All posts in the topic Bedminster Cycling (Short link)
Summary
- There are 6 posts — by 5 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Lloyd Fletcher at Oct 03 10:13 UTC
Hi,
You probably know that Bristol has been awarded loads of money to develop
itself as a leading cycling city. At a recent meeting at Southville Centre we
discussed how we (more or less BS3?) might respond to this. Among the ideas
suggested were a network of communal lock-up stores, more opportunities to put
bikes on buses, a cycle rescue service and greater use of tricycles.
As well as cycles, we thought it was also very important to consider how
conditions for pedestrians might be improved. Ideas here included more places
to sit down and measures to keep pavements clear of obstructions.
We've been in touch with the council on this. At the moment, they are
assembling a team to deliver this project over the next couple of years. They
expect to be ready to receive ideas from localities from October, so, thinking
caps on.
If you have suggestions that will improve conditions for cyclists and
pedestrians, please share them on the forum. This includes ideas that will
encourage more people to cycle and walk as well as making things better for
those already doing it. How do we make it safer and more attractive? What
are the obstacles that discourage people from cycling and walking? How can
they be removed?
Also, I guess we'll be establishing some sort of 'steering group' to develop
walking and cycling ideas in BS3, so if you would like to be part of that, let
me know.
Lastly, please pass this invitation on to others who may not (yet?) by part of
the Bemmy Issues Forum.
Thanks, Ben.
I cycle from Southville to Clifton every day. The two improvements I would like
(within Southville) are:
1. A pedestrian/cycle crossing with lights on Coronation road about level with
Beauley or Camden roads.
2. Repainting of the Cycle path on the pavement on the cut side of Coronation
road with more blue signs signifying cycle/pedestrian route.
Bob C
The most immediate improvements I would like to see for both pedestrians and
cyclists would be improved road-crossing at key points where the cycle/walking
path is interrupted by traffic, making for a difficult and dangerous crossing.
A crossing of Coronation Road near Beauley has already been mentioned. Closer
to home, though not quite in Southville, would be some kind of safe crossing at
the junction of Commercial/Cumberland/Wapping Roads, by the Louisiana. The
cycle and pedestrian path disappears here between Cumberland and Bathurst
Parade -- so only a few metres is missing, but crossing the street here can be
nightmarish (especially with two children in tow, who desperately want to walk
to school, but can't make this crossing on their own!).
There are three streams of traffic to watch for, and wether going east or west,
you have to step out into the street to see what's coming round the bend. It
really is a ludicrous junction, although I'm sure it would be challenging to
design the right sort of controlled crossing. It is remarkable, though, given
the amount of foot traffic, that there is no pedestrian crossing between Gaol
Ferry Bridge and the Arnolfini; nor between Bedminster Bridge and the Arno. I
don't know if the Old Gaol site development will have a beneficial knock-on
effect here?
It may not be in Southville, but I know many, many Southvillian foot and pedal
commuters use that route. It would be so much better and safer if it were
continuous; and my kids could walk or cycle to school on their own!
Everyone should have a look at http://www.bristolstreets.co.uk/. This is a fantastic resource for recording ideas and then gathering comments, feedback and support. The idea about the bridge and others already seem to be there so add your support or comments. We in Bedminster can then use this to form the basis of our plans for the area. For myself I think we should be making the case for setting the whole of Bedminster/Southville/Ashton as a 20mph zone and thinking about practical steps to move towards a homezone type environment. Rather than requiring expensive re-engineering we should roll it out by putting in about 50 'bike corrals' and say 10 'bike oases' to provide extensive onstreet bike parking and getting benches and shrubs into the roads (see this link http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/portland-bike-parking). There should be a 'Bristol Design' of these so they have a common look and feel across the city. If the boundary of the 20mph area was Coronation Road, Winterstoke Rd, West St, Malago Rd, East St, then you might be siting the 'oasis' models at the gateways, then aiming for a 'corral' on every street, with a greater concentration in areas of need. Each one could have space for 10 bikes, a bench, some signage with transport information and 20mph notice, and some green planters with sufficient height to be seen over cars. The planters should be maintained by the council. The StreetFilms site is inspirational - check out Ciclovia in Bogota and think a weekly Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride: http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/ciclovia/?autostart=true. What about the Tour De Bristol events as well...
After reading Lloyd's post I got in touch with the Traffic Management office at
the council and talked to my contact there. He read Lloyd's post and has made
this comment
"Further to our telephone conversation last week, I can confirm that we
recognise the issues raised below (the comments by Lloyd Fletcher) and that we
are supportive of the introduction of measures that would better facilitate
pedestrian and cyclist movements in this location.
The most likely source of funding for an improvement scheme at present would be
from a developer contribution. Please be assured that I will continue to seek
funding through the planning process, via the comments we to our Development
Control Team on planning applications received by the Council.
I trust that the above helps to explain our position on this matter."