Author Topic: Bristol!? Eh!? (Read 5242 times)

TheLurker · « **on:** 19 June, 2008, 08:20:28 am »

BBC NEWS | England | Bristol | Bristol named UK's 'cycling city'

Noo, that doesn't sound like the same pollution ridden hell-hole that I remember biking in and around. Dreadful place. I always thought, still do, that the Slough "solution" was the best plan for Bristol none of this tinkering around the edges.

Jaded · « **Reply #1 on:** 19 June, 2008, 09:11:41 am »

It's an interesting choice. Some of the routes out of town are, challenging. Not ideal for persuading fatties onto their bikes, but on the other hand choosing a flat place could be criticised for making it too easy.

andygates · « **Reply #2 on:** 19 June, 2008, 10:06:15 am »

Hellhole? Nah, it's not that bad. Quite nice in parts.

Wobbly John · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 June, 2008, 10:10:44 am »

Nothing to do with where Sustrans is based of course...

mrcharly-YHT · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 June, 2008, 10:40:21 am »

YORK!

wtf is York doing on that list, it already has every facility known to the cycling world.

How about cities like Leeds?

Dave · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 June, 2008, 10:43:32 am »

Quote from: mrcharly on 19 June, 2008, 10:40:21 am

YORK!

wtf is York doing on that list, it already has every facility known to the cycling world.

How about cities like Leeds?

Cambridge too. Both places with very active cycle campaign organisations?

It's in many ways hilarious that Stoke is on the list. But if you want a case study on whether this sort of investment will work, it's actually an excellent choice.

mrcharly-YHT · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 June, 2008, 11:58:47 am »

Quote from: Dave on 19 June, 2008, 10:43:32 am

Quote from: mrcharly on 19 June, 2008, 10:40:21 am
YORK!

wtf is York doing on that list, it already has every facility known to the cycling world.

How about cities like Leeds?

Cambridge too. Both places with very active cycle campaign organisations?

It's in may ways hilarious that Stoke is on the list. But if you want a case study on whether this sort of investment will work, it's actually an excellent choice.

I've just been re-interviewed about this. Told interviewer that York didn't need the money, cities like Leeds were a desert when it came to cycling and cycle proficiency training in the schools.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #7 on:** 19 June, 2008, 12:03:52 pm »

Bristol is also a slightly soft target because (a) maybe due to the Sustrans influence, it has a lot of existing facilities like ASLs and (b) it has a large student population who may* be young, poor and fit enough to cycle.

On the other hand, the climate is atrociously wet, unlike Hull or Cambridge.

*although yer average Oxbridge-reject Bristol student probably has a new car purchased by the Bank of Mummy and Daddy.

clarion · « **Reply #8 on:** 19 June, 2008, 12:08:00 pm »

Manchester is the place that needs it, to support the CCharge scheme. It's abominable for cycling.

Aidan · « **Reply #9 on:** 19 June, 2008, 12:54:29 pm »

A good film article on the BBc website. Quite well put forward and shows some of a cyclists problems. Filmed in Bristol

BBC NEWS | UK | Bristol named as 'cycle city'

JohnP · « **Reply #10 on:** 19 June, 2008, 12:55:38 pm »

I guess that the BBC Breakfast planners read this story as they had a slot from Bristol this morning. Followed a cyclist on her commute with some sensible comments along the way.

Aidan & I x-typed.

Dave · « **Reply #11 on:** 19 June, 2008, 01:30:46 pm »

I liked the crap driving of the twonk in the blue polo. Sudden stop when they realised there was a cyclist in front of them at the junction. Straight over the top of a mini-RAB. Dodgy overtake on the mini-RAB

Blah · « **Reply #12 on:** 19 June, 2008, 01:38:05 pm »

Quote from: rogerzilla on 19 June, 2008, 12:03:52 pm

Bristol is also a slightly soft target because (a) maybe due to the Sustrans influence, it has a lot of existing facilities like ASLs and (b) it has a large student population who may* be young, poor and fit enough to cycle.

Plenty of Fixed gear gallery type fixers recently...

Quote

On the other hand, the climate is atrociously wet, unlike Hull or Cambridge.

