September 16, 2012

Bike Train Friday 21st September

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This Friday local cyclists are invited to take part in the Birmingham Bike Train. Join up to commute into the city centre with other cyclists, taking the quieter roads that make the cycle into the city easier than you might think. There is a meeting point at Fox Hollies and The Inn on the Green in Acocks Green.  There will be cyclists arriving from 5 other starting points around Birmingham, all with the aim of arriving together in Victoria Square at 8.30am where there will be coffee supplied by EAT and pastries amd juice.

Friends of The Earth and the cycling organisation Pushbikes ran the same cycling event last year, and building on that success they hope that many cyclists will join up with fellow pedallers to make the Cycle Train a worthwhile and enlightening experience. Contact the Pushbikes secretary on the email address above if you would like to join the train. secretary@pushbikes.org.uk

 

September 14, 2011

Join in the Bike Train Day from Acocks Green – Thursday 22nd September

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On the 22nd September 2011, Birmingham Friends of the Earth in conjunction with PushBikes and Sustrans will be holding 5 “Bike Train” events. This is an opportunity for people to get out on their bikes for the commute to work.

It is the annual Car Free Day, so they want people to leave their cars at home and join a “Bike Train” to work.

A bike train is essentially a group of people cycling together to get to their destination. It is a mass-ride that is a SAFE, FUN, and SIMPLE way to:
- get fit
- get to know your colleagues and meet new people
- help the environment by reducing air pollution and CO2 emissions
- discover Birmingham and see it from a completely different perspective
Birmingham Bike Trains will be running along 5 routes into the city centre (Victoria Square) in time for people to get to work.
There will be a breakfast at the end.

For a map of the routes, as well as to register, please follow the link below!

Map and Registration

 

July 13, 2010

Twentys Plenty Campaign

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In December Joe Peacock from Birmingham Friends of the Earth, came along to talk to our Public Meeting about their campaign to reduce speed limits on residential roads.  This prompted an interesting discussion on the subject.  Everyone agreed that a 20mph speed limit would be most appropriate around schools.

Twentys Plenty Poster Competition : Runner-Up Phoebe Way

To coincide with Walk to School Week in May Birmingham FOE launched a poster campaign to promote Twentys Plenty.   Children from Birmingham schools were encouraged to enter and the entry from Phoebe Way,  a Year 3 pupil from our local Cottesbrooke Junior School, was chosen as runner up.

Birmingham Friends of the Earth with support from a number of other organisations nationally and locally are asking the council to introduce a 20mph default speed limit on all residential roads throughout Birmingham.

According to FOE,  Birmingham City Council will only support 20mph speed limits in certain areas, mostly around schools. The main reasoFn given is that it would not be cost-effective to implement.

FOE believe that implementing 20mph on all residential roads does not require the introduction of expensive traffic calming methods.  They say that in other towns it has been shown to reduce traffic collision rates with children and other vulnerable road users considerably, which has significant cost implications.

Overall, the benefits of introducing a city-wide 20mph speed limit are that it would encourage a shift from driving to walking and cycling, creating a healthier environment in which communities could thrive. This would also help to deal with two of the major threats that our society faces today; climate change and obesity.

If you would like to help Birmingham FOE make this scheme a reality contact them on 0121 632 6909 or email campaigns@birminghamfoe.org.uk

Or you can share your views on the subjects with us.  Click on the comment link.

 

December 16, 2009

Reducing Speed Limits in Residential Areas

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Following the talk at our recent Public Meeting from Friends Of the Earth regarding their campaign to reduce speed limits to 20 mph on Birmingham’s residential roads,  you may have seen the subject in the news in recent days.  Britain has some of the safest roads in Europe but there are government targets to reduce road accidents further.  FOE will be pleased with the adoption of  the new limits in some of the London Councils as reported in the Evening Standard:

“Eight London Councils have revealed they are introducing 20 mph limits on residential roads. Islington has already confirmed it will be the first borough in the country to introduce a blanket limit next month.  Hackney plans to follow suit by 2012.  Merton said research strengthened the case for blanket limits.

Researchers found 20mph zones were associated with 40% reduction in casualties and collisions.  The greatest reduction in accidents was amongst children and seriously injured. Pedestrian injuries were reduced by nearly a third and cycling casualties by 17%.  Reductions were greatest in children aged under 11.

There was no evidence of “casualty migration” to areas bordering the 20mph zones.  The effect of the 20mph zones was that of a steep reduction in casualties and collisions by an amount that has taken over 20years to achieve on roads without 20mph zones.  The evidence supports the rationale for 20mph zones not just in major cities but also in similar metropolitan areas elsewhere”

This information was extracted from The London Evening Standard published on Friday 11th December 2009, who in there editorial welcomed the reduction of accidents from 20mph zones. However, there was a need to find balance in the needs of all road users- including drivers, and the risk from increasing congestion and delays.

On a further interesting point; the option of using 20mph zones were discussed in council at Birmingham, back in mid 2009, were it was stated that there is a need for greater consultation around the involvement of 20mph zones, having been identified.  Although there was a target to introduce 20mph zones outside every Primary School in the City and the possibility of different coloured street furniture around schools to alert drivers was being considered.

What do you think about a 20 mph speed limit on residential roads in Acocks Green?  Let us know by adding your comments.

 

December 5, 2009

Public Meeting – 3rd December 09

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Thanks to all those members of the public who came along to the Public Meeting last Thursday.  Thanks also go to Joe Peacock, a keen cyclist from Friends of the Earth, who addressed the group about their campaign to reduce speed limits to 20 miles an hour in residential areas.  He explained that Portsmouth had already adopted this limit and it had been seen to be successful. Birmingham FOE are encouraging local people and groups to support this campaign to introduce it in Birmingham. The limit only applies to non ‘A’ Roads but makes it safer for pedestrians and cyclists.  He explained that reducing the speed to this figure would result in less slowing down and speeding up and so the average speed is often not affected.  There was much discussion on the subject, some people had reservations but approximately 50% of the meeting thought it would be a good idea.  What are your views? Let us know by leaving a comment.

PCSOs and Sgt Mirams from the local Constabulary  also attended, giving the meeting an update of policing issues.  More discussion ensued about the alleyway from Stockfield to Yardley Road, no decision has yet been made, Sgt Mirams accepted that there were 2 sides to the argument for closing it permanently.  There is some debate as to whether is is deemed an official Public Right of Way, even though it has been in existence for over 50 years.

Thanks to Jennifer for offering those in attendance fresh coffee, tea and mince pies!  The next Public Meeting is in February, check this site for more details.

 

November 23, 2009

Public Meeting 3rd December – 7.30pm

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Our next Public Meeting is at the usual venue –  the Community Hall  on the corner of Alexander Road and Yardley Road.  There will be a guest speaker from Friends of the Earth who will be talking about their campaign to reduce speed limits on residential roads to 20 miles an hour.  This would make the roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists and also reduce fuel emissions.  Come along and find out more about their campaign.

FOE -Birmingham Article

There will also be an opportunity to share views and ask questions on matters of local concern.  Refreshments and mince pies will be served, come along and get to know more about your neighbourhood and meet other local people.

 

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