Wolves on Wheels

Newsletter

June 2006

Let Us Cycle Festival opens Bike Week!

2006 Bike Week looks the best yet for Wolverhampton

On Saturday 17th June 2006 between 10 am and 4pm at Aldersley Leisure Village, Wolverhampton will see one of the most exciting family cycling events ever staged here. The Let�s Cycle charity, part of Let Us Play, is putting on a Family Open Day. There will be a chance to try out the charity�s special needs bikes, try hand-cycling, learn to tandem with Landescape tandems, trade stands and local cycling clubs. The event will take place using the new athletics, track recently opened in conjunction with the cycle track, and is aimed mainly at disabled children and adults but is open to the public too. Wolverhampton�s Mayor will open the event at 10.15am . Wolves on Wheels Cycle Campaign will be there to promote local cycling, NCN and the City Cycle Forum. Joyce Jeavons from Let Us Cycle said, �The event is designed to promote the good work of �Let

us Cycle� and provide a pathway for disabled people interested in cycling at a grass roots level�. Qualified coaches and experienced riders will also be on hand to offer advice and guidance on riding technique and general safety. The charity is aiming to hold fun activities on the track with medals/certificates for those taking part. Families will also be able to join with the city council�s

CTC-qualified cycling instructors on organised rides from Aldersley. Please bring packed lunches for this event and the leisure rides. Further details from Marcus Astbury at Aldersley Leisure Village on 01902 or Joyce Jeavons, Project Co-Ordinator (Let Us Cycle) on 01902 403357

Bike week 17 � 25 June 2006

Bike Week starts off with the Family Cycling Event at Aldersley Leisure Village on the Saturday the 17th. Details on the front page.

Wolves on Wheels Cycle Campaign picnic ride starts from the same venue at 10am for a 10-30am start on Sunday 18th June. The previous two picnic rides have been to the perfect spot � beside the lake in Chillington Park. This year�s ride is to the Steam

Gala at Bratch Pumping Station, Wombourne. The ride uses canal towpaths and South Staffordshire minor roads at a very gentle pace and is tailored on the day to suit the participants. Open to adults and accompanied children. Bring a packed lunch and at least a spare inner tube for each bike. Contact David Nicholson on 01902 714730 or David Holman on 01902 773747 DHolman@wolvesonwheels.co.uk

Wolves on Wheels. original by Helms for WoWcc

The following are events arranged by Wolverhampton City Council Travelwise. Events City Wide open to all:

Free Bike MOT�s at Fred Williams Cycles, Snow Hill Wolverhampton WV2 4AG throughout Bike Week - Bring your bike for a free check up and receive a free inner tube. Time slots are available for free bike MOT�s booked in during Bike Week, 17 � 25th June. If the inspected cycle requires replacement parts and/or professional attention, an estimate of the cost will be provided and another booking to get the work done will need to be made outside of Bike Week.

Free Bike MOT�s at Leisure Lakes Bikes Wolverhampton WV1 4LF throughout Bike

Week One hour time slots are available for free bike MOT�s booked in during Bike Week,

17 � 25th June. If the inspected cycle requires replacement parts and/or professional attention, an estimate of the cost will be provided and another booking to get the work done will need to be made outside of Bike Week

Free Bike MOT�s at Hateley Cycles throughout Bike Week Hateley Cycles

Wolverhampton WV10 6AW. Time slots are available for free bike MOT�s booked in

during Bike Week, 17 � 25th June. If the inspected cycle requires replacement parts and/or professional attention, an estimate of the cost will be provided and another booking to get the work done will need to be made outside of Bike Week.

Leisure Lakes Bikes Wolverhampton WV1 4LF - Beat the staff Competition Saturday

24 June. Leisure Lakes are holding a competition to see how far you can cycle in 3 minutes on a stationary bike trainer. The staff will have set the standard, entrants are

invited to beat the staff times and times will be entered on a league table. First prize is £30 Leisure Lakes voucher, second prize is a £20 Leisure Lakes voucher and third prize is a £10 Leisure Lakes voucher.

Local Family Ride starting at Aldersley on Saturday 17 June Aldersley Leisure Village

Wolverhampton WV6 9NW. Suitable for all ages. Route will be along on our own version of the Tissington Trail � the Smestow Valley. Bikes can be provided if required, please mention when you book a place. Details from WCC on 01902 555732 or 555747. Bring packed lunches.

Launch of the Wednesfield Way. Public opening of the Safer Routes to School for

Wednesfield High and Ashmore Park Schools . Details from WCC on 01902 555732 or 555747

The Wolves on Wheels Midsummer Evening ride is on Friday 23rd June. 7pm from

Queen Square Wolverhampton or meet up at the destination - The Cat Inn, Bridgnorth Road, Enville, Staffordshire. Tel. 01384 872209 to check what food is on (Email: john@catinn.fsnet.co.uk. http://www.envilleales.com/catinn.htm ) Over 18�s only and

bring cycle lights. Contact David Nicholson on 01902 714730 or David Holman on 01902 773747 for details or to say you�re going.

