Getting setfor summer

Spring 2014Issue 24

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eWelcome to the spring edition of the hub.

www.sustrans.org.uk facebook.com/Sustrans @Sustrans

Please email comments, queries or suggestions to publications@sustrans.org.uk© Sustrans April 2014, including photographs except where credited.Printed on 100% recycled post-consumer waste paper.ISSN 1755-3717 (Print) ISSN 1755-3725 (Online)Registered charity no 326550 (England and Wales) SCO39263 (Scotland)Sustrans, 2 Cathedral Square, Bristol BS1 5DD

We have lots to look forward to over the next few months. One particular focus is the launch of our UK-wide campaign to enable children to walk, cycle and scoot to school. We believe this is their right, and to make it a reality we need better,

safer environments. We hope you’ll support us along the way – please keep checking our website for updates. To find out more in the meantime, email campaign@sustrans.org.uk

We’ve also just finished this year’s Big Pedal, the UK’s biggest school cycling and scooting event, which saw tens of thousands of children clocking up their active journeys in a competition against other schools across the UK. It was fantastic, and for the first time ever more than a million journeys were made during the event! On the last day thousands dressed up as their favourite superhero for a fundraising day and we’ll use the money to help more children have two-wheeled journeys. With £20, for example, a child can go through our schools cycling programme, gaining the skills and confidence to get about under their own steam.

We’re also gearing up for the 20th anniversary of the National Cycle Network next year, which marks the very first piece of National Lottery funding we received to develop our wonderful routes. We hope you’ll join in the celebrations with us! If you’d like us to keep you updated on our plans, and we don’t already have your contact details, please email supporters@sustrans.org.uk

As always, our volunteers have continued to do a fantastic job helping out at events, giving talks, leading rides, and much more. We’re also recruiting for our wildlife champions work, which will give many volunteers the chance to survey, manage and enhance the biodiversity along a section of their local traffic-free greenway. It’s a fantastic opportunity, and an exciting project for us.

A big thank you to all of you for your continued support – you’ll see in this issue the huge difference you make.

Malcolm Shepherd Chief Executive

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Signing routes, repairing potholes, and clearing debris . . .

The wet, windy, icy and snowy winter weather always takes a huge toll on our National Cycle Network. This year

we’ve had to contend with record rainfall and extensive flooding. We’ve had a huge amount of work to do to assess the damage to our routes, clear drainage ditches, debris and vegetation, repair potholes, and replace lost and damaged signs. Our 2,900 volunteers pick up the baton for much of this work,

and maintenance of the Network for the rest of the year. Their time and dedication, plus the valuable support of so many of you, mean we can continually fix up our much-loved routes for people to enjoy.

The experiences of volunteers Lew Lawton and Dick Millard show the issues our volunteers face, and the hard work needed to solve them.

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Delivering a better Network: a report from our volunteersLew Lawton has seen the impact of winter on National Routes 45 and 482 during his six years as a Sustrans volunteer. But he and the other volunteers have their work cut out throughout the whole year cutting back vegetation, putting diversions in place when work is scheduled near or on the routes, and fixing damage made by other route users.

“Most of us look after a stretch of up to five miles of the National Cycle Network. Once signs have been put up, it’s our job to check them and the quality of the route itself. As a minimum, we ride our patch about once a month to make sure signs are still in place, the route is clear of debris and trees (in bad weather), and gates are in good working order. I’ve seen rubber tyres dumped by the sides of the track and burned, and glass on a path as a result of an old railway carriage window being smashed. It’s our job to either clear this damage ourselves, or report it to the council.”

Dick Millard belongs to the same volunteer group as Lew. He keeps a record of the work in looking after the Swindon to Aylesbury sections of National Routes 45 and 482…

Workday report, 7 December 2013

We laid 32 metres of hedge, improving

habitat for a variety of small animals and

opening up the view for people. This added

to the 40 metres laid earlier in the year.

We also hacked back the bramble which

is invading the hedge, to give it a bit of a

chance. The bramble can be a hazard for

path users, as it often appears at about

head height. Well, not any more it won’t!

