32 a year. £55 for families. £14 for students) and national group Cyclists- Touring Club (£36, £58.50 and £12).
Since a bicycle is the ultimate in transportable swag (transforming instantly into a thief's own getaway vehicle) you should also invest in a strong lock. The best ones are expensive - expect to pay around £50 for the strongest D-lock. You can also protect your bike in the following ways:
Record and register it by using a. service such as www.bikeregister.com or www.immobilise.com .
Take a photograph and write down a description you can give to the police.
Security mark the frame in at least two places.
Do not leave it in the same place every day if it is particularly valuable.
For more advice, visit www.sustrans.org.uk, www.bikeforall.com or tfl.gov.uk/cycle
The Observer 01/03/09
Bringing your wheels up to scratch
Got a bike that you don't want to lose? it could be time to "geek your ride", As the name suggests, geeking means making your bike less attractive to anyone who might have eyes on it. Bicycle thieves are generally lazy and target bikes they can easily sell on. A theft that requires work will often be passed over in favour of an untouched model. Top of the geeking list is putting masking tape loops round the frame. After a few weeks it goes a nasty, grey colour. Box packaging tape adds a similarly off-putting sheen to your machine. Some people have been known to take a file to their bike's frame to make it look older and heavily scratched. Consider etching on your initials or postcode. Stickers and transfers are equally hard to remove, and can easily add a high geek-factor. Another option is a DIY colour scheme. My wife buys I dark-framed bikes and then paints yellow flowers all over the bodywork on the basis the bike will be harder to sell on. Turd-brown is another option
Some claim their bike is less likely to be stolen if a wicker basket is added, although I'm not convinced. Much easier, and cheaper is to place a grubby plastic I bag over the saddle when you leave it. Remember new bikes are most at risk of theft. If you leave it in same place each day make sure the other bikes in the same rack look better than yours, and have worse locks. If they don't, you need to get geeking-and buy a better lock. Common sense says it should be there when you return.
Miles Brignall
EEN March 3, 2009
Cyclists fined for flouting the law
Hundreds of fines have been given out to cyclists across Norwich streets in the last
three years, it has emerged. In the past three years 140 cyclists flouting ;
the law by riding on pavements, not abiding by road signs or failing to have
lights have been given fixed penalty notices by the police, with the main area
for offenders being Earlham Road.
Figures revealed in a Freedom of Information (Fol) Act request highlighted
the road as one of the worst for cyclists disobeying the law, with most of the
offences for riding on the pavement. In 2006 eight cyclists were stopped and
fined for failing to have lights and for riding on the path.
By 2007 the figure had risen to 20, and last year, Earlham Road was still the
street with the most cyclists being issued with fixed penalty notices with six
being fined, including four for cycling on the footway. London Street was
another area of the city where cyclists were hit with fixed penalty notices.
In 2007,10 cyclists were fined for contravening traffic signals or road markings.
Other city streets in which cyclists were fined included Heigham Road, where four
were fined in 2006, Prince of Wales Road, where eight were fined in 2007, and The
Avenues, where four were fined last year. Police issue penalty notices of £30 or £80
-» Do you have a crime story for the Evening News? Call Lucy Bolton on 01603 772429
or e-mail iucy.bolton@archant.co.ukj
Norwich Eastern Evening News Saturday, February 21, 2009
Scrapping crossing will put people in danger
It is unbelievable that Norwich City Council are proposing to scrap the zebra crossing in Heigham Road and replace it with a small pedestrian refuge. This will greatly increase inconvenience and danger for pedestrians and will create a dangerous pinch point for cyclists. Whatever happened to mode hierarchy, with pedestrians and cyclists at the top, non-essential motor vehicles at the bottom, and with public transport and essential vehicles somewhere in the middle? Such a hierarchy may not be a legal requirement yet but is expected by the DfT. Failure to follow this recommendation could affect Norwich's "score" in terms of compliance with expected government thinking and ultimately the level of financial settlement, that is, funding for transport from central government. The proposed measure will not improve safety for vulnerable road users and will indeed make it more dangerous. Part of the problem is the road alignment, whereby drivers on Heigham Road approaching the junction with Earlham Road around a bend cannot see anyone crossing. The same situation arises for pedestrians waiting to cross, worse still if there is no^longer the apparent safety of a zebra. If the current zebra crossing makes it difficult for turning traffic why can it not be moved up the road to where visibility is better and there is more room? Oh, and while they're about it the planners should look again at the central refuges in Earlham Road, all dangerous pinch points for cyclists. These should be replaced with more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly zebra crossings.
Phyll Hardie
Thorpe St Andrew
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