076 2013 05 - Dorset Cyclists` Network

page 1
DORSET CYCLISTS’
NETWORK
www.dcn.org.uk
founded 1992
campaigning for
a cycle-friendly Dorset
DCN needs a new Treasurer
The most rewarding aspect of being DCN
Treasurer, says Michael Woodhall, our present
one, is working with like-minded people to
further the cause of cycling in our area. He
adds “You do not need to be an accountant.”
We have a professional who covers that aspect
of the job. The main qualities needed are to be
methodical and inquisitive, and the main skills
are competence and accuracy with spreadsheets
and e-mail. Michael has enjoyed his 6 years in
this role, but now has to stand down and we
need a member to take over. Michael will gladly
give the new treasurer personal help on his tasks
(including internet banking) and has prepared
guidance notes. The Chairman DCN will also
give strong help and active support.
Please consider whether you or a member
you know can step into this role and contact
Chairman DCN without obligation.
Newsletter no 76
May 2013
MPs look into Cycle Safety
From January to March, the All-Party
Parliamentary Cycling Group took evidence on
cycling safety from cycling organisations,
motoring bodies, Bikeability, the police and the
Ministry of Justice. Here is a synopsis of some
of the evidence they heard.
CTC
Roger Geffen (CTC campaign manager) said
that cycling has benefits for health,
communities, the environment, the economy
and quality of life. Action is needed by councils,
schools, colleges, businesses, police, public
transport operators, retailers, leisure promoters
and politicians. More more detail about the CTC
evidence and that of the University of
Westminster, the Bicycle Association and others
can be found at
http://tinyurl.com/cyclingstrategy
(continued page 3)
IN THIS ISSUE
2 Rides & Events diary
3 Cycle safety (cont)
4 Charity rides; Cycling on
BBC; Bikes for sale
6 Weymouth & Portland
7 North Dorset Trailway
8 Dorset Wildlife Trust
9 Cycle to Singing
10 Bridport; East Dorset &
Christchurch
11 Poole; 20 mph limits
13 Why a Trike?
14 Why Electric? Code of
Conduct on shared paths
15 Bournemouth
16 Bournemouth (cont)
17 Lyme Regis;
Dorchester; Road Tax?
18 Ferndown
19 Wimborne; Stur Newton
20 Bee Shack Café;
Cycling injuries
21 NEW BLANDFORD
BRANCH; Sherborne
22 Highway Code; Letters;
Number crunching
23 Commute to work;
Cycle and be happy
24 More letters
26 Competition; Cycle
parking at Lytchett Minster
burial site
27 DCN Contacts;
Advertising rates
28 Membership matters
Next newsletter: September 2013. Deadline for copy: 1 August
page 2
Cycle rides
Rides as notified by their organisers. DCN does not accept responsibility for error. Check DCN
website or contact leaders for updates Email diary entries to chair@dcn.org.uk
DCN REGULAR RIDES
PURBECK
WIMBORNE
SHERBORNE Occasional
Wednesdays 6.30pm
Short and long rides on and off
road from Purbeck Sports Centre.
John Thraves 01929 554550
Monthly Sunday 2-3 hrs incl.
lunch stop.
David Bourne 01202 882721
Sunday rides through winter.
Peter Henshaw 01935 389357
FERNDOWN
WIMBORNE
1st/2nd Mons; 3rd/4th Fris
10.30am from Walford Mill
Short rides incl coffee stop.
Michael Evans 01202 880966
1st and 3rd third Saturdays
Various start points 10am. 20
miles with refreshment stop .
Ken Cook 01202 890084
OTHER REGULAR RIDES
NEW FOREST
Saturdays 8.45am from Waitrose Car Park,
Christchurch or 9am near “The Oak PH”,
Burton. Return to start by noon. 20 miles. No
need to book
UPWEY
Monthly first Sunday. Meet 10am (NOT
SEPTEMBER) near The Ship Inn, Elwell Street,
Upwey Ron March 01305 813935
CHRISTCHURCH BICYCLE CLUB
Various rides Rob Jamieson 01202 489858
WIMBORNE Pedal Pushers
9.30am from St John’s Church 10 to 20 miles.
Paul Jenns 07900 987624 paul@jenns.biz
BRIDLEWAYS
April-Sept Tuesday evenings from Wimborne,
Dorchester or Blandford. Not 'fast and furious,'
suitable for men and women. About 2 hours.
Trevor Bridle 01258 454811
or Graham Austin 01202 886096
WINTER RIDES
Oct-March Wednesday afternoons. Some off
road depending on the weather. About 2 hours.
from Wimborne, Dorchester or Blandford. Not
'fast and furious,' suitable for men and women.
Trevor Bridle 01258 454811 or Graham
Austin 01202 886096
CTC RIDES
Blackmore Vale TryCycle short and easy
rides for getting back to cycling.
www.wessexctc.org/bv.htm
West Dorset Folders
Usually 1st Thursday. Normally train-assisted
but riders can join at the start of the ride.
www.westdorsetctc.org.uk
West Dorset
Saturdays 10.15am. From Weymouth (RSPB
hut, Swannery Car Park) or Dorchester (Top
o'Town cafe). Check start by phone. About 25
leisurely miles with lunch stop.
Joy Cunningham 01305 823235
SINGLE DATE RIDES & OTHER EVENTS
12 May Dorset Coast and Harbour (for Lewis
Manning charity) 17, 33, 42, 54 miles
http://tinyurl.com/aqdmfod
19 May North Dorset Trailway. Official opening of
new section Stourpaine Rec. Ground See page 7
15-23 June Bike Week. Register your event to get
free liability insurance. www.bikeweek.org.uk
15 June 2pm DCN AGM at The Quay, Wareham
NOTE YOUR DIARY NOW. All welcome
7 July Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride
6 routes 10 miles to 100 miles
www.macmillanbikeride.co.uk/ 01202 601705
September Croatia charity ride. Details page 4
Sun 1st September Rotary Ride
for Cancer Research UK Details page 4
page 3
Cycling safety inquiry
Continued from page 1
Roger Geffen urged that the quality of cycle
Sentencing policy
facilities is all important. He said: "What we
The Metropolitan Police and the Ministry of
don't want to see is cyclists excluded from the
Justice were asked by the inquiry about
road and forced to share space with pedestrians. enforcement and sentencing of drivers who
Dedicated space for cyclists - preferably
endanger and seriously injure or kill cyclists.
segregated - must be made from reallocating
Ian Austin, co-chair of the APPCG, cited the
road space."
case of a cyclist in Solihull who died last year
The enquiry heard about several major road
after being struck by a taxi driver and carried
schemes in which provision for cyclists has
for 90 metres on the bonnet before it collided
been neglected due to a perceived lack of
with a tree. The driver was convicted of driving
demand.
without due care and attention and received
Automobile Association
three points on his licence and a £35 fine, only
AA president Edmund King said that cycle
£5 more than the fine for cyclists who ride on
safety must be part of driving tests and the
the pavement.
