National Pothole Day

Posted on by Secretary

Like the Great British weather, the condition of our roads is a perennial cause for complaint, but unlike the weather we can all do something about the potholes on our roads.

Street Repairs, the people behind the online pothole reporting website and smart phone app, have organised National Pothole Day to try and galvanise people into action, encouraging them to report potholes that they encounter on their local roads.

We come across potholes and other defects on our roads every day, but many of them go unreported. A small pothole can be quickly and inexpensively repaired. However, the same pothole, if left over the winter, will grow in size through repeated freezing and thawing of the water accumulating in it. After just a few months, the pothole will become a safety hazard and will be much more expensive to put right.

To ensure that the roads in West Berkshire remain in a safe and usable condition, the Council carries out routine safety inspections. All public highways are routinely inspected by qualified inspectors who then arrange for repairs to be carried out to address any defects that they find. The frequency of inspection is dependent on the type of road and the traffic using it. On minor roads, these can be quite lengthy, which means that some problems can go undetected for weeks or even months.

Street Repairs makes it easy to report problems on the roads, by providing one website through which residents can submit any issue, to any local council anywhere, any time. Smartphone technology allows residents to report problems in real-time. You can attach photographs and give a detailed description whilst out and about. Updates on the status of your report are sent back to you via email and text message.

There are apps for iPhone and Android and you can also report problems via the website: www.streetrepairs.co.uk. So next time you see a pothole, don’t just mutter under your breath and carry on, take the time to report it and get it fixed!

Get on Your Bike with Spokes in 2015

Posted on by Secretary

Social Bike RideHappy New Year!  Maybe, like us, you are already thinking about your New Year’s Resolutions. If so, then why not resolve to get on your bike with Spokes in 2015.

If you haven’t cycled in a while, then we can get you up and running in no time. We can provide cycle training and advise on everything from bike purchase to bike maintenance.

We’re already working on our programme of events for the coming year and are aiming to build on last year’s successes with a series of recreational bike rides, as well as Dr Bike sessions and bike maintenance workshops. We’ve also got a couple of surprises up our sleeves, which we’ll tell you about soon.

We are also working with West Berkshire Council to develop a strategic plan for cycling, identifying the things that are stopping people from cycling and developing schemes and initiatives that overcome those barriers.

If you’d like to find out more, then why not pop along to one of our monthly pub meets. The first one is on 7 January. Happy cycling!

Be Safe, Be Seen – Get Some Lights!

Posted on by Secretary

The clocks went back last night, which means that it gets darker earlier. Unfortunately this always coincides with a big increase in the number of cyclists involved in road traffic accidents. Don’t be another statistic – make sure that you have working lights and reflectors if cycling after dark.

If you’re only going to be cycling occasionally in street-lit areas, then you just need a set of small, battery-powered, flashing lights that are bright enough to catch the attention of other road users. You can pick up a decent set for around £20.

If you are a regular commuter, then consider upgrading to some rechargeable bike lights that you can recharge at your desk. These should also put out a bit more light than the small flasher. Expect to pay from £30 upwards for a pair.

If you are venturing out into unlit roads, then you will need something a bit beefier at the front that will light up the road and let you see where you are going. Look for something with a rating of at least 300 lumens. Torch lights within internal battery packs can put out as much as 1,200 lumens. This is more than you’ll ever need for road riding, but on lower settings they will run all night. Expect to pay from £50 upwards.

Finally, don’t forget the reflectives. The law says that if you are out after dark, then you must have a red reflector at the back and orange reflectors on the pedals front and back. Reflectors on the spokes and tyre side walls and reflective patches on your clothing also help to get you noticed.

Remember that Spokes members get 10% off at Banjo, Specialized Concept Store and Supernova, so there really is no excuse!

Bike Maintenance Workshop

Posted on by Secretary

Two people fixing bikes

Do you have a problem with squeaky brakes, slipping gears or noisy chains? Would you like to learn how to change a tyre or mend a puncture? Well get yourself down to our FREE bike maintenance workshop at Ace Space in Newbury on Saturday 4th October between 1pm and 4pm. Ace Space is located at the end of St Nicholas Road, off St Michael’s Road in the West Fields area of Newbury (the postcode is RG14 5PR).

