An initiative to promote walking and cycling for fitness and wellbeing during the lockdown has been launched in Ripon.
The community interest company Ripon Together is behind the Healthy Journeying scheme.
It encourages people to get their daily exercise on foot or bike while enjoying the city’s scenery.
A website which gives details about safe local walking and cycle routes has been set up to support the project.
The Dean of Ripon the Very Revd John Dobson.
The Dean of Ripon, the Very Revd John Dobson, is chair of Ripon Together. He said:
“In this further lockdown it is even more important to look after each other.
“Ripon Together is supporting people’s health and wellbeing through its website where they can find lots of local walks and cycle routes.
“We are also hoping – covid restrictions permitting – to hold the traditional pilgrimage to Fountains Abbey, which could not take place on Boxing Day, on 1 May”.
He said Ripon Together was set up to make Ripon an even better place to live and it was important to encourage people to move around the city and its surrounding area sustainably, adding:
“We want more people to cycle and walk, and we want better access to the city and its countryside for those with disabilities. We need local infrastructure to support this. We would love to hear from anyone with ideas on how that can be delivered.”
Ripon Together is also supporting the creation of local greenways and a walking and cycling strategy for the city, as envisaged in the City Plan approved in a referendum in February 2019.
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The proposed Clotherholme development would significantly increase traffic in the city. Healthy journeying – cycling and walking – would reduce congestion and pollution.
Ripon Together is also asking local people to help walking charity The Ramblers to identify paths that have been in public use but are not shown as footpaths or bridleways so that they can be protected under law.
If you know of any such paths, or want to volunteer to help the project, e-mail info@ripontogether.com
People who find public footpaths or bridleways obstructed or in poor condition can use the same e-mail address and Ripon Together will pass on the information to The Ramblers.
Government awards North Yorkshire £1 million for walking and cycling
The government has awarded North Yorkshire more than £1 million as part of plans to encourage more walking and cycling.
The funding is part of a five-year, £2 billion programme by the Department for Transport.
It has awarded £19 million of that sum to councils in Yorkshire. North Yorkshire County Council will be given £1,011,750 as part of the deal.
In the Harrogate district, Oatlands Drive, Victoria Avenue and the A59 connecting Starbeck to Knaresborough by Maple Close could benefit from the funding.
The government said the funding was aimed at creating measures to support walking and cycling, such as segregated cycle lanes, closing off streets around schools and improvements for pedestrians.
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Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Transport, said:
“It has been great to see so many people build cycling and walking into their daily travel habits. To support them, we know it’s vital to have the right infrastructure in place so everyone – cyclists, pedestrians and motorists – can use our roads.”
The county council made a second bid for £1 million worth of funding in August amid criticism it was not ambitious enough in the first phase.
In the first wave of emergency funding, the authority received £133,000 from government – half the potential amount available.
As part of the second bid, the county council outlined five roads it intended to improve with walkways and segregated cycle lanes.
Three roads in Harrogate were put forward, including Oatlands Drive, Victoria Avenue and the A59 connecting Starbeck to Knaresborough by Maple Close.
‘Excellent news’
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive county councillor for access at the county council, welcomed the further funding.
He said:
2021 Tour de Yorkshire cancelled“We are committed to improving active, sustainable modes of travel for people across the county wherever possible.
“Following public engagement in the summer, we submitted a strong bid to the government’s Active Travel Fund, so it’s excellent news that we have been successful in gaining this funding.
“We now await confirmation of the details of the funding from the Department for Transport.”
The 2021 Tour de Yorkshire has been cancelled, it was announced today.
The sixth edition of the event was due to take place from April 30 to May 3.
The 2020 race which was due to pass through Pateley Bridge, Kirkby Malzeard, Masham, Summerbridge and Beckwithshaw was also cancelled.
It means for the first time in years there will be no major cycling event in the Harrogate district.
James Mason, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said the organisation could not financially commit to it. He said:
“During these uncertain times Welcome to Yorkshire needs to focus on the immediate needs of the industry without committing both financial and human resources towards any activity or event that we cannot be certain of.
