News
Wiltshire Council Provides Free Cycle Training for Adults
The above link will take you to the Bikeability Adult information page
In the second paragraph highlighted in green click on "registration and self-assessment form".
Complete the online self-assessment form on the webpage, which will give WC more information about your current riding ability and allow us to tailor the session to your needs. Important, where asked, please enter ‘Wiltshire Council’ as the training provider name and bikeability@wiltshire.gov.uk as the provider’s email address. WC will then contact you to arrange training.
Please note that free training places are limited and offered on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. APPLY NOW!
Cyclists called on to support “10 key changes” to Highway Code
The Government has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the Highway Code and we are calling on pedestrians and cyclists to support 10 key changes that make cycling safer. These changes include clearer guidance on overtaking cyclists, advice on the use of the Dutch Reach method of opening car doors and clarification that groups of cyclists can ride two abreast. Another major proposal is for the introduction of a hierarchy of responsibility for different road users i.e. those in charge of the largest vehicles, with the potential to cause the most harm in a collision, would bear the greatest responsibility to take care and reduce the danger they pose to others. A summary is available at: Summary of the consultation proposals on a review of The Highway Code
The easiest way to respond is to use the online response form. or may send your response by email to: HighwayCodeReview2020@dft.gov.uk
Wiltshire Council meeting 21/07/2020
Motion in support of walking & cycling
The next Full Council meeting of Wiltshire Council (which is being held online) is on Tuesday 21st July at 10:30 - full details on their website. Of particular interest to cyclists is item 13a, Motion 21 re Walking and Cycling. This motion, put forward by two Lib-Dem councillors, asks Wiltshire Council to prioritise cycling and walking, to appoint Cycling and Walking 'Czars' to promote and facilitate progress, to expand the Bikeability programme, to work on digitally available walking and cycle maps, and to work with parish & town council on measures to encourage cycling. The full text of the motion is available here.
Please encourage your local Wiltshire Councillor to support this motion!
If you are not sure who your Wiltshire Councillor is, their contact details can be found on https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/mgFindMember.aspx
Many thanks to Wiltshire Council for donating the Sheffield racks and to COGS members Richard Davis who collected the racks from Devizes and to Jimmy Walker and Benji Goehl who fitted them. Hope Benji's trailer has recovered after it was groaning under the weight of two bags of ballast and a bag of cement
Flooding on Avon Valley Path
Congratulations to Benji and friends for getting together to clear flood water from the A36 underpass on the Avon Valley path, as reported in the Salisbury Journal. Much appreciated by the many pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users who frequent this path and who had been forced to take a longer and more dangerous route along the road for the 4 weeks or so the path was flooded.
Do you have an unwanted bike to give away?
Rise:61 at St Michael’s Community Centre accepts bikes but may be a 5 week wait to take the bicycles.
Wiltshire Councils recycling centre also take unwabted bicycles on behalf of Alabaré which are placed in the storage container.
Salisbury Repair Cafe
More than 30 handy volunteers have signed up to offer their services as menders and fixers - all they need now is things to bring back into working order!
The Repair Cafe got funding from Salisbury's Wiltshire Council Area Board to be set up, but will take donations from 'customers' to keep the services running.
It's based at the Quaker Meeting House on Wilton Road, between 10.00am and 2.00pm and the next will be on Saturday 15th February followed by 14th March.
Bike thefts
Unfortunately the spate of pre-Christmas bike thefts in Salisbury has continued. Two bikes were stolen from a shed in Berkshire Road in February, and a bike was taken from outside Five Rivers Leisure Centre , with the thief cutting through the lock to remove a bike from the bike racks there. Do take care when you leave your bike, whether at home or away, and make sure bikes are locked with a good quality lock
Car Share Update - why not join Co-Cars
If you are one of those COGS members who likes to use their bike for most short trips about town and who needs a car only occasionally then maybe Car Share is for you? A number of COGS members [including myself!] are already members, and the long-standing car share club in Salisbury – hOURCARS – has now joined up with Co-Cars, an Exeter based co-operative – to provide access to more vehicles and smart card technology which makes vehicle booking and usage even more straightforward. Joining up is easier too – with no deposit required, and annual individual or household membership fee of £25 giving access to two pay-by-the-hour cars available in Salisbury (York Road and Central Car Park), plus cars at numerous other locations across the South West including Exeter, Weymouth, Dorchester etc. And there’s more to come in 2016 as Co-Cars is expanding later this year to include electric bikes, e.g. at Exeter station, all bookable and usable via the same smart card. More details available in the latest Salisbury Co-Cars newsletter - Click here – and on the Co-Cars website at www.co-cars.co.uk.
Previous news letter are available below - please note that these have been replaced by news that is updated via emails which are sent out periodically.
Newsletter May 2014 download
Affiliated membership of the CTC through COGS members
COGS is affiliated to CTC, Britain's national cycling organisation, and can arrange Individual Affiliated Membership of CTC for COGS members at a cost of £16 per annum. The benefits are
Full CTC £10m third party insurance
An individual membership card providing access to a wide range of discounts and benefits in selected shops and CTC events
Copy of the weekly e-newsletter "Cycleclips"
For further information or to join as an Affiliated Member please contact the COGS Membership Secretary,
Latest News Update October 2012 download
Highways Agency opens new crossing on A36 at Petersfinger
Fantastic news for all pedestrians and cyclists - the Highways Agency offiicially opened the new crossing on the A36 at Petersfinger enabling a safe crossing across this very busy road. Oh what joy to be able to press a little button resulting a safe controlled crossing. Members of COGS, SUSTRANS and local walking groups were literally striding (just like that famous Beatles picture) and dancing across the A36 crossing in jubilation. After years of battling and over 1000 signatures on a petition the crossing in now in place. Thanks must go to Alistair Millington (Sustrans), Mike Ginger at the Highways Agency and all those in COGS who have been tenaciously beavering away with Wiltshire Council officers to achieve this outcome. Read the full story in the Salisbury Journal.