Elections

Generally agree with the principle that for new developments, cycling should be designed in from the start. I hope (but doubt) this will happen for those around Cambridge. Specifically for Kings Hedges, however, there are not going to be any significant new developments, unless there are more ridiculous proposals to demolish perfectly satisfactory council houses, sell off the land and build private housing as in Campkin Road. Cyclists needs to be treated as seriously as other transport users and receive equivalent funding - this means creating a network of inter-connected, safe, cyclist-only routes from KH across the city. This probably means using alternatives to Downhams Lane, such as Stretten Avenue, but segregating cyclists from other road users. Difficult owing to lack of space but not impossible.

It is unfortunate but not surprising that some schools are perceived as 'better' than others and hence parents are choosing not to send their children to the nearest school. The nearest school is normally within easy cycling distance, the preferred school is often not near enough to cycle and often not on a standard bus route, requiring parents to drive their children to school increasing traffic congestion. School holidays show a remarkable drop in congestion as a result. Clearly school holidays and start/finish times need to be staggered and must avoid rush hour, thereby making it safer and easier for everyone to travel. For cycling to school, children need formal cycling education and it should be a requirement that all children must have some training before being allowed to cycle to school.

I cycle into town and around the city almost every day and have great experience of cycling. I know that this city is badly designed for all road users and the county council have a lot to answer for in their badly designed and dangerous junctions, so-called cycle routes and so-called shared use of pavements. It is extremely scary cycling in Cambridge for me as an experienced cyclist and the amount of blind junctions, ambiguous signage, non-existent route signs and lack of joined-up thinking must be a huge terror for novice cyclist. All of these things are reasonably simple to resolve and do not costs a great deal of money, but the powers that be clearly have no interest in reducing congestion, increasing safety, reducing ambiguity and improving journey times for any road user, let alone cyclists. I do not know where they learn their stuff, but clearly not in the real world! From their absurd decisions, it appears they are determined to INCREASE congestion to justify introducing the congestion charge. I would like to encourage everyone to cycle, but with the current mess, i would recommend not cycling until you are more experienced.

Cycle racks could be better designed to accommodate 4 bikes per rack rather than 2, in the same space. The ridiculous design by the Grand Arcade should go in an art gallery where absurd but 'pretty' things are stored. On the pavement we need practical and functional cycle locking points where you can lock securely to the wheels and the frame, not 'pretty (useless)' designs. It is not rocket science! Locations need to be where people NEED to be, not miles away (as at the Cambridge south station). Abandoned bikes need to be removed every month not once in a blue moon.

Make it a requirement in all planning decisions that preferred cycle routes are protected, much like footpaths. The Chisholm Trail also needs to be protected - for exampel in the development of the City council Mill Road depot. It IS possible - the misguided busway space in Orchard Park for example.

EVERYWHERE!!!! Shared use footpaths are a joke! None of them are suitable for anyone and the ambiguity of most of them as to which side of the pavement to use is ridiculous! Maybe the people in the council who decided this were hoping that the ambiguity would force people to stop and think! That shows how out of touch with reality they are and why a fresh and independent approach is needed.

The Downhams Lane cycle path through to Hawkins Road is a classic example of a sharp and blind bend. The nursing home as a high fence on the corner. Whilst white-lining with arrows for cyclists (a first for Cambridge!) and a fence to separate pedestrians is about the best you can do, the nursing home should be required to remove the hedge so that visibility around the corner is restored. Of course cyclists who listen to music whilst cycling and do not ring their bell (if they have one!) are their own worst enemies! Also where this route reaches Milton Road is another blind corner where the home-owner as a high hedge blocking visibility. This homeowner should be paid to lower the hedge - similarly where the cyclist was killed at the junction with Birch Close. Plus the shared use cycle path on Milton Road is not wide enough for cyclists to pass in opposite directions and has no markings.

I would encourage them NOT to use Milton Road!

The bus lane should be in the centre, not on the southbound side, so it would be easier to overtake.

I would change priority at all side roads so that cyclists on the footpath have priority over the cars emerging from side roads.

I would prefer to use the cycle path alongside the busway and extend the Chisholm Trail such that most cyclists could avoid Milton Road. We need alternative cycle accesses into the Science Park from the busway to avoid Milton Road.