Friday 26 February 2010

On yer bike


I was recently reading an article in the IET magazine. Apparently “significant” numbers of bicycles are still being manufactured in Britain. It also says that a combination of convenience, cost saving and health and environmental concerns have inspired this urge to saddle up.
This, and a question from someone, prompted me to again look at Bracknell’s cycleway provision. It looks like there is money received from developers to join up more of the network in Bracknell. This money has been collected by the way of section 106 agreements, which may be used to support the provision of services and infrastructure. As this money has been already collected for this purpose, it seems that various schemes will be able to go ahead including cyclways. It is likely that it will be possible to provide some missing links in the network, on the Wokingham road in Priestwood.

Since we got a dog the amount of cycling for leisure that me and Diane do has gone down a lot. This has impacted a bit on my cycling for other purposes, as dog walking does not seem to keep one as fit as cycling does. Diane tells me that this means I should spend more time in the Gym at the spots centre. Hmm. Maybe...

This is all the more interesting since at the next council meeting a report of the Independent Remuneration Panel  is to be considered. It says "That reimbursement for travel to approved duties within the borough be restricted to travel by bicycle as detailed in paragraphs 22 and 47 of Annex A"

I wonder what shape the other councillors, and their bikes are in?

2 comments:

  1. I am a recreational cyclist in and around Bracknell. I appreciate and use the cycleways and paved trails in Bracknell to avoid being on the dangerous roads. They safely connect me in Binfield with the off road areas like Swinley Forest and Hazelwood Lane.
    However cycles are completely useless for family transport and for load carrying. Using a bike in inclement weather is just not nice. They are also prone to being nicked.
    The council should recognise that road transport is the mode that the vast majority of people use as a preference. The council should procrastinate on implementing progressive modernist policies for alternative transport and should instead actively facilitate the use of cars in the borough.
    It’s what people want.

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  2. I like the idea of "That reimbursement for travel to approved duties within the borough be restricted to travel by bicycle as detailed in paragraphs 22 and 47 of Annex A". I run and cycle in Brackers and I think the cycle paths here are great.

    I have seen people running with dogs could try that?

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