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.
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.
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.
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.
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’.
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.
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.
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.
By Andy Chivers
Oxford’s e-scooter rental scheme started in February 21 and is now one of more than 15 schemes in the country. Planned government legislation should approve personal e-scooters that reach certain safety standards by May 2024.
By Zuhura Plummer
As we start a new school term, it’s a brilliant time to get the kids biking to school. ‘I save about two hours in a day,’ an Oxford mum tells me, when I ask how she feels about the change in the way her kids get to school.
