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Cycling Archive

A collection of information by year:

[All links are on the VGS website unless otherwise stated]

2022

‘Italians are paid to ride bikes instead of driving and Londoners would earn £25 a month if TfL did the same’ – MyLondon (Oct 22)

Sidmouth: Cycle path gates to be removed | Local News | News | Sidmouth Nub News (Oct 22)

Prescribing cycling and walking – Vision Group for Sidmouth (Aug 22)

Cycling, the cost of living crisis and climate change – Vision Group for Sidmouth (June 22)

Exeter not doing very well on transport… – Vision Group for Sidmouth (June 22)

How the e-bike can help decarbonise transport – Vision Group for Sidmouth (Feb 22)

The minutes of a meeting of Ottery St Mary Town Council, at which Jo Elliott gave a presentation about the Otter Trail: OSMTC Draft Minutes 3rd October 2022.pdf


2021

Sidford to Sidbury Cycle/Footpath gets go-ahead – Vision Group for Sidmouth (Nov 21)

Electric cargo bikes are the future – Vision Group for Sidmouth (Aug 21)

The VGS held its 2021 AGM on 9th December – at which the Cycling in Sidmouth report was presented: Cycling in Sidmouth – report for 2021 VGS AGM – Michael Britain – 9 December 2021

And here are the stories from the end of 2021:

Cycling in Sidmouth: 2021 updates – Vision Group for Sidmouth


2020

October

New cycle lanes: pop-up become permanent in Exeter

August

New cycle lanes and wider pavements: promoted in Devon

New cycle lanes and wider pavements: abandoned in Exeter

Government cycle schemes

July

Investing in better cycling routes in Devon

Investing in better cycling routes

June

Cycling or car-sharing better than walking to work

Boosting walking and cycling and supporting social distancing

May

New cycle lanes and wider pavements: ‘pop-ups’ for Sidmouth

New cycle lanes and wider pavements: the problems

New cycle lanes and wider pavements: ‘pop-ups’ for Devon

New cycle lanes and wider pavements: priorities and funding

New cycle lanes and wider pavements


2019

September

Your carbon footprint cycling to Sidbury

Sidmouth cycle paths: when and how much?

June

Improved cycling infrastructure for Exeter > interactive map

Pushing for the Sidmouth-Ottery-Feniton cycle path

May

Free Bikeability training for Devon schools

January

How to turn a town to cycling (Futures Forum)


2018

December

East Exeter gets a £1.3m cycle bridge

Sidmouth and East Devon cycle network study > now available

September

Bicycles, tractors and art in South Molton

August

New Exeter cycle path provides better linkages

January

The ultimate infrastructure project of 2017: the world’s biggest bicycle parking garage (Futures Forum)


2017

July

Sid Valley Links & Otter Trail Group present Sidmouth to Feniton cycleway latest to Town Council > report (Futures Forum)

Sid Valley Links & Otter Trail Group present Sidmouth to Feniton cycleway latest to Town Council > Monday 3rd July

May

A Local Cycling and Walking Investment Plan for Devon (Futures Forum)

Sid Valley Links > commissioning Sustrans cycling survey (Futures Forum)

March

Sustrans: and cycling to college and university (Futures Forum)

February

2017 Sid Valley links, safe cycling and walking networks

The ‘very direct economic benefits’ from the Sidmouth to Feniton cycle route (Futures Forum)

Sid Valley Links >>> a new group for safe cycling and walking networks (Futures Forum)

January

Sidford to Sidbury cycle and foot path > further link to complete first phase (Futures Forum)

Community Infrastructure Levy projects considered at Town Council > reports (Futures Forum)

The ultimate guide to the benefits of biking  (Futures Forum)

Cycling: Sustrans to embark on new study for Sidmouth to Feniton shared path (Futures Forum)


2016

December

“Cycle lanes cause too much of a problem for road users.” (Futures Forum)

November

Cycling in the Sid Valley >>> focus group survey results: better cycling provision would benefit everyone in the valley (Futures Forum)

October

Cycling in the Sid Valley >>> focus group survey (Futures Forum)

Exeter is the UK’s first city to launch an electric bike-sharing scheme (Futures Forum)

Cycling focus group: feeding into the Neighbourhood Plan >>> fill in the questionnaire (Futures Forum)

Re-looking at the Sidford to Sidbury cycle path  (Futures Forum)

September

Big day for Sidmouth: Stage 6 of Tour of Britain >>> >>> photos and reports (Futures Forum)

