Bristol has just been named England's first cycling city. Cycling novice Tom Geoghegan saddles up and takes to some of the city's infamous inclines.
Bristol has just been named England's first cycling city. Novice Tom Geoghegan saddles up and takes to some of the city's infamous inclines.
Cyclists have always seemed to be part of an exclusive club.
Cyclists have always seemed to be part of an exclusive club.
They have all the gear, the moral high ground and the well-developed calves.
They have all the gear, the moral high ground and the well-developed calves.
I've never cycled in London, unless you count tearing around on a Raleigh Tomahawk in the suburbs in the late 70s.
I've never cycled in London, unless you count tearing around on a Raleigh Tomahawk in the suburbs in the late 70s.
So it was with some trepidation that I got on the saddle in England's first official cycling city, Bristol.
So it was with some trepidation that I got on the saddle in England's first official cycling city, Bristol.
On Thursday the two-wheeled faithful were pulling metaphorical wheelies at the news that £11m of government cash is coming their way.
On Thursday the two-wheeled faithful were pulling metaphorical wheelies at the news that £11m of government cash is coming their way.
Lots of cycle lanes in Bristol With the city throwing in an equal sum, it amounts to £10 for every person in Bristol - nearly the level of spending in that spiritual home of cycling, Amsterdam.
Lots of cycle lanes in Bristol With the city throwing in an equal sum, it amounts to £10 for every person in Bristol - nearly the level of spending in that spiritual home of cycling, Amsterdam.
And setting off on my hire bike (£4 for half-a-day) from the ferry station in the centre of the city, it feels like the Dutch capital.
And setting off on my hire bike (£4 for half-a-day) from the ferry station in the centre of the city, it feels like the Dutch capital.
As the scene unfolds - the cobbled towpath then over a small bridge - relaxation overcomes nerves, especially on the other side of the Avon, where walkers and cyclists mingle amicably in Anchor Square. Very Netherlands. But the route comes to an abrupt halt at a busy road and further on a low-slung chain fence forces me to dismount.
As the scene unfolds - the cobbled towpath then over a small bridge - relaxation overcomes nerves, especially on the other side of the Avon, where walkers and cyclists mingle amicably in Anchor Square. Very Netherlands. But the route comes to an abrupt halt at a busy road and further on a low-slung chain fence forces me to dismount.
These are the kind of "missing links" that the new cash can eliminate, by putting in a crossing or a cycle lane. It's not about being anti-car, it's about the 45,000 car journeys each day in the city that are under three miles Andrew WhiteheadBristol's cycling officer
These are the kind of "missing links" that the new cash can eliminate, by putting in a crossing or a cycle lane. It's not about being anti-car, it's about the 45,000 car journeys each day in the city that are under three miles Andrew WhiteheadBristol's cycling officer
Later this year, a disused bridge designed by Brunel is to be gloriously resurrected as a cycle bridge, which will bring north Somerset that bit closer.
Later this year, a disused bridge designed by Brunel is to be gloriously resurrected as a cycle bridge, which will bring north Somerset that bit closer.
But all the money in the world won't help unless people can be persuaded about the benefits of change, says my guide Andrew Whitehead, cycling officer at Bristol Council. And with rising fuel prices and growing congestion, he believes the time is ripe to make the case.
But all the money in the world won't help unless people can be persuaded about the benefits of change, says my guide Andrew Whitehead, cycling officer at Bristol City Council. And with rising fuel prices and growing congestion, he believes the time is ripe to make the case.
As well as filling the gaps in the cycling network, the cash will go on the UK's first major street bike rental network modelled on Paris.
As well as filling the gaps in the cycling network, the cash will go on the UK's first major street bike rental network modelled on Paris.
And a huge promotion campaign is aimed at doubling the number of bike journeys in three years.
And a huge promotion campaign is aimed at doubling the number of bike journeys in three years.
'No huff and puff'
'No huff and puff'
"We need to make cycling attractive to females and young people," says Mr Whitehead. "But it's not about being anti-car, it's about the 45,000 car journeys each day in the city that are under three miles."
"We need to make cycling attractive to females and young people," says Mr Whitehead. "But it's not about being anti-car, it's about the 45,000 car journeys each day in the city that are under three miles."
The message is that there's money and time to be saved by cycling, and council officials will go door to door in low-income areas evangelising about the benefits, and that it's less effort than people think - no fancy gear, no huff and puff. HOW BRISTOL WILL CHANGE A network of rental hubs in the city, initially only 60 bikesRapid response team to maintain routes'Cycling buddies' assigned to help novicesWeb-based journey plannerDoor-to-door, one-on-one advice in some areasFilling missing links of cycle networkScotland is following suit
The message is that there's money and time to be saved by cycling, and council officials will go door to door in low-income areas evangelising about the benefits, and that it's less effort than people think - no fancy gear, no huff and puff. HOW BRISTOL WILL CHANGE A network of rental hubs in the city, initially only 60 bikesRapid response team to maintain routes'Cycling buddies' assigned to help novicesWeb-based journey plannerDoor-to-door, one-on-one advice in some areasFilling missing links of cycle networkScotland is following suit
...except when it comes to crawling up one of the city's many steep hills.
...except when it comes to crawling up one of the city's many steep hills.