Wombourne section of the Cyclists� Touring Club has a ride on 18th June to

Haughton Ice Cream Factory, leaving from Wombourn parish church at 9-30pm and calling at the Spider�s Web Café, Cosford at 11-30am. The Sunday 25th June ride starts same time and place and goes to Ray�s Farm . Contact Brian Batt on ; 01902 757348

for details. Events for Wolverhampton City Council Staff only: Beat the Cycling Officer at Wolverhampton City Council - Tuesday 20 June, Wednesday 21 June. Pete Rollings is safe from flagellation but can any employee ride further than him on the council�s �killer� turbo trainer in three minutes ? It feels like a 1 in 8 hill. The competition will take place at lunchtime on Tuesday 20 June at Heantun House and Wednesday 21 June at the Civic Centre. The winner will be the person who has cycled the furthest and will win a £200 voucher to

spend on a bike of their choice at Hateley Cycles . WoW news says :- The next three events show a welcome start to the principle of �leading

by example� as the Travelwise programme for the Council�s employees really starts to pick up

the pace. Launch of 50 Free Adult Cycle Training Places for WCC staff - Monday 19 June Training is available to all staff free to the first 50 who register. Superb chance to learn to cycle at all or how to tackle the daily commute with vehicular cycling techniques. In fact any aspect of cycling for health and transport can be learned with the Council�s own professional cycling

instructor team. Launch of cycle guidelines and Pool Bikes for WCC staff - Monday 19 June. In recognition of the benefits of cycling, Wolverhampton City Council promotes the use of cycles for short journeys on Council business, as well as cycling to and from work. These new guidelines provide some guidance and advice to encourage safer cycling to, from and for work. They have also been produced to provide advice to current cyclists and those intending to make use of the Council's pool bikes that are available to borrow from the pool bike coordinator in Transport Strategy, Heantun House (ext. 5747). At present there are four pool bikes:

2 x City bike (Gents style, but sizes should suit most women). 2 x folding bike, which can be carried on the train or in a car boot on longer journeys.

Launch of WCC staff Bicycle User Group (BUG) Thursday 22 June More details from Jenni Crayford on 01902 555747

WoW Women�s cycling day � 10 June 2006.

Ann-Charlotte Holman writes :- Pam, Julia and I have met up to organise this year�s Wolverhampton Women�s Cycling day. We ran the pilot event last year from the Wildside Centre and eight ladies had a laughter-filled day. I showed the beginners cycling techniques on the Farndale estate as a taster of the kind of cycling instruction available through the WCC road safety team, for whom I and other CTC-qualified instructors work. We then went along the Smestow Valley and Kingswinford Railway paths to Wombourne station Café and back. The details of this year�s event are below. The morning aims to include a taster cycling lesson like

last year�s. In the afternoon we could repeat the Wombourne �day return� ride along the railway

path or, if the groups finds it appealing, go out towards e.g. Lower Penn and Seisdon through the

lovely lanes of South Staffordshire. If you need to borrow a bicycle then call Pam or me to reserve one of the Council cycle training bikes. Starting at 10 am from The Wildside Activity Centre, Hordern Road, Whitmore Reans,Wolverhampton,WV6 OUA on Saturday 10 June 2006 , the ladies of Wolves on Wheels Cycle Campaign are putting on a day�s introduction to cycling for women and girls. It�s part of CTC�s national weekend of women�s cycling events. The day will consist of a welcome

and initial assessment of ladies' riding ability and cycles, a sample lesson and a leisure ride [mainly traffic-free and minor roads] at a very gentle pace. The instructor is Ann-Charlotte Holman. Interested ? Then call her on 01902 773747 or write to anncha.holman@bigfoot.com for more details. See www.wolvesonwheels.co.uk for updates. Inquiries during 26 May - 4 June to Pamela McEntee on 01902 754831 or email pammcentee@blueyonder.co.uk . Please follow the link www.wildsideac.co.uk/location.htm for directions to the venue. Finally why do this once a year ? We are hoping to get a regular cycle group going from it this time. Just for females. Lots of ladies are taking �Cycle with Confidence� cycling lessons with our

WCC instructor team. Wouldn�t it be great to offer a group or club in which it�ll be fun to practice

what they�ve learnt on rides of an hour or two�s duration ?