Quote

Really? I haven't noticed in the past couple of years.
*although yer average Oxbridge-reject Bristol student probably has a new car purchased by the Bank of Mummy and Daddy.

Yes. There are some inappropriate red Italian cars driven by students...

Gattopardo · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 June, 2008, 01:46:28 pm »

Well Bristol is forward thinking enough to allow motorbikes in bus lanes, so I say well done.

Dave · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 June, 2008, 01:50:08 pm »

Quote from: Lynx on 19 June, 2008, 01:46:28 pm

Well Bristol is forward thinking enough to allow motorbikes in bus lanes, so I say well done.

Is it forward-thinking enough to allow cyclists to ride the wrong way along one-way streets?

Gattopardo · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 June, 2008, 01:51:03 pm »

Quote from: Dave on 19 June, 2008, 01:50:08 pm

Quote from: Lynx on 19 June, 2008, 01:46:28 pm
Well Bristol is forward thinking enough to allow motorbikes in bus lanes, so I say well done.

Is it forward-thinking enough to allow cyclists to ride the wrong way along one-way streets?

No 'cos thats a stupid idea, and bristol know it.

mattc · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 June, 2008, 01:52:54 pm »

Quote from: Aidan on 19 June, 2008, 12:54:29 pm

A good film article on the BBc website. Quite well put forward and shows some of a cyclists problems. Filmed in Bristol

BBC NEWS | UK | Bristol named as 'cycle city'

My favourite thing about that video: the volume control goes up to 11.

Aidan · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 June, 2008, 01:55:54 pm »

Quote from: mattc on 19 June, 2008, 01:52:54 pm

Quote from: Aidan on 19 June, 2008, 12:54:29 pm
A good film article on the BBc website. Quite well put forward and shows some of a cyclists problems. Filmed in Bristol

BBC NEWS | UK | Bristol named as 'cycle city'
My favourite thing about that video: the volume control goes up to 11.

Yay!!!! rock on!

Gattopardo · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 June, 2008, 02:00:37 pm »

Dereck smalls is that you?

ABlipInContinuity · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 June, 2008, 02:15:55 pm »

Quote from: Aidan on 19 June, 2008, 12:54:29 pm

A good film article on the BBc website. Quite well put forward and shows some of a cyclists problems. Filmed in Bristol

BBC NEWS | UK | Bristol named as 'cycle city'

brilliant!

clarion · « **Reply #20 on:** 19 June, 2008, 03:55:49 pm »

Is it appropriate that it goes to a city named after a car?

rogerzilla · « **Reply #21 on:** 19 June, 2008, 04:03:47 pm »

That would also rule out Bedford, Luton (sort of), Leyland, Oxford, Cambridge, Plymouth and anywhere along the Humber.

Gattopardo · « **Reply #22 on:** 19 June, 2008, 04:07:47 pm »

Quote from: clarion on 19 June, 2008, 03:55:49 pm

Is it appropriate that it goes to a city named after a car?

And a ladies chesticles.

Spikey · « **Reply #23 on:** 19 June, 2008, 04:41:19 pm »

Quote from: ABlipInContinuity on 19 June, 2008, 02:15:55 pm

Quote from: Aidan on 19 June, 2008, 12:54:29 pm
A good film article on the BBc website. Quite well put forward and shows some of a cyclists problems. Filmed in Bristol

BBC NEWS | UK | Bristol named as 'cycle city'

brilliant!

Uh No! I thought that this was an entirely negative film which is a non-stop winge. Overall, its well designed to put off any potential cyclists. Yes there are dangers and some atrocious driving, and our fair share of rubish cycle facilities, but there is also so many +ves of cycle commuting.

I think its ironic that Bristol should be given this award considering the recent plans to convert the Bristol-to-Bath path (one of Sustrans showpiece routes) into some sort of tram route.

Blah · « **Reply #24 on:** 19 June, 2008, 04:54:15 pm »

Quote from: Spikey on 19 June, 2008, 04:41:19 pm

I think its ironic that Bristol should be given this award considering the recent plans to convert the Bristol-to-Bath path (one of Sustrans showpiece routes) into some sort of tram route.

That's no longer going ahead. It was never going to actually happen anyway.