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Go Bike East Dunbartonshire Newsletter Spring 2001

Tesco cycle path opens.
Many of you will have already noticed that a new cycle path has appeared at Milngavie railway station, connecting the station with Lennox Park. This was built by Tesco Stores as part of their extension work at the existing store on the site. We are very pleased that Tescos have chosen to set a good example. Now that the path has been in use for a few weeks we have some observations to make. In Richard’s words:-
(1) While innocently pedalling up the new bit of path, I was accosted several times in successive days by local residents enthusing about the path. This path has restored a lost Right of Way and provides a great short cut from the flats in Crosveggate to the Village. I gave the usual response, "Please write to Tescos and/or the Council to tell them how pleased you are with something they have done".
(2) Is it so difficult to build a path suitable for cycling? (I'm sure someone recently built a 5000 mile long network). The border of pebbles, which must have seemed a pretty idea to some poncy architect driving along in his car, is now scattered all over the surface, making walking difficult, and cycling impossible.
In summary, nice path, pity about the architect!

European Car-Free Day takes place this year on Saturday 22 September 2001.
Although primarily aimed at cities and larger towns, there is also scope for the main towns across East Dunbartonshire take part by carrying out measures to promote public transport, cycling and walking.
In Glasgow it is hoped to designate certain areas as car-free for the day. This is intended to demonstrate that environmentally friendly transport alternatives can make our busy urban streets more pleasant places, and make them easier to travel around in without queues of cars.
The Scottish Executive is keen to promote alternative forms of transport, and is encouraging local authorities to do likewise. But there is a need for lobbying at a local level to raise awareness and enthusiasm for the day. Speaking on the subject recently Sarah Boyack said, “I will be launching a Scottish Travel Awareness Campaign in May, which will aim to increase the number of journeys made by walking, cycling and public transport and to encourage more sensible use of the car. We are currently in discussion with transport operators and local authorities with an aim to developing specific initiatives, including establishing links to sustainable travel events.”

Foot and mouth crisis.
Although it is impossible for a quarterly newsletter to keep up to date with fast moving news, we would like to remind members of the importance of observing the countryside access restrictions as a result of the foot and mouth outbreak. The CTC has issued the following press release.

CTC, the national cyclists’ organisation, has urged cyclists to stay away from countryside trails to help curb the spread of foot and mouth disease.
In line with advice from the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, CTC says mountain bikers should drop their offroad plans while road riders should think carefully when planning their routes.
Campaigns Director Stuart Reid said: “There is some fantastic offroad cycling to be had in this country but for a short time cyclists should be finding alternatives. It is essential we support the efforts of farmers and health agencies in helping to minimise any further spread of the disease. Cyclists, like walkers and horse riders, have the right to access the countryside but with that right comes responsibility. This responsibility must be taken seriously.”

When the printed newsletter was sent out the situation was as follows:-

Many local off road routes are closed including the canal towpath through East Dunbartonshire, the old railway line through Lennoxtown and Strathblane, The West Highland Way and the safe cycle route to Craigdhu Primary School. Most of Mugdock Country Park is closed. Looking further afield,
All Forestry Commission forests are closed (this affects, e.g., NCR 7 through the Trossachs)
Access through farms is banned (this affects, e.g., NCR 7 between Dumbarton and Balloch)
Pollok Estate in Glasgow is closed. (this affects NCR 7 yet again, and local access)
All off road cycle events are cancelled until further notice. If you are organising an on road event then you should consult with Local Animal Health Offices about conditions in the area.

Up to date information on the crisis can be found on the web site of the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food at http://www.maff.gov.uk/
Anyone organising rides should check the latest situation.

Extra funding announced for cycle projects.
Sarah Boyack has announced that an extra £11.85 million will be made available to local authorities to make Scotland's streets safer. The intention is for the money to be spent on walking, cycling and
safer streets projects. The £11.85 million is part of an overall Public Transport Fund of £150 million spent over three years. In other words around 8% of the new funding is directed towards safety and environmentally sensible travel.
Speaking at a road safety congress in Glasgow organised by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), the Minister said:

"The Scottish Executive is committed to significantly reducing the number of deaths on our roads, especially those involving children. Considerable progress has been made but much more needs to be done. The theme of this year's RoSPA Congress is tackling the number of child road casualties as part of the GB Road Safety Strategy. Since the early 1980s all fatal and serious child casualties in Scotland have been reduced by more than half but we must do better.”

She chose to ignore the fact that the reduction in casualties has been achieved by reducing the number of child pedestrians and cyclists.
Ms Boyack had announced last year that an extra £5.2 million was to be made available to construct safe routes to schools. However it later turned out that this was not in fact extra funding, it was permission for the local authorities to borrow the money. Despite this, it is the intention of East Dunbartonshire Council to make use of this extra borrowing power to implement a safe routes to school plan. At this stage it is unclear whether the latest announcement refers to real extra cash.

Spring 2001 Index