Cycling

Went Cycling with my son, out on a relaxed ride 63.286 miles and out for 5 hours 37 minutes and 6 seconds !!

Lots of nice places visited. Lots of jelly babies eaten. Not too many issues with car drivers either

Philosophical Question

If dog owners have to pick up their dog mess why don't horse owners ?

Targets

Sometimes the problem with targets are when you make them, now can cycle from Home to Bitton and back at an Average of 18 mph (18.1 mph in fact)

Should you treat teenagers as adults ?

I had an interesting experience today, going along the cycle path, quite quickly, I came across 3 teenagers on bikes. One pulled out unexpected, but something I had anticipated (this is an occupational hazard along the path), my fault as I hadn't rung the bell. I slowed down and they move away to let me pass, and as they had been kind I said "Thank You" and sprinted off.

Upon seeing them again later on I got a lot of abuse, I suspect because they had interpreted my comments as being sarcastic. I felt I had been genuine, as they had moved out of the way. This got me thinking for the rest of the ride, what would I do in a similar situation ?

With hind sight I will treat the next set of teenagers as adults, as this is I believe the right way. Maybe  next time don't wear sunglasses, as I am told eye contact is always best !

Sunday ramblings

Had a good cycle ride Saturday, got well into South Gloucs, hope to go over the bridge to Chepstow shortly. Problem was I got lost several times, and to get between A and B had to use A and B roads. However, what a difference between S. Gloucs and Bath and North East Somerset, there was often stretches of cycle lane along the main road segregated off by white lines, so even though traffic was thundering past I felt relatively safe. It got me thinking where in Bath and North East Somerset does this sort of segregation exist ? Along the A4 you can cycle along the pavement between Saltford and Keynsham, but after that I am stuck, maybe anyone else has a view.

It can be quite boring going on about cycling, but I believe that we have a big issue with peak oil coming up, and the level of obesity that exists. Working in a hospital laboratory, we don't need any more tests, especially for self inflicted diseases such as diabetes. There is a link, and yes I was wearing a helmet !

Promoting Cycling little things matter.

I had posted earlier the question and answer I put to the cabinet about grit bins, and frankly I am really disappointed. There is nothing done for cyclists in the winter, the result of this course of action is cyclists will be forced to use roads that are narrowed due to ice or snow, making it more dangerous for them and more inconvenient for motorists. Of course the other alternative is that use their cars !

The answer about path wardens is irrelevant there are few houses near the path for anyone to be a warden.

Why worry about this ? The Bristol Bath cycle path is the super highway into Bath. Cycling in the winter along the path there are difficult patches, the worst being the run down to the gate. If we are ever going to see a modal shift then encouraging alternative routes, especially those that are car free, matter. There is an over reliance on the car, its contribution to of car travel to global warming is problematic.

We need a few carrots to help the change, what would have been the cost of the grit bin, plus grit ? less than £1000 ? sometimes it is not about the big things, a lot of little things add up.

Grit for cycling

Last winter the cycle path Between Bath and Bristol was impassable due to the ice at the end of the path into Bath. The cycle path is a well used commuter link into Bath. Major transport routes into Bath are gritted, this route has nothing. The steepness of the path means it becomes impassable.

Would the executive member arrange for a grit bin to be installed before the winter at the entrance to the path?

Answer from: Councillor Roger Symonds
The Bristol - Bath Railway Path is recognised as a valuable route for commuters and leisure users. Under the current arrangements grit bins are only provided on the public highway. The Bristol Bath Railway path is not an adopted highway and also fails to meet the gradient criteria to qualify for a grit bin.
During the coming winter Path Wardens will be provided with a small quantity of salt in a bagged form. This will enable the path to be salted during severe weather. Criteria for grit bins is included in the Winter Maintenance Plan previously considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel for Safer and Stronger Communities. This Plan will be the subject to further consideration and a decision by the Cabinet before the onset of winter.
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