Wolverhampton City Cycle Forum The Forum has met twice this year already. Future meetings are on 7th September and 23rd November. The forum is a useful consultative body where the council shares its plans for cycling �hard� and �soft� measures and gathers ideas from the public. The format is very similar to that presented in the Wolves on Wheels report on Cycle Forums with a key councillor in the chair and other members in attendance. Cllr Jennifer Cromie, who cycles most days, is a regular. Lots of officers attend from various departments. Wolves on Wheels members (including our Hon. president Rob Marris MP) put in many appearances and there are regulars from the Elizabethan Cycling Club. Anyone can e.g. bring up a snag and ask for a completion date on the repair. A success for the Forum was asking the then Chair, Cllr Jaspal, to get the council to bid in the Cycle Demonstration Town�s project. He said �That�s a good idea. Go and do this� to the officers.

W�ton did bid but lost. No attempt would have been made without cycle forum input. A guest speaker makes a presentation at most forums. E.g. John Pugh, head of Parks and Gardens, received the views of the Forum on cycle access to West Park and Smestow Valley at the 11 May 2006 Forum . The British Waterways divisional engineer John Harris will hopefully present plans for the canal cycle routes at the September Forum. The detail consultative work is done in sub-groups which WoWcc always supports. The council officers are always in need of regular and beginner cyclists� views in order to work up the

infrastructure programme. We recently looked at the programme of works arising from the Scrutiny Panel recommendations at a sub-group meeting, commented on cycle access to the proposed Transport Interchange at another, re-designed the A449 5-ways island and bus gate for cycling to what you see now and, after Bike Week later this year, will help the Travelwise officer Jenni Crayford with the design of the new city cycling map. The new map will show roads by cycling skill level inspired by the Cheltenham cycling maps rather than the presence of cycle lanes etc. Try entering �Cheltenham Cycling Map� into Google to see what we mean. The Forum has real promise to deliver change and is doing well. There is now a full Transport Users Forum of which the Cycle Forum forms a part. WoWcc�s David Holman will present the

Cycle Forum�s news and activities at the Users� Forum November meeting The City Cycle Forum needs support from more individual cyclists, the NHS Primary Care Trust and organisations with professional cyclists like Royal Mail. Wolverhampton Wheelers are kept informed but have not yet sent an official representative. The Council for its part needs to promote the Forum at all and write up the minutes quickly. Secretarial support is a feature of e.g.

Shropshire Cycle Forum. At present, the good news about cycling in Wolverhampton seems to only appear in WoW news!! With our limited print run, that is not enough.

The Council examines the state of Wolverhampton Cycling. This was a first. Wolverhampton City Council decided to hold a

Scrutiny Panel into the state of cycling in the Borough. The inquiry took place on 9th December 2005. We suspect that this is a product of Cycle Forum chair Councillor Jaspal suggesting a scrutiny of cycle parking provision. No matter because it turned into possibly the longest period of time devoted by Wolverhampton councillors to cycling issues for good while. The inquiry set out to look at cycling provision currently available in Wolverhampton and how the council can increase the facilities available to cyclists, with the ultimate aim of encouraging more people to cycle.

A golden opportunity lay open if only a representative of the cycling public could get into speak amongst the officers presenting their projects and achievements to the panel of Councillors. The scope of the inquiry was presented at the November 2005 cycle forum. Wolves on Wheels members pressed hard for the chance to present to the panel. Sustrans couldn�t attend and

Wolves on Wheels were given 10 minutes. Fears of a delivery like a horse race commentary were very real!

The Inquiry Group received evidence from Council Officers, which outlined the current facilities in place for cyclists, such as cycle routes, cycle storage facilities in the City and provision on public transport for bicycles. The panel gathered evidence from a range of external witnesses (including David Holman of Wolves on Wheels ) to gain an insight into the importance of cycling for leisure, to school or work and for improved health. The councillors on the panel also looked at how the Council can encourage cycling, by offering training for both children and adults, supporting local businesses who want to offer cycling facilities and planning safe routes for children who want to cycle to school. WoWcc presented the pros and cons of what we have as a cycling city at present and how we see WCC leading the steps to make it a cycle friendly borough. Actually this last point is really how we make more liveable streets where people get the best quality of life e.g. pleasant to walk, shop, gossip, play, go jogging and hopefully also cycle along. Ones not dominated by the number one reason people including Wulfrunians don't cycle - the fear of speeding traffic. The presentation with David�s notes can be downloaded from

http://freespace.virgin.net/thomas.holman/ . We pointed out that the council has the unique 20 mph city centre within the ring road, a new full home zone in Fordhouses and a number of 20 mph streets. So it should not have any difficulty grasping the 20�s plenty message especially for

the islands of relative calm [a.k.a. residential areas] between the 10 �A� roads that radiate from the

ring road. We said finish the National Cycle Network, truly integrate cycling into the Transport Interchange and take the greatest care in the design of any more tramways. Dr Adrian Philips � Director of Public Health attended to outline the health benefits of cycling and what the Primary Care Trust (PCT) was doing to increase exercise, especially amongst children. His presentation outlined that child obesity levels are rising, with 32% of Wolverhampton�s 4-5 year olds being overweight, 14% of which are obese. 40% of Wolverhampton�s 11-12 year olds are overweight, 24% of which were obese. This had resulted in an increase in diabetes, with Type 2 also being seen in children and young people. That is simply staggering. Dr Phillips also informed the Inquiry that promoting cycling could:

Improve physical fitness through weight loss, reduce blood pressure and improve overall health

Improve mental health and help with depression

Improve social health through cycling with family and friends He added that a multi-agency approach is needed and Communities for Health Funding provides money to promote safety awareness through cycle training and family cycle rides. He went on to offer support to the WoWcc point about the need to make communities safer for children to live more active lifestyles and do the things that people of his generation used to do, many years ago. Mr Peter Coates � Head Teacher of Wednesfield High School was the third expert witness. He gave evidence on the Safer Routes to Schools scheme in operation at Wednesfield High. He believed that the way to encourage children to begin cycling to school is to remove the fear that parents have of their child being involved in an accident or their bicycle being stolen. Wednesfield High now has cycle sheds located close to the school buildings. One shed is overseen by CCTV and the other by the school receptionist. The sheds are now full, with mostly boys cycling, without a huge campaign by the school to encourage cycle use. Mr Coates also added that cycle training had taken place at the school and that parents will accept a cycle route as safe as long as it is on a quiet road or on a busy road if there was traffic segregation. The route must also be well lit and accessible to parents. Mr Coates suggested the following means that the Council could undertake to encourage more children to cycle:

More safer cycle routes and supervised bike sheds Training in schools at the end of Primary School and in Secondary Schools as parents

are happier for a child to cycle to secondary school More promotion for cycling, outlining the environmental and health benefits Giving schools back catchment areas so that children were in cycling or walking

distance of their school and congestion was relieved, making it safer to cycle Provide more cycle maintenance courses so it remains an affordable option for young

people.

So what are the results ? The Panel has made 23 recommendations and 5 supplementary comments listed below. We�re chuffed to bits that the Council now has a commitment to creating 20mph Zones in all of the City�s traffic calmed areas and this would be progressed during the next

financial year. Cllr Richard Whitehouse as chair of the Cycle Scrutiny Review thanked all contributors for their efforts particularly Wolves on wheels for its excellent presentation. He said this had enabled the Scrutiny Review to make extensive recommendations. The recommendations were a combination of �quick wins�, and or medium and long term objectives.

Hopefully the council will reveal the full findings to the public but at present the web page for WCC Cycling scrutiny inquiry http://www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/government_democracy/council/decision_making/scrutiny/policy_reviews/current/cycling.htm has not released the report - even though this is apparently overdue. So here are the recommendations of the Panel in case they don�t reach the public .

Recommendations The Cycling Inquiry Group recommends: Improvements to the Network and Facilities 1. Extra cycle racks be provided at the Civic Centre, Wolverhampton preferably at the front of

the building 2. Continue with the programme to introduce 20mph speed limits to complement the

introduction of traffic calming measures throughout the City and complete by March 2007 3. Cyclists needs be taken into account when designing the 5W Metro tramway in

Wolverhampton.

Partnership Working 4. That Centro consider, when purchasing trams, that they have facilities for cycles 5. That Centro ensures a consistent policy on allowing cycles onto trains is adopted across

train operators 6. That Centro encourages the development of cycle facilities on appropriate routes 7. The Council to continue partnership working to promote and introduce facilities for cycling

in the City 8. The Council to investigate introducing a similar facility to the �park and ride� scheme

currently available for motorists. This would enable cyclists to park and cycle into the City or cycle and store their bicycle then use public transport to access the City.

Performance Monitoring and Target Setting 9. Improved target setting and monitoring arrangements be introduced to measure the

Council�s performance against cycling provision. This should include a target for the

provision of cycle storage at schools and traffic surveys for the use of cycle routes 10. The Council should continue to obtain an independent audit of cycle provision in the City

along the lines of the English Regions Cycling Development Team audit.

Facilities and Infrastructure 11. To make cycle routes more pleasant and safe, a system for numbering cycle routes be

introduced together with good signage of the routes, more repeater signs and an improved sustainable system of maintenance of the road markings depicting cycle lanes/paths

12. Investigate the use of repeater cycle signs fixed into the pavement, to reduce costs of repainting lines and replacing signs.

13. Better standardisation or delineation of walkways and cycle routes, similar in style, to the current delineation at Wednesfield Way be introduced

14. The Council adopt the tax relief measures to enable employees to purchase cycles on a similar basis to the Home Computing Scheme

15. Acknowledge the operation of a Christmas bike park scheme and investigate the potential to operate the scheme in Christmas 2006 possibly at the Civic Centre, Wolverhampton

16. More safer cycle routes to Schools be introduced together with measures to ensure the security and safety of cycles in schools

17. Introduce the National Standard of Cycling and apply for the Government Grant to meet the need for more cycle instructors.