national curriculum. It should educate drivers to Martin Porter QC, a personal injury lawyer,
give extra space on the roads. Road safety
described the police as “spineless” when dealing
awareness should be taught in schools and the
with motorists who endanger cyclists, while
“independent” section of the test (when drivers
Martin Gibbs of British Cycling added that the
are asked to drive without direction from the
justice system in this area is broken and that
examiner) could take place where there are high cases “are either not investigated, not properly
cyclist numbers, to prepare new drivers for
prosecuted or result in a sentence that sends
encountering them. Getting young people on
completely the wrong message about how we
bikes before they learn to drive helps them to
want people to behave on the roads.”
learn about life on the road, making it a “lifeThe inquiry also heard that there had been many
skill”. He criticised piecemeal cycle lanes which
fewer prosecutions for causing death by
lull cyclists and motorists into a false sense of
dangerous driving since the introduction of the
security.
lesser charge of causing death by careless
driving. Martin Jones of the MoJ, said that
Institute of Advanced Motorists
Neil Greig of IAM complained of the low take- sentencing bad drivers was a “very difficult
situation” and added “Sentences are a matter for
up by schools of courses to introduce schoolthe court to decide after listening to the
children to driving theory and hazard
evidence.”
perception. David Dansky, a cycle trainer from
the Association of Bikeability Schemes, told the
The inquiry also heard that, while there were 16
inquiry that only 250,000 school children
cyclist deaths in London in 2011, there were
received cycle training in the UK last year
none in Paris over the same period, possibly
because many local authorities are failing to
due to stricter regulations over large lorries
match-fund Government grants for cycle
training. He praised taxi and haulage companies entering the city centre.
who had taken steps to train their drivers on
how to drive near cyclists.
Julian Huppert MP, chair of the inquiry, said
The IAM also said that spending on road safety that the APPCG would make recommendations
campaigns has been cut from from £19 million
to the government.
in 2008/09 to £4 million in 2011/12, with
further cuts to come in 2012/13, Cyclist safety
Read also : 20 mph limits : page 11
is being given low priority, as out of a budget
of £3.7 million, less than 2% goes towards
cyclist safety. To give some perspective to this
issue, one fatal road accident costs £1.7 million.
page 4
Croatia cycle
challenge
Genesis Research Trust, founded
by Professor Robert Winston, finances research
into conditions affecting conception, pregnancy
and birth. The ride through Croatia’s World
Heritage sites will be guided by experienced
experts. Cyclists are asked to raise a minimum
amount of money, and the Trust will support
entrants in their fundraising and training efforts.
www.genesisresearchtrust.com 020 7594 2158
Rotary ride
For Cancer Research
1 September
From the Tank Museum BH20 6JG
£13 adult; £5 under 16.
Registration 9.00am
Start 50 & 60 mile 10:00, 30 mile 10:20,
20 mile 10:30, 10 Mile 10:40
david.king@gbpltd.co.uk
01929 471087 / 07973 189395
Cycling is the future
“Cities of the future will have to embrace the
humble bicycle if they want to get ahead” said
Mark Watts, director of multinational design
firm Arup and a leading expert on sustainable
planning. He told a property conference in
Cannes that humans are consuming more natural
resources than the earth is able to replace.
But there are examples of smart, green thinking
throughout the world to make him optimistic,
including high investment in cycling. As an
example, in Copenhagen, 35% of all trips to
work are by bike, saving one dollar in health
costs for every kilometre cycled.
Mr Watts said “The most successful 40 cities in
the world have seen the biggest increases on
spending on cycling, and the cities judged to be
the most livable and most efficient are those with
sustainable transport systems.
I think we are going to see the return of the oldfashioned bicycle in the most successful cities in
the world.” http://tinyurl.com/bnbkbn4
(Source: Manchester Evening News)
Thanks to Christine Bourne, DCN Wimborne
for sending in this article
Cycling on the Beeb
Two BBC broadcast programmes in February had a cycling dimension
On Yer Bike (Radio 4)
had Pam Ayres reading
her poems about cycling
holidays, the tandem and
gym bikes. She grew up
in a family of six cyclists,
with the “paraphernalia of
cycling a constant topic of conversation.” She
specially liked an easy cycling holiday she
recently had with her husband, riding along the
Loire Valley.
DCN members’ small adverts
Advertise bikes and accessories free in the
newsletter and on the DCN website. We
welcome a small donation if you make a sale.
Annual General Meeting
DCN members and others will be welcome at
2pm Saturday 15 June
at The Community Hall
The Quay, Wareham
Pump and Circumstance
(Radio 3) featured Edward
Elgar, one of this country’s
foremost composers, as an
enthusiastic cyclist and
explained how this
influenced his compositions.
He referred to his cycling
companions in the Enigma
Variations and composed music in his head
while riding around the Malvern area.
Boris's joined-up thinking
Cycle routes named after tube lines,
better cycling infrastructure and increases
to cycle parking at mainline stations are
some of the proposals in the Mayor of
London's Cycling Vision, which was
launched in March.
Visit http://tinyurl.com/borisplan
page 5
page 6
Weymouth & Portland
Acting Coordinator: Ken Reed
Cycle Parking
many more during the Olympics. It reflects
We will have secure cycle storage in
the huge increase we have seen in cycling in
Weymouth on Westham Bridge for all to use.
the borough.
Our CTC/DCN proposal to Dorset County
Council resulted in a grant being approved
Portland Beach Road
from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.
Work will start on 11th March to increase the
This is a great example of the local
width of the existing cycle path between the
community working in partnership with both
Chesil Centre entrance and the National
our local authorities to provide a much needed Sailing Academy roundabout. This will enable
facility.
cyclists to get from Weymouth town centre to
The proposal came from two local cycling
the National Sailing Academy and onwards via
groups, CTC West Dorset and DCN, supported Osprey Quay to Portland in relative safety.
by the Friends of the Rodwell Trail and the
DCN/CTC comments to the consultation via
local business Cyclelife. The project
Adam Bows were as follows: “On behalf of
management will be carried out by Weymouth CTC West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland
and Portland Borough Council who will also
DCN we strongly support the proposals. We
manage the facility and provide the site on
would like to raise two issues, neither of
Westham Bridge.
which is critical to the scheme going ahead.
Last year the secure cycle parking facility on
We still receive constant complaints about the
Westham Bridge was used by 54 bikes each
safety of Section 1.
day outwith the Sailing Olympics period and
Continued on page 7
page 7
Weymouth & Portland
Continued from page 6
Dorchester Road North
This is being changed by DCC now that it has
been partly bypassed by the relief road.
Cyclists are expected to use the relief road
cycle routes for longer journeys but many of
us prefer Dorchester Road. It also accesses
several schools and serves work places and
shops. DCN/CTC will be keeping an eye on
this.
We accept that increasing the width of the path
will be an improvement.
In view of current and draft DfT
recommendations it would be appropriate to
rebalance the design of the road to take into
account the many pedestrians and cyclists rather
than just favouring motor vehicles. This could
be achieved by removing the right filter lane
into the Chesil Centre on the south bound side
and adjusting the islands. In the short term a
speed limit would seem to be in line with DfT
recommendations. Pedestrians and cyclists
should also have priority or at least some green
tarmac at the Chesil Centre entrance.