Our friendly, trained mechanics will be on hand to advise and assist you and answer your questions. We will provide all the tools you need together with workstands and a stock of the basic parts that wear out regularly (e.g. brake pads, cables, inner tubes, patches, etc). If you need anything else, then Banjo’s is just rounds the corner and Spokes members get 10% discount on bike parts!

Where possible, we ask that you book a 30 minute slot so we don’t keep people waiting. For further information and to make a booking. contact Caroline on 07712 470405 or email training@westberkshirespokes.org.

Sharing Towpaths Consultation

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Kennet and Avon TowpathCanal towpaths represent a historic and much valued resource. Although originally built for horses, they now have to meet the needs of a disparate group of users including walkers, cyclists, anglers, boat owners, and canoeists. This means that towpaths can become congested in popular locations, such as on the Kennet and Avon Canal in Newbury.

In March, the Canal and River Trust consulted on their ‘Sharing Towpaths’ project. This sets out the Trust’s proposed approach to towpath management and includes a set of principles and actions, together with a ‘Towpath Code’. The Code encourages considerate usage of towpaths by all users, giving pedestrians priority. Cyclists are encouraged to drop their pace, dismount where required and use common sense in busy or restricted areas.

A total of 2,148 people completed the online survey, supplemented by email responses and three workshops with stakeholders, local authorities, and other partners. The Trust has now published the consultation results on their website.

The survey results showed that leisure uses of towpaths predominate, including walking for leisure, cycling for leisure and boating. However, there is evidence that towpaths are also being used by people for everyday journeys (e.g. commuting).

A common theme throughout respondents’ feedback was the need for better control over ‘speeding’ cyclists. Whilst respondents saw the ‘Towpath Code’ as being a starting point to reduce this problem, further suggestions included:

  • Cycling permits (tried before and found to be unenforceable)
  • Apply a speed limit (again, unenforceable)
  • Erect barriers and chicanes to slow cyclists (this would impact upon other users)
  • The Trust should develop relationships with cycling clubs (great, but most cyclists are not members of clubs)
  • The Trust should appoint a cycling liaison officer
  • Widening the towpath to encourage greater use by cyclists (unfortunately this was the view of a small, but vociferous minority)

There were strong views in relation to towpaths forming part of sustainable transport routes. A majority believed that the principles should make it clear that whilst cycling is permitted, the towpath should not be classed as utilitarian cycling route. Conversely, a minority thought there should be a coordinated policy to establish towpaths as part of national traffic-free network for walkers and cyclists, especially around towns and cities, and that this should form part of the principles.

Less than 10% of respondents suggested that improved maintenance could encourage sharing. This figure is surprisingly low, since in many places grass has encroached to make the towpath a narrow strip (see photo above), while overhanging vegetation often makes it difficult for users to pass without one stopping and stepping aside.

Most of the comments on infrastructure related to stopping high-speed cyclists (e.g. speed bumps at bridges), but a minority were also to facilitate use by those who wanted to travel faster (e.g. widening to 4m).

We will wait to see how the results of the consultation influence the ‘Sharing Towpaths’ document. The current version is reasonably well balanced, recognising the needs of all users. It would be a shame if there was a hardening of attitudes towards cyclists, as towpaths are a valued cycling resource, catering predominantly for leisure trips, but also for utility trips within urban areas. We were pleased to see that the draft document includes commitments to improve towpaths where needed and to reclaim towpath width for safer shared use where practical and appropriate.

Recent developments in Newbury means that we have our doubts about the likely impact of a Towpath Code. As one respondent put it: “Whoever is going to read the code and suddenly awaken to the fact that they should be considerate and share the space because the code says so?”

Whatever the outcome, we will be happy to work with the Canal and River Trust and offer what help we can to ensure that the Kennet and Avon towpath meets the needs of local cyclists and other users.