On the up in March '10

Numbers up

Bike bus stats shot through the roof during March. Ok, so that's a bit of an overstatement, and March did have 5 Wednesdays in it, but it was good to see "almost 10's" on the morning rides and a good solid evening ride prescence as well. A couple of new riders in the month is encouraging, but we're not seeing as many women as we have in the past.

But that's not the only reason things are on the up...

New Cycling Forum for Bradford

A forum has set itself up to bring together cyclicat and cycling organisations across the Bradford district. It's first meeting was on the 23rd February, and the next is  11th May, 1.00pm - 3.00pm, MAPA (next door to Bradford Foyer), 1 Coates Street, West Bowling, Bradford, BD5 7DL. For more information, contact Chris from Crank it Up at info@crank-it-up.org.uk.

Download:

• Minutes of the February 2010 meeting of the Bradford Cycling Forum (.doc 1.89MB)
• Minutes of the February 2010 meeting of the Bradford Cycling Forum (.odt 1.88MB)

Keighley Cut Through

Good news on the potential new cycle route that would by pass 3 major roundabouts in theKeighley area.

One of the bike busers (ages ago) alerted us to the little known short cut between Utley and Riddlesden. This route cuts out the 3 major roundabouts from the old road between Croshills and Keighley and the old Keighley to Bingley route via Riddlesden, which many of us will use, not only on the bike bus, but at weekends as well.

Currently, the route is just an unofficial path, with access granted by the council, but no public right of way. It's muddy, and there's evidence that mountain bikes use it, but it wouldn't be much use for my skinny tyres.

Early one morning last year, Andy and I took some photos, you can see them here:  http://www.airevalleybikebus.org.uk/image/tid/148

To see where this is on a Google Map, see: http://ur1.ca/f0uo (the area is to the west of Royd Ings Ave, beneath the bypass)

After some great support from some of you(!) the Rights of Way officers at the council have committed to doing some feasability work on the route in the next financial year. I'll be meeting one of the officers on site on the 23rd April - so watch this space.