The other expensive consideration is the
repositioning of the street lights. Had Portland
Beach Road been designed today rather than 25
years ago we wonder whether the lights would
be required. They are certainly an
environmentally unfriendly overkill. Halving
the number and turning them off at midnight
would be a great improvement and save
money. And we guess be politically
unacceptable in Dorset.
We are delighted, as are our members, that
after all these years work is going ahead and it
is much appreciated.”
Marsh Route extension to Chickerell
This is currently being built and will provide a
cycle route from Chickerell to the town centre
mainly on shared pavements and via two
toucan crossings. It is being partly funded by
Sustrans and will serve Budmouth College.
CTC/DCN supported the route concepts at
public consultation.
Town Centre to Manor Roundabout via
Southill
The existing route has been resurfaced and is
now very pleasant to use beside Radipole Lake
nature reserve. DCC proposes to extend this
route to Morrison’s Roundabout during the next
financial year and DCN/CTC will respond
when it goes to consultation. The key issue
here is how the route crosses Westway at or
near Chafey’s Roundabout.
Cycling on the Prom
No progress.
Portrait bench
Sustrans, that well known patron of the arts
and wealthy fringe cycle route organisation put
one up on the Rodwell Trail. It looks rusty,
cost £15,000 on top of the other £400,000
wasted on artists in the area, all of which
could have been better spent elsewhere. So far
it has not been uprooted or favourably
adjusted by our local Banksy. It will however,
according to Sustrans, improve the experience
of using the Rodwell Trail.
North Dorset Trailway
from Lesley Gasson, Chair
North Dorset Trailway Group
Durweston to Stourpaine section
The new stretch of Trailway will be the best
yet. It is well designed for bicycles, runners,
horse riders and mobility scooters.
The width is more than 2.5m so it is easy for
different users to pass one another. The slopes
have been graded but there are a few climbs;
one emerging from the tunnel under the A350
and the other from the tunnel under the
Blandford Bye-pass on to the Milldown.
There will be a grand opening of this section of
the Trailway on Sunday 19 May when we will
ceremonially open the section at the Milldown
then run, walk, cycle, ride to Stourpaine
recreation ground for a celebration. All are
welcome.
See new web site www.northdorsettrailway.org
page 8
page 9
Cycle to Singing
Peter Henshaw and Anna Finch (DCN Sherborne) went on a singing holiday by bike in Devon
Few places are more inaccessible to public
transport than Bratton Clovelly, a tiny village
about 10 miles west of Okehampton. We spent a
week there in February, on a singing holiday
with our community choir - the challenge was,
could we get there by bike/train?
The short answer was yes. We took our Bike
Fridays instead of Bromptons, having a fair bit
of luggage to carry, and much as I love 3-speed
Sturmey hubs, they're not really up to the
mountains of Devon. An early train from
Sherborne and a good change at Exeter saw us
on the Tarka Line to Barnstaple, which uses
elderly diesel rolling stock which is actually
ideal for bikes, with folding seats and plenty of
space outside rush hour.
The Tarka Trail is easy to find from Barnstaple
station, and within 5 minutes you're bowling
along out of town, alongside the Taw estuary
and in this case with the wind behind us. It's an
easy ride to Instow and Bideford, where this
ex-railway turns inland into wooded valleys and
Greenwood
Guest House
starts climbing. It's tarmac all the way to
Torrington and just beyond, but the incline goes
on for several miles, noticeably harder work
when the tarmac stopped, though the rest of the
trail is a reasonable hard surface.
At Petrockstowe, the real hard work started
when we left the Trail and headed off onto
minor roads. This being Devon, it was a case of
freewheel for three minutes, push for 20, then
repeat several times. Three hours of hard work
later saw us exploring the pitch black lanes
around Bratton Clovelly, including one rough
track that turned out to be the wrong one. Still,
we made it, to the usual 'Gosh you must be fit'
comments. In between singing lessons, we
managed to ride the Granite Way from
Okehampton, which skirts Dartmoor and
includes spectacular viaducts. A week later we
did the whole trip in reverse, ending with a
cheerful refreshment trolley man who sold us a
miniature bottle of wine on the train home. Nice
end to a good trip.
CYCLE LIFE
WEYMOUTH
Small friendly B&B
in a quiet road
(some off road parking)
Lockable garage for bicycles
Easy level walking distance to
beach and town centre
Conveniently located for railway station
(mainline to London) and Condor Ferry
(to the Channel Islands)
Open All Year
1 Holland Road, Weymouth, DT4 0AL
Tel: 01305 775626
www.greenwoodguesthouse.co.uk
enquiries@greenwoodguesthouse.co.uk
28 Abbotsbury Road
WEYMOUTH DT4 0AE
01305 781831
NEW AND USED BICYCLES
CYCLE SALES, SPARES,
REPAIRS, SERVICING
AND ACCESSORIES
page 10
Bridport
Coordinator Aileen Shackell
East Dorset & Christchurch
Core Strategy
The Core Strategy for East Dorset and
Christchurch was submitted to the government on
15 March. This is is the document that sets out
the planning strategy for those areas over the
next 15 years. It sets out how much, what type,
where and how development should take place,
Asker meadows cycle path
what infrastructure is required to service it,
Everyone in Bridport has probably seen the new objectives for the area and planning policies to
bridge and cycle path through Asker Meadows. achieve them.
If you haven't used it yet do give it a go; it's
It appeared from maps provided in the
quite an asset in terms of connecting the east
consultation period that cycling had not been
side of town with the town centre.
forgotten, and there were proposals for a number
of new and improved routes. One notable
Cycle parking
addition was a link from Julians Road,
Dorset County Council have told us that they
will provide about 30 additional cycle parking Wimborne, through a proposed housing
berths in Bridport town centre and West Bay. It development to the NCN route 25 on Cowgrove
Road, reducing the distance and cutting out a
is hoped that they will be installed in spring
difficult stretch of road.
2013. They are funded by the CycleWest
It remains to be seen whether this is actually
INTERREG project to promote cross channel
achieved but we will be watching.
cycle tourism (www.cycle-west.com)
Cycling survey
Thanks to everyone who responded to the cycle
parking survey. All suggested locations were
considered for feasibility and many were
approved.
page 11
Poole
20mph limits
Coordinator: David Anderson
From The Independent 1 Jan 2013
Walking and Cycling Officer
Tom Gaze has been appointed to this post. His
role will be to encourage more cycling, planning
improvements to cycling routes. Contact him at
tom.gaze@poole.gov.uk or 01202 262066.
An article in The Independent* applauded local
authorities with 20mph limits on residential
roads. The paper says that public support for
them runs at over 60% and it can is hoped they
will become the norm.
Drivers have more time to react as low speeds
and injury to pedestrians at 20mph, as opposed
The Three Towns project
This will make travelling between Bournemouth to 30mph, is markedly reduced. Traffic flows
better when cars go at a steady pace, rather
Poole and Christchurch easier and safer.
than fast and braking more often. Pollution
On Vanguard Road on NCN route 25, kerb
heights have been reduced, signs improved and noticeably decreases at slower speeds. Journeys
may take a bit longer, but
cycle parking provided.
it is a matter of less than a minute or two on
The Sea View junction will have more space for
the average urban journey, when congestion,
cyclists and pedestrians, and the roundabout has
traffic lights and so on are taken into account.
been redesigned for lower traffic speeds.
