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CCE members set to encourage (more) winter cycling

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    CCE has been asked to help with a #keepcycling campaign. I'm not clear how it's going to work but things will be added to keepcycling.n0tice.com (which is due to go live on Monday at 3:00).

    "
    based on winter cycling. We know that between July and December cycling activity/the number of people cycling in the UK drops 68%. In other words: As the clocks go back, the bikes go back in the shed. This is either because of safety concerns, not knowing how to prepare for the harsher climate, or people just don’t know how enjoyable winter cycling can be.

    We want to get people to keep biking this winter and help make a change around perceptions of winter cycling. And most importantly, we don’t think that this will happen from just focusing on the dangers and issues of winter cycling. We want to show all the things that are amazing about it as well. Therefore we are initiating one of the biggest crowd-sourced visual guides to winter cycling in the UK, where the focus will be getting people to #keepcycling through the winter by sharing what they #change & #celebrate when it comes to winter cycling!

    "

    SO - looks as though CCE members will not just be encouraging people in and around Edinburgh to keep cycling, but the rest of the UK too!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  2. kaputnik
    Moderator

    By pure co-incidence I have prepared some easy-to-follow instructions;

    Posted 12 years ago #

  3. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    Nice work. Nicky would sell shed-loads of these in her wee shop.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  4. ruggtomcat
    Member

    yes please, A3.

    lovely work kappers

    Posted 12 years ago #

  5. cc
    Member

    The instructions are gorgeous :-)

    As for cycling in the winter, I'd have thought that people who stop cycling in the winter generally do it for solid practical reasons, not because they lack encouragement. For instance people need to know which routes aren't gritted and which tyres grip in the winter, that you're more visible if you or your bike have lights and reflective things, etc.

    Anyway, it's easy to get people to ride bikes in the winter. It's been done. Just alter the streets and paths so that it's obvious to anyone that cycling is the safest, quickest and most hassle-free way to get round town; and then keep the routes meticulously free of ice and snow at all times. Simples. It's not rocket science, it's just what you get when you have a council and government which genuinely wants people to cycle.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  6. gembo
    Member

    Onceyou manage to go right through one winter then you will not turn back. My latest trick is to travel with both panniers laden - gives me a wider footprint. One toot and one bit of abuse from a taxi driver so far. helps that we are being moved at work into the corporate work style environment which necessitates flinging everything out

    Posted 12 years ago #

  7. chdot
    Admin

    "it's just what you get when you have a council and government which genuinely wants people to cycle."

    You mean like -

    Heated cycle lanes to warm Dutch winter cyclists

    The Mound used to be heated so the buses could get up!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  8. cc
    Member

    Exactly!

    Also I'm a little worried in case a triumph of hope over practical experience might lead more CCE members to get crippled by slipping on ice :-(

    Posted 12 years ago #

  9. Min
    Member

    Yes. The biggest barrier to cycling is definitely that cycle paths and routes are not gritted and cycle lanes are used as handy places to dump snow. Of course you can still keep cycling if you want to jockey for position with all the motors along all the busiest roads but that is going to exclude even more people than are already excluded from cycling.

    Having said that I mostly keep cycling but warm kit and (now) studded tyres are a big help. Especially the (expensive, specialist) studded tyres.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  10. Nelly
    Member

    @Min re; cycle paths / gritting.

    At least 4 people on here (gembo,kaputnik,uberuce,me) use the broomhouse path almost daily - partly because the main road has some real issues (pinch points and poor surface).

    I know that as soon as it gets icy, I wont have a choice on that part of my route, and will have to revert to the road - with all the dangers noted above plus dark mornings/nights.

    Its pretty poor really, for a major east-west cycle route - actually madness, as it simply means that all but the hardiest (foolish) will do this day in day out.

    I have complained and tweeted about this to no avail.