Promotion and Marketing 18. That local newspapers, including the Express and Star, consider sponsoring reflective

jackets for newspaper boys and girls 19. Incentives be offered to newspaper delivery boys and girls to enrol onto a cycle training

scheme 20. Explore the potential to promote cycle training courses at adult education colleges 21. That there is cycle training in schools focussed on pupils in Year 6 and 7 to target children

moving from Primary to Secondary school 22. Improve the publicity for cycling including the health and social benefits 23. The Council to support the introduction of �Smart Cards� at Aldersely Leisure Village which

would enable the Village to identify its users and give incentives to promote cycling, such as a discount for those cycling to the Village

24. Greater publicity be given to the Cycle Forum. The Cycle Forum is specifically asked to invite the Youth Council to attend a future Forum meeting.

Supplementary issues to be implemented: 1. Finish Cycle Route 81 in line with the agreed timetable and improve the lighting at the

Chapel Ash subway on Route 81 2. Investigate ways to improve the surface for cycling in Valley Park, Smestow 3. Investigate the introduction of a cycle route around the inside perimeter of West Park 4. Investigate the ways of keeping the cycle lane on Tettenhall Road clear of parked vehicles,

including the possibility of introducing off-road parking on Tettenhall Road 5. That British Waterways consider improving the canal towpaths in the City so they can be

used as cycle routes.

Wolverhampton City Council Provisional Cycle Programme 2006/07 This programme was presented at an Infrastructure Sub group meeting in March 2006. Many items are as a result of the Scrutiny Panel Process above.

� Cycle access through existing road closures - £30,000 Design work undertaken last year in conjunction with Wolves on Wheels on these plugged streets. Consultation with residents required at following sites

� Sweetman Street � Joan Street / Legge Street � Great Hampton Street x 2 � Leicester Street / Harrow Street � Great Hampton Street / Harrow Street

� Finchfield Road / Castlecroft - £100,000 Continuation of Aspen Way / Great Brickkiln Street. Investigate route through Bantock Park.

2006/07 - £20,000 2007/08 - £80,000

� New Cycle Leaflet - £5,000

� Cycle Parking - schools or local centres £15,000 Sites to be confirmed.

� Cross City Cycle Route 81 £50,000 Surfacing of Valley Park. Hordern road to Aldersley stadium.

� Cycle network route numbering £5,000 - Additional signing/branding, as recommended by Scrutiny Review. � Cycle Casualties - £5,000 term consultants to investigate targeted programme of works for future years. � 20 mph Zone - £15,000 term consultants to introduce 20mph zones in all traffic calmed areas as recommended by Scrutiny Review. One last thing � if you don�t come to Cycle Forum then you can�t comment on the programme.

Head of Road Safety John Partridge will organise the first review of the recommendations in July

at an Infrastructure Sub-Group meeting. Scrutiny Panel chairman Richard Whitehouse supported this idea as a useful monitoring exercise.

Cycle Training news Chief Cycling Instructor Pete Rollings continues to develop cycle training in Wolverhampton. Adult cycle training has turned out to be very seasonal and weather dependant. Lots of clients are now contacting Pete for training with the CTC-qualified instructor force now that Spring has arrived. More women than men appear to want to learn to cycle and many of these from scratch. Schools training at National levels 1 [10-11 year olds] and 2 [on highway for teenagers] is in high demand. Safer routes to School are ready in Wednesfield High and Ashmore Park Schools area where the newly-installed cycle parking shelters at each school are already full. British Waterways and Sustrans have been the partners on this programme. The �Curly Wyrley� canal in

Wednesfield now has refurbished, surfaced towpath sections as part of the project. These schools are now ready for their level 2 cycle training courses. [See next edition of WoW news for more on this scheme] Summer holiday courses for families are looking very likely and are an excellent way to pull in parents who are fearful of letting their newly trained youngsters out on the road and dads who �know how to ride a bike� but then don�t! Wolves on Wheels have been pressing the Council for

these courses in order that the youngsters get more cycling opportunities with their families after their courses are over. Wolverhampton now has the CTC centre in the West Midlands for cycle instructor training at Aldersley. The next course is in September. So if you are a capable vehicular cyclist with good listening skills and an open mind, there is a chance that you could train to be a WCC cycling instructor. The council needs more instructors to keep apace with demand from schools in the main. The Cycle maintenance school trailer from Aylesbury Training Group has finally arrived for at least a twelve month stay. It�ll go on the road from time to time e.g. to support the Tour of Britain, Tour de France 2007 stages 1 and 2 and the Cycle Show. See http://www.atg-cyclemechanics.co.uk/index.html for details of the range of courses offered to the cycle trade and public at their other four locations . All instructors will be doing Cytech courses in order to cover adjusting cycles as part of their employment. DT Swiss wheelbuilding courses, Park Tools school for enthusiasts courses and full cycle mechanic training are likely courses to be offered here. More details in the next issue of WoW news. Ann-Charlotte Holman, elsewhere in this issue, is looking for women and girls to join a beginners cycling club. Though mainly aimed at trainees of the WCC �Cycle with Confidence� cycle training, it will be open to all budding and keen female cyclists. Details about Cycle training from the Council�s Road Safety Team on 01902 555732 or E-mail: pete.rollings@wolverhampton.gov.uk