The article* ends with the thought that set
against the trauma of broken bodies and ruined
The next project will be on Ashley Road after lives, a short time longer in the car is surely a
consultation with residents.
price worth paying?
Cycling events in Poole
See page 13
* http://tinyurl.com/bkr8ztz
page 12
page 13
WHY A TRIKE?
by John Thraves, DCN County secretary
Many trikes in the past have been looked upon
with disdain by the dinosaurs in the cycling
clubs and organisations, in particular the
recumbent styles. So as many of you know, I
have gone down that road. I have two
recumbent trikes one is the HPV Scorpion FS
and the other is an ICE Adventure.
I admit I have had to go down this road for
health reasons but I now wish that I had
considered this mode of cycling much earlier
before being forced to look at the options.
During the last 2 years a lot of development and
research has taken place both on the Continent
and in America. The Dutch have done a lot of
development with different materials and
folding models, the Germans with alternative
forms of suspension, different wheel sizes and
styles of recumbent, and the Americans well,
innovative as ever. In all cases manufacturing
techniques and quality have improved
enormously.
There is certainly a demand for good quality
brands and products, in fact the British firm
ICE with their new Adventure model was voted
Trike of 2012. I have ridden this model and it is
very good, superb finish, good road holding
with full suspension and comfort to match. Also
additional supports are available to aid you to
mount and dismount with ease.
Electric drives are becoming very popular and
there are two outstanding systems available.
The one now preferred here and on the
continent is the Nuvinci drive produced by
Panasonic. This system has been around since
2006 and is the subject of further development.
The Bionx System which is fitted in the rear
wheel has also been upgraded.
The electric assist systems suit the trike
particularly, with their one weakness, i.e. steep
inclines. However Creech Hill has been
conquered but Kingston Hill, well that is
another matter.
Poole cycling events
continued from page 11
27 May to 16 June Momentum Cycle
Challenge. A free prize competition for
companies to see who can get the most staff
riding a bike for at least 10 minutes.
Register online at
www.momentumcyclechallenge.org.uk
25 July 7pm.
The Quay Cycle Celebration
Acrobatic cycle displays, a range of bikes to
try, and cycle stalls.
Enquiries to Cycling Officer Tom Gaze
(see page 11)
Buy a cycle mirror and get £5 cash back!
by Michael Evans, Chairman DCN
Members who do not yet have one
A mirror makes it easier to see
are encouraged to fit a cycle mirror.
what’s behind you without turning
If you buy it from one of our
right round, what signals it may be
advertisers or a shop giving a DCN
giving, how fast it’s going and how
discount, send proof of purchase to
it is being driven, as well as other
me and our Treasurer will refund
cyclists about to overtake you
you £5 towards its cost. An e-mailed copy of
without warning. However, even with a mirror,
an official receipt is acceptable. State if you
as in a car, you must also look over your
want a cheque or internet transfer.
shoulder before changing lane or direction, as
Mirrors can be mounted on your helmet,
there may be a blind spot. (Please note: this
handlebars or bar ends. Remember good
offer may be withdrawn at any time
practice: mirror - signal - manoeuvre.
depending on demand)
page 14
WHY ELECTRIC.?
by John Thraves, DCN County Secretary
I bought my first electric assist bicycle
shortly after I recognised that I had some
health problems and this prompted me to
look at alternatives if I was to keep
cycling. Since then I have had various
forms of assistance from electric power
which have enabled me to keep cycling.
However I thought that it would be
beneficial to you to point out some of the
advantages. So after consultation with
friends in America and on the continent I
have come up with a list of benefits. I
must point out that this is not a definitive
list and you may have one or two of
your own.
1. Commuting. Getting to work not out
of breath or leaving a pool of
perspiration behind.
2. Recreation. Enjoyment of cycling
both for getting to work and leisure trips.
3. Exercise. You still have to pedal to
get the electric assist to work.
4. Transport. Save money in transport
costs particularly with the car.
5. Fun. It is fun and brings back the
enjoyment of cycling.
6. Opportunities. It provides
opportunities for elderly cyclists and
young children with disabilities.
7. Enables people with injuries and
disabilities to achieve their independence
and confidence.
Now these benefits are not in any order
and you may find that you can add to the
list, but of course there is always some
kind of drawback and that is COST.
Personally I think the cost of these
products will fall, but not by much.
Good batteries cost money and supplies
of the raw material are limited.
But Whisper, one of the big
manufacturers in Switzerland, are
committing 20% of production to electric
bikes in 2015 and already 20% of
bicycles sold on the continent are electric
in some form or other. Charging points is
another issue and at the moment in this
country we appear to be lagging behind.
Code of Conduct for shared paths
The DCN Committee has agreed that we adopt CTC practice on shared paths
We recommend to all members to observe this code when sharing paths with other users
1. Give way to pedestrians and wheelchair
users and take care around horse-riders, leaving
them plenty of room, especially when
approaching from behind
2 . Be courteous and patient with pedestrians
and other path users who are moving more
slowly than you – shared paths are for sharing,
not speeding
3. Slow down as needed when space is limited
or if you cannot see clearly ahead
4. Be particularly careful at junctions, bends,
entrances onto the path, or any other ‘blind
spots’ where people (including children) could
appear in front of you without warning
5. Keep to your side of any dividing line
6. Carry a bell and use it or an audible greeting
– avoid surprising people, or horses
7. However, don’t assume people can see or
hear you – remember that many people are hard
of hearing or visually impaired
8. In dull and dark weather make sure you have
lights so you can be seen
page 15
Bournemouth
Coordinator: John Hayter
Cycling Forum.
to improve clearance adjacent to the bridge
structure. The parapets will be raised on the
footbridge over Ringwood Rd. Toucans on Poole
Lane and Wimborne Rd will be operational in
summer
Cycling development
Turbary Park Avenue puffin near to Daws
There is a lot of money for cycling development Avenue is being constructed in April/May
in the conurbation. Our task will be to see that it The Council will be consulting with residents on
is spent in ways that will increase cycling. We Turbary Park proposals at the end of this
will be keeping in close contact with the Cycling financial year
Officer, Lucy Marstrand, and will be
Leaf Campus (Elmrise Primary School and
encouraging the Council to be brave in changing Oakmead Technical College) are benefiting from
the road infrastructure to support cycling.
a Links to Schools scheme which includes
resurfacing an existing path and constructing a
Three Towns Corridor (A35.)
John Hayter represented DCN at the launch of zebra crossing on an existing raised table on
this project and spoke to the Portfolio Holder Duck Lane
Cllr Michael Filer and senior engineers at the East Howe Rd - new toucan is now operational
Council. There is a lot of goodwill to improve Poole Hill pelican crossing for St. Michael’s
School is due to be operational mid-May
cycling on this key route between Poole,
Iford Toucan Crossing is now quicker.