We cleared leaves from about one

kilometre of the path, making it safer and

easier for users. We also tidied rubbish and

removed a car load of old guards that would

once have protected trees. Some of these

are now on the municipal tip, but I’ve saved

some for re-use when we get to planting up

gaps in hedges.

We added a plain wire strand to the fence

at the Coate Water entrance, to reduce

the chances of people getting snagged on

the barbed wire, and we cut back about 12

overhanging trees between Chiseldon and

Marlborough. You can now cycle without

fear of obstacles at eye height.

The team yadda yadd

All of this upkeep is only possible with your support. £20, for example, is enough for 20 A4 blue plastic information signs which are nailed to suitable wooden posts. They’re an inexpensive way of giving cycle path users information and warnings, for example to take care when approaching a busy road, and advising them of hazards.

And the work can only be done with the right tools. Sometimes our volunteers can apply for grants from local authorities, but if not the funding needs to be sourced from elsewhere. “We have a big trailer, and one of our volunteers happens to be a farmer so he keeps it on his farm. It contains a motorised grass cutter, hand tools, rakes, spades, and shears. We also applied for funding from Swindon Borough Council for a leaf blower, which has proved to be really useful in the winter for blowing leaves off paths, which are very slippery and therefore dangerous when wet.”

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As Lew says, your support means . . .. . . “cycle paths can be maintained for all the people using them; not just cyclists, but walkers too. With the increase in cycling and walking for leisure and journeys to work and school, the National Cycle Network provides a safe, often quicker, alternative to road routes. Your money is valuable in enabling us to keep routes in a good condition.”

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Whitehaven

KeswickPenrith

Nenthead Rookhope ConsettSunderland

Newcastle

Tynemouth

Workington

Stanhope

C2C

This year is the 20th anniversary of the Sea to Sea (C2C), a 140-mile route from Whitehaven or Workington to Tynemouth or Sunderland, through some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK. To celebrate, Sustrans is organising a three-day ride in May with cycling holiday organisers Saddle Skedaddle. Colin Hacker signed up for the same challenge ride in 2012, and completed the journey in three days with 20 other cyclists. It was his longest distance yet.

I signed up on a whim – I’d completed the Devon Coast to Coast a few months earlier, and when Sustrans’ email came through advertising the C2C

ride, I booked! I didn’t know anyone else taking part, but I was sure I’d have a great time. I was

to take on a longer distance ride later in the summer so this was a great chance to get used to being in the saddle for three days in a row.

The scenery is definitely the highlight – it’s stunning. By the end of day one we’d already decided that cycling is the only way to see it and take it all in. The two very best views were on the way out of Kendal on day one, and as we reached the top of the Northumberland peaks on day two. We were in the middle of nowhere, with nobody around but our group of cyclists. Bliss.

We got the chance to do some off-roading too. As we emerged from the Whinlatter Pass, many of the group headed on-road into Penrith, while some of us chose the off-road option which took us through Whinlatter Forest. Bombing around was loads of fun, and we think it shaved off a quarter of a mile!

Saddle Skedaddle did an amazing job of supporting all the riders. The beauty is that they give you maps, and landmarks to look out for to make sure that you’re on the right course, but essentially you can

My favourite ride: the Sea to SeaTravelling from Whitehaven to Tynemouth in the best possible way

Maps you may need…

The Sea to Sea (C2C)

map is available from

the Sustrans shop,

priced £7.99. Visit shop.

sustrans.org.uk to place

your order and don’t

forget your discount

(see inside back cover)!

Stanhope to Newcastle

DAY 3

Penrith to Stanhope

DAY 2

Whitehaven Harbour to Penrith

DAY 1

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do each day’s ride at your own pace. They always made sure there was plenty of good food to go round too, including cake!

Highlights• passing near the sacred Castlerigg stone

circle, a Bronze Age meeting place• Greystoke Castle, on which the legend of

Tarzan is based• the highest café in England at Hartside• the old lead mining village of Nenthead• the Baltic Arts Centre in Gateshead.

The structure of the ride is perfect – day two is certainly the most challenging, with quite a few

steep hills, especially the one up to Hartside. That said, the ages of people in the group varied greatly, so I think as long as you have a fairly good level of fitness this route will be perfect. And once the hard work is done, you can be rewarded with a much easier third day. The final stretch from Hartside to Newcastle was a treat – downhill for much of the way to our end point!

