Bid to get town people on their bikes
Not content with discussing Tewkesbury's new health programme in a boardroom, its leaders jumped into the saddle for a meeting on two wheels.
The team of 12 experienced the town by bike to see at first hand what needs to be done to improve it for cyclists and how commuters can be helped out of their cars and onto their bikes.
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During the three-hour meeting, the group travelled through areas including Prior's Park, Wheatpieces, Northway, Mitton and the town centre, discussing ways in which they can be improved for cyclists.
Chris Shaw, Count Me In! board member, said: "All partners agreed that the cycle tour opened up new perspectives on issues and would help the board take forward the opportunity to make the town a healthier place to live in."
Count Me In! is the Healthy Towns project for Tewkesbury. It is a government-funded programme of events and activities to increase residents' understanding of food and nutrition, the environment and physical activity, to help them live a happy, healthy life in a clean environment.
Included in the cycle group were the Count Me In! board partners, including representatives from Gloucestershire county and Tewkesbury borough councils, the county's primary care trust, Gloucestershire Food Vision, Active Gloucestershire and the University of Gloucestershire.
The meeting highlighted the need for improvements in the cycle network, signs and cycle parking.
It took place after the Count Me In! programme hosted a week of cycling events as part of national Bike Week.
An information event for employees at the Basepoint Business Park was followed by a Bike to Work day.
A public event in partnership with Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Cycle Campaign offered advice to would-be cyclists in Tewkesbury.
More information is available at www.countmeintewkesbury.co.uk
4 Comments
by Safety Man, glos
Friday, July 03 2009, 10:54AM
“It doesnt quite work like that.
Someone wearing a reflective top can easily get into ' they can see me I can do anything' mode
Far safer to be thinking ' they might not have seen me , I'll just make sure'
The other problem is that it makes riders without jackets relatively less visible.
So although those with a coat can say 'I'm alright jack why havent you bought a jacket too' in terms of overall safety it's not helpful. Unless all cyclists pedestrians lamp posts are going to be given a coat of reflective paint.
I think they should change their insurer to someone who can think about the knock-on effects!”
by Paper Doll, Cheltenham
Friday, July 03 2009, 10:39AM
“Safety Man, oddly enough a similar comment came up last night at a Count Me In! event, in which it was explained that in order for those taking part to be covered by the council's insurance, all riders had to wear helmets and high vis tops. Fair enough I should say. In my opinion it's better to be seen by a motorist than it is to be hit by a car as part of some "campaign" supporting people not being pressured into wearing helmets! It's common sense, surely?”
by Safety Man, glos
Friday, July 03 2009, 10:08AM
“While agreeing with their efforts, the way they've publicised it saying you should only be allowed out on a bike if you're wearing a bright fluorescent jacket and a helmet is going to scare a lot of people.
It would have been much better to dress like normal people with normal clothes without a helmet and shown it is safe to ride about.
More cyclists on normal roads dressed in a normal way would help motorists ( and pedestrians ) realise that cycling is a normal thing to do.
And before someone has a go at me about the safety kit :)
Helmets haven't reduced cycling accident rates (wearers use their cycles more dangerously)
Look at me jackets can cause distraction accidents and dont show up in the dark.
Try eflective ankle straps and spoke reflectors”
by Cecil, Gloucester
Friday, July 03 2009, 10:06AM
“Well half the inhabitants of Tewkesbury cant cycle to work because they are lazing about claiming bennefits and moaning about paddling pools whilst the other half are still "lording" about with all of the insurance money they "diddled" the insurance companies out of!”