Aberdeen Cycle Forum

Dave Lindsey (1939 – 2011)  an appreciation

Dave collapsed and died on his way back from a CTC cycle run on Saturday 19 November. Dave was a stalwart of the cycle forum, helping set it up in 2003 and being co-chair until 2009. He was also ACF treasurer until earlier this year. Alongside his active role in ACF, he was CTC’s Right to Ride campaigner for Aberdeen, a role he held for many years. Indeed for a long time before ACF established itself, Dave was a lone voice on behalf of cyclists in the city.We will remember the good humour he managed to maintain despite the ever present frustrations of cycle campaigning, together with his enthusiasm and dedication to cycling in all its forms. This dedication spurred him and Liz to spend many years volunteering in several primary schools, helping children achieve their cycling proficiency. Dave was always ready to attend meetings, to represent ACF and to volunteer ideas. He will be sorely missed.

Try Cycling on Saturday 17th December was to be lead by Dave – all are welcome to join us, beginners and experienced alike. Meet at Seaton Park [map] at 10:00hrs

Just turn up on the day, or for more information drop us a line on trycycling@aberdeencycleforum.org.uk

The 2012/13 Scottish Budget – Cycling Backwards

The words were good… The previous government had a CAPS (Cycling Action Plan for Scotland) with an ambitious target of 10% of
all journeys by bike by 2020. During last years elections the SNP manifesto had the phrase ?increase the proportion
of transport spending on ?active and sustainable travel

Unfortunately the action is in the other direction. An independent analysis by
Spokes has shown the the new government is to drastically CUT spending on active travel whilst increasing the total transport budget

Total transport spending rises from

Come to ACF’s 8th Birthday Party

Back in September 2003 ACF was formed, that means this month we are 8 years old. To clebrate come and join us for a drink and a buffet ahead of the main ACF meetingWhere: “The Old School House” off Belmont St [map]
When : 17:30 – 19:15 on Tuesday 27th September

All members are welcome, even if you are not a regular at the monthly meetings, drop in for 5 mins or all evening, it’s up to you. We have a reserved area for us so just look for “ACF” on the board, even better the Buffet’s free.

The Big Count

For several years ACF’s been collecting cycle count data in Aberdeen, we use this to lobby for better facilities, and to show money councillors spent on cycling is money well spent, now it seems Cycling Scotland have woken up to the idea – September 21st is going to be Scotland’s first national cycle to work count

Learn More about how to log your Employer’s Details at the Cycling Scotland Website

UPDATE 14 SEP 2011 – Yesterday the Environment Planning and Infrastructure Comittee of Aberdeen City Council met, a number of councillors had been contacted by ACF members and were aware of our concerns. The proposal by the roads engineers was rejected, they have been requested to re-design the scheme maintaining two-way flow. We will continue to monitor the situation, thanks to all who contacted their councillors.

UPDATE 7 SEP 2011 – ACC has had a meeting with the roads engineers who promised to investigate a cycle contraflow in the design, we never heard anything back from them! Now a proposal has gone to councillors (see here section 9.2) – yes you guessed it – with no changes! Apparently it’s “not possible” – ACF thinks this depends how hard your try, perhaps if the design started with the lane and was built round it (as per planning guidance) it might be possible, many other cities in the UK and Continental Europe manage it, how come Aberdeen can’t?

If you are impacted in any way please get in contact

Justice Mill Lane (JML) in the city centre [map] provides a way for cyclists to avoid the busier, traffic clogged, Union Street. Aberdeen City Council is now proposing to make this a one way street to include more room for taxi ranks and loading bays. based on the proposed plans, the effect of this on cyclists will be to:

• Make JML one way between Hardgate and Holburn St
• Prohibit entry from Holburn St
• Prohibit right turns onto Holburn St from JML

ACF believes the proposed changes are yet another example of the council ignoring the “transport hierarchy” of Pedestrians, Cyclists, Public Transport, Private Vehicles defined in the Scottish Government planning policy. We have objected, but the council is pressing ahead with the plans anyway. We need your help!

If you use JML or the surrounding area, and feel you will be impacted in any way, please get in contact info@aberdeencycleforum.org.uk, we will keep you up to date with developments and let you know when you have the opportunity to object

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.