Cyclists urged to peddle fund ideas

7:00pm Monday 12th November 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Oliver Evans, covering Banbury. Call me on 01865 425271

Richard Mann Buy this photo » Richard Mann

CYCLISTS are being asked to give their views on how more than £70,000 of council cash should be spent on minor road improvements.

Oxford City Council has set aside £77,000 for schemes like changes to cycle lanes and junction markings and better signage in three city areas.

They are from Rymers Lane in Cowley to the city centre; Barton to the city centre and Littlemore to the city centre.

The consultation, open until November 27, seeks ideas for “simple improvements” that can be “achieved quickly and at modest cost”.

Executive board member for city development Colin Cook said: “Clearly with the really small amount of money we have got, there is not a great deal we can do.

“It is about trying to improve things like road markings and removing barriers both physical and psychological, things which discourage people from using their bikes.”

Yet he said changing the layout of junctions – which have to pass a series of expensive legal hurdles – was out of the question.

“If we can encourage more people on to their bikes it brings benefits in terms of congestion and peoples’ health.”

The council has £32,000 for cycle lanes and markings, £20,000 for the removal of “obstructive barriers” and £25,000 for signage improvement.

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Richard Mann, of Oxford cycling campaign group Cyclox, said the group wanted to see cycle lanes continue over all junctions.

The junction of Ferry Hinksey Road and Botley Road and Abingdon Road and Weirs Lane would be a prime candidate, he said.

He said: “The thing cyclists in the particular want is smaller improvements to fill gaps in the cycle network.”

Mr Mann also backed the removal of pedestrian barriers in an alley by Folly Bridge, saying they leads to queues on to Abingdon Road.

All work will need the permission of Oxfordshire County Council, the county’s highways authority.

The cash is part of the council’s four-year £800,000 “cycling city” project, revealed by the Oxford Mail in May this year.

Other planned projects include £30,000 on clearer or coloured cycle paths in the Barns Road area and extra signs in Rymers Lane, Cricket Road and Ridgefield Road.

To respond to the consultation visit tinyurl.com/c8vtef8 or call Stephen Smith on 01865 252770.

Comments (9)

7:09pm Mon 12 Nov 12

Pavinder Msvarensy says...

It is easy really, just explain that those lights dotted around everywhere are NOT early Christmas lights, and buy them all a copy of the Highway Code. Simples. Oh and also ignoring Mr Mann would be a start, where are all these queues that barriers on Folly Bridge cause? he is living in a different world to us.
It is easy really, just explain that those lights dotted around everywhere are NOT early Christmas lights, and buy them all a copy of the Highway Code. Simples. Oh and also ignoring Mr Mann would be a start, where are all these queues that barriers on Folly Bridge cause? he is living in a different world to us. Pavinder Msvarensy

12:27pm Tue 13 Nov 12

King Joke says...

What barriers on Folly Bridge?
What barriers on Folly Bridge? King Joke

1:27pm Tue 13 Nov 12

Wanchai says...

Pavinder Msvarensy wrote:
It is easy really, just explain that those lights dotted around everywhere are NOT early Christmas lights, and buy them all a copy of the Highway Code. Simples. Oh and also ignoring Mr Mann would be a start, where are all these queues that barriers on Folly Bridge cause? he is living in a different world to us.
Yawn. Why do we have to read this sort of comment every time a cycling story pops up?

We don't go on and on about the stupidity / rule breaking displayed by motorists. Remember it’s the cyclists that get run down by drivers, not the other way round.

As for the barriers. It must be the ones at end of river footpath, just west of the Folly Bridge crossing. But why anyone would have an issue with these I don’t know.
[quote][p][bold]Pavinder Msvarensy[/bold] wrote: It is easy really, just explain that those lights dotted around everywhere are NOT early Christmas lights, and buy them all a copy of the Highway Code. Simples. Oh and also ignoring Mr Mann would be a start, where are all these queues that barriers on Folly Bridge cause? he is living in a different world to us.[/p][/quote]Yawn. Why do we have to read this sort of comment every time a cycling story pops up? We don't go on and on about the stupidity / rule breaking displayed by motorists. Remember it’s the cyclists that get run down by drivers, not the other way round. As for the barriers. It must be the ones at end of river footpath, just west of the Folly Bridge crossing. But why anyone would have an issue with these I don’t know. Wanchai

2:03pm Tue 13 Nov 12

King Joke says...

Ah those ones. As a fanatical cyclist with two bikes, I recognise the need for these.

Without them, the arrogant, middle aged middle class commuters who pile along the towpath at 20 mph would carry on along this narrow bridge at this speed. It just isn't safe.
Ah those ones. As a fanatical cyclist with two bikes, I recognise the need for these. Without them, the arrogant, middle aged middle class commuters who pile along the towpath at 20 mph would carry on along this narrow bridge at this speed. It just isn't safe. King Joke

4:11pm Tue 13 Nov 12

Pavinder Msvarensy says...

