Cycle Kirklees Newsletter 56
In this issue:
- Holme Deliveries – intoducing cycle logistics
- Dewsbury Summer Cycling Events – programme launch Saturday 18th
- Online tool encourages feedback about Huddersfield roads, paths and traffic
- Cycle Kirklees AGM report
Holme Deliveries – local low emission e-cargo bike project gets going
An innovative new project, Holme Deliveries, is currently providing training for volunteers in handling an e-cargo bike – a Paxter 80. Its purchase was supported by a grant from Holme Valley Parish Council. The project is looking for funding to operate a pilot programme to demonstrate its potential as a part commercial part community service.
With its SpaceHive crowdfunding initiative currently live, the project plans to deliver “a cleaner, greener way to boost local business and take action for climate change in the Holme Valley by using e-cargo bikes for deliveries and services”.
The project aims to hit its crowdfunding target over the coming month – but it needs your support. “Even a small sum will help to show our project has local support.” says Kim Warren, project coordinator, and persuade Kirklees Council to provide some matched fundingLog on to see how the project is creeping towards its target.
Dewsbury Summer Cycling Events Launch –
Saturday 18th June
The launch of programme of cycling events will take place outside the Town Hall from 10.00 – 15.00 on Saturday 18th June. In addition to EPIKs e-bikes, there will be displays and information from Streetbikes and Hargreaves Cycles. An information booth will be run by Ride Kirklees, Cycle Kirklees and CyclingUK.
The summer programme, supported by the Dewsbury’s Kirklees councillors, will start be 5 community events featuring Try An E-bike test rides at different Dewsbury locations on 25 June and 23, 24, 30 and 31 July. There will also be several events in late September.
In addition to improvements planned in the town centre for cycling and pedestrians, Dewsbury is already well connected by traffic-free routes (the greenways) to Mirfield, Bradford and Ossett. These events will introduce residents to the benefits of the e-bike and cycling – and will contribute to a healthier town and a healthier population.
Summer Cycling Events & Test Ride Bookings
Community Active Travel Hubs…
City Connect (WYCA) recently announced a competitive award of £50,000 to fund the establishment of a Community Active Travel Hub. There are up to 10 awards (value £500,000). There is a drop-in day on Friday 17th June for Kirklees organisations. It’s in Dewsbury at the Kirklees Council Customer Services Centre from 10.00 – 14.00. It must be booked – links on the City Connect site.
City Connect: Community Active Travel Hub
AGM Workshop
At our recent AGM, a special commendation was made to two members who the KCC committee wanted to recognise for their contribution to cycling in Kirklees. These commendations were awarded to founder and former chair John Lewis, and ex-councillor Terry Lyons (Holme Valley North). Terry worked for over a decade to establish the Meltham Greenway and champion its planned extensions.
New committee were members elected at the AGM – Andrew Dunlop and Rutger Clarke (already a coopted member). After the AGM we held a workshop (see photo) on creating a cycling manifesto for Kirklees. We will report on this later in the summer.
There were 15 people present, including two Kirklees councillors and the AGM agreed to seek voluntary contributions from members so we can raise our profile. Two face to face meetings will be arranged during the coming year – in Huddersfield and Dewsbury – and we will support the establishment of an online cycling hub for Kirklees.
National Bike Week in the Colne Valley
An E-Bike ‘taster event’ was run by EPIKs for employees of Thornton & Ross in Linthwaite. So far this month six employees are planning to get bikes or e-bikes and have opted for Cycle to Work funding support.
Online tool to collate concerns about roads, traffic and paths in Huddersfield
Use the Create Streets link Create Streets – Huddersfield Unlimited to log your concerns about traffic, road conditions or neglected paths in Huddersfield.
This is a test exercise being run by Huddersfield Unlimited’s Transport Group to demonstrate the potential of this tool.
Consultation on Kirklees Cultural Heart
The consultation on Kirklees Cultural Heart, the flagship project within the Huddersfield Blueprint, will run until Sunday 19th June. Cycle Kirklees will submit a comment about the ease with which pedestrians and cyclists should feel safe to get around the centre – and across the busy ring road