Helping to promote Active Travel at the Eco Hub Sidmouth
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Next month, the Sidmouth Cycling Campaign will be at the Eco Hub Sidmouth stall – on Saturday 12th at the Tourist Information Centre and on Saturday 26th at the Library, when the focus will be on ‘Promoting Walking and Cycling’ in the Sid Valley as part of April’s theme of Active Travel.
Below is the full leaflet available at the Eco Hub, giving an overview of where we are at – and where we hope to go as we do our bit to promote Active Travel.
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Sidmouth Cycling Campaign
Sidmouth Cycling Campaign was formed in August 2022 to push for improvements to encourage cycling in the Sid Valley.
This is a rejuvenation of the Sidmouth Cycling Action Group, which has been a Vision Group for Sidmouth project since 2008.
Over the last couple of years we have welcomed new and enthusiastic members who have helped relaunch the cycling project.
Anyone can be put on the SCC mailing list and the contribution of all local residents is sought for and appreciated.
The Campaign is led by a group of half-a-dozen enthusiastic cyclists, who have experience in working for better cycling facilities in Devon, as well as other parts of the country.
The group members also have good working and long standing relationship with other organisations, including:
- Sustrans, the leading body promoting cycling and sustainable transport
- The Sid Valley Cycling Club, Sidmouth’s group of keen cyclists
- The Exeter Cycling Campaign, a very active group in the county-town
- Cycling UK, “the UK charity inspiring millions more people to cycle providing skills, motivation, advice, and support to enable everyone to ride a bike”
Two years ago, the Sidmouth Cycling Campaign published a questionnaire, the results of which can be seen on the VGS website: Sidmouth Cycling Campaign – Vision Group for Sidmouth
The feedback from that continues to inform the Campaign – in submissions to the East Devon Local Plan, comments on local planning applications which affect cyclists, and liaison with councils and other key stakeholders.
For the latest, see our social media pages: Sidmouth Cycling Campaign | Facebook
If you would like to get involved please get in touch: sidmouthcyclingcampaign@gmail.com
Sidmouth Cycling Campaign
– the campaigns… the news… and views
Commenting on the Local Plan:
We have commented on the East Devon Local Plan Consultation. Details can be found here: Sidmouth Cycling Campaign: Response to consultation on East Devon Draft Local Plan
Welcoming the Local Cycling Plans:
The Campaign urged people to have your say on cycling and walking routes for the Sid Valley – and on 12th March, county councillors backed several Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) – including the Otter Trail and the Sidbury to Sidford route! As reported widely: Devon’s ‘transformational’ cycling plans approved
Safety on the Sidford to Sidbury route:
The Sidmouth Cycling Campaign objected to the proposed Sidford to Sidbury cycleway on the grounds of safety. Although we fully support the principal of a safe route from Sidford to Sidbury, the current Devon County Proposal has a dangerous exit through Hillside onto the main road. See: Sidford to Sidbury Cycle/Footpath is losing support – Vision Group for Sidmouth [Sept 2024]
Working on the Otter Trail:
The Otter Trail Group is dedicated to the creation of an off-road cycle route following the disused railway line from the Bowd through Ottery St Mary to Feniton. We’ve met with the group to discuss joint interests, in particular improvements to the permissive bridleway through Harpford Woods.
Working with the councils:
As well as contributing to the county council’s deliberations on cycling policy and the district council’s planning decisions, the Sidmouth Cycling Campaign attends the town council’s regular environment committee meetings – and at their request we’ve provided some suggested cycle rides for visitors, that are now available on-line at Cycling & Cycle Routes.
Working with our MP on funding:
There have been government announcements of extra funding for Active Travel. Having already met our MP Richard Foord, who is very supportive of active travel, we intend to meet up again to discuss funding for local schemes.
Campaigning for cycle parking:
At our request, Lidl have installed stands outside their store for cycle parking, that are well used. We’ve also commented on various planning applications relating to cycle parking. For instance, we objected to the proposed reduction in parking outside the swimming pool, which has now been refused.
Sidmouth Cycling Campaign flying the flag:
The Sidmouth School of Art’s summer project was the Festival of Flags – giving the town the opportunity to “fly the flag for Sidmouth’s community organisations”.
One of those organisations was the VGS’s very own Sidmouth Cycling Campaign – with its contribution flying on social media where we can find it thanks to the SCC’s very own in-house artist: Well done the Sidmouth School of Art for flying our flag in the High Street as part of the Festival of Flags!
Sidmouth Cycling Campaign flying the flag – Vision Group for Sidmouth
Keeping tabs on the issues and the latest news:
There are some great news items which the Sidmouth Cycling Campaign posts on its social media – for example, from road.cc, with the latest Cycling News, and the Urban Cycling Institute, “dedicated to bringing cycling knowledge from science to practice and back”.
An example of good local news is that in March, there has been a funding boost for the Devon bike training scheme from the cycling charity Bikeability – as safety really does come first!
Conversations on speed limits:
There has been a lot of debate on social media around the county council’s next phase for the Sidmouth Traffic Plan, sparked by a posting in March: “I’d like to ask Stuart Hughes the full cost of the 20mph speed limits imposed on Sidmouth when for decades the limits have been perfectly acceptable”
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