Author: Rachel M

2011 Cycle Count Results, Your Number’s up!

The results of the 2011 ACF May Cycle count are in, and the numbers are very encouraging! In summary there was an 18% increase on the 2010 figures and an 28% increase on the original 2008 count. Read the full stats (PDF) and our detailed analysis (PDF)

Cyclists are counted at 11 key locations around the city between 07:30 and 09:00, the objective of this is to gain a metric of cycle activity and not to count all cyclists. Why count bikes? Cycle use statistics are important to ACF for three reasons: Quantified cycle use makes it a lot easier to lobby for new facilities in the city. Increasing or decreasing use shows if the (somewhat limited) facilities that exist do work. Statistics can be benchmarked with other cities in Scotland and further afield.

A big thank-you to all who counted for us, if you have any comments on the results, or want to be a “bike spotter” for our next survey (full training is given) please get in contact

Kingswells Crossing Progress

The Kingswells-Westhill cycle route has been a big success with one significant exception, the toucan crossing that was removed from the design at Kingswells roundabout has resulted in a significant hazard for cyclists and pedestrians.

ACF has campaigned on this issue since the facts emerged ( read more) and was instrumental in arranging a independet safety audit last year of the crossing that confirmed the obvious: The lack of a facility to help cyclists and pedestrians cross this busy and fast road was a safety oversight

ACF has now learned that the city council has allocated

Get your kicks on Route 66 – sorry, 195.

The Deeside Way is now officially part of the National Cycle Network and has been designated route 195. All completed sections of the Deeside Way have been signed with “route 195” discs ie Aberdeen – Milton of Crathes and Aboyne to Ballater. You may also spot the new logo for the Deeside Way on some posts too. As other sections of the DW are completed they will be signed, so that hopefully within the next three years the whole route from Aberdeen to Ballater will be complete. The section from Banchory to Kincardine O’Neil is to be completed by the summer. (Aberdeenshire Council).

There is still a short section to be signed between Milton of Crathes and Banchory but a group of volunteers improved a short section of path there last autumn and this should be signed very soon.

The fact that the Deeside Way is part of the NCN should enable it to attract funding for maintanance and upgrading from Sustrans for both walkers and cyclists, a key outcome in these financially straightened times.

There are still some sections to improve but at least things are moving on. Over the next few months, the section of NCN Route 1 from Cove to Dyce should be getting better signing – including, for the first time, destinations and distances.

Try Cycling 2011
Easy-paced rides aimed at beginners or those who have not been in the saddle for a while

The rides, organized by the Cyclists’ Touring Club and Aberdeen Cycle Forum, visit various places of interest such as ancient cairns, march stones, churches, bird hides, and local beauty spots. All are welcome, but they are aimed at beginners and those who have not been in the saddle for a while

• Experienced cycle trainers on all rides
• Families welcome (but see important note below)
• Start at 10.00 am, with a cafe stop on the ride, returning before lunch.

The rides are every Sunday throughout the year, the meeting point varying between Duthie Park (at the pond off Riverside Drive),

Hazelhead Park (Groats Road entrance)

and Seaton Park (at the car park on Don St.).

Details can be found by looking for the “Try Cycling” entries for the relevant month on the Runs List page of the CTC website.

Just turn up on the day, or for more information drop us a line on

trycycling@aberdeencycleforum.org.ukImportant Note : For insurance reasons all children under 17, need written parental permission. Those turning up as a family can just sign a form available on the day Unaccompanied 13 – 17 years olds will need to bring this with them, contact us for more details of whats required

ACC Launches Community Cycling in Aberdeen Plan

Aberdeen City council has launched a “community cycling in Aberdeen” intiative, ideas are sought from community councils to improve cycling in their communities, this could be anything from new cycle lanes, traffic calming, new cycle parking through to to cycle training for schools.

These are all things ACF has lobbied for years (and continues to do so) with some success through the city. What’s different this time is ACC is actually asking the community councils, or indeed individual members of the local community to suggest their ideas.

So if you have an idea, why not get your community council to submit it (or submit it yourself! if they wont)

• Find your community council here
• Background on the Challenge on the ACC Website
• Application Form (RTF file)

Applications close on 28th January so don’t delay. If you are submitting, don’t worry about perfection there’s a lot of “beaurocracy” on the form, the important thing is to get it in.

ACF @ 10:10:10

Sunday 10th October (10:10:10) is Global Carbon Reduction Day, in Aberdeen a number of organisations including ACF will have a stall in Union Terrace Gardens [map], so if you are in town why not drop in and say hello. We have the usual goodies and cycle maps to give away. If you have ever wondered who is behind ACF why not come and say hello.

Events start at around 11:00 just drop in

The Thin White Line

Potholes were not the only outcome of the last severe winter on the roads. Many road markings have all but disappeared. For cyclists where the white line is the only thing between you and the car drifting into “your” side of the road this is obviously something of a problemAfter catching up with the worst of the potholes our friends at the council are now turning their attention to markings. WE NEED YOUR HELP if you know of any particulary bad or “missing” cycle lanes, advanced stop boxes etc etc. please drop us an email to the address below

missinglines@aberdeencycleforum.org.uk

Please be specific – which road – what is the nearest intersecting street, how long does the problem last, e.g. Cycle Lane missing North Deeside Road (Eastbound) between Contlaw Brae and Binghill Road, even better attach a photograph. If you did not notice the side street name – why not use google maps to go back and find it.

Realisiticly given the state of the public purse we won’t get everything fixed but with your help we hope to prioritise the spending

Carbon Responsible Transport Strategies Conference

ACF is aware of a conference being held by Aberdeen City Council and Robert Gordon University on the subject of Carbon Responsible Transport Strategies. This will take place in Aberdeen on 12th October.

 

Birthday Meal

Tuesday 28th September is ACF’s 7th Birthday, to celebrate we are having a
“birthday meal” ahead of the September meeting.

Simply come along to  MANZILS (22-24 King St) at 18:00hrs on Tuesday and join us for an excellent curry buffet – costs a mere £8

Westhill Cycle Lane “Improvement”?

When is an improvement to a cycle route not an improvement? When it increases the risks for cyclists.

This seems to be the view of many users of the Westhill cycle path since it was realigned further away from the Kingswells roundabout. Initially cyclists could cross the busy junction in two sections using the hatched area. Unfortunately these “improvements” now result in having to cross two busy lanes at the same time

ACF was consulted during the design of the routes and we were assured there would be a signalised (i.e. “pelican”) crossing. At some point the council changed its mind and did not bother to consult further with us. Cyclists only found out when the work was done.

We have been pursuing this issue for some time, with the help of all your emails and letters, and have finally made some progress. Aberdeen City Council has now commissioned an independent safety audit of the crossing point. We expect this will reveal the blindingly obvious – that the crossing is not safe and there should be a crossing facility. The task then will be to make sure the council installs something…. we’ll update you as soon as we hear anything.

If you use this crossing regularly and want to help – please complain to your councillor, if you don’t know who this is try this
list or enter your postcode here

Questions, Comments or Thoughts on this Article? Please get in contact