Quite a lot has been happening at Cycle Malvern behind the scenes over the last few months. A small but slowly expanding group of people who want to see local action on cycling (and wider ‘active travel’) has been meeting to share information and ideas. So we can tackle practical matters some initial working groups have started on particular topics:

  • Schools: getting to lessons on foot or by bike means less congestion on narrow Malvern roads, less pollution and healthier children (and parents!). The group is working on making contact with other parents at the various schools – teachers too – to raise the profile and see what might encourage more of this: bike or walking ‘buses’, national or local challenges, perhaps even a school street (reducing traffic at start and end of the day).
  • Proper cycle routes is a key part of making active travel a real alternative for everyday journeys for more people, along with other facilities such as bike racks. Of course Malvern to/from Worcester is one of the journeys of most interest. We will be looking at current issues and preparing to feed into the ‘LCWIPs’ process (see below).

Making plans and providing ideas

Recent good news from the county council: they have got some ‘Capability Building Funding’ which will allow them to go ahead with creating Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs). As a local user group we should automatically be involved in the process, and are already on the list for the Active Travel Stakeholder Group currently being set up by Worcestershire County Council.

Cycle Malvern is looking at how it can involve other current or potential bike users in coming up with ways of improving the area for cycling. The town and surroundings will also soon benefit from a new active travel officer at Malvern Hills district council.

This manifesto from York is a source of inspiration

Developing Cycle Malvern

In between informal meetings (over coffee or other refreshments), our small group has been chatting away on a wide range of issues via WhatsApp. Just set up is an Events sub-channel as we work on ideas for “going public”, which should include a presence at the Health and Wellbeing day in Priory Park on 29th April (organised by the Town Council). We also want to connect in to some national events, such as Local Bike Shop Day and Bike Week, hopefully putting on our own little event at some point.

The new banner image might also show Cycle Malvern as a friendly and welcoming bunch. Now we just need a logo – any ideas? If you would like to get involved in any of this, get in touch via the contact form or social media (Facebook or Twitter).

And watch out for further news!

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