“Cycling has become synonymous with Yorkshire and the Tour de Yorkshire has become a firm fixture on the world cycling calendar due to the reception the riders and teams receive in our county.
“Whilst it is very disappointing that we will be bereft of this wonderful race for another year the decision we have made is the right one and perhaps the only one we could make.”
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The Tour de Yorkshire has provided significant economic benefits to the county since it was created in the wake of the success of the 2014 Tour de France’s Grand Départ in Yorkshire.
It attracted four million roadside spectators.
Mason said the decision had been made after discussions with race organisers, French company the Amaury Sport Organisation.
Yann Le Moenner, director general of the ASO, said:
Harrogate women cycle 2,000 miles for teenager’s surgery“We will collectively do our best to relaunch the event in 2022 and give the chance to the world’s best riders to be on the Yorkshire roads in front of one of the most enthusiastic audiences the cycling world has ever seen.”
Four women from the Harrogate district are cycling a total of 2,000 miles in a month to fundraise for a teenager’s life-changing surgery.
Mia Wright, 14, who has scoliosis, which causes a severe curvature and rotation of the spine, was diagnosed when she was eight years old. She underwent surgery in Turkey in September, recovering well enough to go back to school last week.
Susie Little, Mia’s godmother, set up a GoFundMe page last month to raise £60,000 for the spinal surgery.
Ms Little decided to take on her latest fundraising challenge of cycling 500 miles after reading about a similar fundraising initiative in The Stray Ferret.
To meet her target, Ms Little will add an extra mile to the distance each day to correspond with the date. For example, on October 1 she cycled one mile, on October 2 she cycled two miles, continuing to October 31 when she will ride 31 miles in a day.
After hearing about her idea, friends Jude Humphrey and Emma Oates decided to get involved, shortly followed by Mia’s mother Jane. Together they’re aiming to raise £2,000 for the 2000 miles covered.
Currently completing their miles on exercise bikes at home, the four women hope to celebrate their final day of fundraising by cycling together.
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Speaking about what the surgery means to her, Ms Little said:
“I went to pick Jane and Mia up from the airport after the surgery. The difference in both of them was amazing, Mia could stand up straight for the first time, and she even cried last week when she put her jeans on after surgery for the first time because she was so happy.”
Total donations for Mia’s surgery currently stand at £44,600. You can donate to Mia’s cause here.
Woman’s plea after cyclist runs over her dog on StrayA woman has called for tighter cycling controls on the Stray after her dog was hit.
Sara Clark said her chihuahua Milo was lucky to be alive after being struck by a cyclist on part of the south Stray where cycling is prohibited.
Ms Clark, who was walking Milo on Friday evening, said:
“He went under his wheel and I heard his scream and he ran towards the road. The vet said he was surprised he wasn’t killed.”
Ms Clark said Milo was badly bruised and required a painkiller injection.
Cyclists are supposed to dismount on this stretch of the Stray but Ms Clark said they often ignored the rules. She added:
“There was a sign 10 metres from us saying cyclists aren’t allowed. I know of three dogs, including Milo, and two elderly people that have been hit.”
“The cyclist just said, ‘What could I have done he should’ve been on a lead?’ My dog should be able to be off a lead, we should feel safe, but now I feel like I can’t let him off a lead. They have ruined it now.”
All of these cyclists were pictured on the south Stray by Sara Clark within the same hour on Monday.
Ms Clark said Harrogate Borough Council should do more to tackle the problem:
“Accidents like this are happening but they are washing their hands of it rather than dealing with it. It is their responsibility to enforce it, even just by doing something to say they are taking it seriously, like using cameras or fines.”
A council spokesman said:
“Our staff will always challenge cyclists who ignore the rules if they witness it happening. Unfortunately, as the Stray covers 200 acres and is accessible 24/7 it is incredibly difficult to witness anyone breaching these rules. Thankfully, the vast majority of cyclists in Harrogate dismount when they should. ”
Ms Clark disputed the claim that the vast majority of cyclists dismounted.
