Merlin Place – North East Cambridge
A developer called Kadans Science Partner is proposing to redevelop the Merlin Place site (currently home to the Taylor Vinters building) as part of the North East Cambridge scheme.
Issues
This section lists issues - problems on the street network and related matters.
Issues always relate to some geographical location, whether very local or perhaps city-wide.
You can create a new issue using the button on the right.
Listed issues, most recent first, limited to the area of Cambridge Cycling Campaign:
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Removing exclusionary barriers across Cambridgeshire
Camcycle's time and energy is consistently taken up removing exclusionary barriers (e.g. Biomedical Campus, A14 active travel bridges, Warren Road). We need to consider long-term ways to prevent new barriers going in and remove existing ones which prevent people of all ages and abilities cycling.
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Romsey Labour Club - Mill Road (2022)
There have been issues with the cycle parking in the past so this need examining again.
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Private? farm roads
I'm new here, so this has probably been done before, but I haven't sussed out how to find any relevant previous discussion using the search. So sorry if this is repetition.
There are lots of farm roads around Cambridge, some of which have locked gates and "bicycles by written permission only" notices, others are signed as permissive routes, others have no signs but in practice nobody actually shouts at you as you cycle through what turns out to be a farmyard.
Are there any resources that enable us to work out in advance, before discovering the sign and the locked gate, which of these roads are passable by bike, with possibly a rather long route home if the answer is "no"?
Just as an example, how about Battle Gate Road?
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"Our Place In Space"- temporary obstruction on the Haling Way
A series of temporary obstructions are planned for the Haling Way path
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Trumpington Road/Bentley Road
Cars regularly cut across cyclists in the southbound bus/cycle lane.
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Consultation on a proposal to re-surface part of Longstanton Bridleway 10
From the county:
In addition to the notification which I sent to you on Monday 11 April 2022 regarding the order to divert part of Longstanton Bridleway 10, I am emailing you to consult you on a proposal to re-surface the northern part of Longstanton Bridleway 10 between the new bridge across the access road to Northstowe and the southern end of the Wilsons Road by Falcon Park.
The proposal to re-surface the northern part of Longstanton Bridleway 10 is related to Condition 59 of Northstowe Phase 2 (S/2011/14/OL) which is subject to submission of details to Greater Cambridge Shared Planning consultation S/2011/14/COND59. In order to achieve a continuous all-weather NMU link between Longstanton, Bar Hill and the new A14 NMU path I am consulting you on what type of surfacing you would like to see on the route (coloured in pink on the attached plan). The route will need to provide an upgraded route that caters for all non-motorised users (walkers, cyclists and horse-riders) all year round.
The southern section of Longstanton Bridleway 10 between the A1307 and the new NMU bridge over the Northstowe access road was surfaced last year and I am interested in whether a similar type of surface would be suitable on the northern section of the bridleway. The northern section of Longstanton Bridleway 10 is generally quite wide and located between tree/hedge lines. I am proposing that any re-surfacing on the northern part of the bridleway follows the principle of providing a 50-50 parallel surface (50% retaining grass/natural surface next to 50% smooth surface suitable for cyclists and pedestrians such as the surface which is in place on the southern part of Longstanton Bridleway 10 or the surface which has just been completed on Reynolds Drove, Rampton north of the busway). Between the boundary features on the northern part of Longstanton Bridleway 10 there is generally at least 5 metres of width available which in theory could accommodate 2.5 metres of natural surface next to 2.5 metres of foot/cycling surface.
The re-surfacing of the bridleway associated with the planning condition is for the developer (Homes England) to deliver, but I am seeking your opinions on what you would like to see in this location which I will then use to inform my feedback to Homes England and Greater Cambridge Planning on the condition which needs to deliver improvements to the northern part of Longstanton Bridleway 10.
I would be much obliged if I could have your comments back on this matter by Friday 29 April 2022.
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Tagalongs, FollowMes and child-adult tandems/triplets
I'm writing an article for the next Camcycle magazine on family cycling options with pedalling kids (so FollowMe, Tagalong and tandems/triplets). Could anyone share their experiences of using these?
