Article in today’s Herald: lenient courts in England, see: http://www.heraldscotland.com/opinion/14743211.Inside_Track__Private_prosecutions_by_cyclists_in_England_highlight_frustration_with___39_lenient__39__authorities/
Get Glasgow Moving: inaugural public meeting Thursday 15 September
GoBike supports this movement to campaign for better public, and active, transport in Glasgow.
Come along to this meeting on Thursday, 7pm in Renfield St Stephens Church on Bath Street (near Charing Cross) to hear how we can work towards an integrated, publicly-owned transport system.
Taking your child to school? Why drive?
The sign shows children walking to school, but today’s parents appear to prefer to drive – right up to the school gate. This article in the Scotsman today sets it out well: http://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/alastair-dalton-cities-must-tackle-scourge-of-school-run-1-4225361
And there seems to be little appetite to address this in Glasgow – a bit like making sure the 20mph speed limit is enforced.
Have your say! Glasgow’s Budget.
Via a local councillor we have received the e-mail below. Here’s an opportunity to let the Council know that, by investing in active travel, ie walking and cycling, and charging people to store (or, as they would say, park) their cars on public streets, etc we can make the city a better, happier, healthier place to live and work – and save money.
“From: Corporate Announcements
Sent: 07 September 2016 17:00
To: #All Council <#AllCouncil@no-smtp.glasgow.gov.uk>; #All Financial Services Staff <#AllFinancialServicesStaff@no-smtp.glasgow.gov.uk>
Subject: BUDGET CONSULTATION – HAVE YOUR SAY
Dear colleagues
Today, we are launching the next phase in a wide-ranging budget conversation, which first began earlier this year.
While there is no doubt local government faces some very substantial financial challenges, our main focus must always be on how we, as part of a wider community, support the services people rely on.
People may have ideas that would save money or raise more revenue; but we also want to have a conversation about how services are planned and delivered – and where others within the community fit in.
As you know, the city’s budget for local services remains under pressure – with the council expected to find savings of £130 million over a two-year period.
Glasgow’s budget conversation is now live and you can have your say and make suggestions online using the information and links at www.glasgow.gov.uk/budget
The consultation will close on 19 October.
Starting later this month, we will also be hosting a short series of meetings with key community groups to discuss and record their views.
Annemarie O’Donnell
Chief Executive
Glasgow City Council
Glasgow – UK Council of the Year 2015″
Holmston Road, Ayr: bright new cycle lane upsets the car lobby
This Community Links project in Ayr is causing some concern among those who wish to put their children in a car to take them to school and other motorists who think the road belongs to them, see: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/road-bosses-admit-carried-out-8754720
This route east from the centre of Ayr, passing near the railway station, is firming up what was previously advisory cycle lanes – and we know how motorists like to just park their cars in them – and will eventually lead out along the A70 to Coylton and further east. In fact, it’s just what cycle commuters need – and an excellent start for people going for a day out on their bikes.
A81 Bears Way: the consultation is a bit stormy but do get there tonight if you can.
We publish below an e-mail from East Dunbartonshire councillor, Manjinder Singh. If you haven’t been involved already please do try to get to tonight’s public event or the information session this afternoon. Failing that, do write to the Council to voice support. We need routes like this, please give your support.
From: <Manjinder.Shergill@eastdunbarton.gov.uk>
Date: 6 Sep 2016 17:56
Subject: Public have a say on phase two of Bears Way
To:
Cc:
Hundreds of people attended a public forum on phase two of the A81 Bears Way project last Thursday.
It was standing-room only in Milngavie Town Hall with around 250 people hearing more about the potential future of the cycleway – which offers protected space for people of all ages to cycle in safety and comfort.
After a delay to the start of the meeting due to the numbers attending, a presentation lasting around half an hour was delivered.
Members of the audience were then offered an opportunity to ask questions and give their views directly to the project team – including representatives of the Council and Sustrans – for around an hour and a half.
Earlier on Thursday there had been a well-attended drop-in information event in the Allander Leisure Centre.
A second public forum is being held on Wednesday 7 September, 7pm-9pm, in Milngavie Town Hall.
Meanwhile, further drop-in sessions will be held in Allander Leisure Centre on Saturday 3 September, 11am-3pm, and Wednesday 7 September, noon – 2pm.
Please note these are informal sessions and a chance for the public to access information ahead of the public forum.
There was a fantastic turn-out at the first public forum on phase two of the Bears Way and I want to thank everyone who took the time to listen, ask questions and make their views known.It was, however, disappointing to hear of the lack of courtesy extended to Council employees and partners by a small number of the audience. Such behaviours are not acceptable in any forum. It’s important that all points of view are taken into account and respected, and that everyone has the opportunity to make a contribution, supportive or not. There was a range of views expressed on the night – from people in favour of the cycleway and significant investment in the area to those with concerns about phase one and ways in which they would wish to see it improved – through to others who expressed in-principle disagreement with the model of a dedicated separate cycle way.