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Harrogate boy to cycle 100 miles for Henshaws“There’s no excuse for a cyclist being on a footpath where it’s banned. I am of course sorry about the dog being knocked over and the upset to the owner. I don’t agree with cyclists ignoring the rules. I also don’t agree with drivers ignoring the rules, which they do more often and with far more serious consequences.”
A 10-year-old from Harrogate will start a 100-mile cycling challenge today to raise funds for Henshaws.
Ewan Clarkson is a keen cyclist and wants to use his hobby to help others.
He will split the distance over three consecutive days, cycling at home on an electronic bike. During training, Ewan said he has watched TV “to keep me going”.
He said:
“I’ve been on the indoor bike building it up – over the past few days I’ve been doing 50km.
“Cycling is my passion. When I was little I went round the garden and the arts and craft centre which I loved. I wanted to raise money for them because how they help disabled people is amazing.”
Ewan’s initial fundraising target was £100 but by Friday he had already raised more than £240. To support him, click here.
Ewan often cycles with his dad, Ian Clarkson, and his parents were always supportive of his pledge. Ian said:
“We’ve always told him it’s not a race – it’s about getting the distance done. When he saw the challenge he wanted to do it straight away.
“He knows he can do the distance as long as his legs don’t give up. He’s taken his training seriously and he was determined. I think he’s ready.”
The charity said lockdown has left it struggling financially, initiatives like this are helping.
The Henshaws Hundreds challenge is a new fundraising initiative launched by the charity to raise vital money. It has experienced shortfalls this year which it attributes to coronavirus and the lack of charity events taking place.
Gemma Young, Henshaws’ fundraising manager for Yorkshire, said:
“Launching at the start of National Eye Health Week on September 21, for 10 whole days we are challenging supporters to do ‘your hundred, your way!’
“Inclusivity really is at the heart of this challenge. It’s possible to cover your chosen distance in a wheelchair, using a walking frame, walking on your hands, or by running, walking swimming or cycling.”
Read more:
- Henshaws launches its Henshaws Hundreds challenge to raise funds.
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Public consultation launched on land swap for Stray cycle route
Harrogate Borough Council is to ask residents about a proposed cycle route on the Otley road as it will take up part of the Stray.
The council has to seek the public’s opinion as the proposed new cycle route needs to use land that is legally designated as Stray land. It also wants views on whether to amend a Stray Byelaw to allow cycling on the proposed Otley Road route.
Under the Stray Act any land taken from the Stray has to be given back elsewhere; be no more than 100 metres from the Stray and be ‘equally advantageous’ to residents.
The three options that have been proposed for the land swap are Wetherby Road (behind the hospital), St James Drive verges or Arthurs Avenue verges.
The council says it is working with North Yorkshire County Council to improve transport infrastructure in the west of Harrogate.
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The Stray Defence Association has previously expressed concern about the areas proposed for the land swap questioning the value to the public of verges along Arthurs Avenue and St James Drive becoming Stray land.
Councillor Phil Ireland, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for sustainability, said:
“In order for a new, safe, segregated cycleway to be implemented on the verges of Otley Road we need to hear people’s views on the exchange land options and byelaw amendments.
“We believe we have identified three suitable options to offer as exchange land and I’d urge residents to share their views.”
The council says comments on these proposals can be given online at: www.harrogate.gov.uk/haveyoursay by Monday 9 November.
Easy riders like a Sunday morning in Nidderdale
On most Sunday mornings a section of the car park just off Pateley Bridge High Street, is packed with a leather and denim clad brigade who come to town on motorcycles of many colours and engine sizes.
This stop-off point for men, women and their machines has been firmly-established on the motorcyclists’ map for decades and this year, more than any other in recent times, they are providing a welcome boost for a local economy emerging from the coronavirus lockdown and attempting to make up for lost time and lost earnings.
Cafes, takeaways and shops are among those to benefit from the flow of business brought by riders who are seeking refreshment, before setting off on the next stage of a journey that takes many of them through the Dales and on to destinations on the East Coast.