Wonders of Wolverhampton. There may be Seven Wonders of the Ancient World , but Wolverhampton had a few cycling wonders of its own, writes David Holman. While putting together the campaign�s presentation on

Wolverhampton Cycling for the Scrutiny Panel , I assembled some pictures to represent the town�s proud cycling heritage. Percy Stallard, Hugh Porter and the Sunbeam roadster were there. But the most unique was when I followed up a lead about a children�s cycle facility.

I wrote to Frank Sharman at the Wolverhampton Local History society. He�s been brilliant in the

past at unearthing precedents in Wolverhampton cycling life and has put a marvellous history of all the cycle makers of the town on the Web. {see Bicycles http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/bicycles/about.htm ] . Frank replied, �I have found a reference to the cycle training track in the Wolverhampton Handbook for 1967. It has a photo captioned: "St. Christopher's Park, Low Hill, opened in 1951, as the second Children's Traffic Training ground in the country." I think the park it still there, off Fifth Avenue.�

Isn�t the picture amazing? Cllr Jennifer Cromie remembers the facility fondly and, after paying a small admission fee, had many afternoons of fun there. The city council wants to offer cycle training to thousands of children. The funny thing is that it has set its own precedent for a way to do this and reduce all the modern worries like risk assessment. Do you think we should keep on reminding them that they could build a children�s traffic training ground again ?

Cycleways � UK tries for compulsion after Germany has abandoned it!

The Highway Code has been through a period of �consultation� on its latest revision. Or the first

the CTC heard of it was when there was an explosion of anger on all the cycle email forums. The consultation of the code, which covers all road users, is perversely in the hands of the Driver Standards Agency. This body is mostly made up of Driving Test examiners � a fact reflected in the detailed instructions on motoring and woeful information for pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists. Mostly based on the �get out of the way principle�. The proposed new rules for cycling included one which has lead to 11000 letters to MP�s [19 per member] from cyclists. This most

significant change is to old Rule 45, new Rule 58. Cyclists were previously told to 'Use cycle routes when practicable. They can make your journey safer.' - in itself controversial. Now it reads: 'Use cycle routes when practicable and cycle facilities such as advanced stop lines, cycle boxes, and toucan crossings where they are provided, as they can make your journeys safer ' . 'Use cycle facilities' does not have the discretion applied to cycle routes, and the 'such as' does not exclude other types of facility. If this rule stands, cyclists will therefore have to use facilities, irrespective of the consequences for personal safety or convenience. You will no longer have the discretion to cycle in the way most appropriate for enhancing your safety in the prevailing circumstances. In effect, it is compulsory use of facilities by the back door. The Wolves on Wheels submission on the Highway Code consultation tackles this and all the other shortcomings and is posted on http://freespace.virgin.net/thomas.holman/ at present. It will appear on the Campaign website proper in due course. Our colleagues at Warrington Cycle Campaign were part of a press field day as there �Cycle Facility of the Month� became the national talking point. It is good � see http://www.warringtoncyclecampaign.co.uk/ .

Germany is the other European country with the most narrow pavement cycleways. In Germany and some countries invaded during the 1939-45 war, rules were passed by the Nazis to rid the road of pedal cycles and force them onto roadside paths. Some legacy! CTC technical Officer Chris Juden posed the following inquiry in order to gain some more background for Highway code consultees. �I believe that it used to be illegal in Germany, to cycle on the road where there is an adjacent cycleway. But a few years ago that was overturned and now cyclists are legally entitled to use the road wherever they choose (except prohibited roads of course). Please can someone confirm to me if this is correct, when exactly it happened and if possible tell me about the legal arguments used to obtain this change of the law in Germany? British cyclists are facing increasing quasi-legal pressure to use roadside bicycle paths, and compared to German paths, ours are rubbish!� ADFC�s Legal Officer Roland Huhn replied �The German law concerning bicycle paths was amended in 1997. Before that year, the Strassenverkehrs-Ordnung (Road Traffic Regulations, StVO) read: Cyclists "have to use right-hand cycle tracks; left-hand cycle tracks may only be used if it is permitted to do so (sign 237)." Cyclists had to use all bicycle paths, cycling on the road was illegal when there was an adjacent cycle track. Sign 237 is a round blue sign with a white bicycle symbol. Since 1st September 1997, this section reads: Cyclists "have to use cycle tracks, if the respective direction of travel is marked with sign 237, 240 or 241. Other right-hand cycle tracks may be used." Sign 240 stands for a shared footpath and cycle track, sign 241 for separate (but adjacent) cycle track and footpath.

