CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.

Pedal with Parliament! Everyone! :D

(44 posts)
  • Started 12 years ago by lionfish
  • Latest reply from lionfish

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  1. lionfish
    Member

    To expand the last thread to the whole city!
    http://breakfastbikeride.org.uk

    I'll be sending out the letter on that site to my councillors and MSPs (and MPs) later this week, for the ward 9 ride.

    If we can find people in other wards to help out (I put on ward 13 as I noticed wingpig said they would be interested! and polwarth got a mention!).

    Not sure how to publicise the idea. I guess getting spokes to advertise it would be a great help? POP involved a huge number of posters (probably too many for this project!).

    chdot: I discussed it with a few people at the weekend, and they thought the wards 7+9 should be kept separate for now (can combine if no one from ward 7 is about?)

    To do:
    - find organisers for each route
    - email councillors/MSPs/MPs for each ward

    Questions:
    -is the temporary website necessary? (I just cobbled it together to keep track of ideas, but I'm happy to drop it).
    -need a better title? :P
    -is doing it to the SPOKES breakfast a good idea? Or should we be doing it at a different time to 'keep up the pressure'?

    [previous thread: http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6371 ]

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. SRD
    Moderator

    Great stuff Lionfish! Thanks for taking this forward. We'll be posting something shortly from POP HQ about 'moving forward' and hope you don't mind us using this as a model for other areas (they may want to do something entirely different of course...).

    Have you talked to Spokes about this? Esp. if linking in to the breakfast?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. chdot
    Admin

    Yeah agree with SRD - great.

    The idea already has 'traction'.

    There won't be rides from all wards and any rides that do happen won't necessarily attract councillors.

    The 'problem' with Community Councillors (hinted at in other thread) is that a few are notoriously anti-cycling grumblers!

    I think the idea is to organise rides from various points to go to the Spokes Bike Breakfast - for breakfast (and stuff).

    Could be fun for those going anyway and may attract some extra people.

    Two things to consider -

    1) not sure it will be a good idea for a 'mass' ride at that time of day - might be counterproductive as a 'message' and not necessarily safer for participants. Suggest setting off in smaller groups - maybe 1/2 dozen.

    2) Time is important I suspect most people will want to get to City Chambers by 8:30 if they are on way to work.

    Rides may take longer if they attract 'novices' than a normal commute ride.

    Worth doing though for a bit of extra publicity and solidarity.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. Kim
    Member

    This is all very well for Edinburgh where things are already moving, we have 5% of the transport budget set aside for cycling, but what about the rest of the country? Pedal on Parliament took place in Edinburgh because the Scottish Parliament is here, but it was about making Scotland a cycle friendly Nation.

    What we really need is rides for councilors in every local authority in Scotland.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. chdot
    Admin

    "What we really need is rides for councilors in every local authority in Scotland"

    Yes, but you can't suddenly clone all the people who are active/activated in Edinburgh.

    Doing more here will inspire others - and they can learn from mistakes as well as successes!

    I have already wondered how many councils have Cycle Forums - and whether CoSLA could suggest that the rest do (I think that is something POP could do).

    I think Glasgow has had (still does??) Bike Breakfasts.

    Do any other cities/towns?

    Edinburgh is where it is because of the city it is - and 34 1/2 years of Spokes' campaigning.

    It helps that the SG is here too.

    Other places can join in. I hope somehow POP gets the stamina/resources to help many places/groups throughout Scotland.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. sallyhinch
    Member

    Don't forget POP was as much a Glasgow creation as an Edinburgh one (with a little bit of Dumfries thrown in for free). And the feeder rides have shown that there's strength elsewhere, even if it's not particularly focused at the moment.

    It would be interesting to know how many of the folk on CCE are non-Edinburgh & where they're from and what might be possible to do in their area.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. chdot
    Admin

    "It would be interesting to know how many of the folk on CCE are non-Edinburgh & where they're from"

    Mostly Edinburgh.

    Some cycle commuters from Mid, E, W Lothian and Fife

    A small number of people around Dundee, Falkirk and Glasgow.

    That's the people who are registered. Plenty of lurkers from all over!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. lionfish
    Member

    @SRD: Just emailed them, kind of wanted feedback from CCE before making it more 'official!'

    @chdot: Yeah, we can't have POP sized groups :). As you say 6-8 cyclists in a group is fine. I often find myself in similar sized groupings on my commute anyway.
    Also definitely need to figure out timings/logistics.

