Elections

Brilliant idea in principle! I think the misguided bus should follow it as well rather than going down Milton Road and stuck in traffic! My experience as a cyclist is that there are few 'joined-up' cycling routes across Cambridge, being 'bits and pieces' with occasional sign-posting. The Chisholm Trail gives a potential 'linked' proper cycling route from the north/Kings Hedges/Milton to the railway station and I support it. I understand that the 'cycling tsar' is also planning on pursuing this (cllr Martin Curties Cambs CC) so it might happen now at last!

I understand that a cycling tsar has been appointed - Cllr Martin Curtis - at Cambs CC. I am reluctant to make unfunded spending announcments prior to election. I would hope and expect that most if not all Councillors in Cambridge would be sufficiently aware of bicycle issues so that one of them (eg me if elected!) could be responsible for raising cycling issues at planning committees. This could include presenting issues raised by groups such as yourselves at these meetings. There is usually more than one solution or approach, so it might be counter-productive for a single person to be presenting these points, rather than from a multiplicity of sources.

I do not believe that this would work. Whilst spot fines and 'blitzes' catch a few, education and better-bike design is far better way to ensure that the rules are followed. For comparison, cycle helmets are not compulsory, yet a significant percentage of people use them anyway. Lights are compulsory and yet in my experience less people use lights than cycle helmets. Bikes could be designed with unremoveable lights powered by hub dynamoes. Bells could also be impossible to remove. Biles could be painted with flourescent/reflective patches for higher visibility. If junctions were better designed, sensing systems on traffic lights detected bikes, more use of left-turn bike green filters and filter lanes, less (preferably NONE!) shared use footpaths, more completely off-road cycle-only routes (like Chisholm Trail) then the problems would occur less and cycling would be safer. Of course, you could introduce a system of insurance and 'number plates' in order to trace cyclists and hold them accountable more easily....

I agree in principle that 'substantiated' complaints should be included in the assessment. I am concerned that 'unsubstantiated' complaints are included as these are raising a presumption of guilt when proven innocent. I would consider moves to limit the numbers of licensed cabs in the area as I have seen too many taxi-drivers unable to make a living in spite of working very long hours.

As potential candidate for Kings Hedges, I am aware of the lack of a direct joined-up cycle route from this area to the city centre or railway station. I think there are three 'linked-up' options - the Chisholm Trail (to reach the railway station/Addenbrookes/Hills Road area; Some way of linking to the bridge at Manhattan Drive/Cutter Ferry to the riverside route through Midsummer common; and/or a priority route along Stretten Avenue/Carlton Way to the top of Castle Hill. The second could link through Verulam Way, Brimley Road and require a link through to Hurst Park Avenue, with the existing crossing across Milton Road through to Chesterton Road, if better signed.
The latter might require restrictions on parking on one side of the road and/or use of 1-way system (via Harvey Goodwin Avenue) to provide safe segregated cycle route, but is a relatively quiet, traffic calmed route.

I am not happy with the Elizabeth Way/Chesterton Road 'cycle-only' left-turn lanes on 3 of the 4 corners - they are very dangerous and unnecessary as most traffic goes straight across. I have left additional comments above in amongst the other points.
I also support the creation of Chesterton Station and this should be designed with cycling access in mind - it would be close to the Chisholm Trail as well.
I would like to see cycling considered as part of an overall transport plan for the city and sub-regiuon. I would like to see a junction-by-junction analysis throughout the city for getting the best for all road users. I would like to see a proper network of cycling routes to and through hte city from the local commuting cycling sub-region.
I would like to see safe overnight bicycle parking provided at park and ride sites so people could drive in to the park and ride site and then use their bike to reach their destination. perhaops bike scould be available for hire at these points as well? I would liek to see more space on trains for bikes. I would like to see space on buses for bikes as well, particularly express services and longer distance buses/coaches and some encuragement to use them. Whilst I oppose in principle the use of shared pavements for cycling owing to the confusion over which bit of pavement you can and cannot cycle on and the bemusement of pedestrians, if they have to be used, then they should be wide enough for cyclists to pass in opposite directions and more thought shoudl have been given to the multitude of blind junctions with people's driveways and other miscelleneous obstructions.
I contributed to the CHUMMS study and have made numerous suggestions for general traffic improvemenst in the area, all of which have bene ignored. Unless one has a position of power, one cannot make real improvements! So vote for me and I will do my best to improve cycling infrastructure for Kings Hedges in particular and for Cambridge and the necklace villages in general!