Because Wanchai, motorists are not up in arms all the time demanding to be given special priviliges, unlike cyclists. Also stand on the corner of Parks and south parks road and count the number of motorists Vs the number of cyclists going over a red light in any one hour, that is why you get these comments every time that there is a story like this. Motorists are sick and tired of a bunch of lawbreakers demanding more and more money, if cyclists were responsible road users then it would be different, regarding your comment about running over cyclists, if we drove our vans and cars in the same manner as you ride you bicycle there would indeed be carnage, just be thankful that the motorists in Oxford are very forgiving.
Because Wanchai, motorists are not up in arms all the time demanding to be given special priviliges, unlike cyclists. Also stand on the corner of Parks and south parks road and count the number of motorists Vs the number of cyclists going over a red light in any one hour, that is why you get these comments every time that there is a story like this. Motorists are sick and tired of a bunch of lawbreakers demanding more and more money, if cyclists were responsible road users then it would be different, regarding your comment about running over cyclists, if we drove our vans and cars in the same manner as you ride you bicycle there would indeed be carnage, just be thankful that the motorists in Oxford are very forgiving. Pavinder Msvarensy

4:56pm Tue 13 Nov 12

Wanchai says...

Pavinder Msvarensy wrote:
Because Wanchai, motorists are not up in arms all the time demanding to be given special priviliges, unlike cyclists. Also stand on the corner of Parks and south parks road and count the number of motorists Vs the number of cyclists going over a red light in any one hour, that is why you get these comments every time that there is a story like this. Motorists are sick and tired of a bunch of lawbreakers demanding more and more money, if cyclists were responsible road users then it would be different, regarding your comment about running over cyclists, if we drove our vans and cars in the same manner as you ride you bicycle there would indeed be carnage, just be thankful that the motorists in Oxford are very forgiving.
Well I disagree with most of what you say. Motorists break rules all the time, just different rules, but you probably choose to ignore this. Motorists routinely speed when they know they can get away with it, they drive over cycle lanes, park on cycle lanes. I could go on but it's not worth it.

I am a motorist too but usually cycle in Oxford - mainly because it's free to park but also because it's quicker. If you did this too you would see my side.

The money is useless anyway. It's not enough to separate cyclists from motorists so I'm afraid you'll have to put up with things the way they are
[quote][p][bold]Pavinder Msvarensy[/bold] wrote: Because Wanchai, motorists are not up in arms all the time demanding to be given special priviliges, unlike cyclists. Also stand on the corner of Parks and south parks road and count the number of motorists Vs the number of cyclists going over a red light in any one hour, that is why you get these comments every time that there is a story like this. Motorists are sick and tired of a bunch of lawbreakers demanding more and more money, if cyclists were responsible road users then it would be different, regarding your comment about running over cyclists, if we drove our vans and cars in the same manner as you ride you bicycle there would indeed be carnage, just be thankful that the motorists in Oxford are very forgiving.[/p][/quote]Well I disagree with most of what you say. Motorists break rules all the time, just different rules, but you probably choose to ignore this. Motorists routinely speed when they know they can get away with it, they drive over cycle lanes, park on cycle lanes. I could go on but it's not worth it. I am a motorist too but usually cycle in Oxford - mainly because it's free to park but also because it's quicker. If you did this too you would see my side. The money is useless anyway. It's not enough to separate cyclists from motorists so I'm afraid you'll have to put up with things the way they are Wanchai

5:23pm Wed 14 Nov 12

Pavinder Msvarensy says...

Actually wanchai you are right. Cyclists are always in the right and the evil motorist is always wrong, thanks for enlightening me. Sorry for any misunderstanding in my previous post. And I will be lobbying the council to ban ALL motor vehicles from inside the ring road, and give all the space over to non-motorised transport (except mobility impaired persons electric thingys)
Actually wanchai you are right. Cyclists are always in the right and the evil motorist is always wrong, thanks for enlightening me. Sorry for any misunderstanding in my previous post. And I will be lobbying the council to ban ALL motor vehicles from inside the ring road, and give all the space over to non-motorised transport (except mobility impaired persons electric thingys) Pavinder Msvarensy

5:58pm Wed 14 Nov 12

Wanchai says...

Pavinder Msvarensy wrote:
Actually wanchai you are right. Cyclists are always in the right and the evil motorist is always wrong, thanks for enlightening me. Sorry for any misunderstanding in my previous post. And I will be lobbying the council to ban ALL motor vehicles from inside the ring road, and give all the space over to non-motorised transport (except mobility impaired persons electric thingys)
Great, thanks for doing that
[quote][p][bold]Pavinder Msvarensy[/bold] wrote: Actually wanchai you are right. Cyclists are always in the right and the evil motorist is always wrong, thanks for enlightening me. Sorry for any misunderstanding in my previous post. And I will be lobbying the council to ban ALL motor vehicles from inside the ring road, and give all the space over to non-motorised transport (except mobility impaired persons electric thingys)[/p][/quote]Great, thanks for doing that Wanchai

7:39am Thu 15 Nov 12

King Joke says...

Grow up Pavinder. Nobody is saying ALL cyclists are angels and ALL motorists are evil, if we're honest there is a large clickhead contingent in both camps. Lots of cyclists jump red lights, and lots of motorists break speed limits, talk on the phone and drive while over the alcohol limit the night after a bender.

THis debate is so sterile.
Grow up Pavinder. Nobody is saying ALL cyclists are angels and ALL motorists are evil, if we're honest there is a large clickhead contingent in both camps. Lots of cyclists jump red lights, and lots of motorists break speed limits, talk on the phone and drive while over the alcohol limit the night after a bender. THis debate is so sterile. King Joke

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