Bournemouth and Christchurch. We discussed
Holdenhurst Footbridge as part of maintenance
road safety issues regarding the traffic
work the Council is adding a wheeling ramp.
increases in the next 10 years or so predicted
Work will commence on 8th April. There will be
in population forecasts for the area.
periods of time when the bridge will need to be
closed
Christchurch Road near Palmerston Road Bournemouth Council projects dual pelican crossing has been upgraded to a dual
sent to DCN by Lucy Marstrand, Cycling Officer toucan crossing in advance of the proposed cycle
Promotion
scheme (large LSTF)
Workplace Challenge competition between This was commissioned on Monday 18th
employers is beginning in May
February 2013.
Marketing sustainable transport and the
Christchurch Road near Kings Park Rd – a
“Getting About” website
new toucan to be installed to benefit St. James’s
Free Bike Lights
Primary School and to reduce the severance
Still funding free fitted bike lights for school enabling people to cross between Kings Park and
children
Southbourne
“Get Cycling” event is being held at the
Privet Rd, Curzon Rd and St. George’s
Triangle over this Easter weekend
Avenue cycle facility - Traffic Regulation Orders
are being processed.
Infrastructure
Due to be constructed early next financial year,
Ringwood Road
subject to budgets.
1.3Km length of shared cycle path on the east Green Rd – have been asked to rethink this
side of Ringwood Road between Bear Cross contra-flow by Safety Auditors due to parked
Roundabout and Poole Lane is by and large
cars.
constructed. The school has agreed to widen
Fisherman’s Walk – Due to be constructed by
the pavement in the vicinity of the footbridge end of financial year
(cont next page)
John Hayter was elected Chair of the Forum for 2013.
The Forum will work across Local Authority
boundaries to try and achieve a joined-up approach on
conurbation routes.
page 16
Bournemouth
(continued from previous page)
Trickett's Cross to Airport
bridleway upgrade
Ashley Close - dropped kerbs installed
from Sue McGowan, DCC 01305 224487
Town Centre
This bridleway will give people in the Trickett's
Following the Town Centre Action Plan the Cross area access to Aviation Park. Increases in
Council is seeking to remove barriers to cycling employment are forecast and the development has
and de-clutter (remove surplus and redundant contributed funding towards the cycle network
signs) and improve surface of route through around the airport.
lower gardens
We have a feasibility study but final details and
The Council will request another meeting with options have yet to be decided. .
the Cycle Forum Reps to look at next schemes
(Castle Lane West, etc)
Cycle Parking
LSTF is funding the additional cycle stands at
Bournemouth Arts University and at
Bournemouth University.
We will also identify a programme of workplace
and on-street cycle parking.
Lucy Marstrand, Cycling Officer Planning and
Mike Allington and Geoff Symonds (DCN Verwood)
Transport 01202 451194
braving the January floods
lucy.marstrand@bournemouth.gov.uk
Bournemouth U3A Cycling Group
by Colin Grimmett (DCN Bournemouth)
It's Thursday, so it must be Boscombe Pier
at 10 am (or 9.30 am from the junction of
Beechwood Avenue and Woodland Walk
during July and August when most of the
prom is closed to cyclists.) We are part of
Bournemouth U3A and happy to take
anybody to Sandbanks Ferry, Poole
Harbour or Hengistbury Head.
It depends on wind direction as we like it
on our backs on the return. If the
sou'wester coming off the sea is too keen
we go inland to Coy Pond, Muscliff,
Throop or Somerford. We've not
experienced any difficulty yet in crossing
the border.
We aim to be back by 12 o'clock, with a
gentle pace (8-10 mph) on cycle paths and
minor roads where possible with a halfway
break for resuscitation, kiss of life, carboloading, high energy bars or whatever
takes your fancy. For me it's a banana.
Very occasionally we stop for a coffee. As
for me, I just count them out and count
them back usually on the fingers of one
hand; everything else is consensual.
One important qualification: we don't do
rain. A bike and a body is all we need.
Look forward to all and sundry.
Bournemouth U3A run over 120 classes
from Art to Yoga. Brochure from
Bournemouth libraries or ring 01202
420700 (10-12)
Time for a rest on a U3A ride
page 17
Lyme Regis
Dorchester
Contact: Julian Bond
Coordinator needed!
Cycle Parking
Proposed NCN crossing at Druids
Walk to Maiden Castle Road
Dorset County Council have told DCN
that cycle parking berths will be provided A scheme costing about £55,000 funded by
the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, is
in Cobb Car Park in spring 2013.
proposed for the missing link from the
crossing point at Sawmills Lane/Druids Walk
to Maiden Castle Road.
The route is a continuation of the route from
Stadium Roundabout that was completed
earlier in the year and connects the NCN26
route facilities on the Relief Road to the
A few racks are also planned for Front
south, the NCN2 out to Max Gate and
Beach near the Cart Track, subject to
ultimately on into the Purbecks to the east
Flood Defence Consent approval from the and NCN2 through West Dorset onto Devon
and beyond. It also links the European
Environment Agency.
funded route branded the Petit Tour de
(Source: Adam Bows DCC)
Manche (Cycle West) from Weymouth Port
using the NCN routes.
Detailed design of the scheme is complete
Road tax? No such thing and works were due to start on 4 March
Parking is also planned for Cobb Gate car
park, which will be installed by DCC
after 2014 when the cliff stabilisation
works are completed.
Next time a motorist says to you that he
pays road tax and why shouldn’t cyclists
pay it as well, you can tell him he
doesn’t. Roads have been paid for out
of general taxation since road tax was
abolished in 1937. Furthermore, several
studies have shown that taxing cyclists
would be too costly and impractical on
several grounds.
Visit http://ipayroadtax.com/
It’s all right officer, I’m not cycling by
order. I’m riding on my own authority.
(Source, Maggie Carter, Dorset Highways.
Direct Dial: 01305 225014
M.C.Carter@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Malcolm Howell, DCN Dorchester and
Chairman CTC West Dorset, welcomed the
scheme as being well designed, but has sent
these two observations to the Council:
1. If this section is meant to be shared, and
will also be used in both directions, then it
should be 3 metres wide. Traffic speeds in
both directions on this part of the main road
can be high.
2. Access to this section of NCN and the exit
from it to merge with traffic at its Northern
end, opposite the cemetery entrance, need to
be protected by a traffic speed restriction of
some sort, perhaps with a centre road refuge
for cyclists on the main road from the
Dorchester direction wanting to turn right
(west) onto it.
page 18
Ferndown
Coordinator Ken Cook
Transport Working Party
this priority and acknowledged the need for
In February, Joseph Rose of DCC told us about signs on this and future routes.
cycle provision in this area. The Wimborne
The need for a shared path or cycle lanes along
Road route (Canford Bottom-Tricketts Cross,)
Glenmoor Road from West Parley to the shared
funded by the Cobham Gate Development may path at Ringwood Road has been taken up and
take between 1-3 years. The Leeson Drive
an accident history report for that stretch is
cycle link to the Industrial Estate should be
under consideration.
constructed before 2015. The East Dorset Core
Strategy could produce developer contributions According to DCC, consultation conducted 5
for more cycle infrastructure.
years ago about proposed on-road cycle lanes
We asked Mr Rose to look at the poor state of
between Trickett's Cross and Penny's Hill
roads in the Industrial Estate and the need for
resulted in "cycle groups indicating that onthem to be more cycle-friendly.
road cycle lanes were not required". We know
of no such consultations and are seeking
We have long sought an extension to the shared clarification.
path in Ham Lane but engineering and
landowner issues have delayed it. We now
The saga continues, but we have to say that
expect construction to start before 2016.
there seems to be genuine interest by the local
We need a cycle route between Ringwood
authority, and the TWP in particular, in raising
Road and Wimborne Road to serve schools and the profile of cycling and provision for it.
