The BBC is carrying a report on 20mph zones in London.
"UK cities should have more 20mph speed zones, as they have cut road injuries by over 40% in London, a study claims.
In particular the number of children killed or seriously injured has been halved over the past 15 years, the British Medical Journal reported.
Main outcome measures All casualties from road collisions; those killed and seriously injured (KSI).
Results The introduction of 20 mph zones was associated with a 41.9% (95% confidence interval 36.0% to 47.8%) reduction in road casualties, after adjustment for underlying time trends. The percentage reduction was greatest in younger children and greater for the category of killed or seriously injured casualties than for minor injuries. There was no evidence of casualty migration to areas adjacent to 20 mph zones, where casualties also fell slightly by an average of 8.0% (4.4% to 11.5%).
Conclusions 20 mph zones are effective measures for reducing road injuries and deaths.
The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine study estimates 20mph zones have the potential to prevent up to 700 casualties in London alone.
At 20mph, it is estimated only one in 40 pedestrians is killed in a crash.
This compares with a one in five chance for someone hit at 30mph"
"The greatest reduction was seen in children under the age of 11 years and in the numbers of all ages killed or seriously injured.
Cyclist injuries fell by 17% once 20mph zones came in, and injuries in pedestrians have been cut by almost a third.
There was also no evidence of a higher rate of casualties in areas bordering the 20mph zones, as in areas adjacent to 20mph zones casualties fell by an average of 8%. "
This is great evidence for 20 is plenty and counters some comments on the local press.
I've submitted a letter to the Herts Advertiser, let's have some more publicty from other people.
There will be another 5 miles to fabulous ride - the 'offical weekend' of 5MTF is June, but I fit in more whenever I can. Meet at Faber Maunsell, Upper Marlborough Road, AL1 3UT at 0930h. Intention is to ride some of my favoured routes around St Albans, stopping for coffee at Trestle Arts Base.
The ride is aimed at women who have not ridden for a while and wish to build confidence riding on roads. There will therefore be some on road riding, using quieter roads so far as possible, and there will be some off-road riding for respite and recovery. Experienced riders are most welcome, but the pace will be gentle, so come prepared to enjoy rather than work-out.
The rides are run under the auspices of the CTC - www.ctc.org.uk or www.fivemilestofabulous.com
Good news for people riding off-road to the North of the city: the bridleway (actually a restiricted byway) along the farm track linking Woodcock Hill to Symondshyde Wood at Fairfold's Farm has been resurfaced, removing the ruts and hopefully preventing it turning into a mudbath during the winter. This improvement doesn't affect the more interesting bits but it should make the bridleways through Symondshyde wood more usable all year round, which is a boon since this is a useful link to other routes to the North of the city.
Thank you, trail pixies.
"CITY CIRCUMVENTURE"
This longer ride (25 mile/ 40km) offers a chance to beat the bounds of St Albans City.
The route will be on quiet country lanes and off-road, but is not recommended for younger children.
Pub Lunch is proposed en route, so please remember to bring money for your meal.
Meet at Roman Museum Car Park (£1 for car parking if needed)
Verulamium Park, off St Michael's Street, St Albans. (Grid Ref: TL 136 072)
Start at 10:00 am, expected to return at about 5:00 pm.
No need to book: there is no charge for the ride.
Contact Doug Nevell (STACC) on 01582 762120 if you need any more info.
This is one of a series of STACC rides which appears in the booklet 'Walks & More" available in Libraries & Tourist Information.
The information would also normally appear on CMS What's On web page but this particular ride has been missed off.
If you are braving the weather for a ride this weekend why not try one of the routes recently mapped by Peter Milne?
This 8 mile route makes a largely off-road circuit towards Colney Street, and would link well the Alban Way.
For more of a challenge, try the 27 mile Ring Aound St Albans route for a largely off-road circuit around the edge of the city.
Take a tour round part of the Ver Valley, with minimal or some traffic.
Here's a link to bikely.com's list of routes around St Albans.
..you'll find some good off-road riding. The bridleways are running well despite the last couple of days' rain, the bluebells are out and the longer days make evening rides easy without lights.
Here's an easy 11 mile route mixing bridleways and roads round the North of St Albans to get you started. Keep your eyes open for interesting side routes as you make your way round, but remember bikes have no right of way on footpaths...