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Obstructive anti-cycle barriers between Charles Street and Rustat Road.
There are 1970s-style barriers separating Charles Street and Rustat Road. This means that the large numbers of cyclists heading in both directions often have to give way to each other. These barriers need replacing by a removable bollard in the centre of the route, so cyclists can easily pass on the correct side as they would any other traffic island but cars can't get through. This is a literal barrier to easy safe convenient cycling and has no place in 21st Century Cambridge. Especially when there is an easy solution around it.
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Combined Authority Board
The Combined Authority Board is chaired by the elected Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. The purpose of the Board is to ensure that the decisions and actions of the Combined Authority deliver key outcomes for the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
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Pedestrian Crossing on Victoria Av (Jesus Gn SE Corner) Blocked
Two large Red barriers have been placed to deliberately close the pedestrian crossing, both sides of road.
There seems no reason to block off this vital route. No alternative is provided (no kerb drop etc)
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Airport way blocked with no provision for cyclists .
The cycleway is blocked by building work with a footway separated from the road which is too narrow to cycle and with no ramps to
leave or join the road .
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22/00758/FUL: 9apartments (1 building), 303 Histon Road
Erection of 9 dwellings within 1 apartment building comprising studios, one and two bedroom apartments, together with landscaping, parking arrangements, bike and bin provision and associated infrastructure (following demolition of the existing dwelling)
303 Histon Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 3NF
Application reference: 22/00758/FUL
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22/00712: 2 storey building, Hills Road 6th form College, Hills Road
Construction of a new three storey educational building, including associated hard and soft landscaping.
Hills Road Sixth Form College Hills Road Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 8PE
Application reference: 22/00712/FUL
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22/00655: retail unti & 3no. apartments, Burleigh Street
Demolition of Numbers 16 and 16A Burleigh Street and the construction of a three-storey building comprising a retail unit on the ground floor and 3 no. apartments on the first and second floors providing bin and cycle stores on land to the rear of the new retail unit and access to the proposed apartments will be from Burleigh Place, while the retail element will remain accessible from the front (i.e. Burleigh Street).
16 And 16A Burleigh Street Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB1 1DG
Application reference: 22/00655/FUL
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A1303 Little Wilbraham Road
This is a dangerous junction for people on bikes. How can it be improved?
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[fixed] Ditton Meadows / Ditton Walk path blocked by fallen tree
The path / cut-through between Ditton Meadows and Ditton Walk (next to Ronald Rolph Court) is currently blocked by a fallen tree.
It's possible to squeeze under it with a standard bicycle if you're agile.
Looks like someone attempted to block the path with red/white tape at the southern entrance, but it's all come down of course. I didn't see any warning at the northern entrance.
There's a report on the County Council site (387287), but it's marked as 'closed' on the 21st Feb. Tree was still there on 22nd.
[later:] It was gone by 15 March (probably long before).
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22/00293: extension to create 4 flats, 184 Thoday Street
22/00293/FUL | Two storey side, single storey rear and roof extension to create 4 flats
184 Thoday Street Cambridge CB1 3AX
Application reference: 22/00293/FUL
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22/00583/FUL: 14no houses, Aragon Close and Sackville Close
Demolition of existing garages and hardstanding and erection of 14no houses (7 at Aragon Close and 7 at Sackville Close) together with car parking, green space, landscaping, bin and bike stores and associated infrastructure.
Land At Aragon Close And Sackville Close Cambridge Cambridgeshire
Cambridge
Application reference : 22/00583/FUL
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22/00469/FUL: 2bed bungalow to the rear of 157 Green End Road
Erection of 2bed bungalow to the rear of 157 Green End Road
157 Green End Road Cambridge CB4 1RW
Cambridge
Application reference : 22/00469/FUL
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19/1453/CONDA: conditions of planning permission 19/1453/FUL Shah Jalal Mosque.
