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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 2, The Guildhall, Market Square, Cambridge, CB2 3QJ. View directions

Contact: Clare Rankin  Cycling and Walking Officer

Items
No. Item

24.

Jesus Green

Minutes:

1. Minutes of the last meeting Wednesday 3rd July and matters arising.

Minutes agreed.

·       Cycle Expo. Despite £10,500 of private sector funding made available by Atkins, the Expo has gone to Leeds.

 

2.  Promotion grant funding.

·       Centre 33 – Bike It! (Juliet Snell)

‘The project aims to enable 20 socially isolated young carers living in Cambridge (aged 8-18) to develop the skills and confidence in cycling, leading to increased access to their community..’ A larger Sustainable City grant is also being sought by the group.

Cllr Bird enquired as to whether the organisation had approached the police regarding the free hire of unclaimed bikes. This had been considered according to Juliet Snell, although most are adult-sized bikes and would therefore not be suitable.

Cllr Ward enquired as to the technical advice being sought. The organisation has a large volunteer base that can provide support on bike maintenance according to JS. ‘Look After Your Bike’ information will also be provided.

ACTION: CR to send JS contact details regarding the Youth Offending Team bike maintenance initiative.

Cllr Rosenstiel raised the issue of the wearing of cycle helmets being a matter of personal choice but that if they were being issued to minors, a discussion would first be needed with the parents. JS stressed that the priority would be to provide cycle training.

Cllr Bird enquired as to the intention to take out insurance on the bikes. There was no intention according to JS but that she was happy to take guidance from the Group. The issue would likely emerge at the Risk Assessment stage.

 

The grant application was approved on the basis that it would provide significant benefit to young carers and increase awareness of sustainable travel. Some concern was expressed as to the organisation’s purchasing plan, although Andrew Preston stated that he would be happy to provide advice on this. The organisation would be advised to approach large operators within the city such as Station Cycles.

 

·       CycleStreets – journey planner (Simon Nuttall)

CycleStreets is a not-for-profit social enterprise that aims to provide cyclists in Cambridge with information on cycle routes and cycling infrastructure. This is via a mobile ‘app’, images of best/poor practice and a database on collisions involving cyclists all available via a website. The grant application would be to fund ‘a substantial upgrade to the interface on (our) website.’ Some of the proposed improvements would require the commissioning of an external designer.

Cllr Cantrill praised the website for its good functionality.  Mike Davies confirmed that CycleStreets had received County funding in the past. All agreed it was unreasonable to expect the facility to continue functioning purely based on voluntary contributions.

The grant application was approved. Despite competing formats on the market, the current CycleStreets journey planner was considered superior to others such as that provided via Google Maps and the DfT. Improvement to this already very useful facility would be of particular benefit to transient visitors needing to navigate the city.

 

·       Cambridge Cycling Campaign – information leaflet for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.