    I would struggle to recommend this route to someone 'thinking about winter cycling for the first time'.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  11. Uberuce
    Member

    I preferred the gritted road to the frosted path even with my studded tyres on. I usually start work os early that the road is quiet, but on the late mornings, I'd stick with the path and trust to the Winters and careful riding.

    Not everyone's willing or able to ride a fixed gear bike with over £80 of tyres, so yep, it remains bobbins.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  12. Min
    Member

    I don't really want to put a big downer on the whole thing but it is an issue. Of course, this will be London Centric and they probably don't get much ice down there. It maybe hasn't occurred to them that it is colder and darker here.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  13. Roibeard
    Member

    However when the snow was here I found that using the road was easier than usual - speeds were down, cyclist use of primary was expected (mostly obligatory), and few drivers fancied overtaking (which involved climbing the central mound of snow).

    I did enjoy using the snowy cycle lanes to pass queuing cars though - with enough momentum, I could plough through, usually with a degree of rear wheel spin [1] and fish tailing! The result was that, when the queue started moving again, the driver I had just passed usually decided to stay behind me, despite me being in the cycle lane...

    I'm not sure if that was because they feared the mad, out-of-control cyclist, or if I was too entertaining to watch!

    Robert
    [1] No studs for me!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  14. Kirst
    Member

    The Innocent is the most direct route to work for me and cuts out Cameron Toll roundabout, and Niddrie Mains Road, both of which are unpleasant on bikes. We are moving to our new build today and my most direct route will be the Innocent as far as Duddingston Road West, then turn right onto DRW. I have seen the way people drive when it's snowy and icy - not bothering to clear their car roofs or windscreens, too fast, skidding and sliding - and I would rather not be cycling in amongst them. So if the Innocent isn't fit to use, I'll be walking or bussing.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  15. chdot
    Admin


    Twittering about issues

    Posted 12 years ago #

  16. Morningsider
    Member

    I doubt it's the winter weather that puts most people off. It isn't really that much worse than spring or autumn weather and it is easy to wear warmer clothes. I reckon it is the fact it is dark. It just feels less safe cycling in the dark than cycling in daylight. If I feel like that, and I've been doing this for many a year, then I imagine many less experienced cyclists feel they need to throw in the towel over winter for thir own safety.

    My winter preparations are limted to:

    Warmer gloves
    Lights
    Actually cleaning the chain and associated gubbins now and again

    If I had a much longer or icier commute then I would consider winter tyres, but for many urban journeys they are probably not really necessary.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  17. kaputnik
    Moderator

    My colleagues were reliving their winter driving horror-stories the other day. I chipped in with mine, which was along the lines of "my commute normally takes me 25 minutes. One day it took 45".

    Posted 12 years ago #

  18. DaveC
    Member

    I've already winterized for .. er.. winter. Studded tyres, disk brakes all round and a chandelier of lights (or should that be Christmas tree?)

    There is a mountain of leaves to climb on the Ferry road path, and I'll be sticking to the paths as they have cleared of traffic with all (I'm no cyclin in winter!) brigade taking other means of transport.

    The weather I beleive is nicer in winter, crisp mornings and clear skies make for stunning sun rides and great views.

    I wish than once all the leaves have fallen from the threes that Edinburgh would sweep the cycle lanes and paths before it all turns to a sludgy mess to slip on.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  19. Lezzles
    Member

    Its the ice-cream headaches I get from going too fast downhill in the cold that put me off. I have to wear a bandana, my helmet and a snood up to my nose on the coldest days. A few times I've had to get off to warm my forehead up because the pain is excruciating and causes my vision to blur.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  20. Min
    Member

    I bring my fleecy headband into play. Haven't noticed any particular problem with my forehead if I don't wear it but it keeps my lugs warm.

    The thing which has made a real difference to my cold weather cycling ability is my wind proof leg warmers. I don't quite need them for commuting, only if I am going to be out for more than half an hour but stiff, painful knees are now a thing of the past for me. If only I had known about them sooner. Though to be fair I wouldn't have been able to afford them if I did. But still..

