Nine cyclists arrived in Harrogate last night on the fifth day of their tour from Brighton to Glasgow for the UN climate change conference Cop26.
The cyclists are travelling across the UK ahead of Cop26 to talk to people about what they can do to go green.
The group set off from Loughborough yesterday morning and made it to Harrogate by 5.30pm.
One of the cyclists, Sophie Gordon, said the aim was to make people aware of the small changes they can make that have a big impact.
Travelling with banners and flags, the cyclists have been stopped by people wanting to discuss projects, such as planting trees or driving electric vehicles.
Ms Gordon, from Guildford, said:
“We all felt a bit helpless about the environmental crisis and everything we could see going on around us and we knew we couldn’t miss COP26 since it was so close in Glasgow.
“We just want to inspire people to get involved and make it happen.”
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Last night the group went the The Old Bell, in Harrogate, to host a quiz and talk to people to find out their concerns and see what can be done to tackle them.
Ms Gordon is as an avid cyclist who works for a cycling charity and said she hoped the government would invest more in cycling infrastructure across the UK to combat vehicle emissions.
Harrogate councillor calls for new ‘no cycling’ signs on StrayA Harrogate councillor has called for new ‘no cycling’ signs to be painted on footpaths on the Stray after local residents raised concerns.
Sam Gibbs, a Conservative who represents Harrogate Valley Gardens on Harrogate Borough Council, said calls from concerned residents had prompted him to act.
He told Harrogate and Knaresborough and Conservative MP Andrew Jones’ Community News website:
“Cyclists were using the footpaths and travelling at great speed.
“The Stray should be enjoyed by everyone but cycling should only be on the routes that are permitted.”
Cllr Gibbs said signs should be painted on footpaths around Byron Walk Mews, which backs onto the Montpellier stretch of the Stray.
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The 200 acres of Stray land includes some routes for cyclists but they are prohibited to use many areas.
Judy d’Arcy-Thompson, chair of the Stray Defence Association, said:
“One of the best things about the Stray is the freedom but if you’re walking along and a cyclist comes behind you when you aren’t expecting it, it can be distressing.
“If people are getting worried or feel unsafe we would agree with Cllr Gibbs that it was a good idea.”
Kevin Douglas, chair of Harrogate District Cycle Action, said more needed to be done to offer safe routes for cyclists so riders didn’t feel they had to use the Stray:
Appeal after cyclist seriously injured in Whixley“Most responsible cyclists don’t use them. But until there is proper, safe cycling infrastructure people will use the Stray.”
Police are appealing for witnesses after a cyclist was left seriously injured in Whixley.
The man, who is in his 50s, remains in a serious condition in hospital.
North Yorkshire Police are investigating the incident, which happened on Station Road in the village on May 12.
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A police statement said:
Environmental campaigner quits Harrogate Climate Coalition“The incident happened at around 1.10pm on Wednesday 12 May 2021 on Station Road in Whixley, when the cyclist, a man in his 50s, was found in the carriageway with serious injuries.
“He was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious condition.
“Officers would like to speak to anyone who stopped to help at the scene and has not already spoken to the police and to anyone who may have seen the cyclist prior to the incident, witnessed the incident or has any dash cam footage of the cyclist or the incident.
“Anyone who can help the investigation is asked to email Marie.Williams@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1 and pass information to the Force Control Room.
“Please quote incident reference number 12210116961.”
Environmental campaigner Malcolm Margolis has resigned from the Harrogate Climate Coalition because of a “lack of action” around climate change.
The group was formed at the beginning of this year after Harrogate Borough Council rejected calls to declare a climate emergency in 2019.
It brings together councillors as well as green groups and local businesses — with the aim of working together in the name of sustainability and helping the environment.
Mr Margolis was a member of the Coalition’s sustainable transport subgroup that was set up to look at cycling lanes and how to get people out of cars.
Mr Margolis said he wanted to group to be “not just another talking shop”.
He said:
“The Climate Coalition was set up in recognition of environmental emergency – but it doesn’t feel there’s a sense of urgency if you don’t have meetings for months.
“The environental emergency is an infinitly more serious problem than Covid-19. It’s absolutely central that we act with urgency. The scientists are telling us we need to act now.
“Cllr Haslam said he wants the group to bring about small quick wins that can make a difference at a local level – but if nothing happens for two months then you’re not going to have any quick wins.”
Speaking to the Stray Ferret, the chair of the subgroup Cllr Paul Haslam said the Climate Coalition was a “great leap forward” for the environment in the district but conceded that action hasn’t been as fast as he would have liked.
He said:
“I agree fully with Malcolm that people haven’t seen anything yet.
Cllr Haslam said after the second meeting of the group, it became clear the members wanted to be “more than just a talking shop — they wanted it to be effective”.
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Cllr Haslam said he has had meetings with senior figures in North Yorkshire County Council and has presented them with “every single idea” that the Climate Coalition has come up with.
The group will meet again next week.
He added:
Harrogate cyclist climbs height of Everest in Dales“I want to get us into positions so we are effective, so we don’t just generate the ideas but they get through so we can make changes quicker.”
On Saturday Bruno Marks, a member of Cappuccino Cycling Club in Harrogate, attempted to ‘Everest’, cycling up and down Park Rash in Kettlewell forty times.
‘Everesting’ is a cycling term that involves choosing a steep hill and cycling up and down it until reaching 29,029ft – the equivalent height of Mount Everest.
Bruno began his challenge at 4:30am on Saturday morning and completed the challenge at 8pm that evening, climbing a total of 30,942ft. He decided to raise money for Cancer Research UK the night before the challenge.
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He told The Stray Ferret:
“The day started great at 4.30 am, with a fantastic sunrise on my first lap to lift the spirits, but by 6am an hour long downpour had started! It made it pretty tough having to descend very slowly and carefully and getting very cold in the process. But the legs felt strong and I completed 40 laps with 30,942 ft of ascent at around 8pm.”
Bruno climbed a total of 30,942 ft in very bad weather.
Bruno has raised £3,448 so far for Cancer Research UK. To donate to Bruno’s challenge visit – https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/bruno-park-rash-everesting