Entries categorized as ‘Sustrans’
More than 18 months ago ChangingPace suggested, at a Sustainable Transport seminar, that Edinburgh could do with its own version of the impressive Cambridge Cycle Journey Planner. This was a section of the, equally impressive, Cambridge Cycle Campaign web site.
The CCJP was the creation of two cycle campaigners and computer programmers – Simon and Martin. It was a complex (but simple to use) on-line tool for journey planning in and around Cambridge full of local knowledge and packed with photos that magically appeared as a slide show along a planned route.
Just over a year ago the Scottish Government’s Sustainable Transport section awarded ChangingPace (via Cycling Scotland) a tiny amount of money (in computer project terms!) to develop an Edinburgh Cycle Journey Planner. The Cambridge duo soon realised that the opportunity was there for a UK wide CJP and began developing CycleStreets.net.
One reason that this became a viable project was the rapid development of Open Street Map which is a free to use (copyright – creative commons-attribution-share alike) on-line map which anyone can update and improve.
CycleStreets.net has been “beta” since earlier this year, this means that the public has been able to try it out but improvements (large and small) are still being made. Last week the Photos-en-route (PER) function was switched on which will be a great bonus once there are more photos (for Edinburgh) in the database.
Almost every town and city in the UK now has a sub-domain – e.g.edinburgh.cyclestreets.net (though most don’t have their own logo). Work is in progress to allow schools and workplaces (etc.) to have a customised start page for planning journeys (walking or cycling) to the chosen destination.
One challenge not yet resolved is the issue of hills. Cambridge is flat so a journey takes roughly the same time in both directions. At present the suggested journeys are impressively sensible (with a choice of direct or scenic) but estimated times are less reliable.
Categories: Active Travel · ChangingPace · Climate Change · Cycle to Work · Cycling · Cycling Scotland · EducatedTravel · European Mobility Week · Safe Routes to School · Spokes · Sustrans
For the third year running ChangingPace has been awarded a small grant for “soft measures” (as opposed to engineer works) to encourage cycling to school.
Previously CP has developed its Bicycle Awareness Afternoons and organised holiday bike clubs. Children get the chance to learn new skills including journey planning and basic bike maintenance.
This year’s project will build on the accumulated success and (working with four schools spread across Edinburgh) will also work with teachers to find out what would help them to involve bicycles in the curriculum more – and where they would value external input.
Categories: Active Travel · ChangingPace · Climate Change · Cycling · EducatedTravel · Safe Routes to School · Sustrans
Last year ChangingPace ran a couple of highly successful holiday cycle clubs for pupils of primary schools in the Royal High cluster. This term it is the turn of Firrhill’s cluster schools.
Previously youngsters explored the North Edinburgh Path Network. This time they will be led on rides along the Braid Burn, Water of Leith and Union Canal.
Once again this is being made possible with funding from Sustrans.
Categories: Active Travel · ChangingPace · Climate Change · Cycling · EducatedTravel · Firrhill · Safe Routes to School · Sustrans
Photo by Mark Happer
There seems to be an idea that young people do little except sit in front of screens and ‘fear’ the outdoors or ‘a bit of weather’ as they are ferried everywhere by car!
This is certainly not the case for the 17 who took part in the four day Summer Club organised by ChangingPace.
As one parent wrote – “I just wanted to congratulate your organisation for running such a well received course. Laura truly loved the 3 days she attended. Considering the bad weather on the last 2 days this was a great achievement. I was amazed to witness her come home soaked and splattered with mud but totally glowing from the events of the day. Even more amazing was to see her get out of bed early the next morning, get on her waterproofs and head off happily in the rain for more of the same.
I’m sure the skills you have taught her will be practiced and put to good use for years to come.”
At the end of the programme the youngsters where given up to date info about cycling opportunities around Edinburgh, One girl who came to the Easter Club is now winning races at the Meadowbank velodrome.
Categories: Active Travel · ChangingPace · Cycling · EducatedTravel · Safe Routes to School · Sustrans
ChangingPace developed and delivered Bicycle Fun Four Days – a cycle club for Primary 6 and 7 pupils at the Royal High School’s feeder primaries – during the Easter holidays.
Funding came from Sustrans as part of its programme for “tackling the school run”. As well as a bunch of happy customers (see photos), premier cycling charity Sustrans was pleased with the outcomes and has awarded more money to cover development costs of a summer session.
This time the 4th to 7th of August club is open to children across Edinburgh. Already people have signed up who were part of the Easter event and others who weren’t.
Categories: Active Travel · ChangingPace · Cycling · EducatedTravel · Safe Routes to School · Sustrans · Uncategorized
A brand new Cycle Club is being run in the Easter holiday. It’s for Primary 6 and 7 pupils with the aim of encouraging young people to cycle more and to think about how they will travel to secondary school.
The venue is the Royal High School and priority is being given to pupils from its feeder primaries (Blackhall, Cramond, Clermiston and Davidsons Mains).
The sessions have been organised by Maggie Wynn of ChangingPace, and will be delivered by qualified cycle trainers.
The course will develop cycling and bike maintenance skills at the school and also on rides each day along Edinburgh’s cycle path network and quiet roads. Education and fun – as would be expected from the people who recently developed and delivered Bicycle Fun Days at the same primaries!
Funding to develop the course and pay part of the cost of running it has come from sustainable transport charity Sustrans.
More details of course.
Categories: Active Travel · ChangingPace · Cycling · Safe Routes to School · Sustrans
Ideas for running Bicycle Fun Days are now available on a new web site – bicyclefundays.info.
An 8 page guide and 6 boards for use in schools has been developed by Maggie Wynn and designed by David Gardiner.
Categories: ChangingPace · Cycling · Sustrans · Uncategorized
New site for encouraging walking and cycling at Sciennes Primary School. Created for the Accessible Transport section of the City of Edinburgh Council’s City Development Department.
Categories: ChangingPace · Safe Routes to School · Sustrans
A Photographic Exhibition for the 2007 Edinburgh Bike Week Film Festival is now on show in the Filmhouse Cafe. It will run until the end of the month.
Photos from six photographers have been selected from submissions to the ‘Cycling in Edinburgh’ group on Flickr.com. The exhibition and EBWFF are organised by ChangingPace
Categories: Bicycle Film Festival · ChangingPace · Cycling Scotland · Sustrans