    Posted 12 years ago #

  21. amir
    Member

    DaveC, I have noted east lothian council of slippery leaves in the past and they acted quickly. You could try the same with the relevant council.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  22. chdot
    Admin

    Broomhouse path - apparently one problem is that it isn't "adopted" - which seems strange as it was there before the tram, even if 'part of'(?).

    CEC plans to work on it once the tram works are finished to bring it up to an "adoptable standard".

    So apparently no-one can be found to accept responsibility for its maintenance/management!!!

    Presumably that is due to the fact that it used to be the 'responsibility' of tie whose care for cyclists was legendary...

    BUT tram is now wholly a CEC responsibility.

    AND someone must be responsible for concrete channel/paving that users complain about.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  23. lionfish
    Member

    "Yes. The biggest barrier to cycling is definitely that cycle paths and routes are not gritted"

    I don't know if that is the biggest barrier. minimoth stopped cycling during the winter previously as she didn't feel safe as a woman on her own on unlit, empty, paths across North Edinburgh at night. She did try cycling via the road route - but after a series of threatening actions by taxis etc she didn't feel comfortable taking to the rush-hour roads every morning and evening.

    She's now got a couple of friends who work with/near her and travel a similar route, so she'll be critical-commuting with them home, so hopefully will be able to cycle through the winter.

    (I agree making the subjective/actual safety of people on their own on such paths is quite difficult - what we need is more people on the paths! A bit of a chicken-and-egg problem).

    I definitely agree properly gritting the paths is also an essential in terms of keeping people cycling. I don't really feel I can do much more to improve how my wheels stick to the ice - when I found I could barely even stand up on the icy path, I realised cycling was also not going to be happening...

    ...I guess the question is: /Should/ we be encouraging more people to cycle when the paths aren't gritted? (and a similar question more generally: Should the council be trying to get more cyclists on to the road while keeping the roads unsafe? - e.g. high-speeds on trunk roads, parking on cycle lanes, etc).

    Posted 12 years ago #

  24. Darkerside
    Member

    As an alternative method for ensuring your commute takes place on ice-free roads, try adjusting your route to follow the emergency services access to a nuclear submarine base.

    No issues at all :p

    Posted 12 years ago #

  25. fimm
    Member

    It is interesting that although they specifically say ...we don’t think that this will happen from just focusing on the dangers and issues of winter cycling. We want to show all the things that are amazing about it as well... that nearly all the discussion on this thread has been about precisely that.

    I do have an alternative to bike-train-bike if I really don't feel happy about the conditions, so that is something. I came in on the big bike this morning, though, and it was lovely, although cold.

    "No such thing as inclement weather, just inadequate clothing". I think we as a society are getting less used to actually experiencing weather - I've come in with a wet face because I've been cycling in the rain and I've had the reaction "oh poor you, you're all wet" - well not really, just my face, we are fortunate to have mostly warm buildings and I'll dry off soon enough.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  26. fimm
    Member

    LOL @ Darkerside...

    Posted 12 years ago #

  27. lionfish
    Member

    @fimm yeah sorry, I didn't mean to be so negative!

    The crispy frosty beauty of winter mornings is nice :)

    re "I think we as a society are getting less used to actually experiencing weather" - so true! My mum drives the ~0.8 miles to work, across her village if she 'thinks it might rain'. The fear people have of getting rained on is slightly weird!

    Posted 12 years ago #

  28. Min
    Member

    Ooh that is so true. People are terrified TERRIFIED mark you, of getting a raindrop on them or feeling a breath of wind. Staggering.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  29. cc
    Member

    I don't mind the winter weather at all. It's my bike tyres which mind it, if the weather takes the form of invisible sheet ice on an ungritted road.

    Posted 12 years ago #

  30. SRD
    Moderator

    I am amazed at the number of children who don't own waterproofs. Their parents clearly don't anticipate that they will ever get wet, much less go out to play inthe rain. perverse.

    Posted 12 years ago #

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