There was a transition period until 1st October 1998. Since this date, cyclists have to use only bicycle paths with one of the blue cycle track signs. When there is no such sign (but an unmarked bicycle path) they may ride on the road. Riding on the road is the rule, riding on cycle tracks the exception (in theory). Under German law, bicycles are vehicles, and "vehicles shall use the carriageway" . The official reason (from the Federal Minister of Transport) was, in short: Cycle tracks serve the separation of traffic and are useful for traffic safety. However, many of them are in an insufficient state of repair or their dimensions are not suitable for modern bicycle traffic. The use of such cycle tracks is generally unacceptable for cyclists. On the other hand, their use may be offered to those cyclists who would rather ride on cycle tracks than on the road, for instance elderly bicycle riders. Therefore, the obligation to use cycle tracks is limited to those tracks that have been marked with one of the blue bicycle signs. Municipalities have to check their cycleways. Only those that are considered necessary for reasons of road safety and feature certain quality criteria (with many details: width 2,00 meters, at least 1,50 meters; free of obstacles; built and kept according to the state of the art; steady course; safe design of the cycle track at crossroads and junctions) are to be marked with the cycle track signs. But in practice, many insufficient cycle tracks have kept their signs. Locally, German cyclists have gone to court against the obligation to use cycle tracks that did not reach the quality criteria and were successful in the majority of cases. Further information (in German): http://www.adfc.de/526_1 �. So what on Earth is the UK doing heading towards a disaster ? We don�t have very good highway

law and, with newspapers like the Daily Mail crying over further limitations on the freedom to break the law whilst driving, an endemic delight in bad driving. Levels of cycling continue to rise in the Bundesrepublik - no doubt aided by the attainment of cycling critical mass, excellent driving standards and Tempo Dreizig � 30 km/hr on residential streets. Surely the way forwards is to pick

the best of European practice and make the Highway Code a concise version of the real cyclists� guide � Cyclecraft by John Franklin ?

Tour Of Britain 2006 By now you�ll know that Wolverhampton did not get the Grand Départ du Tour de France in 2007. But cheer up! The penultimate stage of the 2006 Tour of Britain - Stage 4 - will be staged in the West-Midlands starting in Wolverhampton on 1st September 2006. It�s worth the morning off to

see it all begin. Birmingham Midshires are the sponsers of the Wolverhampton stage and have agreed to fund some Cycle Training for local school children. Information on the race is available at the event website www.tourofbritain.co.uk

WoW news from our campaign areas 1. Right to Ride :- Highway code consultation response completed. WCC schemes reviewed including lodging a formal objection to 5 Ways island bus gate then helping re-design it. Members have written submissions on Ward Street, Bilston Urban Village and i54 developments. Submission to WCC for the Rights of Way improvement Plan news and encouragement to members to take part in the successful CTC restricted byway status campaign. Now we need to test this new entitlement by submitting a bridleway that suddenly becomes a footpath at the Staffs border as a case for a cycleway. Interested ? A vacancy exists for a CTC member to join the local Right to Ride team.

2. Ranger Group. David Wilson has taken over from David Holman as Sustrans Liasion

Ranger for Route 81 Smethwick-Wolverhampton-Telford and is in charge of organising ranger tasks on the route. Email to nislopmax@blueyonder.co.uk works best. The Wolverhampton Cross-City route is largely in place. The Rangers have submitted a photo survey of the route and its snags followed by a signing survey in March to the Council. The Hordern Road to Aldersley stretch as noted in Works programme is to be surfaced . The Shropshire Cosford to Telford section of the route is to open this summer. Davids Nicholson and Holman were shown the advance copies of the Newport Road, Albrighton Section by Shropshire Cycling Officer Alison Kennedy on 20 May. The best compromise has now been achieved for this section. Police and local people approval now needed. Shropshire Council has prepared a cycle leaflet on the Albrighton to Telford section of Route 81 to its usual high standard. Our ranger group was praised by Sustrans regional manager Perminder Balu at a recent ranger day as the top example of a group responsible for future routes. Well done to the Rangers!

3. Wolves on Wheels has affiliated to Living Streets.

A cycle campaign becoming part of the Pedestrian Association ? Potty ? No. We are not saying that you should sell your bike instead but looking at town planning from the point of view of a pedestrian helps everybody irrespective of one�s mode of transport. After

all, even Damon Hill becomes a pedestrian once his race is over! Back in September 2004 WoWcc founder Tim Jones said of Liveable Streets �Please take time to browse http://www.livablecities.org/ when you have the time. Very thought provoking. I've always been of the view that this is the agenda that we should be embracing, because if you create a liveable city, the ability and willingness of the public to cycle naturally

follows.� This is the message we delivered to the Scrutiny Panel on Cycling. And it�s a powerful

one. If you�re interested in Liveable Streets and pedestrian issues we�d like to hear from you.