One of the best parts of the ride was the company. It’s great to just book without knowing anyone else. That way you see some amazing scenery, get some brilliant fresh air, meet different people and characters, and spend some quality time chatting with like-minded cyclists. Perfect!

Join our special anniversary ride!It’s happening from 24 to 26 May. We’ll be fundraising to keep this route in tip-top condition for the future. All riders will receive a 20th anniversary pack including a certificate and an exclusive C2C maquette of one of the many artworks on the route. Find out more at www.sustrans.org.uk/c2c

The 20th anniversary pack is also available to purchase from shop.sustrans.org.uk M

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C2C cyclists ready for adventure

Did you know? Since 2010, Saddle Skedaddle has donated

a total of more than £18,000 to Sustrans:

5p for every mile cycled on the National

Cycle Network during their holidays.

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Last year we collected more than 9,000 signatures in support of our campaign for a national cycle-to-work standard in all workplaces. This standard is necessary to guide businesses on how to make their workplaces fit for cycling and give people the choice of a two-wheeled commute.

With the worrying news that 63% of the population is overweight or obese, the case continues to build for helping people to be physically active every day. So our campaign couldn’t have come at a better time. And whilst it feels like a huge problem to be tackled, steps are being taken in the right direction.

For example, the latest research from the Cycle to Work Alliance has shown the positive impact of the Cycle to Work scheme on people’s health, with over 500 deaths being prevented each year. The scheme has also saved the Government £5.1 billion in a decade by reducing the threats posed by a variety of conditions including coronary heart disease, type-2 diabetes and bowel cancer.

But with more than a quarter of adults in England failing to do at least 30 minutes exercise a week we know still more can be done to support people to make their everyday journeys by bike or foot. This is what we’d like to see:

• adequate bike parking• showering facilities• lockers• the option to buy a bike through work• incentivised business travel by bike• maps and information on safe routes• basic stuff for staff to borrow:

locks, lights, waterproofs• a group of cycling colleagues

available for help and advice.

We’re continuing to press government to implement the standard as soon as possible so that more and more people can reap the benefits of being active every day.

A school run in the fresh airEncouraging children to walk and cycle to school from an early age is crucial for their health and wellbeing. Even though they want to, far fewer children actually have an active school commute than their parents did. The evidence suggests that safety is the key. If children are in a safe environment for a safe journey to school, parents will feel happier to allow them to walk, cycle or scoot without fear of busy roads and traffic. We need urgent action to enable children to get safely around our communities, and the school run is a great place to start.

We’ll be launching a campaign for every child to have the right to make their school journeys by foot, bike or scooter. To do this we need better environments for walking and cycling between home and school. If you would like to hear more about the campaign, please email

Thanks for your support

campaign@sustrans.org.uk

Your support means . . .. . . more and more people

are closer to the National

Cycle Network.

As of December last year

76%of the population live within two

miles of their closest route.

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Which mile would you choose?Sponsor a mile has really struck a chord with our supporters across the UK, with many revealing thoughtful and emotional reasons for choosing their mile as a personal donation or gift. Since the initiative launched in August last year, more than 550 people have jumped at the chance to support the upkeep of their most loved routes on the National Cycle Network.

Here’s what some had to say when they made their pledge.

www.sustrans.org.uk/mymile

Amy Wilson has sponsored 1 mile of National Route 1 just east of Nairn

I walked this mile as part of a training route with a friend destined for the forces over a decade ago. I adored the route, so this is the start of my commitment to someday cycle the whole of Route 1 and the Eurovelo 12.

Carolyn Walsh has sponsored 8 miles of Lochs and Glens North by Loch Tay in the Highlands

I have chosen these miles in memory of Julian Walsh because we planned to cycle them this year. This is also a section that we walked together this spring.

David Rushton has sponsored 1 mile of National Route 3 between Bampton and Tiverton, Devon

A little slice of Devon’s beauty!

Sarah New has sponsored 1 mile of National Route 54 through Dudley

I’ve chosen this route as a gift for my husband Mark because it keeps him safe from traffic when he commutes along the canal to work in Birmingham.

