Author: Rachel M

The AWPR Enquiry Starts – It’s Impact on Cycling

On Tuesday 9th September the public enquiry into the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route starts, you can learn including the enquiry timetable at more at the Public Enquiry Website.

ACF has always concentrated on the impact of the AWPR on local cyclists, and still see the current proposal as detrimental to cycling in the city and shire. You can read our objection to the AWPR and correspondence with Transport scotland in the news pages.

At the public enquiry the Cyclists Touring Club (CTC) will be giving evidence on behalf of all cyclists, both a written submission by CTC Scotland and Mark Hagger of CTC Grampian will speak at the enquiry. You can read Marks Precognition provided to the reporter.

Submissions for the enquiry have long ago closed, however, it’s never too late to write to your elected representitives, Transport is devolved issue so if you want to make your views known to your local MSP. If you do decide to do this a few points you may wish to consider are available in a CTC Scotland draft letter here (RTF file).

Abedeenshire Cycling Strategy

With some catching up to do with the city (well to be honest not that much…) Aberdeenshire Council is now developing a walking and cycling strategy including an Action Plans outlining specific actions and policies that will be implemented to increase levels of walking and cycling throughout Aberdeenshire.

A simple online survey has been launched by the ‘shire council to determine current levels of cycling and identifying future opportunities. As a cyclist we would like to draw your attention to the survey and encourage you to participate. As the city and shire are interlinked in many ways (e.g. many people live in the shire and commute to work in the city) we would encourage EVERYONE within the city and ‘shire to participate

As an added incentive there is a prize draw for 200 pounds of cycle shop vouchers, everyone who participates is entered

Learn more on the Aberdeenshire cycling and walking website or jump straight to the Online Survey which takes about 5 minutes.

Haudigain Roundabout Public Consultation

Aberdeen City Council and Transport Scotland are currently consulting on (yet another) set of designs for the Haudigain Roundabout. ACF has respnded to this consultation, the response youcan see it on the consultations section of the website.

In addition to counsultative bodies such as ourselves there is also a wider public consultation taking place, you can make your own views on the three options known online. The process only takes a few minutes and ACF would encourage all cyclists who pass this way to have their say. Simply visit the ACC website below

• Main Consultation page with plans of options
• Online Feedback Form

Closing Date is 30th May

You Are Not Alone II

On the 1st and 2nd October 2008 following on from our April count ACF conducted Aberdeen’s second cycle count. With more volounteers this time we were able to expand the network from the original 13 core points to 18 locations.

Despite the reduction in temperatures at this time of year the toal number of journeys is almost unchanged, like last time Union Street was the busiest almost hitting the magical 100. The new sites this time included the Don and Queen Elizabeth Bridges (South end of College St), both reported a healthy number of cyclists, interestingly most felt forced to use the pavement. Clearly this evidence supports our drive with the council to make these areas more cycle friendly.

A number of our counters remarked on the low numbers of female cyclists, only 18% overall in the average, if you have any ideas why or want to help improve this ratio then do get in contact

Read the Detailed Statistics (PDF File, 22kb)

In the absence of any official count data our objective is to generate count data that gives a general trend, It is intended to repeat the count every six months. ACF needs you We rely on volounteers for the count. If you can spare a couple of hours and want to be a “bike spotter” for our next survey (full training is given) please get in contact

Becycle Launches at the University

Becycle a new bike recycling and loan scheme has started at the University of Aberdeen. Collecting old bikes, renovating them and adding them to a Library that can be used by students. Workshop facilities to do your own repairs are also available, often with Becycle members providing “coaching” if you don’t know what to do.

Becycle are on the look out for more bikes to renovate and indeed any volounteers to join in – learn more at the becycle website