Submission of details required by conditions 10 (Cycle Parking layout) and 15 (Traffic Management Plan) of planning permission 19/1453/FUL.
107 Shah Jalal Mosque Darwin Drive Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB4 3HQ
Cambridge
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East Road/Mill Road junction not detecting cyclists
A member of the public has informed us that the signals at the junction of East Road and Mill Road are not detecting people on bikes on the lane in front of the fire station heading east on Mill Road. Has anyone else experienced this? We can get an email to the signals team.
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Election campaign 2022
It is important that we engage with the candidates at each election, scrutinise their views, and press for their commitments to cycling.
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Broken cattle grid (Midsummer Common entrance opp Fair St)
Rods at this cattle grid have either sheared off or been vandalised (not that recently). It already appears on the county fault report site ref 372428, from June 2021, but nothing appears to have been done about it.
This map shows all issues, whether points, routes, or areas:
The most popular issues, based on the number of votes:
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Magdalene pinch point
Drivers ignoring the marked priority at Magdalene pinch point is a regular occurrence when faced with city bound riders. At times this can be very dangerous. Especially when large numbers of riders are forced into a very small gap between the vehicle and the bollards. I should imagine the situation is especially unpleasant travelling with small children. Also difficult to resolve with a wider cargo cycle, trailer or trike.
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Injustices for the peace.
What to do about disgraceful decisions like this:
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Driver-ran-Cambridge-cyclist-mistakenly-thinking/story-24555273-detail/story.html ?Clearly, the magistrate erred seriously in matters of both fact and law - all the prosecution had to prove was that the way he drives falls below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver.
Equally clearly, it did - nobody who could possibly be described as "competent and careful" would run over something the size of a cyclist without even being aware of it. He even admitted that he was talking on the phone at the time.
It staggers the mind to think what on earth the magistrates were thinking - or what with. Maybe they slept through the case, so didn't hear the prosecution, but were woken up for the defence (how there can be any defence for that is beyond me). Maybe they are dangerous drivers themselves, so sympathise with others of the same ilk instead of adequately discharging the responsibilities they are charged with? Mark Tyler also deserves complete contempt for not pleading guilty, and so preventing this gross miscarriage of justice. He should have been thanking his lucky stars that the police and CPS are so incompetent as not to pursue Dangerous driving, which it equally clearly was.How can we get rid of incompetent idiots like Phil King (the lead magistrate in this case) who asserted that "there were “significant gaps” in the evidence". It is obvious to me that this dangerous idiot is perverting the course of justice by remaining in his position.
Presumably his colleagues on the bench conspired with him in this perversion - they could (and should) have over-ruled him unless they were parties to the conspiracy, surely?The evidence was all there - there was a cyclist in front of him - whether the cyclist was upright or on the ground is irrelevant. Mark Tyler drove over him. Neither of those facts were in dispute. That is not the action of a competent and careful driver, and it should be beyond question that a person being in front of the vehicle is something which the driver should be expected to be aware of, which means the test in s3ZA of the Road Traffic Act is satisfied, and the accused is guilty.
The evidence also meets the test in s2A (Meaning of dangerous driving) so there is no excuse whatsoever for clearing him of even the lesser offence of careless driving. With driving like that, it is clear, beyond reasonable doubt, that he should not be in possession of a driving license, and the magistrates failed in their duty to relieve him of it.As long as dangerous criminals like Phil King are allowed on the bench, the roads will never be safe for anyone.
As a footnote, from the report is appears that this dangerous character commutes from Whitchurch, Hampshire to Clifton Way, Cambridge. What length does that make his effective working day?
It's about 120 miles each way, so at least 4 hours driving (considerably more if in the "rush hour") on top of a full workday. It's utterly moronic to make a commute like that - when I worked anywhere near that far away, I commuted weekly. But this happened on a Wednesday. -
Sign at end of Ferry Lane
Noticed this a couple of weeks ago. As you will see the sign is incomplete and misleading given that the place to see all the details is the end of Ferry Lane waiting to join High Street. High Street at this point is both Route 51 and Route 11.
