Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => Freewheeling => Topic started by: TheLurker on 19 June, 2008, 08:20:28 am

Title: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: TheLurker on 19 June, 2008, 08:20:28 am

 BBC NEWS | England | Bristol | Bristol named UK's 'cycling city' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/england/bristol/7462791.stm)

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.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Jaded 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.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: andygates on 19 June, 2008, 10:06:15 am
Hellhole?  Nah, it's not that bad.  Quite nice in parts.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Wobbly John on 19 June, 2008, 10:10:44 am
Nothing to do with where Sustrans is based of course...  ::-)
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: mrcharly-YHT 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?
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Dave on 19 June, 2008, 10:43:32 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.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 19 June, 2008, 11:58:47 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.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: 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.

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.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: clarion 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.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: 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' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7462894.stm)
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: JohnP 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.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Dave 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 ::-)
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Blah on 19 June, 2008, 01:38:05 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...
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Gattopardo 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.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Dave on 19 June, 2008, 01:50:08 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? ;)
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Gattopardo on 19 June, 2008, 01:51:03 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.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: mattc on 19 June, 2008, 01:52:54 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' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7462894.stm)
My favourite thing about that video: the volume control goes up to 11.

 
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Aidan on 19 June, 2008, 01:55:54 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' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7462894.stm)
My favourite thing about that video: the volume control goes up to 11.

 


Yay!!!! rock on! ;D ;D
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Gattopardo on 19 June, 2008, 02:00:37 pm
Dereck smalls is that you?
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: ABlipInContinuity on 19 June, 2008, 02:15:55 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' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7462894.stm)

brilliant!
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: clarion on 19 June, 2008, 03:55:49 pm
Is it appropriate that it goes to a city named after a car? ???
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: rogerzilla 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.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Gattopardo on 19 June, 2008, 04:07:47 pm
Is it appropriate that it goes to a city named after a car? ???

And a ladies chesticles.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Spikey on 19 June, 2008, 04:41:19 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' (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7462894.stm)

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.

 

Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Blah on 19 June, 2008, 04:54:15 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.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Naggers on 19 June, 2008, 06:35:32 pm
That would also rule out Bedford, Luton (sort of), Leyland, Oxford, Cambridge, Plymouth and anywhere along the Humber.

Be great if they ruled out Luton.

Every single lick of green paint in the Town has made the road it's on less safe.

I'd be happy if they didn't spend another single penny on farcilities.

Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: vince on 19 June, 2008, 09:55:30 pm
*although yer average Oxbridge-reject Bristol student probably has a new car purchased by the Bank of Mummy and Daddy.

Oi! I cycled  >:(

'til my bike got nicked :(
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Dinamo on 20 June, 2008, 11:19:03 am
I commute in Bristol, which is by far the easiest way to get around this very congested city.

I wonder how much of the reported 23 million, will be spent on educating car / bus drivers to the dangers cyclists have to undertake whilst sharing the roads with them.

Whilst I'm on the subject will, dedicated cycle lanes still stop at
  i)  traffic lights
 ii)  Busy junctions
iii)   narrow passages of road

An aside from this the picture in the BBC News clip shows a stalwart of Bristol cycling, Roy Williams, who still cycles as much as possible, he recently passed his 80th birthday and rides every week with the Bristol Thursday Old Time Cyclists, who usually cycle 40 - 50 miles !
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Julian on 20 June, 2008, 03:07:52 pm
*although yer average Oxbridge-reject Bristol student probably has a new car purchased by the Bank of Mummy and Daddy.

It's funny, isn't it, that although allegedly full of posh toffs in boaters who live a life of unimpeded luxury and have access to Daddy's Bentley - Oxford and Cambridge are the two cities in which utility cycling is the norm.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: rogerzilla on 20 June, 2008, 03:12:11 pm
*although yer average Oxbridge-reject Bristol student probably has a new car purchased by the Bank of Mummy and Daddy.

It's funny, isn't it, that although allegedly full of posh toffs in boaters who live a life of unimpeded luxury and have access to Daddy's Bentley - Oxford and Cambridge are the two cities in which utility cycling is the norm.

I just know some very obnoxious Bristol students  ;)  Mind you, central Oxford and Cambridge aren't exactly designed for the motor car, so there's little point having one.  Bristol has a lot of 1960s "raze it to the ground and build a few flyovers" town planning.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Kathy on 20 June, 2008, 03:14:51 pm
*although yer average Oxbridge-reject Bristol student probably has a new car purchased by the Bank of Mummy and Daddy.

It's funny, isn't it, that although allegedly full of posh toffs in boaters who live a life of unimpeded luxury and have access to Daddy's Bentley - Oxford and Cambridge are the two cities in which utility cycling is the norm.

I just know some very obnoxious Bristol students  ;)  Mind you, central Oxford and Cambridge aren't exactly designed for the motor car, so there's little point having one.  Bristol has a lot of 1960s "raze it to the ground and build a few flyovers" town planning.

Cambridge students aren't (or weren't seven years ago) allowed to keep cars - the university wisely realised that there was not going to be room for 20,000 extra cars in a tiny mediaeval city, and only issues a small number of permits to societies or people with exceptional circumstances.
Title: Re: Bristol!? Eh!?
Post by: Cudzoziemiec on 23 June, 2008, 06:39:03 am
Quote
BRISTOL'S CYCLING PLANS


Create the UK's first on-street bike rental network
I thought a similar scheme had already got the go ahead in London?

Don't know about Bristol students being more likely to own cars than those in other places, though certainly the car parks at university buildings seem far fuller than they did when oi were there. But then everywhere that's the case.

And Bristol's not a hellhole. It has horrid parts like any city.