4. Bike Rail � The forthcoming trouble is the demise of the Central Trains Franchise and the re-franchising of Cross-Country Trains. Both are chances to lobby for better cycle carriage.

Flashing Legalised Following sustained campaigning from CTC the use of flashing lights on cycles is now legal in the UK. WoWCC submitted a full paper to the DfT two years ago as part of the cycle lighting consultation. The details were decided in close consultation with CTC's technical officer, Chris Juden, who said: "This is a welcome liberalisation of cycle lighting law because provided they are bright enough, flashers front and rear will not only be legal, but will be all the lights you need." In brief, to be legally approved a light may flash at least once and not more than four times per second with a brilliance of at least four candle-power. Most of the better quality flashing lights on sale today, meet that simple requirement. You can use a flashing light in conjunction with a headlamp that actually illuminates the way and now be legal.

Wolves on Wheels Events Programme including the Social Rides 2nd Friday of the Month. Social rides - call 773747 or 687155 if you want to arrange to meet up at Queen Square at 7pm for the 7-15pm. Otherwise see you at the destination . Final Wednesday of the month is the Campaign meeting at the Great Western, Sun Street Wolverhampton from 8pm. 9th June The Bell, Trysull 10th June WoW Womens� Cycle Day 17th June Let us Cycle Festival Aldersley 18th June WoWcc Picnic Ride to the Bratch Steam Gala. Aldersley 10am start. 23rd June The Wolves on Wheels Midsummer Evening ride to the Cat Inn, Enville 29th June Cycle Forum Sub-Group meeting to design the new Wolverhampton Cycle Map

with Jenni Crayford. 14th July The Hollybush, Ebstree (on Ebstree Road between Lower Penn and Seisdon) 11th August Olde Swan, Netherton, 89 Halesowen Road 1st September Tour of Britain Stage 4 Wolverhampton start 7th September City Cycle Forum 8th September Codsall Station Inn 28th September Wolves on Wheels CC Annual General Meeting. 13th October Beacon Hotel, Sedgley, 129 Bilston St., A463 10th November Olde White Rose, Bilston, Lichfield St. 23rd November City Cycle Forum 8th December Combermere Arms, Chapel Ash, WoWcc Christmas bash. Happy Cycling Alastair Hopkins WoW Membership Secretary If you participate in any ride organised by or in the name of Wolves on Wheels Cycle Campaign, you do so entirely at your own risk. The Campaign, its officers and ride organisers accept no responsibility for any loss, damage to property, accident, injury or death that may occur, however caused, whether by negligence, deliberate act or otherwise.

What does Wolves on Wheels do ?

Wolves On Wheels Cycle Campaign works in a number of area. See our website www.wolvesonwheels.co.uk/ for more details. These are :-

1. The Campaign�s main aim is the creation a cycling culture in the Wolverhampton

area.

2. We lobby local, regional and national government, and collaborate with them as well as other agencies and organisations in order to promote the following issues:-

The rights of cyclists and cycle users The promotion of cycling as a mode of transport available to all Road safety including the education of all road users The integration of cycling with other modes of public transport. Bike � Rail has been a

major area with some notable campaign successes with Virgin Trains at the Station.

3. WoWcc works with the local highway authority to ensure high quality cycle-friendly infrastructure and cycle parking facilities are implemented.

4. A strength of the campaign is that it has all the local representatives of the CTC Right

To Ride network (the campaigning arm of the CTC which is the national cycling organisation) as active members. They represent all local cyclists in their work.

5. Wolves on Wheels has a Sustrans Community Ranger Group. The rangers work on

promoting and surveying the future local National Cycle Network routes (NCN 81 and the Wolverhampton cross-city route). After opening, group members will ride the route, checking signing, looking for snags and doing small maintenance and litter clearing activities.

6. We believe in cycle training for all. New and returning cyclists will always have a

portion of their journey on the highway and need to learn high quality cycling skills. WoWcc is working with the Council and the Wildside Activity Centre to get teenager and adult cycle training off the ground.

7. We love going for social rides and days out by cycle.

Honorary President :- Mr Rob Marris MP. Wolves on Wheels Cycle Campaign is affiliated to the CTC, Living Streets and to the Cycle Campaign Network. Contacts:- Campaign Chair . email - chair@wolvesonwheels.co.uk Campaigns officer - David Holman 01902 773747 or DHolman@wolvesonwheels.co.uk Secretary :- David Nicholson ( 01902 714730. 21 Bushbury Lane, Wolverhampton WV10 9TN) Membership Secretary :- Alastair Hopkins (01902 687155. membership@wolvesonwheels.co.uk)