Big day for Sidmouth: Stage 6 of Tour of Britain >>> >>> starts 11.30am Friday 9th September (Futures Forum)

August

Campaigning for a safe cycle path for Sidford to Sidbury (Futures Forum)

July

‘First stage’ of Sidford to Sidbury cycle/walkway ……….. ‘could be installed in the autumn’ (Futures Forum)

Tour of Britain >>> big plans for Sidmouth >>> Thurs 8th and Friday 9th September (Futures Forum)

May

Dream vision of safe pathways through Sid Valley to avoid ‘dangerous’ roads – Sidmouth Herald

Neighbourhood Plan >>> and safe, shared walking/cycling paths through the Sid Valley (Futures Forum)

The alternatives to the school run >>> “Encouraging children to walk, cycle and scoot will reduce congestion and pollution around the school gates.” (Futures Forum)

April

Cycling >>> “Far more ambition is needed if we have any hope of creating a cycling and walking culture to rival countries like Denmark and the Netherlands, let alone the government’s own modest targets.” (Futures Forum)

Neighbourhood Plan: and cycling (Futures Forum)

Otter Valley Charity Cycle Ride >>> Sunday 24th April (Futures Forum)

March

Top 10 cycling area: the Exe Estuary (Futures Forum)

February

Guerrilla cycle lanes (Futures Forum)

Tour of Britain returns to Sidmouth: 9th September (Futures Forum)

Cycing: Otter Trail Group AGM: Tuesday 23rd February (Futures Forum)

Breaking news: Planning application for Sidford to Sidbury cycle/walkway WITHDRAWN (Futures Forum)

Making cycling normal >>> Exeter workshop: Tues 9th Feb (Futures Forum)

January

Cycling in Devon: “an exceptional variety of multi-use routes set in some of the country’s most beautiful natural landscapes.” (Futures Forum)


2015

December

County Counil to submit planning application for Sidford to Sidbury cycle/walkway >>> Town Council: Weds 6th Jan (Futures Forum)

November

2015 Cycling latest: Sidbury route

“Planning application to be submitted for Sidbury to Sidford walking and cycling trail” (Futures Forum)

August

Cycling in Devon: delivering a route along the Teign Valley (Futures Forum)

July 

Exeter Cycle Network >>> exploring the options (Futures Forum)

Cycling naked through Exeter: Saturday 4th July >>> >>> raising awareness of the vulnerability of cyclists (Futures Forum)

Cycle paths in Sidmouth: £100k scheme to open 7th July (Futures Forum)

June

Cycle paths in Sao Paulo… “pedal power holding its own in a city famous for its gridlock of cars” (Futures Forum)

Cycle paths in Sidmouth… and Dawlish… and Cambridge (Futures Forum)

May

Devon Cycling Strategy: agreed… but ‘it will need to be more targeted and selective about which projects it invests in’ (Futures Forum)

March 

The Infrastructure Bill: a legal obligation to implement a cycling and walking strategy (Futures Forum)


2014

December

Councils, ‘take note’! >>> “The future could be one where bikes rule the road, just as they did in the 1890s.” (Futures Forum)

November

“Work progressing to develop Sidbury and Sidford trail” (Futures Forum)

October

Sidford to Sidbury walking / cycling trail >> feedback from exhibitions >> towards a ‘preferred route’ (Futures Forum)

August

Otter Trail cycle trips – every Thursday morning in August (Futures Forum)

July

Cycling: latest news for the Sid Valley (Futures Forum)

June

Creating a Dutch-style cycling culture in the UK (Futures Forum)

What next for Sidmouth: VGS AGM: the action group reports (Futures Forum)

Cycling: comments needed on Sidmouth-Feniton path (Futures Forum)

The 2 Seas project and Bike-Friendly Cities (Futures Forum)

Cycling: Sidmouth to Feniton study: queries to be sent in by Weds 18th June (Futures Forum)

Cycling: latest plans presented at Sidmouth Town Council: press report (Futures Forum)

Cycling: latest plans presented at Sidmouth Town Council (Futures Forum)

May

Cycling: “The first part of the Sidmouth to Feniton route” (Futures Forum)

Cycling: Sustrans publishes Sidmouth to Feniton study: further press reports (Futures Forum)

Cycling: Sustrans publishes Sidmouth to Feniton study: press reports (Futures Forum)