The Leisure Centre. Mr Rose will try to give
page 19
Wimborne
Coordinator Michael Evans
Minster Fair
Volunteers needed!
On Saturday 8 June, we will have our
usual stall on the Minster Green during
the Fair, always a lively and interesting
event. I usually man it most of the day
with a lunch break from one or two
members, but this year I would like a
few more members to help me out if
possible. Expert knowledge is not
needed, and there is a printed sheet to
guide you on what to do. The aim is to
inform and explain to enquirers what
DCN stands for, accept anyone wishing
to join DCN, and pass on to me any
questions you can’t answer.
Please contact me without obligation if
you could spare an hour or two on that
day. Michael Evans (details p27)
Additional town centre cycle parking
In response to suggestions we made,
DCC and EDDC officers have drawn up
a draft plan of extra cycle parking sites
around the town, and hope to be able to
provide most of what we asked for.
However, implementation could
take several months because of the need
to check costings and resolve some
landowner issues. DCC have undertaken
to inform DCN when their plans can be
made definite.
Queen Elizabeth’s school cycle parking
UK time zone change urged
New cycle-friendly tearoom
The Institute of Advanced Motorists has
asked for the UK Time Zone to be
advanced by an hour in summer and
winter, citing DfT figures which suggest
that 80 road deaths and 200 serious
injuries could be prevented, with children
and cyclists seeing the greatest benefit.
Source www.iam.org.uk
At last QE School and Leisure Centre have
installed Sheffield stands.
Until recently there were
only 5 “wheel-benders” at
the leisure centre, and DCN
repeatedly called for
something better.
Still there but
not usable!
Now there are something
like 40 Sheffield hoops in
various locations.
It remains to be seen, now that there is also
vastly increased car parking space, whether
more school pupils and leisure centre users who
live within a short distance will go there by bike
instead of by car.
Some of the new stands - empty, yes, but the
photos were taken on a cold winter Sunday . . .
Waitrose, on the other hand, have
boarded off their main cycle parking area
while resurfacing work is done.
On enquiry how long this will last,
we were told it could be 2 or 3 months.
Sturminster
Newton
We’ve just heard from Comins Tea House on
Bridge Street, Sturminster Newton, who sell
fine loose leaf teas, morning pastries, light
lunches and cream teas with a special
welcome for cyclists.
www.cominsteahouse.co.uk
page 20
The Bee Shack cafe
The cosy and charming Bee Shack café at
Honeybuns in Holwell offers a special
welcome to cyclists and encourages and
supports the cycling community. Show your
DCN card for a free mini cake.
With their gluten-free and vegetarian menu,
everything is handmade by Honeybuns or
sourced from local suppliers. Whether it’s a
cup of Fairtrade tea or coffee (with free topups) and cake you’re after, a mouthwatering
light lunch or cream tea (they think the best
gluten-free cream tea in Dorset), there’s
something to suit all tastes and a chance to
win a hamper of Honeybuns and other treats
each month. On warm days, relax outside in
the kitchen garden with views over the
Honeybuns nature reserve towards Bulbarrow
Hill.
Open 11am to 4pm on the first Saturday of
the month from March to December.
If coming for lunch please telephone first.
Covered cycle storage available.
Bee Shack proceeds go towards the
Honeybuns BeeGreen fund
Naish Farm, Stony Lane,
Holwell, Sherborne DT9 5LJ
www.honeybuns.co.uk/beeshack
01963 23643
Changes in cycling injury claims
The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of
Offenders Act 2012 changes the way that cases
are funded. Injured cyclists will be worse off
financially than in the former system.
From 1 April success fees are not recoverable
from the driver's insurers, but a success fee to
cover the risk of losing must be paid by the
cyclist, meaning a deduction of up to 25% of
any damages.
Source: The Cycling Solicitor
http://tinyurl.com/d6udprl
DCN and Dorset Cyclists’ Network are the working
names of Dorset Cyclists’ Network Limited
A private non-trading company no. 07265177
limited by guarantee
Registered Office: Christchurch Business Centre,
Grange Road, Christchurch BH23 4JD
Gold Hill Organic Farm Shop
& The Cake Tin
While cycling around our beautiful Dorset
countryside and hiking over Hambledon
Hill, why not visit us for a pit-stop at this
glorious café set within our courtyard,
where you can snack on home-made
cakes, rehydrate on teas and coffees, and
while here browse around our Organic
Farm Shop, Art Gallery and Interiors shop.
Ridgeway Lane, Child Okeford,
Nr Blandford DT11 8HB
Tel: 01258 861916
Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm.
www.goldhillorganicfarm.com
DYLANS
RESTAURANT
at the Courtyard Centre
Cyclists welcome
for breakfast, lunch or snacks
Open 7 days 9.30 to 5pm
Cottage Farm, Huntinck Road
Lytchett Minster BH16 6BA
01202 631030
www.thecourtyardcraftcentre.co.uk
Follow the brown tourist sign
on the A350 just north of Upton
OS ref SY 964 936
page 21
Blandford
DCN garments
Contact: Garry Barker
Sweaters, polos, T-shirts, hoodies
embroidered in gold with
DORSET CYCLISTS NETWORK
Chest sizes: S (34/36") M (38/40")
L (42/44") XL (46/48") 2XL (50/52")
Range of colours. Prices from £10.
Blandford DCN branch renewal!
New and existing members got together on 5
March for an initial meeting of the re-formed
Blandford Branch of Dorset Cyclists’ Network to
discuss how to improve the plight of local
cyclists and how best to co-ordinate things.
Among other things, we discussed signage to the
soon to be completed trailway, bike racks and
road surfaces. The group also hope to start
positive contact with the Town Council.
Garry is the current contact but we are looking
for a Coordinator to organise our campaigning,
as well as someone who can organise cycle rides.
Michael Evans, Chairman of DCN, was on hand
to explain how DCN started and its broad aims.
He gave valuable advice on how to get things
done and explained the Coordinator’s role, which
need not be more demanding than a person has
time for. However it does require patience, since
as he explained, “it can take a long time to
achieve some necessary things.”
Anyone with issues regarding cycling, or who
would like to consider becoming our Coordinator
(without obligation) should contact Garry or
have a word with Michael Evans (details p 27)
Check colours and prices at
www.salixembroidery.co.uk/html/
dorset_cyclists_network.html
or phone 01202 763291
Postage extra - free if collected from
Salix, 2 Belgrave Rd, Poole BH13 6DB
Bletchley Park bicycles
A further meeting, planned for Tuesday 9 April
will be reported on in the next newsletter.
