Walking
Aston Hill re-opens
For many years the downhill, cross country and 4X tracks on Aston Hill were seen as the best in South East England. After many years nurturing the club, founder, Ian Warby took the hard decision to step away from the "Hill" to take up employment with the CTC (cyclists touring club) and ever since then, attempts to rejuvenate the club have, unfortunately, been in vain. However all is set to change. On Monday 7th March representatives from the CTC, Forestry Commission and Aston Hill Mountain Bike Club met to discuss the future of Aston Hill. As a result of this Aston Hill has now become the first off-road CTC member club in the country. This collaboration with the CTC and Forestry Commission will once again open up the trails to the hundreds of riders who used to visit year round. In fact they are open now
This fantastic news came a day after Aston Hill played host to a National bike demo day event at which leading manufacturers provided the opportunity for prospective customers to test ride the latest bikes. For those thinking it would be an easy ride, the snow and mud must have come a bit of a shock. Despite the conditions the event was exceptionally well attended not only by test riders but also by regulars who had waited many months to get back on the Hill. Richard Abbott, chairman of Aston Hill mountain bike club commented, "the day was a great success and the feedback from event organisers, exhibitors and riders was very positive. If people are happy riding in the conditions we had on Sunday then they are going to love this place when the summer comes".
Wendover Cycle Route
A new stretch of a shared cycle path has been recently completed in Wendover.
The route that previously ended at Lionel Avenue has now been extended to Victory Road.
The primary purpose of the new path is to encourage schoolchildren to cycle to the three schools in Wharf Road. The achievement of this project is largely the result of the hard work of the three Safer Routes to School working groups.
The completion of this scheme gives particular satisfaction to the members of a newly formed "Get Wendover Cycling" group chaired by Laura Ferguson.
Three members of this group were members of a previous cycling group in 2001 which encouraged cycling at that time and were then featured in a Bucks Herald article.
"Get Wendover Cycling" will be building on the work of this previous group, and working with both local authorities and members of the public to get more people cycling in Wendover. Look out for Bike Week 2008 in June.
Chris Peeler
Shared Cycle Paths
Refering to the letter from Marion Clayton in the April issue of the newsletter (Bucks CC page).
We, the members of the newly formed "Getting Wendover cycling" group; share Councillor Clayton's concerns that everybody using the shared path show consideration for others. We continue to work with the Safer Routes to School groups and BCC with regards to teaching 'good practice cycling'.
Our promotion of safe use of shared paths is in line with current advice from the national cycling organisation Sustrans in their code of practice for cyclists. We will be promoting this code to cyclists and pedestrians in Wendover leading up to Bike Week: 14 - 22 June. This current and well-used code from Sustrans gives clear advice on shared path use.
Under this code cyclists should:
1. At all times give way to pedestrians
2. Not expect to ride as fast on a shared path as on a dedicated cycle route or a route not shared with pedestrians
3. Warn pedestrians when approaching
Sustrans also highlights the responsibilities of pedestrians to enable safe shared path use:
1. Pedestrians using the shared use path can now expect to meet cyclists on what was until recently a pedestrian only footway
2. Take care at junctions and bends
3. Keep dogs under control
We would also suggest that BCC take into account the warning from Sustrans about sufficiently marking and segregating shared use paths to avoid cyclists illegally using other, similar looking pavements (i.e. those that are not shared use footpaths).
Finally, we suggest that it may take some time for both pedestrians and cyclists to get used to this new situation. However, it is also important to celebrate the new shared use path and as we believe that pedestrians and cyclists are choosing to travel sustainably in Wendover, and are both reducing traffic congestion and emissions as well as improving their health and enjoyment of the local environment.
Laura Ferguson
Chair of "Getting Wendover Cycling"
Sustrans Code of Practice for Shared Paths
Experience in the UK and abroad shows that shared paths can benefit everyone and that they can be comfortably and safely shared if we all show respect for others.
When cycling on shared use paths please:
- Remember that many people are hard of hearing or visually impaired - don't assume they can see or hear you
- Carry a bell and use it - don't surprise people without warning
- Give way to pedestrians, leaving them plenty of room
- Keep to your side of any dividing line or if none, to the left
- Be prepared to slow down or stop if necessary
- Don't expect to cycle at high speeds
- Be careful at junctions, bends and entrances
- Give way where there are wheelchair users and horse riders.
Advice for other path users:
- Be aware of children learning to cycle, who may swerve unexpectedly
- Take care at junctions, bends and entrances, especially in bad weather
- Keep dogs under control