April

2014 Cycling: Sustrans publishes Sidmouth to Feniton study

Cycling: Sustrans publishes Sidmouth to Feniton study (Futures Forum)

New study into Sidmouth to Feniton Trail | The Exeter Daily

March

Climate Week: 3rd to 9th March (Futures Forum)

February

Sidford to Sidbury walking / cycling trail >> exhibitions >> Weds 19th and Thurs 20th February (Futures Forum)


2013

December

Cycling: new bike trails in Devon (Futures Forum)

October

Cycling: Access from the Byes to the Sports Centre (Futures Forum)

September

2013 Cycling updates: September/October

Cycling: latest news from Sid Valley (Futures Forum)

Cycling and the Sidmouth Science Festival (Futures Forum)

September

Otter Trail ride: pictures (Futures Forum)

Family cycle ride: Otter Trail @ Tour of Britain: Sat 21st Sept (Futures Forum)

Big day for Sidmouth: Tour of Britain: Fri 20th Sept (Futures Forum)

A cycle race around Sidmouth: Sid Valley Cycle Club @ Tour of Britain: Thurs 19th Sept (Futures Forum)

The physiology of cycling: Sidmouth Science Festival @ Tour of Britain: Weds 18th Sept (Futures Forum)

The art and science of riding a bike: Cafe Scientifique @ Tour of Britain: Tues 17th Sept (Futures Forum)

August

Cycling: Tour of Britain coming to Sidmouth (Futures Forum)

Cycling: Feniton to Sidmouth cycle track latest (Futures Forum)

Cycling: latest press release from Otter Trail (Futures Forum)

Cycling: Sustrans to invest in Feniton to Sidmouth route (Futures Forum)

June

Vision Group proposal to Town Council for funding 17th June

The VGS sends in a bid for finance towards a feasibility study for the Sidmouth to Bowd/Feniton cycle track.

To the Town Clerk:
In the latest publication from Locality, at the heart of their “roadmap” for Neighbourhood Plans [http://locality.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Roadmap-worksheets-map-May-13.pdf] is the section on Sustainable Development, which will be the theme of the upcoming VGS AGM. At the top of that list is “Encouraging and requiring mixed transport provision, including accessible pub transport, cycle facilities and safe and convenient pedestrian routes.” [see also Vision Group for Sidmouth – Neighbourhood Plan sustainable development] The proposed cycle programmes for Sidmouth are precisely about “mixed transport provision”.

DCC Cllr Stuart Hughes has been considering cycle programmes for some time and as Highways portfolio holder has been able to give impetus and guidance. Furthermore, he will be establishing a round table to establish a comprehensive Sidmouth Traffic Management Plan. We understand that this group will look at the Sidmouth to Bowd section of the Feniton cycle route, along with other cycleway links in and around Sidmouth and how these will link in with other routes.

Furthermore, we understand from the Futures Forum contacts and meeting with DCC Officer Zsolt Schuller [Vision Group for Sidmouth – Meeting of 20th May] that a series of steps will need to be undertaken before DCC can give high priority to this main route in their next round of funding.

The Vision Group for Sidmouth would, therefore, urge that the S106 funds be spent to ‘pump start’ the Sidmouth to Bowd/Feniton cycle-path/walkway. The VGS would propose that the monies be used to finance a feasibility study, early mapping exercises and other preliminary undertakings – which would be necessary to determine the priority of this route and its place in the next phase of DCC planning.

We understand that the Sid Vale Association’s Keith Owen Fund would be willing to consider joint funding of any such feasibility studies for the Sidmouth to Bowd section of the Feniton cycle route. We have been in contact with the KOF to confirm this.

VGS AGM: the Futures Forum looks back over the last twelve months

Cycling: Tour de Manche and Sidmouth (Futures Forum)

May

STC has £150k to put towards sport in Sidmouth. VGS will be requesting it be spent on the Feniton cycle route. Report is from the View from Sidmouth.

15th May 2013

SIDMOUTH: How would you spend £150,000?

Council money available for sport provision in town

EAST Devon District Council is inviting all Sidmouth, Sidbury and Sidford’s residents, voluntary and community groups and other organisations to send their ideas to Sidmouth Town Council on how £150,000 can be spent on sport provision in the area.

The funds available have been accumulated by East Devon District Council from recent housing developments in the parish of Sidmouth (Section 106 money). It is now decision time for the residents on how this money is spent.