Major points:
Left turn to go to Impington on Route 51 - I think not.
Abbey and Fen Ditton to the left when you could just go back across Green Dragon bridge.
No directions to Histon, Milton, Waterbeach probably others.Also the lack of any idea where route 11 goes to the right.
This appears to be one of a number of new signs that have recently appeared. If anyone has seen any more let's get the info out there and try to get them fixed.
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Disgraceful unloading practices by Tesco, East Road, Cambridge
Ever since Tesco opened their new shop on East Road, there has been poor unloading practice.
The company is unloading always from the front of the store with a large lorry which:
- Is stopped in the (advisory) cycle lane.
- The tail of the lorry is opened into the carriageway without a banksman, with the corner of it at the same height as a cyclist having to merge round the lorry - there is real potential for a head injury because of the relative invisibility of this
- Causing traffic to be reduced to one effective lane (or two, just squeezing through, if no large vehicles), causing delays for a half an hour period.They have stopped using the zig-zag lines.
This photo shows the danger that is created:
http://www.cyclestreets.net/location/68145/ -
East Road-safe cycle route needed to ARU and Petersfield
I am bringing up the problem that cyclists and pedestrians have crossing East Road to get to ARU and the neighbouring residential area. It would be helpful have a discussion about how to create safe routes in this area and how to get them implemented.
When I am cycling, I find it dangerous and difficult to cross East Road from Petersfield or Bradmore Street and I resort to using the pedestrian crossings with my bike because it is.
This area that really needs addressing for improvements to safe cycling and I don’t understand why given the expansion of ARU this has not been addressed.The junction of Mill Road/East Road is also pretty scary for cyclists and pedestrians. The crossing at the slip road at the corner of Petersfield is difficult for pedestrians because it has no traffic controls and cars come quickly round this corner making it dangerous for anyone who is not alert , who is not tall enough to see, or who can't move quickly. This includes the young, the old, someone in a wheelchair. I wouldn't fancy pushing a child in a buggy across either.
Basically, it seems to me that the Junction and East road are designed for motor vehicles and traffic flow not for pedestrians and cyclists. Can we try and address this? -
Cycle crossing on Barton Road roundabout
I am writing to point your attention to a "danger spot" on the Barton Road cycle route.
I and many others cycle this route every day and really appreciate how safe it is. However, there have been a number of near accidents at the sliproad from the M11 southbound onto the Barton roundabout. The problem is that the cycle path means that all cyclists must cross the road leading onto the roundabout. This is fine when the traffic is not busy. However, during rush hour the left lane going onto the roundabout is always queued up. This means that, to cross the the road, a cyclist needs to wait for a car to let them out. However, the problem lies with the right lane going onto the roundabout. If there is a queue in the left lane, you are unable to see into the right lane and so quite a few cyclists are nearly knocked off at this point
The problem is that:
a. The right lane is too short and so cyclists are unable to get out of the way in time if a car does not does turn onto it. It seems to me that there shouldn't be a right lane as it's too short to be of any use and poses more of a danger to cyclists.
b. Cars tends to (understandably) be going quite fast as they've just come off the M11 and also are usually looking onto the roundabout rather than the road in front of them. This has meant that I've seen lots of cars having to break very heavily having only seen a bike crossing in front of them at the very last minute.
I, and the other cyclists that routinely use this otherwise very safe route, would hugely appreciate it if this problem could be looked at.
[RL; sent by post, 27th June 2015]
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Eastern Gate
The Eastern Gate proposals are a strategic attempt by the City Council to rework the Newmarket Road roundabout area towards a standard crossing, and create a welcoming entrance into this very run-down looking part of the city.
It is supposed to be being paid for by Section 106 moneys from developments, yet proposal after proposal is coming forward but nothing is happening.
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Fulbourn/Cherry Hinton Eastern Access - City Deal scheme
Fulbourn/Cherry Hinton Eastern Access is one of the five City Deal 'cross-city improvements' schemes.
