Cheltenham can be ideal for cyclists
Cheltenham is one of the top places in the country for journeys made by bicycle — at more than twice the national average.
But a cycling campaigner thinks the figure could be improved with a little planning.
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John Mallows, chairman of Cycle Cheltenham, formerly known as the Cheltenham Cycle Campaign, has made the call as part of the Echo's Your Town Your Future series.
He said: "We have about seven to eight per cent of journeys made by cycle as opposed to just under three per cent nationally.
"This town is ideal, nowhere is much more than three miles from anywhere else – a great distance to cycle and it's relatively flat."
Mr Mallows' group works with local authorities to make the town a better place for cyclists.
The group says encouraging people onto two wheels is not simply a matter of building more cycle lanes.
Mr Mallows said: "What you need is good access for cycles from any one point to anywhere else in towns. You can't build cycle paths everywhere.
"It is worth linking the main areas where people live, work and shop with facilities in a network.
"Sometimes paths are just not helpful to a confident cyclist – like the one on Lansdown Road.
"Drivers can be upset when they see cyclists not using it, but the surface is bumpy, you have to stop at every junction, it is slow and a confident cyclist will be much happier riding on the road along there."
Cycle Cheltenham believes one way to give people confidence is to introduce traffic calming.
Mr Mallows said: "Plenty of towns are looking at introducing 20mph limits in the town centres.
"The average speed of cars in towns is 10mph and you can cycle much quicker across Cheltenham. All but the main routes through town could be made 20mph."
He thinks increasing the numbers of cyclists can also reduce accidents.
Mr Mallows said: "The more cyclists there are, the safer it is. Doubling the number of cycling halves the casualty rate, as shown in London recently.
"I don't want to say people should cycle but I want them to understand so they can make a choice.
"It's not as dangerous as many people think, it's much more convenient for trips of just a few miles than driving and it's much quicker that going by car across town."
Mr Mallows is pleased local authorities have taken on board a form of mapping pioneered by the group, which grades roads by the difficulty they present to cyclists.
He added: "This style is being taken up across the country with similar maps for Gloucester and Stroud in print and one being prepared for Tewkesbury."
For more information visit www.cyclecheltenham.org
20 Comments
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by Neil R, Cheltenham
Monday, February 09 2009, 11:06AM
“As a student in Cheltenham originally from Swindon, Wilts, I think the area is very good for cycling. I was amazed how far the Honeybourne line stretched - you can essentially cycle from the train station to Pittville Park on one path, or directly into town. BUT, it is very annoying that the train station is located so far out of town. When will they relocate it closer to town?! It takes so much of my time just getting there. I'd rather them put the track back on the Honeybourne so I can get the train nearer from town!! The cycle path along Swindon Road isn't so much complete near FCH, which is annoying, and the lights always change.
Also I agree that a lot of people in the High Street are ignorant when it comes to walking - they always walk into you.”
by Jon Charles, Cheltenham
Friday, January 09 2009, 9:04AM
“Another thing that makes cycling so hard in Cheltenham is the abundance of traffic lights. As soon as you get a decent speed up you have to stop at lights all the time. This is especially irksome when you are on main roads, and the lights change to red when there is no traffic coming from the other directions. The Police say they use this to slow cars down, but all that motorised traffic does is speed up in the sections between the lights. Cyclists have no such way of catching up the lost ime and energy. Most frustrating are the lights that stop you which lead into shopping centres, they are private roads and should not be given priority.
As for walking through Cheltenham, most people are ignorant and don't even attempt to move out of anyones way on the pavement, i think i'm Mr Invisible as it's always me moving out of the way. It's the same in shops as well. I have now adopted the '3 swerves' rule. I will get out of the way three times, and then after that i just keep walking!!”
by MR. Tortoise, Stroud
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 8:29PM
“I love the point from Jon Charles that riding in Cheltenham is extremely dangerous. Walking in Cheltenham is even worse as you risk being mown down by pedestrians in such a hurry that they cannot stop. SLOW DOWN for gods sake. The pace of life in Cheltenham is just too fast and furious for me. I much prefer the slow pace of Stroud, no danger of getting squashed here!!!”
by Quasi, Cheltenham
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 5:02PM
“Neil. If you were any easier to wind up you would have a large hole in your back for a key. Far from being discourteous or bigotted I think I have made a few points about the actions of some road users that has obviously raised a few hackles. Maybe its because the truth hurts? We all use the roads and none of us are plaster saints, myself included, yet some groups seem to have favoured status to the possible detriment of others. You think I am totally anti cycle, I actually think most cyclists are pretty brave to ride in towns these days.”
by Neil, Cheltenham
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 4:44PM
“Quasi sounds like a rather bigoted individual, who has difficulty acting in a courteous manner to any other people, let alone cyclists. Clearly his sweeping generalisations, which tar everyone with the same brush, are totally meaningless.”