Carolyn Daines has sponsored 1 mile of National Route 51 between Huntingdon and Cambridge.

Early morning rides here are wonderful – just the birds, the quiet guided buses, and us!

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Set yourself a challenge!We have an exciting selection of cycling events in store for you this summer. Come and join us and make your long-distance ride count for Sustrans.

Nightrider, London 7 – 8 June 2014Join team Sustrans for this unique 100km ride taking in all the sights of London by moonlight!

www.sustrans.org.uk/nightrider

Bike Bath, 28 – 29 June and Bike Oxford, 7 September 2014We are thrilled to announce that we’re the main charity partner for both of these events and a £1 donation goes to Sustrans for every entrant. We have four free places to give away for each.

www.sustrans.org.uk/events

Way of the Roses, 27 – 29 September 2014Organised by award-winning cycling specialists Saddle Skedaddle, this spectacular 170-mile coast to coast ride from Morecambe to Bridlington is a trip not to be missed!

www.sustrans.org.uk/wotr

Making the most of our corporate partnerships We’re fortunate to be working with a number of companies that give us invaluable support in various ways, but these are often reliant on your action to unlock funds. Can you help?

On top of providing all our raffle prize money, Ecotricity will make a £40 donation when supporters switch to their electricity supply or £60 for dual fuel.

Insure your bike with Velosure to cover theft, accidental damage, UK breakdown, replacement cycle and sportives, at home or in Europe, and they will make a donation worth 8% of the policy value if it is bought through our website.

www.sustrans.org.uk/support-us/other-ways-give

Yorkshire PedalthonOur corporate supporter, Carter Jonas, is hosting the Yorkshire Pedalthon in aid of Sustrans and Yorkshire Air Ambulance on Thursday 22 May. Comprising two routes of 40 and 80 miles, this event is the perfect opportunity to network with other enthusiastic cyclists from the business community, have some fun, and enjoy yourself in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside. Individuals and teams can learn more at

www.yorkshirepedalthon.co.uk

In need of legal advice?One of the benefits we offer to supporters who give £5 per month or more is access to the Sustrans Legal Helpline, provided by Lyons Davidson. We hope you never need to use it, but if you do, whatever the issue, you can contact the team on 0117 904 7750. Please remember to quote your supporter number.

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Browse our

full range of maps

and guides on our website

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New National Cycle Network maps of WalesThese five pocket-sized cycle maps are the latest in our CycleCity series. They show the National Cycle Network across the whole of Wales and highlight the key routes in each area.RMC20 to RMC24 Network maps £4.99 each

Avenue Verte t-shirt and guideThis is the second edition of the official London to Paris cycle route guide. Why not buy the new and exclusive organic cotton t-shirt to wear en route, or to celebrate finishing?NE40 Avenue Verte guide £12.95BMC20 Avenue Verte t-shirt £15.00

Hadrian’s Cycleway t-shirt and mapThis is a fully updated map for the Ravenglass to South Shields Challenge route. An organic cotton t-shirt with an exclusive design is also available.NN72 Hadrian’s Cycleway map £7.99BMC21 Hadrian’s Cycleway t-shirt £15.00

*You’re entitled to a 20% discount if you currently donate £5 or more per month by Direct Debit, standing order or through payroll giving. Please see our website for full terms and conditions www.sustrans.org.uk/benefits

20%SAVE

Sustrans

supporters

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Help us repair damage to the National Cycle Network caused by the wettest winter on record

We recently launched an appeal following another harsh winter that has left large sections of the National Cycle Network in desperate need of repair. Our staff and volunteers have been working tirelessly, doing all they can to clear paths and repair minor damage, but after the severe winter we’ve had we urgently need your help to carry out further essential repairs.

If you haven’t already made a donation, please consider making one today by calling 0845 838 0651 or visit www.sustrans.org.uk/repairs

Your donation could pay for our maintenance teams and volunteers to clear a ditch so water runs off safely, repair a pothole or replace a sign.

Thank you.

Supporter donation line: 0845 838 0651 www.sustrans.org.uk/repairs