Dear All,

              Just to let you know that our easy /social rides are starting again. The dates for this year are once again on the third Sunday of the month leaving the Woking Leisure centre at 2:00PM. The dates for this year are 18 March,  15 April,  20 May,  17 June,  15 July,  19 August,  16 September and 21 October.  As well as these regular rides there will be a longer afternoon ride 7 Oct. and an all day ride on Sunday 1 July. The cost is free for members of Woking Cycle Users’ Group and £1 per family for non-members. Most routes will be on tracks and minor roads.  The rides will be about 14-18 miles long and will take approximately 2 – 2 ½ hours.  Sometimes we stop for tea, but I can’t guarantee this. We meet  In the car park at Woking Leisure Centre near the childrens’ playground at 1.50pm, ready to leave at 2. . Sorry, no unaccompanied children under 15, but accompanied children are welcome provided they are strong enough to cycle at a slow adult pace.  They will need a proper bike with gears and at least 20” wheels.  Bikes should be in good working order and please bring a spare inner tube. The first ride will be on 18 March and will be led by Robin Hamilton. His mobile number is 07812 831494 if you need to contact him on the day. If you would like to know more about the rides, please text me on 07746 394639 or email mecafrost@ntlworld.com

            I would also like to remind you that Highway England  has a consultation regarding the M25 Junction 10 – A3 Wisley Interchange. This is an important consultation for us because we wanted to make sure they provided safe cycle access to Wisley Lane from Ripley. The plan seems to be to make a two way  road from Ockham roundabout and running along the A3 on the airfield side and then cross over the A3 on a new bridge to replace the present footbridge. It seems to me this will be dangerous to cyclists because cyclists will have to cross the roundabout and contend with cars getting on and off the A3. See what you think and let Highway England know. They have an online survey or you can go to a public consultation. Dates and places can be viewed by following this link: go to the scheme page.

            Our pub nights have started again so come along to the Sovereigns Pub on Guildford Road, Woking GU22 7QQ starting at 7:30 on Tuesday 27 Feb. to talk about bikey things.

            Happy cycling.

Carole Frost

Membership secretary

Dear All,

Norman went to the G-Bug open meeting last week and I thought you might be interested in his summation of the event. They also briefly touched on pot holes and we were reminded that we all should report the ones we see. The link is www.fillthathole.org.uk

Regards,

Carole

WCUG membership secretary

Guildford G – Bug group had widely advertised this event  which attracted about 50 interested cyclists. The guest Speaker was Sargent Phill Dix from Surrey Police

Before Sgt Dix arrived the Surrey Police Crime Commissioner made a short appearance. He mentioned the joint initiative between Sussex  & Surrey POLICE to roll out the CTC designed Cyclist mat project details ,This has been adopted and is being used to demonstrate to vehicle drivers the need to give cyclist a clear 1.5 m space when the vehicle is over –taking cyclist[s] . After offering  good cheer to the assembled group the PCC left for an engagement out county.

Sgt Dix arrived ,having been held up by the heavy traffic in Guildford. After an introduction he spoke and later took questions on – The high number of cyclist deaths and injuries in Surrey. The CTC Map project.  Use of video cameras by cyclists ,and the need to get recorded details of apparent dangerous driving  to the the Police in 24 hours of the incident  and collecting of witnesses to incidents. There are on line forms available from “ Surreypolice.com “ this is also the place to report incidents of antisocial driving.

The police are staging enforcement incidents with an officer dressed in civilian clothing, cycling in locations where incidents of vehicle drivers / cyclist accidents and near misses have been reported.. The officer on the cycle will be provided  with a helmet video cameras and a microphone for direct communications to a backup police team. Offenders are usually invited to a training session including the use of the “cycle mat”. Any offenders who have committed serious traffic infringements will however be served with a  notice on the spot. Apparently the police make  extensive use of a twitter account to spread  details of offences to over 1,000 followers. There are the usual officer shortage restraints on the forces ,plenty of enthusiasm but only about 20 on road  operations under taken to date.

I asked Sgt Dix if the police could assist with the challenge of getting the Councillor members of local authority Transport committees interested in supporting Petitions to provide off road cycle /pedestrian routes where the road situations are too dangerous for other than” experienced cyclist”. Not having the department details to hand, Sgt Dix was given my contact details and promises to forward the details . A large number of routine questions were asked by the audience, a majority will be normal practice for WCUG members. Helmet use and visibility issues being 2 important issues.

A well organised event.

Norman