POOLE Agenda 21

Improved Provision for Cycles in the Conurbation Project

Last year, the Poole/Bournemouth connurbation had the fastest deteriorating average road speed of any city in the UK. Poole LA21 is working to promote the opportunities for better pedestrian, cycling and public transport facilities to assist in reducing road congestion, improve air quality, and a better urban environment.

We are working to lobby the councils, and to inform the public of what we need to change. The greatest argument is won by people making the effort to get 'on yer bike'.

Poole Cycleways . / . Commuting - Promenade and Wessex Way . / . National Cycleways. / . CLAG - Cycle Liason with Borough of Poole . / . (LA21 Projects)

Poole Cyclepaths and facilities

	Commentary
Current provision	Good routes provided from town to the north; Broadstone and Merley Sheffield bars to lock bikes against, and individual bike bins are increasingly available, though we have been trying to ensure location is not remote from need Free maps (Pooel and Conurbation) detail the current provision well, but are not widely known about Poor spread of cycle routes in older parts of the town
LA21 aim for widespread provision	Lower Parkstone - main route between Bournemouth and Poole Oakdale - Link provisions on Canford Heath to the town centre Upper Parkstone - advisory routes Hamworthy - minimise exposure to narrow major road
Crawler lanes	cycling up hills is hard work, we want mandatory cycleways to give dedicated space on the way up hills on major roads.
Secure parking	Cycles can cost as much as Ł1,800 ! More sheffield bars, bike bins and employers/shops providing dedicated space would be very welcome.
Heritage Cycleway	We worked with the Borough of Poole on a Heritage Lottery Fund bid for funding for a tourist route taking in the old town, and a link to Upton Country Park. A key sucess was 2 way cycling on the Quay. Heritage Cycle Trail
Cycling Strategy and Liaison	Borough of Poole have invited Poole Agenda 21 to take part in development of the Cycling Strategy for Poole, and to participate in their Cyclists Liaison group (CLAG). This has been a frustrating process (for both sides I think) as whilst we are consulted, provision on the ground usually ignores all comments made at CLAG. We have sought assurances from BoP that their strategy commitments to cycling will be followed. As car drivers, walkers and parents, we appreciate other pressures, but cycling seems to get the crumbs of provision, even for supposed cycle schemes.

June 2002 Meeting with Head of Transportation - Borough of Poole - The Cyclists Friend ? Meeting to try and highlight why CLAG members get so upset about the schemes on the ground being completely against Borough Strategy, National guidance and our advice Powerpoint presentation

We have been working with other local groups on possibilities.

the local branch of the CTC (Cycle Touring Club)
East Dorset FOE
Dorset Cyclists Network

and with the Highways department of the Borough of Poole.

If you would like to contribute to discussions, we would be pleased to hear from you.

To find out more about any of our projects, contact LA21 volunteers

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