    @Kim & @sallyhinch, sorry, I maybe shouldn't have called it "Pedal With Parliament" was just trying to think of a title quickly. I definitely agree there needs to be campaigns across other towns and cities, but it's just I live in Edinburgh. I'll rename it....(suggestions? :)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. wingpig
    Member

    Cycle with Councillors?
    Ride with Representatives?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. sallyhinch
    Member

    @lionfish I don't think we've got a monopoly on the name! But maybe something more 'councilly' would work better nationwide. In Newcastle they did something called the 4Cs (Council Chiefs' Cycle Challenge) which in Dumfries we pinched and rebranded as the 'Council Candidates Cycle Challenge' as it was during the election ...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. lionfish
    Member

    Can I check breakfastbikeride.org.uk is ok? :D
    There's no major faux pas I've not spotted in that name? (just about to buy a £5 domain for a year...)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. wee folding bike
    Member

    I'm pretty sure the Glasgow bike breakfast is down by the river in the city center but I work in the east of the city so I don't go past there.

    Already had my porridge anyway.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. Darkerside
    Member

    @lionfish - nope, I can't see anything amusing about it!

    I'm another Glasgow one. My 'umble opinion is that this formal provides a major catalyst for Edinburgh cycling stuff. Glasgow doesn't have an equivalent (GFGSS is a bit different), and so there's not the same sense of community.

    You don't fancy a rebrand to citycyclingscotland, I presume? :p

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. SRD
    Moderator

    I'm not opposed to rebranding/broadening the forum (having had similar thoughts myself), but i think one reason this forum works is because of small geographical focus.

    could start a glasgow one?

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. chdot
    Admin

    "GFGSS is a bit different"

    Yes -

    http://www.glasgowfixedgear.com

    (Edinburgh version is available)

    "My 'umble opinion is that this formal provides a major catalyst for Edinburgh cycling stuff"

    No need to be 'umble.

    There is no doubt that the symbiosis between CCE and PoP28 has been quite remarkable and will have a lasting effect.

    Before that, the existence of CCE demonstrated that 'cycling' is remarkably diverse - well the people doing it are. The mix of interests, opinions, attitudes and experience has, I think, encouraged more people to cycle more (not all 'viewers' post) and an awareness that things can change - but it helps if people (individually or collectively) do stuff.

    That can be 'tell Clarence', 'contact my councillors' etc. BUT also writing about 'wildlife highlights', 'nice rides', 'bargain bits', 'happenings elsewhere', etc. etc.

    "but i think one reason this forum works is because of small geographical focus."

    Could rebrand as Cycling Edinburgh Travel-to-Work-Area Forum.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  16. chdot
    Admin

    "could start a glasgow one?"

    Glasgow is very different from Edinburgh.

    Bottom line, in a forum context, is that fewer people cycle.

    Spokes is uniquely successful - and has a long term consistency. Formal cycle campaigning in Glasgow has been more a series of peaks and troughs.

    There have been times when GCC has been keener on doing 'cycling infrastructure' than CEC.

    HOWEVER Glasgow is much better at Critical Mass, has had more cycling related art projects, has a wide range of urban/community action/projects and websites/forums.

    So there are definitely people with an interest in improving/changing things in a wider sense than 'cycling'.

    Perhaps the idea of a CCG could be raised in Glasgow by people there in some of the on and off-line 'spaces'.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  17. spytfyre
    Member

    Given I had to do first aid for someone I knew I will take part in any ride. This accident hit a little too close to home for me :(

    Posted 12 years ago #

  18. wingpig
    Member

    What has been done on here which would work Scotland-wide and could be tied into PoP, without requiring a chapter of/equivalent to CCE for every Scottish settlement to spring up and gain a dedicated following first?

    Just as the dangerous/isolated/ill-thought-out/absent infrastructure maps would be a good starting point for highlighting the spread of cycling-safety/convenience/attractiveness-blackspots in Edinburgh, what if everyone on PoP's mailing list were to add their favourite bit of substandard/neglected/dangerous infrastructure (which they either have to regularly use to develop a special method of safely navigating or which is preventing them from cycling (more)) to some sort of crowdsourced map (unless there's already something along those lines which could be co-opted)? It could show where problems are clustered, get a different perspective on them from that hopefully already gained by local traffic planners and (further) reveal/clarify the common problems resulting from not considering cycling until far too late in the planning process. There might even be a risk of swamping local authorities and local government with the volume and spread of issues as seen from the ground, but (much like the sheer volume of participants at the event) there's nowt like lots of people all waving their hands at once to attract attention. Any Cycling With Councillors rides could pop past a few local icky spots as identified from such a map.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  19. minimoth
    Member

    Progress so far:
    - site sorted http://www.breakfastbikeride.org.uk (please give feedback :)

    - contacted my 3 councillors (should I contact all
    councillors?)