Sidmouth Town Council is urging individuals as well as voluntary and community groups and other organisations, especially sports and recreation groups, to submit proposals for projects they would like to undertake.

The ideas can include all sorts of outdoor sports proposals from BMX tracks, skate parks, basketball courts or an outdoor gym to a cricket or football pitch. It could be for new facilities or to improve existing facilities such as pitch resurfacing. It must be for permanently sited recreation equipment, and not for equipment like cricket bats or tennis rackets.

Open and accessible

The money could be spent on pitches, courts, lawns, greens, and tracks and training areas.

Once installed, the recreation facilities or equipment must be open and accessible to the whole community.

Funding cannot be spent on buildings, indoor facilities, professional sports grounds or golf courses.

If you are not sure if your project would be eligible you can find out by contacting East Devon District Council’s Community Engagement and Funding Officer on (01395) 517569.

All proposals must be submitted to Sidmouth Town Council by Friday June 28th 2013 at the latest. Yu need to send your name, the name of your group (if you have one), your contact details, information on what your proposal is and an estimate of how much funding you want to apply for.

Your proposal could just be an idea – it does not need to be a worked up project.

Please send the information to Sidmouth Town Council by e-mail at town.clerk@sidmouth.gov.uk or hand it in to the council offices at Woolcombe House, or post it to Sidmouth Town Clerk, Sidmouth Town Council, Woolcombe House, Woolcombe Lane, Sidmouth, EX10 9BB.

Please make sure it is clearly marked “Sports Money Idea”.

Once the town council has received the proposals, Sidmouth residents will be given a chance to look at all the ideas and vote on them. The projects receiving the most votes will be given a share of the money.

Councillor Andrew Moulding, EDDC Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Development and Partnerships, said: “We are keen to see ideas coming forward from within the community as to how to use £150,000 available for sport-related projects. This is available from S106 money from development.

“In these days of austerity it is a pleasure to be able to say that there is some money available for investment in Sidmouth’s community and this is an opportunity to ask people how they think it should be used.”

Councillor John Hollick, Chairman of Sidmouth Town Council, said: “There have been new homes built in Sidmouth which, as well as bringing much-needed housing, has also resulted in us benefiting from this money from developers.

“It is good that EDDC are committed to working with us to make sure that local people have their say about where it gets spent. We hope that as many people as possible will send us their ideas”.

Sidmouth funding for cycling? (Futures Forum)

Futures Forum cycling meeting 20th May: response (Futures Forum)

Futures Forum cycling meeting 20th May: press release (Futures Forum)

May

Cycling: get ready for the Tour of Britain coming to town (Futures Forum)

Cycling: Devon Cycling Strategy (Futures Forum)

Cycling: in Sidmouth (Futures Forum)

Cycling: Get Britain Cycling in Devon (Futures Forum)

Cycling: Tour of Britain in Devon (Futures Forum)

Cycling: Otter Trail (Futures Forum)

April

Cycling: Sustrans (Futures Forum)

Cycling: Torbay and Plymouth

 (Futures Forum)

Cycling: Bristol & Bath Railway Path (Futures Forum)

Cycling: Bristol (Futures Forum)

Cycling: national policy outlined (Futures Forum)


2012

September

Otter Valley Cycleway

July

Devon Cycling Strategy

County council moves on with cycling strategy  Sidmouth Herald report

A vision for the future of cycling in Devon has gone before Devon County Council’s Cabinet earlier this week.

Councillors are being recommended to confirm their commitment to cycling by supporting the key priorities and future proposals of the Devon Cycling Strategy.

More than £13million has been invested in Devon’s cycle network by Devon County Council over the past three years. This has helped to fund schemes on the Exe Estuary Trail, Gem Bridge near Tavistock, Redhayes Bridge over the M5, the Town Quay Connect 2 bridge in Newton Abbot and connecting paths to Kingsteignton, phase one of the Wray Valley Trail, and a section of the Stop Line Way from Kilmington to Axminster.

The Devon Cycling Strategy will plan for continued investment over the next five years. Consultation on the document is due to start later this month to enable the public and relevant bodies to contribute to the aims of the strategy before it is published later this year.

Its key purpose will be to get more people cycling and its initial priorities will be to:

• Provide a high quality, accessible cycle network, with improved facilities for cyclists.

• Give comprehensive information on cycling.

• Inspire people to take up cycling by promoting its benefits.

• Provide cycle training and enhance cycle safety.