For something longer and more adventurous try the evening rides run from two of St Albans' bike shops, sited within a few turns of the pedals of each other on Victoria Street. Rock and Road (01727 832020) set off from their shop at 7pm on Wednesdays, Addiktion (01727 858841) set off at 7pm on Thursdays from their shop. Call first to check the rides are running and bring a spare tube, pump and a drink.
If our local bridleways are too tame for you, head off to Aston Hill Mountain Bike Area near Tring. One of the South East's first dedicated mountainbike areas, the 100 acres of Aston Hill are home to purpose-built cross country, downhill and 4X courses suitable for differing abilities. Award-winning CTC approved tuition is available, and there's a race season.
Our long-standing committee member Jack Pia was elected councillor for St Peters Ward in yesterdays elections - Congratulations Jack!
In the Herts Advertiser last week there were two letters complaining of difficulties driving in St Albans, which seemed to need a reply, here is what I sent....
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Sir,
Two correspondents on last week’s letters page (Herts Advertiser, April 26th) Jo Tatlock and Barrie Mort made me realise that we in St Albans Cycle Campaign (STACC) have much to do in addressing our principle aim which is “To encourage cycle usage in the St Albans District”.
Both writers complain about problems of driving and finding parking space in St Albans - both mention periods of 20 minutes of queuing or hunting for parking spaces. All they have done is stayed with the car habit so I do not seek to criticise them at all, just to encourage them and other readers who have similar difficulties - to consider if there is a better way.
I note that Jo lives in Harlesden Road and Barrie in Westfields. Both these roads are within easy cycling distance of the city centre. Readers may regard the prospect of cycling with some apprehension; so I thought a practical demonstration of the bike’s speed and convenience would be a gentle, timed round trip between the city centre and each of their homes. I did this on Tuesday May 1st, between 12 noon and 1 p.m.
From Harlesden Road to the Old Town Hall via the quiet route of York Road, Manor Road etc took 11 minutes (including time to lock my bike to the convenient rack - right where the shops are). Return journey by the faster, more direct Hatfield Road - just over 8 minutes.
From the Town Hall to Barrie’s in Westfields via Holywell and St Stephen’s Hills and Watford Road (perhaps too daunting for some) took 15 minutes. Return via (shock horror!!) Verulamium Park and George Street, 13 minutes.
In case readers think that they are too old to cycle, I will add - purely in the interests of scientific research - that I am 72 years old and overweight. (These facts may not be used for any other purpose!!)
An experienced car driver can adapt readily to cycling, because he/she already has all the road sense skills, it’s just a matter of extending these skills a little. Adult cycling courses are available - notably soon - ‘Women On Wheels’ FREE Cycling skills training for women at Luton 4-8 June incl M-F 12:00 - 14:00. Bike supplied or take your own. Details Tel: 01582 547153
STACC can give you lots more advice on cycling - get in touch.
No doubt there will be protests about me riding in Verulamium Park - but if readers can see something more than that from this letter I will count it as a modest step in the right direction.
And for those few who couldn’t ever cycle, don’t forget the buses.
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I didn't give the writers a hard time by saying they - and by implication all similar readers - were foolish for using a car, as I feel that being prescriptive is the wrong way to go. By giving encouragement and setting an example, we can hope that they will suddenly realise, all by themselves, that cycling is a quite reasonable way of getting about.
It's good to keep a topic going, so some supportive responses in next week's HA would nudge the message along a bit more. Over to you.
This cycle ride is one of the excellent rides in the Walks and More explore outdoors series promoted by the Countryside Management Service (CMS) and led by STACC's Doug Nevell.
Billed as a Family Event, distance 12 miles / 20km, this ride is described as an early season gentle circular ride to enjoy the extensive mature woodland towards SouthMimms, Mymmshall Wood, Hawkshead Wood and Redwell Wood. The route is largely off-road, with good tracks and pub lunch proposed on route. Remember to bring money for pub lunch. Meet at Highfield Park, St Albans for 1030 start. Return 1530h. Car park is off Hill End Lane, opposite Frobisher Road. Grid Ref TL 171 061.
Recommended!
The CMS website has loads more events listed - click the what's on tab. And click one of the other tabs for more cycling and walking stuff, including route leaflets
The Central London CTC will be covering our area pretty thoroughly during April:
Sunday 15 - ride from St Albans Thameslink (meet at Platfrom 4 exit on Ridgmont Road) 1003h;
Sunday 22 - ride from Elstree & Borehamwood station, 0954h;
Sunday 29 - ride from St Albans Thameslink, heading towards Ashridge, 1003h.