Motorcyclists head out of Pateley Bridge and onto their next stop-off point
Nidderdale, with its combination of long, winding and steep stretches of road, was in the national and international spotlight when the Grand Depart of the Tour de France came to Yorkshire in July 2014.
It is a Mecca for travellers on two wheels – both pedal and petrol-powered, who are out in force on summer Sundays.
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For friends Mike Haste, Alexander Kubansky and Keith Weston, who hail from West Yorkshire, Pateley Bridge is akin to a resting point on a pilgrim path that leads to the sea and home again, with return journeys often covering 200 miles plus.
Mike, whose 1700cc Harley Davidson is one of a limited edition model produced in 2013 to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the world-famous motorcycle maker, told The Stray Ferret:
“Every Sunday, if there’s blue in the sky, we are on our bikes and heading for Pateley Bridge – our first stop-off point.”
He added:
“Over the years you get to know the places that are biker-friendly and we share that information with other motorcyclists.”
Alexander, whose pride and joy is a 21-year-old Honda Valkyrie with a 1500cc engine, said:
“Pateley Bridge is a nice place to come to. We can park up safely, have a cup of tea or coffee and use the public toilets before heading off again.”
Keith, with his BMW K 1300 GT, started taking part in rides with his friends a few years ago and highly recommends it. He said:
“It’s a great way to enjoy a Sunday day out.”
With the Pateley Bridge stop off lasting between 15 and 30 minutes, riders who head for the road are soon replaced by the next group, providing a stead stream of customers, who come to rest awhile and take refreshment beside the River Nidd.
County council asks public to help win £1m cycling bid
North Yorkshire County Council is asking the public to help them win £1m of funding from the government to improve walking and cycling in the Harrogate district.
On NYCC’s website, people have until Friday to mark on a map where they think improvements could be made.
The authority is hoping to win a bid of up to £1,065,000 from the Department for Transport’s Emergency Active Travel Fund. The money will be spent on longer-term projects to “help deliver significant health, environmental and congestion benefits”.
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In the first round of funding, the council was allocated £133,000 – half of what it was hoping for.
That money was to help councils put in place short-term solutions such as widening footpaths or the temporary closure of roads. The council said it would make up the other half of funding through its reserves.
Harrogate District Cycling Action told The Stray Ferret at the time that North Yorkshire’s plans “weren’t ambitious enough”.
Speaking about the council’s second bid for funding, Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access at NYCC, said:
Extinction Rebellion to hold regular rallies in Harrogate“The new facility we have added to our website to enable anyone to put forward ideas for improvements to cycling and walking provision anywhere in the county is further evidence of our commitment to active and sustainable travel.
“It will remain on our website as a tool to enable us to consider all suggestions from the public.
“If any suitable schemes are submitted immediately, it may be possible to look at those for this tranche of funding, but it is more likely that any schemes that are shown to be practical and appropriate could be considered for future funding opportunities.”
Today was the second rally held by Extinction Rebellion in Harrogate since lockdown – organisers say they want to make it a monthly event.
Around 70 cyclists turned up this morning at the town’s Library Gardens and looped the town centre to draw attention to the need for more sustainable travel.
It’s only 3 weeks since the group’s last rally in the centre of Harrogate. Organisers say they’d wanted to do another event quickly as many people had been unable to come on the last one.
The rally set off from the Library Gardens
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Victoria Wild of Extinction Rebellion Harrogate told the Stray Ferret
“There was so much interest in the last one, people who had missed out wanted to come. Alot of people don’t feel safe on the roads as cyclists – particularly women and kids. We want to keep up the pressure to improve sustainable transport and it’s nice for everyone to get together on a rally”.
Last week, North Yorkshire County Council’s executive member for highways Don Mackenzie, told The Stray Ferret that cycling groups should “remain realistic” around improvements to cycling routes in Harrogate.
The council received just half of the £266,000 that was allocated to them by government to spend on temporary cycling and walking measures to help people use sustainable transport post lockdown.