Phase 1 of the Bears Way – funded by delivery partners Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and Sustrans – runs from Burnbrae roundabout to Hillfoot.
If you have any ideas, comments or want to join the mailing list please e-mail cycling@eastdunbarton.gov.uk. For more information visit www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/
· Phase 1 of the Bears Way was recently recognised for ‘Achievements in Cycling’ at the Scottish Transport Awards.
· The Council’s Local Transport Strategy and Active Travel Strategy set out a range of actions aimed at encouraging cycling in East Dunbartonshire. Work supports the national vision of getting 10% of everyday journeys to be made by bike by 2020.
Regards
Councillor Manjinder Shergill
Vice Convenor of Education
East Dunbartonshire Council
12 Strathkelvin Place
Kirkintilloch
GLASGOW
G66 1TJ
Tel: 0141 578 8163
e-mail: manjinder.shergill@
Clarion cycle tour of Glasgow, followed by AGM and a wee drink, Friday 02 September
GoBike member, Jimmy Keenan, along with others, is keen to maintain the fledgling Clarion Cycle Club, a socialist cycling organisation, in Glasgow and there is a short cycle ride tomorrow evening, Friday 02 September, a tour of Glasgow, preceding the AGM.
The ride starts from the STUC building on Woodlands Road/Park Road – assemble in the car park from 6pm for a prompt depart at 6:30 for a circular tour of under 5 miles through the whole range of cycling infrastructure in Glasgow, from contraflow on one-way streets, to shared footways, shared footpaths, advisory lanes on city streets, to segregated cycle way to one of the city’s parks.
En route the ride passes one of the few statues to women in Glasgow, La Pasionara and the monument to the firefighters and rescuers who lost their lives in the Cheapside Fire Disaster in 1960, fourteen from the Glasgow Fire Service and five from Glasgow Salvage Corps. Cycle and Learn!
The ride will be followed by the Glasgow Clarion AGM and, in turn, the AGM will be followed by a wee refreshment.
Cycling in Glasgow’s Parks? No speed limit but do take care.
If you are cycling on the paths through Glasgow Parks, there is no speed limit, ie NO 5mph limit as once discussed, but there is need to be considerate of others. We queried the existence of a speed limit on Friday 26 August with Councillor Martin McElroy, the city’s Cycling Commissioner and he forwarded this reply today, 31 August:
Subject: LESMLU 317391 = FW: Cycling in Glasgow Parks. Is there a speed limit? MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF STEPHEN EGAN, PARKS OPERATIONS MANAGER Dear Councillor McElroy I refer to your undernoted enquiry and I can advise that there is no speed limit within Parks. Cyclists must maintain reasonable control of the cycle and be considerate of other park users, especially taking into account that park users may not see or hear cyclists and may not be able to move quickly out of the way. The Parks Management Rules signage is positioned at most of the entrances to the Park where Park users are encouraged to behave in a manner that does not impact on the enjoyment of parks for others and pay attention to advisory signs and notices. I trust this information is of assistance, if you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Regards Stephen Egan Parks Operations Manager Land and Environmental Service
04 September: GoBike do a tour of East Dunbartonshire.
Why not join some other GoBike members for this tour north of Glasgow?
Sunday 4 September – Mugdock Country Park
This ride will take us to Bishopbriggs and part of the Thomas Muir Trail, and then out through the countryside around Torrance and Baldernock, before heading over to Mugdock Country Park. After lunch in the park café, return to Glasgow via part of the West Highland Way, Craigdhu Wedge, and the Bears Way. We will also have a look at the route of the proposed extension of the Bears Way on Milngavie Road, currently out for consultation.
Meet 10am Bell’s Bridge, Congress Road, Glasgow.
(If you are coming from the East End, note that Glasgow Sky Ride will be taking place in Glasgow Green and the City Centre, resulting in some road closures.)
Rated: 
Tour of Britain, 04 September: Call for Volunteers!
Here’s a request from Glasgow City Council that we are pleased to pass on:
“The Tour of Britain departs from Glasgow on Sunday the 4th September, the pro peloton including Sir Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish will race two laps of the City centre before winding its way to Castle Douglas. Hot on the heels of the professionals leaving Glasgow, the streets will remain traffic free for thousands of cyclists to ride and have a fun packed day of activity.
In order to make these events safe and fun Glasgow Life are looking for volunteers, main duties will involve looking after the public and providing information on the day to riders and pedestrians alike.
To register and for the opportunity to win a chance to ride the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome follow this link
http://volunteer.glasgowlife.org.uk/event/TourofBritainandSkyride “