The rides are all what the Central London CTC grade as 1* rides (out of a possible 4), so fairly gentle pace expect to cover 25 to 30 miles in the course of the day, returning to the starting station typically between 1700 and 1800h - probably nearer the latter now that we are in BST. The start times listed above are when the train that the Londoners will be using to reach our manor is due to arrive at the start station.
The ride on the 15th is led by me, and I haven't entirely planned where I will go, currently considering Redbourn. It will be suitable (subject to weather conditions) for children on seats / trailers / able to ride on main roads and for the distance. (no, we won't be seeking out main roads, but short stretches may be unavoidable). It is a picnic ride, so bring own grub. The others will stop at a pub for lunch. On all rides the leaders try and have a morning or afternoon tea stop as well at a cafe, church or garden centre.
The ride on the 22 is listed as heading for St Albans for lunch, so could be suitable as a morning only ride for us locals.
Full details and leader contacts and also background information can be found on the Central London CTC website: www.centrallondonctc.org.uk
You do not have to be a CTC member to go on these rides.
You can make the city and district a better place to cycle! Have a look at the draft cycle strategy, it is on the St Albans District Council website, the first item (bravo!) on the transport tab. Then fire off lots of constructive feedback, it will help move cycling up the political agenda if this generates a big response. Get on with it though, as comments are sought by Friday 16 March.
Click here to see the strategy document.
We have a good network of bridleways in and around St Albans. Some are best used for leisure, others provide useful commute alternatives. All of them need protecting, and we need more bridleways to link them together into contiguous routes.
The British Horse Society (the equestrian's CTC) are very effective campaigners for off-road access, Phil Wadey runs the local BHS cadre (Hertfordshire) email distribution list, which carried this alert the other day:
BRIDLEWAYS (No. 2)27.02.2007
Hoyle, Lindsay That this House recognises the importance of bridleways for horse-riders to exercise in safety and enjoy the countryside; notes that many bridleways are in poor condition or are abused by people using motorised vehicles; and calls on the Government actively to promote the use of bridleways, ensuring that those who use bridleways inappropriately are fined, to look to extend the number of bridleways across the country and to ensure that existing bridleways are kept open and are well-maintained for horse-riders.
Some MPs have tabled Early Day Motion number 1004 in support of bridleways. Early Day Motions (EDMs) are often used to find out how much support different policy choices might attract, and to see whether proposed legislation might get through the Commons. This could be such a flyer. Even if not, it's important to show the Government that there is as much support for new paths this year as there was last time such an Early Day Motion was tabled.
If you would like to see the EDM supported, you need to write to your MP giving the number of the EDM (1004), and reasons why you think it needs support. It is always best to give your own personal experience relating to one or more of the aims of the EDM rather than to use a form letter.
This is well worth supporting if you ride off-road at all.
St Albans MP Anne Main is silent on bridleways both in parliament and on her own website, and hasn't yet signed up to the EDM. (She's equally silent on cycling generally)So, that innocent-looking puddle turned out to be a nasty pothole and you've got a damaged bike, or worse still you fell and have some injuries. Chances are that Herts Highways should have fixed that pothole before you found it, and they may be liable for damage to you and/or your bike. What do you do now?
Local bike shop Addiktion Cycles run a ride every Thursday starting from their shop at 7pm. You'll need some lights until the evenings lengthen!
Contact the shop for more details.
"BIGGER and better than ever before - that's the pledge from the organisers of the 14th St Albans Charity Cycle Ride.Organised by the three Rotary Clubs of St Albans and sponsored by the Herts Advertiser, the ride is taking place this year on Sunday, May 13, and preparations are well under way.More than 1,700 riders took part in last year's ride, ranging in age from four to 76. The day was one of our most successful, resulting in more than £46,000 being donated to the various charities."It's a great event for riders of all abilities on routes following quiet lanes through the countryside North ot St Albans. Routes range from an easy 10 miles to a more challenging 40 mile loop touching the South end of Hitchin. It doesn't have the hero status of L'Etape du Tour or the crowds of the London-Brighton, but it is a fun day out in the countryside, and a good opportunity to discover some excellent riding.
If you rode last year you may have already received an entry form in the post, otherwise:
Phone 01727 852260, email info@saccr.co.uk or download entry and sponsorship forms from their website.
Entry costs increase if you you enter on the day, so get your forms in by 7th May.
