Greater Anglia Draft Cycle Strategy, September 2013 [Download from here] [PDF version]

Consultation Response by Ely Cycling Campaign [PDF version]

1. Introduction and general observations

1.1 We have read the draft Greater Anglia Cycle Strategy with interest. We are heartened to see the statement that Greater Anglia is ‘a vigorous supporter of the development of cycling as a sustainable transport mode with strong health, environmental and societal benefits’ (p. 3), and hope that this support will consistently manifest itself in Greater Anglia’s approach to those of its passengers who wish to combine train and bicycle travel. Travel by a combination of bicycle and train adds enormous value to both modes of travel, and in our view facilitating this combination is of great importance.Continue reading “Our response to the Greater Anglia cycle strategy”

I regularly shop by bike at Sainsburys, I’ve even made it a bit of a sport to record how much shopping I’m capable of carrying back home. Cycling down to the shops is quick, mostly rather enjoyable and cheap.

I was looking forward to the new Sainsburys opening, generally speaking Sainsburys do a good job as far as big supermarket chains go and there’s alot of blowing of trumpets going on as far as their consideration for the environment is concerned. Oh and lets be clear here, they have done a much better job than Tescos – I just don’t use Tescos as they seem to have to interest in providing parking for cyclists, and that’s when you can actually reach it by bike which is a feat in it’s own right. Aldi did a fantastic job, the bike parking is out front, easy to get to and conveniently positioned. Waitrose, like Tesco have a few stands right at the back, as far as physically possible from the entrance to the shop as there is. A great spot for bike thieves and alfresco urinating.Continue reading “Sainsburys cycle provision: A for effort, F for execution”

In this week’s Ely Weekly News Councillor Moakes has replied to our opposition to East Cambs funding the A14 toll road. In his response he says:

“we must create a balance in our transport infrastructure”

And that ECDC are:

“working in partnership with the county council to help them … look after all forms of transport: bus, cycle, road and rail”

Continue reading “Where is the commitment to fund cycling?”

We, Ely Cycling Campaign, are extremely disappointed that ECDC have committed a total of £1million to assist the building of the proposed A14 toll road. A road which doesn’t enter the boundary of East Cambridgeshire. A road which will also be funded by the taxpayers. A road that, once built, you will have to pay to use. A road which local haulage companies, because of the toll, have threatened to boycott as it will affect their competitiveness. If a haulage company like Turners of Soham boycott the A14 toll road their most logical route will involve traveling through villages like Streatham and Haddenham on roads not built for large quantities of heavy traffic and an increase in noise and air pollution in populated areas.Continue reading “ECDC shouldn’t be funding the A14 toll road”

Thursday 12^th September 2013 is national cycle to work day. The national cycle to work day is being promoted by CycleScheme, who are the largest provider of tax free bikes as part of the governments Green Transport Plan, which allows employee’s to save about 32% off a new bike which they “hire” from there employers. Two of Ely’s largest employers Tesco and Sainsburys offer the CycleScheme to their employee’s.

Continue reading “National Cycle to Work Day”

We have asked the candidates in the District Council Ely East by-election for their responses to the following questions about cycling and transport issues.

We will post their replies as and when we receive them.
Continue reading “Questions for the Ely East by-election candidates”

I don’t know if I am the first, I’ve not seen one yet, it was an ambition of mine in any case. I’ve borrowed a cargo bike for a week from The Schoolrun Centre in Cambridge – I wanted to see how I can use the bike in Ely, I have sometimes up to six children to get around and the bigger ones like to cycle and having three little ones in front of me where I can see them instead of on the back behind me in down in a wide trailer where I can’t see what they are up to! It arrived in the back of an MPV yesterday (Friday). The main thing is the cargo bike is so easy to ride, the low centre of gravity means that it’s incredibly stable, even with just two wheels, it’s almost as if the more kids I have in there, the more stable it feels. It really is a joy to ride. The gearing is also very good, there are some really low gears for getting going and climbing up hills, so far in Ely I’ve not had any problems, I’ve done Clay Way/Larkfield Road and Lisle Lane with two kids in there so far. I’ve yet to try Forehill.Continue reading “Could I be the first Cargobike in Ely? One week Cargobike Diary.”

The Cycle Embassy have really said it here – an extra 90p per person to the £2.20 per head the UK spends on cycle provision.  This isn’t ongoing funding either, this is a handout made up of bits and pieces we’ve already been given/promised.

Where we live in Ely, we won’t see a penny of this.Continue reading “A puncture repair kit announced to kit out a repair workshop”