With a 15 per cent increase in cycle trips across Devon, and 40 per cent growth in Exeter, over the past five years, the strategy will target a further 20 per cent increase in cycle trips in identified areas outside of Exeter over the next five years.

The council is already investing £13.9million on cycle infrastructure to 2015, supplemented with additional funding through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund, developer contributions and other grants. The draft programme of schemes includes links from Sidford to Sidbury, Knowle to Willingcott in Barnstaple and Newton Abbot to Torbay and Bovey Tracey.

It is estimated that a further £5 million will be needed in 2015/16 and 2016/17 to support the development of infrastructure up until 2017.

The Cabinet report highlights cycling’s positive impact on the county’s economy – with Devon recognised as a prime destination for cycling holidays and breaks.

County council moves on with cycling strategy | Exmouth Journal

May

Vision Group meets key players on cycling

On Monday 20th May VGS considered Devon’s Cycling Strategy and the proposed cycle routes to Feniton and Sidbury

The Vision Group’s Futures Forum has met with key players to hammer out where cycling projects in the valley and beyond are headed.
Last Monday, the Forum’s chair Robert Crick welcomed the County’s Sustainable Transport Officer Zsolt Schuller to a meeting at the Anchor Inn.
Mr Schuller is currently working on the Devon Cycling Strategy – and meetings such as this will help take local projects forward.
“Investment for cycling will continue in Devon for 2012-15,” he said.
Peter Grainger from Sustrans confirmed that the national cycling group was working with the County on the Sidmouth to Feniton route, which would follow the old railway track, and hoped to have plans in place by the end of the year.
He was able to reassure a resident that plans to take the cycle route through Bulverton Rd should be “taken with a pinch of salt”, though, as the maps were out of date.
In answer to a question from Dave Bramley, chair of the Vision Group, about the management of the project, Mr Grainger said, “I will clarify the position with Sustrans lottery funding for a scoping study in time for the Tour of Britain.”
Jo Elliot, chair of the Otter Trail who have been working with Sustrans, had brought along students Edmund, Harry and Lawrence from the King’s School in Ottery – who have also been campaigning for the Sidmouth to Feniton route.
County Councillor Stuart Hughes, responsible for transport, said, “We have already done some considerable work towards cycling schemes in and around Sidmouth, and the Sidmouth to Feniton route is one that I hope to see progress in the next tranche of schemes from 2015-17.”
He was also able to reassure the meeting that things were likewise moving with the Sidford to Sidbury cycle route and walkway.
County Councillor Christine Channon of Buddleigh and Newton Poppleford Parish Council chair Mark Sanders were also interested in the possibility of a link route from Otterton to Ottery.
And newly-elected Sidmouth Town Council chair John Hollick, together with his deputy Geoff Turner, spoke further about the £150,000 promised by the District Council for sport in Sidmouth (see last week’s Herald).
He said that much of the funding could go on cycling projects.
“It is good that EDDC are committed to working with us to make sure that local people have their say about where it gets spent,” he said.
“We hope that as many people as possible will send us their ideas.”
The SVA’s Keith Owen Fund secretary Barry Jones was also on hand, as the SVA are also very interested in cycling projects in the valley.
And finally, members of the public are clearly looking forward to the Tour of Britain coming to Sidmouth in September – “a great opportunity for Sidmouth and for cycling,” as one said.
“I enjoyed the lively debate,” said Peter Grainger of Sustrans at the end of a busy evening.

March

The Sidbury to Sidford walking and cycling route will enable people living in Sidbury to make the short journey into Sidford and Sidmouth safely without the need to use a car. The current route requires people to walk along the A375 which has no pavements or verge. The proposed route will connect with the existing Sidford Sidmouth section of the National Cycle Network. Users will be able to access local facilities such as the post office and shops in Sidford as well as the leisure network. The route will be particularly beneficial for young people in Sidbury, allowing them to access Sidmouth College safely by foot or bike in conjunction with the proposed new link into the college (see below). The scheme will be delivered across the three year period of the programme with total funding available of 610,000.

The Sidmouth College walking and cycling link will provide a direct access into the College from the Sidford/Sidbury Sidmouth cycle route, avoiding the busy entrance to the site. The route will be through the college grounds. The link is expected to be delivered during the 2012/13 financial year with available funding of 50,000.

Meeting of East Devon Highways and Traffic Orders – Devon County Council


 

2009

October

Sidmouth to Feniton cycleway bid looks promising – Sidmouth Herald


2008

September

2008 Cycling News