    - I'm hesitating to contact my MSPs (currently trying to sort out an Amnesty International event they're invited to too!)

    - facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/111811888955611/

    - spokes: Putting info into next spokes worker:
    "Breakfast Bike Ride: 20th June
    Bike rides are being organised across Edinburgh to converge on the SPOKES Bike Breakfast. Councillors and MSPs are also being invited to come. Find the one in your area: http://www.breakfastbikeride.org.uk. Spare bikes available for new cyclists! Contact: Mike Smith. lionfishy at gmail dot com. 07779527004."

    What we may need next:
    - organisers for other rides. Just PM me or email or post here if you want to be, and I'll update the website.

    - please suggest if the routes drawn up so far are ok (I've shortened the Ward 9 route, as it might take a slow cyclist ~40 minutes from the visitor centre).

    - let me know if you're going on a ride, so we know a ride has more than one person :).

    - everyone going on rides to contact their MSPs/councillors etc. They might say no to one request, but 10 people asking them might change their mind! Also Dave du Feu pointed out that it's another email to let them know people care about cycling, even if they don't actually go.

    - quick posters designed (to go at start sites at least?)

    - once rides times/locations are confirmed. maybe publicise through POP? etc.

    - Can I link to threads on here, from the website too? For people to organise the rides? (just want to link the two pages together - maybe have a 'click here to discuss' on each of the ride pages?).

    Posted 12 years ago #

  20. chdot
    Admin

    WONDERFUL

    "Can I link to threads on here, from the website too?"

    OF COURSE

    If you click on # under any post you will get URL for individual post if that is ever more appropriate than top of thread.

    P.s. I'm glad you are using WordPress - such a nice/useful service.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  21. lionfish
    Member

    -Thanks chdot! I'll do that in a bit.

    -just realised I posted the last post as minimoth - the dangers of sharing cookies...)

    -I really like wingpig's idea of people identifying the part of their ride that they find most difficult/dangerous. I think the idea has been mentioned on this forum before.
    Although I don't know if Arelicat's map is the same? I think wingpig's idea would be 'need a segregated cycle route here', or 'parked cars permanently on bike lane here', or 'need safe way to turn right here'? Maybe a map with "What we would need to allow an 11 year old to cycle in Edinburgh?"

    - One other thread that I need to keep in mind is the ATAP progress review! http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6356 This seems to have some fairly concrete promises which are being ignored. Definitely some leverage there.

    - Finally, SPOKES are constantly pestering councillors about particular bits of dodgy road etc. I'm guessing somewhere on their site there's a list of issues in-progress.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  22. Darkerside
    Member

    Split Glasgow stuff out to avoid derailing minimoth!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  23. crowriver
    Member

    Crikey! You get caught up in chatting about bicycle pumps and a huge event thread gets organised while you were looking the other way.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  24. lionfish
    Member

    More updates:
    -The first councillor's agreed to come!
    Gavin Corbett (on the ward 9 cycle!) http://breakfastbikeride.org.uk/pwp/wordpress/?page_id=19

    -Also someone (from this forum maybe??) is now organising a ride from Portobello.
    http://breakfastbikeride.org.uk/pwp/wordpress/?page_id=84

    -I'm away tomorrow until May 21st. I should have used a new email address to let someone else on this forum keep the website up-to-date. I'm happy to give site admin access to someone trustworthy! Shall I make a new email account somewhere too? Although I think it doesn't matter if all the updates/emails wait a week...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  25. chdot
    Admin

    "The first councillor's agreed to come!"

    GREAT

    You'll have seen -

    http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6500

    So that's all three councillors in that ward who cycle.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  26. lionfish
    Member

    Thanks chdot! I'm afraid I missed that thread (some how).
    Updates: Barney Dellar's sorting the route for the portobello ride as I speaktype, and wingpig's got plans for Leith...

    Good stuff people :)

    Posted 12 years ago #

  27. chdot
    Admin

    'Obviously' 'we' will all have to test all the routes out!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  28. lionfish
    Member

    Right: minimoth and myself will be away for ~10 days. So I won't be updating breakfastbikeride.org.uk or the facebook group etc for a bit.

    CCE: Don't do anything crazy while I'm gone!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  29. crowriver
    Member

    @lionfish, maybe you should give the login for the site to a trusted accomplice in the meantime? Make someone an admin for the FB group? Otherwise you may have a lot of work waiting when you get back!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  30. spytfyre
    Member

    @lionfish you remind me of the Bill Hicks LA riots sketch,
    "oh we won't... Promise..."

    Posted 12 years ago #

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