Any comparison of four wheels with two must acknowledge the relatives dangers of the latter - 15,000 people are injured ever year in cycling accidents and about 150 are killed. So, at the traffic lights outside the Hippodrome Theatre, my heart races a little when they turn green and I briefly consider how many tonnes of metal is impatiently accelerating towards the back of me.
Any comparison of four wheels with two must acknowledge the relatives dangers of the latter - 15,000 people are injured every year in cycling accidents and about 150 are killed. So, at the traffic lights outside the Hippodrome Theatre, my heart races a little when they turn green and I briefly consider how many tonnes of metal is impatiently accelerating towards the back of me.
Such nerves would diminish in time. And nothing beats the feeling of sailing up Prince Street, catching sight of that blue sign that says "buses and bikes only" and following it smugly towards Broad Quay.
Such nerves would diminish in time. And nothing beats the feeling of sailing up Prince Street, catching sight of that blue sign that says "buses and bikes only" and following it smugly towards Broad Quay.
This area is bike heaven - lots of secure areas to lock up and a generous allocation of lanes, shared spaces or advanced stopping lines.
This area is bike heaven - lots of secure areas to lock up and a generous allocation of lanes, shared spaces or advanced stopping lines.
'No regrets'
'No regrets'
And it's noticeable that pedestrians seem to fully tolerate having bikes weaving around them in squares where they are allowed to do so. Even the road in front of Bristol Cathedral has been paved over to make a cycle and pedestrian path at College Green.
And it's noticeable that pedestrians seem to fully tolerate having bikes weaving around them in squares where they are allowed to do so. Even the road in front of Bristol Cathedral has been paved over to make a cycle and pedestrian path at College Green.
So what do cyclists make of the news that all this money is coming their way?
So what do cyclists make of all this new funding?
Bikes populate the cityPart-time teacher Kate, 39, is surprised her home town was picked - saying poor public transport means Bristol's eco credentials aren't as strong as one might think. Having sold her car six weeks ago to take to the saddle, partly because of cost, she would like the money spent on more bike lanes and better advice on maintenance.
Bikes populate the cityPart-time teacher Kate, 39, is surprised her home town was picked - saying poor public transport means Bristol's eco credentials aren't as strong as one might think. Having sold her car six weeks ago to take to the saddle, partly because of cost, she would like the money spent on more bike lanes and better advice on maintenance.
Pleased with completing what would have been a 40-minute car journey in less than 15 minutes on the bike, she says: "It's easier, it flows and I don't have to sit in traffic. Once you get past the not-very-fit stage it's fun, it's less stress and you feel virtuous."
Pleased with completing what would have been a 40-minute car journey in less than 15 minutes on the bike, she says: "It's easier, it flows and I don't have to sit in traffic. Once you get past the not-very-fit stage it's fun, it's less stress and you feel virtuous."
Puffing on a cigarette while having a chat with his mate - and with every drag neatly destroying the perception that all cyclists are lycra-clad fitness fascists - Sean Kenny says he doesn't own a car because cycling is cheaper and quicker. The 44-year-old IT support worker spends two to three hours a day on his bike, going between clients.
Puffing on a cigarette while having a chat with his mate - and with every drag neatly destroying the perception that all cyclists are lycra-clad fitness fascists - Sean Kenny says he doesn't own a car because cycling is cheaper and quicker. The 44-year-old IT support worker spends two to three hours a day on his bike, going between clients.
In his 20 years of cycling in Bristol, he has seen an increase in cycle paths but also in cars.
In his 20 years of cycling in Bristol, he has seen an increase in cycle paths but also in cars.
"I deliberately ride a bike that's not worth any money because I've had many bikes stolen down the years, but nowadays it does seem there are more and more places to lock my bike.
"I deliberately ride a bike that's not worth any money because I've had many bikes stolen down the years, but nowadays it does seem there are more and more places to lock my bike.
"With the level of commitment that the council has shown to cycling, I would say I'm surprised at this but maybe it's an opportunity."
"With the level of commitment that the council has shown to cycling, I would say I'm surprised at this but maybe it's an opportunity."
Improved policing, better lighting and more cycle lanes on unpopular routes figure on other wish-lists.Amsterdam? No, Bristol
Improved policing, better lighting and more cycle lanes on unpopular routes figure on other wish-lists.Amsterdam? No, Bristol
Strolling through the city on foot is one of the people the council hopes to get on a bike.
Strolling through the city on foot is one of the people the council hopes to get on a bike.
Student Matt Doherty, 17, says: "I have one but I don't use it for getting around as much as I should, due to the hilly landscape being quite tough and the safety issue.
Student Matt Doherty, 17, says: "I have one but I don't use it for getting around as much as I should, due to the hilly landscape being quite tough and the safety issue.
"You hear about people having accidents because they have to cycle on tough roads so more cycle lanes would help. A lot of my friends are considering it because it's quicker and cheaper and eco-friendly."
"You hear about people having accidents because they have to cycle on tough roads so more cycle lanes would help. A lot of my friends are considering it because it's quicker and cheaper and eco-friendly."
Other non-cyclists say helping people on bikes is fine, as long as they don't jump red lights or use the footpath. So while town hall officials want drivers to see the benefits of pedal power, cyclists themselves will have to compromise their behaviour if they are to be loved by everyone.
Other non-cyclists say helping people on bikes is fine, as long as they don't jump red lights or use the footpath. So while town hall officials want drivers to see the benefits of pedal power, cyclists themselves will have to compromise their behaviour if they are to be loved by everyone.
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