"The growth of housing and employment sites in the Cherry Hinton and Fulbourn Road area, such as the expansion of the ARM headquarters will put further pressure on local roads. Improving the cycleways on Fulbourn Road would enhance cycle access to the city centre and contribute to the completion of the cycleway network in this part of south-east Cambridge."
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Mill Road Congestion
The Mill Road traders are planning a meeting (2016) to discuss congestion on Mill Road and have asked us to send a representative. What ideas do we have to for Mill Road?
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Right turn from St Andrew's St into Downing Street
This intersection needs a right turn light for bikes turning from St Andrew's Street into the Downing Street contraflow lane.
Doing so feels unsafe with buses coming up from behind, and little opportunity to get across the intersection.
I'm considering setting up a 38 Degrees petition on the matter, but wanted to see if this issue had been campaigned on before.
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Poor lane marking eastbound at Park and Ride on Madingley Road
The new road layout here means that eastbound cyclists travelling straight-on find themselves in the left-turn lane, stopped by a Red light, and blocking traffic turning left into the Park and Ride who have a Green left turn filter.
The road markings seem to expect cyclists in this lane to go straight ahead, even though it's the left turn lane, because it is guided into the onward eastbound cycle lane. Just feels wrong and leaves cyclists vulnerable to the left turning traffic.
There should be a 'redmac' cycle lane between the left turn lane and the right hand lane. The road markings should guide cyclists from this lane into the eastbound cycle lane instead of from the left turn lane.
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16/0673/FUL Cambridge Union Society redevelopment
Demolition of ancillary buildings and removal of 1930's facade at the grade II listed Cambridge Union Society. Construction of replacement facade, reinstatement and refurbishment of historic features and internal and external access and refurbishment works including enlargement of existing cafe (use class A3) and re-opening of 'footlight's' entertainment space (sui generis). Demolition of squash courts and un-listed 3-5 Round Church Street in the conservation area. Construction of new link building for access and ancillary uses for the Union Society. Construction of adjacent new building with ground floor restaurant (use class A3) with 41 room post-graduate student accommodation above (use class C2) together with basement storage and services.
Cambridge Union Society 9A Bridge Street Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB2 1UB
Application reference : 16/0673/FUL
Also a Listing Building Consent application: 16/0674/LBC Demolition of ancillary buildings and removal of 1930's facade at the grade II listed Cambridge Union Society
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Coldham's Lane residential development
Plans are emerging for development on the Coldham's Lane site with implications for the surrounding area including links with Cherry Hinton.
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Make use of flashing front lights illegal again
Some people are especially sensitive to lights, including flashing lights, and lights which point directly into their eyes. Both these two situations can result in migraines for the unfortunate observer.I am glad to read that German law mandates downward-focussed lights. We should do the same.
Flashing lights used to be illegal (i.e. when incandescant lights were the norm) but the law was changed to specifically allow them. However, for the reason above, and also because judging the speed (and to some extent the position) of a bicycle is impossible when the light is flashing could actually make flashing lights less safe. Batteries have improved and LEDs are more efficient, and the battery life even on 'steady' mode is way more than in the 'days of yore' hat some of us knew.
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Cambridge Science Park Cycling and Walking
Cycling and Walking provision at Cambridge Science Park is poor. Lets try and get it fixed
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The need for segregated route to Cambridge Train Station
If it is not bad enough in a cycle city that the Great Northern Road, the new road to Cambridge's main train station and cycle parking, does not have a segregated and safe cycle paths, the new development is now being proposed which will prevent a segregated cycleway from access to the Station a Devonshire road.
Does anyone agree that there should be a segregated cycle access to the country's largest cycle park?
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U&C Outline planning Application
Objections to U&Cs outline planning application need to be submitted by 10 April. There seem to be some interesting ideas for improving cycling infrastructure but a lot that could be improved upon.
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Reallocation of cycle space (driverless buses/pods)
A driverless pod system is proposed is proposed to connect CBC and Trumpington P&R.
see:
http://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/cambridge/innovate-uk-have-put-up-250-000-to-get-two-cambridge-medical-campuses-serviced-by-driverless-buses-1-4993867
It 'implies' it will use maintenance-track!