For more information please contact Garry
blan@dcn.org.uk or 01258 510706
Sherborne
Coordinators Peter Henshaw and Anna Finch
Our lobbying has succeeded in having a cycle
rack put in outside the Co-op at West End, after
obtaining the agreement of the landowner and
Co-op manager.
Kevin Humphreys will be sourcing the rack
(apparently surplus from Weymouth's Olympic
dividend!) and arranging for installation.
Our Wednesday evening rides have started, and
as last year will start from Culverhayes car park
at 6pm - all welcome.
These cycles were used by staff at Churchill's
secret Intelligence and Computers
Headquarters. Bletchley Park, as one of the few
cheap and convenient methods of transport
during WW2.
Photo by Cliff & Susy Ellis, DCN Wimborne
page 22
Highway Code for cyclists
Last in a series reminding you of some main points of the Code for cyclists.
These are extracts only and you should read the Revised 2007 edition for the full rules.
Price usually £2 to £3 but cheaper copies may be found on Internet.
Some advice in the Code is fairly obvious, such we all sometimes commit if we’re honest,
as warnings of the danger of carrying a
which can endanger us in traffic.
passenger unless the bike is so adapted, being
We’ve now covered Rules 59 to 92, but it’s
towed by a moving vehicle, and riding
important for cyclists to know the rest of the
dangerously or under the influence of drink
Highway Code, as it can help us anticipate what
(Rule 68) and using commonsense when
other road users might do or fail to do, and so
parking your bike (Rule 70.)
increase our own safety. In addition to the
Other rules unfortunately need emphasising and Highway Code, there is excellent advice in
it’s a pity some cyclists deliberately flout them. “How to be a better cyclist” written by the
Obey all traffic signs (Rule 69) and stop at red
expert cyclist John Franklin and published by
traffic lights (Rule 71) are among the most
the Institute of Advanced Motorists*. Full of
important to respect if we cyclists want to be
practical illustrations about everyday cycling it
respected in turn as responsible road users.
complements the brief exhortations of the
Even more important, for our own safety when
Highway Code and is well worth £10 as a
riding. are Rules 72 to 82. They deal with
contribution to staying alive when using your
turning at junctions, riding on dual
bike. A shortcoming is that it doesn’t
carriageways, negotiating roundabouts and
sufficiently stress the value of a rear-view
using crossings. Theses rules are specially well
mirror. Get yours today with £5 off (see p.13.)
worth reading, to remind us of common errors
Safe Cycling! from Michael Evans
*www.iam.org.uk
Number crunching
Does Hi-Vis clothing improve cycling safety? (translated by Michael Evans from Velo-Cite Dec 2012,
the Bordeaux cycling campaign newsletter)
from Rose Chaney, DCN Bridport
1 tank full of petrol = 1 second-hand bicycle
Dear Michael
15 fill ups = 1 electrically-assisted bicycle
. . . I cycled in London for years using Hi-vis
garb but no lights ('cos they got nicked so often) These equations are based on a 50-litre petrol
tank capacity and petrol at 1.60 euros/litre.
and had no bother about not being seen, but
That works out at 80 euros for a fill-up, about the
there we go. Hope you find [this Guardian
article] interesting but I think the writer is
price for a second hand bike, to judge from
muddling Hi-vis with lime green or yellow.
internet sites such as www.velo-occasion.com.
Editor’s note: Rose’s letter refers to an article in 15 fill-ups thus come to 1200 euros, roughly the
The Guardian doubting whether Hi-Vis garments price of an “entryimprove cyclists’ safety. The Transport Research level” pedelec.
Lab had reported that reflective jackets may not This is intended
always improve rider conspicuity and that their mainly to point out
effectiveness depends on lighting conditions and that the cost of
local environment. However, this research was buying a bike
into motor-cyclists riding in the daytime.
should be no barrier
If we can deduce anything from this, it may be
to using one for
that hi-vis clothing may have limitations, but it
urban journeys.
will not decrease our safety especially at night.
For full details visit http://tinyurl.com/an99n8y
(more letters on page 24)
Prices at an
Austrian
filling station
page 23
Encouraging staff to commute by bike
Cycle to be smart and happy
Businesscycle* is an initiative of Business in
the Community, Transport for London, British
Cycling, the Cycle to Work Alliance and the
Department for Transport.
Studies have shown that cycling can make us
smarter. Danish scientists studying children’s
performance at school found that the way
pupils travelled there was far more significant
than diet. Those who cycled or walked
performed better in tests than those who had
travelled by car or public transport.
Another study by the University of California
in Los Angeles showed that old people who
were most active had 5% more grey matter
than those who were least active, reducing
their risk of developing Alzheimer's.
John Ratey, Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard
Medical School says he has seen patients
whose severe depression has all but
disappeared after they started to cycle. Rhythm
may explain some of the effects.
He said. “Cycling increases a lot of the
chemistry in your brain that make you feel
peaceful and calm.”
It aims to be a “one-shop-stop” to assist
employers in encouraging their staff to
commute to work by bike. The site has
information on
·
buying and loaning cycles
·
promoting a scheme
·
training
·
cycle safety
·
parking and facilities for bicycles
·
security
·
bicycle maintenance
·
providing pool bicycles
*http://businesscycle.org.uk/
Thanks to Monique Munroe and Nick Ellis,
DCN Poole for this article
Source: visit http://tinyurl.com/cfxbl44
page 24
Cycling in Swanage
Canford Bottom roundabout
From Tony McIntyre, DCN Wimborne
From Clive Crowe, DCN Swanage
Dear Michael
Statistics can be misleading and I would question
I was interested in the comments in Newsletter the assertion by PC David Lawrence that the
75. I ride almost daily from the direction of
absence of "a single recorded injury in Swanage"
Ferndown around the roundabout and into
makes it "the safest town to ride a cycle". For a
Wimborne. Previously I usually managed to
small town, Swanage has a disproportionate
cycle round it at about 15 mph, in keeping with amount of traffic. Most motorists are either
most of the traffic, with a weather eye on the
elderly resident retirees [like me] or boy racers odd maniacs intent on demonstrating their
two groups I try to avoid when cycling. There are
driving skills. During reconstruction I
no cycle lanes. There is an abundance of kerbside
occasionally used the Old Ham Lane route, but
parking and that, plus the constant presence of
in wet conditions it could be rather messy.
delivery vehicles to shops, means that anybody
Since the reconstruction I have got used once
cycling is forced towards the middle of the roads,
more to navigating safely around the roundabout
many of which are narrow. Add to that the bus
and feel it is safer than before. Traffic travels
much more slowly, but seems to struggle with depot in the middle of the town, the coaches
which arrive constantly and the hordes of trippers
which lane it wants to be in and which traffic
light to obey. Only yesterday I followed a 4x4 who meander across the roads.
which stopped on green and continued on red!
(continued on p. 26)
Maybe advanced signage could be better.
