Author: cyclox editor

Celebrating three award-winning women in cycling

By Alison Hill and Kathryn McNicoll

Three Oxfordshire women were nominated for Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling 2022 and here we celebrate their achievements. 

Faringdon’s Farcycles get local people cycling

By Mark Harrison

How can local communities encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to choose bicycles for everyday travel? Faringdon in Oxfordshire has a shining example of this in the Farcycles Bike Park and Shop. One person led the change from a bike ‘club’ to a community facility with a wide appeal: Lyn Williamson.

Bikes and the Botley Road closure

By Lois Muddiman

After months of anticipation, the first 6-month closure of the Botley Road at Oxford railway station will begin on Tuesday 11 April. This is when work starts to divert 11 different utility services under the bridge. Replacement of the bridge will take place during a 6-month closure in 2024.

Oxford’s Kidical Mass

By Owen McKnight

Did you see a parade of children cycling joyfully through Oxford at the weekend? Maybe you heard them ringing their bells, chanting and singing?

This was Oxford’s second ‘Kidical Mass’. It’s a family group ride in which adults keep children safe so they can experience cycling on the roads of the city they call home, Oxford.

We want active travel, not new roads

By Chris Church

Earlier in March the government announced a massive £200 million cut to the active travel budget in England. The government has also delayed its roads programme. Many schemes will not be taken forward before 2030, if at all. With all this in mind it is astonishing that Oxfordshire County Council is pushing ahead with plans to spend over £296 million on one new road scheme.

Whose freedom are we talking about?

By Robin Tucker

Let’s talk about freedom. On 18 February, around 2,000 people descended on Oxford to protest for freedom and against traffic filters. What concerns us here is their view of ‘freedom’.

Why we like 15-minute neighbourhoods

By Alison Hill and Brenda Boardman

Over the last few decades, people have made fewer and fewer journeys on foot or by bike. Services and amenities have become dispersed, located in places only accessible by car. But the pandemic has resulted in a rethink of how we will live from now on. As home working has become accepted, people are increasingly aware of the value of staying local and not being dependent on cars or infrequent buses for most of their activities.

Vision Zero for wildlife?

By Natasha Matsaert

Thanks to Cyclox’s campaigning, Oxfordshire County Council has adopted a Vision Zero strategy which aims to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries. But one category of vulnerable road user is absent from these discussions. Where is the mention of the wildlife that shares our streets?

The problem of pavement parking

By Andy Chivers

Here’s a game to play as you make any journey through town. Score 1 point for every car (or van or lorry) parked correctly. Then take off 1 point each time they are parked on the pavement. I score –2 if the vehicle has all four wheels on the pavement or if the pavement is so obstructed it will stop a child’s buggy or a wheelchair getting through. See if your journey ends up with a positive or negative score. Sadly my journeys tend to end in the negative.

Active travel and the Oxpens development

By Alison Hill

On 20 January the Oxford Mail reported on the new multi-million pound plan for apartments, student accommodation, office space and a hotel at the currently dowdy, unloved, unattractive Oxpens site. OXWED, the joint venture between Nuffield College and Oxford City Council, submitted outline planning application for the site in January, and the consultation closed this week.