"An out-of-hours driverless shuttle service on the fixed path from Trumpington Park and Ride will aim to allevieate congestion on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus."We need to find out more.
A similar system is proposed to connect Whittlesford station and Genome Campus. This should offer possibilites for a new walking and cycling route. -
Coldham's Lane / Cromwell Road junction
This junction is currently very poor. Cyclists end up doing awkward manoeuvres and visibility is not good.
It is possible this could be improved as part of the Chisholm Trail.
How could this junction be redesigned to make it best practice?
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inaccurate "no through road" signs, missing "except cycles/pedestrians"
I've noticed a few of these around Cambridge where there's a "no through road" sign but it's a through road for cyclists and pedestrians. As there's a post already, if the council had a ready-made stock of plates saying "except cycles", "except pedestrians", a single operative could affix the plate below the sign to made it correct. It is highly deceptive and not serving those using non-motorised transport if they go the long way round not realising they can get through a quicker route.
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Rumble strips instead of paint
Complete separation of cyclists and cars can't always be achieved. To make sharing of the road safer I would like to propose using rumble strips instead of flat paint to separate the bike lane from the rest of the road. It would act as a physical reminder for car-drivers that they are encroaching the bike lane. This happens particularly near pinch points like road bends or crossroads. So even just a selective application of rumble strips could have a very positive effect, I believe. What's the view of the cycling community? Has it been tested?
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Fixing none optimal lanes
I cycle past this junction a lot, and sometimes the lights are red so I wait and look at the lanes and wonder why they're like this.
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Short Stay cycle parking
I work near the station and the area out the front of the new building has short term cycle spaces for the shops there. These spaces are specifically for the retail units (ratios of this is in the planning application I understand). so the racks have to be installed and wont be policed by the retail units (such as the ones by Microsoft which are for employees) yet they fill with commuters who should be using the cycle park.
I have been thinking that Cambridge CC needs to agree a system (bye law?) to create short term racks. The colour should be different and signage provided but for racks that need controlling like this it is essential to stop antisocial cyclists piling up bikes.
Of course its difficult to police, and a heavy handed approach should be avoided but I see a growing issue across the city where racks for specific short term purposes are created but then filled with long term cyclists who should accept if they are parked all day that the extra 2 minutes walk for them to a proper cycle park is reasonable to expect. Otherwise this puts people off cycling the short distances as they fear they wont get a rack or will spend a lot of time scrambling for a spot.
Cyclists could be stickered and if caught again then fined. Or clamped to the rack with a fee to unlock (yes I know that sounds like it defeats the object but it should work after a while).
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Cambridge Festival of Cycling
Camcycle is launching the first ever 'Cambridge Festival of Cycling' which we plan to grow into a recurring festival in September each year.
Along with a range of events, we also plan to conduct a month long Cambridge Cycling Survey.
The aims of the festival:
- Increase awareness of Camcycle leading to more members, volunteers and influence, particularly among new audiences
- Encourage more, better and safer cycling, for all ages and abilities
- Increase our income thorough sponsorship opportunities
- Increase engagement with our campaigning activities
- Create relationships with other community groups who can partner with us on festival events. -
Rate my route - software / app ideas anyone?
For a long time I have wondered about a crowd-sourced cycleability map.
In this, people cycle along a link (accepting the first question of how to define the beginning and end of this) then give it a thumbs up or down. After enough people do this, then others can see how popular it is.
Some people wonder about subjectivity but I think this should be less of a problem with more voters.The reason I am asking is because this method could apply to a potential commercial project for a Council which wants to drive around 100km of rural roads and use a panel of 4 experts to grade meaningful segments on a 1 to 7 scale according to their suitability for HGV movements.
Any views on whether this is already done within an app I am not aware of, or could be it done by anyone as an add-on to something else, or is it something CamCycle could offer as a commercial package (there may well be more than one local authority looking for this sort of thing)