Before you read that though, a quick word from Treasuress, Sec and Chairwoman: A side glance at our bank balance reveals it looks healthy indeed. This is no less due to a whopping donation from our partner Apex Acoustics. Thundering Thanks!

Also, say "Hello" to our new partnering LBS Cyclelogical. Welcome! Want more numbers? Membership keeps going up steadily. More in our Annual Report later in March.

Remember, the campaign relies heavily on its members to be effective. You can get involved directly, or if there's cycling-related stuff going on that you think we've missed, please let us know.

Always copy us into communications with third parties (council officers, Councillors, bus or taxi operators to name a few popular ones). And let us know when you’ve received a reply. It really works!

Keep on pedalling!

Your management committee for the Newcastle Cycling Campaign

AGM - Tuesday 13th March: You NEED To Come!

13 March 2012, 6:00pm, Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle

You should have received your personal invite to the AGM through the post by now. If not, please let us know.

It's essential that you attend, as we'll be agreeing the Campaign's priorities for the next year. Remember, history is made by those that turn up! Many thanks for those of you who've already got in touch to say you're coming.

Did you find the information enclosed with your invitation useful? Our corporate members and affiliated community groups welcome your comments about their flyers, just get in touch with them directly: Scratchbikes, Saddle Skedaddle, Bike2fix, Ride, Cycleclaims (Macks Solicitors), Inner City Project (National Trust), Recyke Y'Bike, Youth Council, East End Community Alliance, Jesmond Transition Town. And not to forget online-bikes.co.uk, Apex Acoustics, Friends of the Earth, Gateshead Cycling Forum, Newcastle Mountain Bike Club and Roots and Wings which are also part of the our growing campaign family!

Our Website Gets An Overhaul!

Time for change! Over the last months we've set up a website team (Matt, Scott, Katja and Karl) to discuss improvements to the current website.

Katja - still using html - was always ridiculed (which made her cry herself to sleep every night!), and an overhaul was badly needed!

Watch this space: the new website will be interactive with an online forum section (replacing googlegroup), as well as easier to update by the team of administrators, spreading the work load. A real team effort. The launch date for the new website is the AGM on 13 March, when the website team will give a quick run-through intro to everyone.

The Times' Cities Fit For Cycling Campaign: PLEASE TAKE ACTION

This is vital. The Times' campaign has at last started to raise the issue of cycling safety to a national level. The issue is no-longer just the preserve of "enthusiasts" like us - making cycling feel as safe as it actually is, and improving its actual safety is now on the national political agenda.

To keep it in the headlights... if you haven't already, write to your MP (http://writetothem.com). Here's the suggested text 

"Dear [insert name] MP,

As a member of the Newcastle Cycling Campaign, I'd like to ask you to please support The Times 'Cities fit for Cycling' campaign. Could you also let me know whether you attended the parliamentary debate on 23 February 2021 discussing cycling safety, an appropriate cycle budget and more generally bringing real equality to our transport systems?

There also is a Early Day Motion 2689 http://www.edms.org.uk/2010-12/2689.htm which I'd urge you to sign, or you could forward my concerns to the relevant ministers to show your further commitment to city cycling. Too many of us have died unnecessarily. As a member of the Newcastle Cycling Campaign I would like my elected representative to stand up for better cyclists' safety (be sure that we are not putting undue onus on cyclists, the most vulnerable road user) and bring about much-needed fairness in our transport system.

Thanks and kind regards,

[insert name]"

Don't forget. Always copy the campaign in! Here's the email newcastle.cycling.campaign@gmail.com.

Training: Planning and Design For Cyclists

This month, Newcastle City Council hosted two training days for the council's technical staff, as well as those from other local authorities - Gateshead, Sunderland and North Tyneside. Bill Dodds and Karl McCracken from the Campaign also attended.

Our view of the training is largely positive, well delivered, and a really good starter for the Council's culture change programme that will be needed if it is to achieve it's goal of 20% of all trips being by bike.

The council staff have had literally decades of policies that make it clear that motorised traffic flow is where it's at. The cycling strategy means that big chunks of that will need to be turned on its head. For this to seep into peoples' psyche will take time and continually applied pressure - from within the Council via councilors and the senior management team, and from the communities they represent via the Cycling Campaign.

You can read Karl's summary of the training here.

Strategic Routes Update

Our campaign to create ‘Seven Strategic Cycle Routes’ in Newcastle is really taking off. The seven routes will link the City Centre to Newburn, West Denton, Great Park, Gosforth, Longbenton, Heaton, and Walker.

• They should link to the city centre and key destinations
• Enable uninterrupted, unobstructed movement at an average speed of 12 mph
• Be easy to follow with adequate signs or on-carriage branding
• Be well surfaced and well maintained
• Enhance the environment
• Identify and address cyclist casualty locations
• Manage conflict with motor traffic and pedestrians
• Raise awareness with motor traffic and pedestrians
• Clarify the positioning of cyclists and other highway users
• Be consistent in design approach
• Be enforced by design as well as by statutes

• Tuesday 6 March - Walker to City Centre (Walker, Byker, Ouseburn)
• Tuesday 20 March - Benfield to the City Centre
• Tuesday 17 April - West Denton to City Centre
• Tuesday 1 May - Longbenton to City Centre
• Tuesday 15 May - Gosforth to the City Centre
• Tuesday 29 May - Great Park to City Centre
• June - publish street level proposals for Strategic Cycle Routes for consultation