Vehicles coming from Longham have a problem.
page 25
page 26
Competition
Post or e-mail entries to Peter Henshaw (details p.27) whose decision is final
Last issue - crossword answers
Across
1 Handicap
2 PEP
3 Obstreperous
9 Plea
10 Birthday
12 Cheese
14 Punter
16 Presence
18 Pure
20 Atmospherics
22 Pip
23 Petulant
Down
2 Atoll
3 Disease
4 Caribbean
5 Pop
6 Porch
7 Plumage
11 Represent
13 Hardtop
15 Nuptial
17 Swoop
19 Resin
21 Pup
Apologies for the spelling mistake
“obstreporous” in 3 Across.
This answer would have been disregarded
when judging entries, had there been any!
This issue - caption competition
Send in your caption for this cartoon.
The best one wins a free DCN garment
of his or her choice from
Salix Embroidery (see advert page 21)
Closing date 1 July
Letters (continued from p.24)
during the high season and you will understand why cycling accidents are rare as hardly anybody
does it! I have only just returned to cycling and have no confidence at all in the safety of cycling
in Swanage, preferring, reluctantly, to put my bike in the car and find an off-road facility which
rather defeats the object.
(Editor’s note: The issues Clive raises are being considered by Purbeck DCN Coordinator)
Woodland burial ground installs cycle parking
Many members will remember Valerie Evans, wife or our Chairman, who died in December 2011
and is buried at the lovely Harbour View burial ground at Randalls Hill, Lytchett Minster.
We are very pleased that Tappers management agreed when we asked for visitor cycle parking.
Now there are two plaques on one of the stands. Valerie’s was paid for privately, while DCN
funded the other one. There is room for more plaques for anyone wishing to commemorate a loved
one, or for other organisations compatible with DCN aims.
For enquiries, visit www.tapperfuneralservice.co.uk/harbour-view/ or call 01202 630111.
page 27
DCN COUNTY OFFICERS
Chairman, newsletter and website
Michael Evans QPM
Farrs Coach House, Wimborne BH21 4EL
01202 880966 chair@dcn.org.uk
DCN BRANCHES
Blandford Coordinator: VACANT
Contact Garry Barker 01258 480073
blan@dcn.org.uk
Vice-Chairman Peter Henshaw (Sherborne)
Bournemouth
Coordinator John Hayter
01202 510706 bour@dcn.org.uk
Secretary : John Thraves
5 Trinity Close, Trinity Lane
BH20 4LL 01929 554550 sec@dcn.org.uk
Bridport
Coordinator Aileen Shackle
01308 426514 brid@dcn.org.uk
Assistant secretary: Nicola Rance
156 Northmoor Way, Wareham
BH20 4EU 01929 550265
asstsec@dcn.org.uk
Christchurch
Coordinator John Grantham
01202 470975 chri@dcn.org.uk
Membership Secretary: Peter Watkins
1a Greenhill Close, Colehill, Wimborne BH21
2RQ 01202 884122 join@dcn.org.uk
Ferndown, West Moors, Verwood
Coordinator Ken Cook
01202 890084 fern@dcn.org.uk
Treasurer : Vacancy after the AGM. We need
a volunteer please!
BRANCH COORDINATOR
VACANCIES
Blandford, Dorchester, Gillingham, Lyme
Regis, Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton and
Weymouth & Portland are towns where
cyclists are not well represented by DCN.
It’s important that cyclists form local groups
in order to asses their needs rather than act
individually. Other branches unfamiliar with
their roads cannot respond for them well to
councils when they offer to consult cyclists in
those places.
Members who would like to consider helping
to form new DCN branches are welcome to
discuss it with the Chairman DCN.
Dorchester Coordinator: VACANT
Lyme Regis Coordinator: VACANT
Contact Julian Bond 01297 444595
Poole
Coordinator : David Anderson
01202 697376 pool@dcn.org.uk
Purbeck
Coordinator: John Thraves
01929 554550 purb@dcn.org.uk
Sherborne
Coordinators: Peter Henshaw & Anna Finch
01935 389357
sher@dcn.org.uk
Weymouth & Portland Coordinator: VACANT
Acting Coordinator: Ken Reed
01305 772654 weym@dcn.org.uk
Wimborne
Coordinator: Michael Evans
01202 880966 wimb@dcn.org.uk
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9cm x 12cm £25 ; 9cm x 6cm £12.50
Includes DCN web site entry
Members’ adverts
Free (quarter page or smaller)
We welcome a donation
if you make a sale
page 28
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Welcome to new members
Chairman’s message
from Michael Evans
Treasurer vacancy
Please consider offering help to run DCN by
becoming our treasurer. See front page.
Good conduct recommendation
Please observe our Code for cycling on shared
paths. See page 14
DCN’s web site
dcn.org.uk has useful cycling information and
advice. Give your cycling news and comments
on the DCN Facebook site.
Insurance advice
Visit dcn.org.uk/insurance.html or send sae to
Chairman DCN if you are not on the internet
Improve your safety
Get a mirror with £5 off. See page 13
Thanks for supporting the campaign for a
cycle-friendly Dorset. Please contact your nearest
Coordinator about any local issues
Caroline Charnley Blandford Forum
Mr E Tuominen Bournemouth
Mr & Mrs G Martin Ferndown
Mr R Holmes Wareham
Ms J Cozens Yeovil
Mr G Sartin Yeovil
Changed your e-mail address?
If you have, please send an email to
join@dcn.org.uk
with a copy to chair@dcn.org.uk
so that we can bring our database up to date
DISCOUNTS FOR DCN MEMBERS
This Newsletter
Discounts offered may vary from
one shop to another. Please produce a valid
DCN card when requesting a discount.
There were so many contributions for this issue
that we had to increase from 24 to 28 pages.
All members are welcome to submit letters and
articles. Send to chair@dcn.org.uk
RECYCLE! Please pass it on or place in a
waiting room if you don’t need to keep it
BOURNEMOUTH Bournemouth
Cycleworks, On Yer Bike, Primera.
BRANKSOME Bikes
BRIDPORT Bspoke, Revolutions
BROCKENHURST Cyclexperience
BURLEY Forest Leisure Cycling
CHRISTCHURCH Cyclexperience, Lawsons
DORCHESTER Dorchester Cycles
FERNDOWN Pedals Cycle Centre
LONGHAM Bicycle World
POOLE Ride Cycleworks, Cycle Paths,
Bikelab
WAREHAM Cyclexperience
WEYMOUTH Cycle Life, Westham Cycles
WIMBORNE Samways & Son
MOTOBITZ Boscombe, Ferndown, Winton,
Oakdale
Recycle your old bike
Sherborne: hope2cycle.org.uk 01747 851397
Bournemouth: bcha.org.uk 01202-802040
Hamworthy: PC Ian Schofield 07795 401420
END PIECE
Dutch-speaking Leon Zoetebier and French-speaking
Franz Coquidor cycle in opposite directions in
Brussels to highlight Belgium's gulf between
the Dutch and French-speaking regions
(Georges Gobet/AFP/Getty Images)
The newsletter is compiled by the Chairman and published in January, May and September.
Deadlines are 1st day of December, April and August. Send copy and images (under 500kb)
by e-mail or by post to Chairman DCN. Send s.a.e. for return of photos, cartoons and other artwork