I’m sorry both Roger French and The Argus see our “Bike Train” proposal as “crazy” (December 14) without giving it any serious consideration.
People cycle for many reasons not just because “you can get on and off as you choose” but also because it’s a fast, affordable, sociable and environmentally friendly way to get around town.
Lewes Road for Clean Air is concerned at the craziness where many potential cyclists fear using Lewes Road – a so-called sustainable transport corridor – because heavy traffic and parking on cycle lanes makes it feel so dangerous.
Bike Train aims to create a safe space in the form of scheduled mass rides, where cyclists are highly visible and able to hold the road for each other on routine journeys to work, school and university.
The rides will be supported by trained volunteer marshals and participants briefed on cycling etiquette.
We plan to leave The Level for Falmer every 15 minutes during rush hour. We don’t anticipate holding up traffic. North of the Vogue Gyratory cars and buses will be able to overtake on the second lane. Not crazy, just a practical community response to a tricky transport situation.
While it’s great to see the effort invested in cycle training at schools, many parents are uncomfortable with letting their children cycle to school. Bike Train will create the practical means for children, students and workers to get where they need to go in a safe, fun, healthy, low-impact and mutually supportive way.
We will run test rides during March and plan to launch Bike Train by the end of April. Initially it will run one day a week. If successful and if we attract funding we will, by the autumn, extend the project to other days and possibly other routes such as The Level to Dorothy Stringer/Varndean.
Duncan Blinkhorn, Lewes Road for Clean Air, Seville Street, Brighton
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel