Katharine Harborne

RICHMONDS’S CYCLING CHAMPION  

Cycling England encouraged all local authorities to agree the appointment of a Member Cycling Champion.  The Champion can help to create opportunities for councils to integrate its delivery of strategies across three of the biggest challenges – congestion, health and pollution.

“Our slogan is ‘More People Cycling, More Often, Safely and For Fun’.

We are fortunate that Richmond has many fabulous Historic Houses and beautiful Parks and numerous cycle paths, especially those by the river Thames.  Richmond’s fast-growing reputation as a cycling paradise and a great opportunity to spread the cycling message even further As the boroughs champion of cycling – I am leading a Cycling Revolution in Richmond and making cycling a choice everyone can make.

Photo credit Paul Clarke

Mayors Cycling Revolution

Boris has announced almost £1billion to transform London to make it easier to choose to cycle over the next ten years.  Yes –  that is £1billion.   There is £10million for outer london boroughs to bid for so if you have ideas of how we can transform cycling in Richmond then I would love to hear from you. Let’s get brainstorming how best we can transform Richmond.  Contact me: cllrkharborne@richmond.gov.uk

CYCLING SAFETY AND INFRASTRUCTURE  ACHIVEMENTS

Safer Road Junctions:

Boris announced £15million to review the safety of the worst 100 junctions in London and 4 of those are in Richmond. In 2012-13 they will be improved, Manor Circus, Richmond Circus, Chalkers Corner.

More Cycle lanes and Separate Routs for Cycling

Twickenham Town Centre Regeneration £8 Million is being spent on a once in 40 year regeneration of the centre of Twickenham, tripling the length of cycle lanes, creating a 20mph zone and creating safe cycle routes for less experienced cyclist along Holly Road and the Riverside avoiding King Street.  This will make Twickenham nicer for everyone to live and shop in Twickenham and in time for the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Segregated Cycle Routes

Locally in North Richmond we have extended the two way cycle lane on the south side of the A316 providing a safe and secure route segregated from the busy road.

Safe Secure Bike Parking

Since 2011 we have installed hundreds of safe secure bike parking at stations, doctors surgeries, destinations, also 100 in social housing.  We were able to put in twice as many bike racks in social housing because Richmond Housing Partnership matched our funding.

Richmond praised for leading the way in cycle facilities

December 9th, 2012  Richmond is celebrating this week after being ‘highly commended’ for its Cycle Station Facility in this year’s National Cycle Rail Awards.

Richmond’s Bike Hire Scheme

Richmond’s status as one of the most bike-friendly areas in the country moved up another gear with the announcement of a £220,000 bike hire hub at Richmond station. The hub, opened in July 2012 and was jointly funded by the Department of Transport whose £110,000 contribution was matched by South West Trains. There are will be 70 bikes, 20 will be Brompton folding Bikes at Richmond Station.   Aimed at visitors to the area, the idea is to encourage them to visit Richmond by train and hire a bike to see our historic buildings.

WE NEED YOU! I chair the Richmond Cycle Liaison group and if you are interested in all aspects of Cycling in Richmond you are welcome to join us.

Do you want to help, then come along to the Cycle Liaison group meetings.  Read all about it here:  Join the Cycle Liaison group to find out about the next meeting follow this link:

Here are some of the initiatives I am Championing in more detail:

Strictly Cycling ,  Sky Ride Local and Breeze

BORIS LAUNCHES STRICTLY CYCLING  

Mayor of London Boris Johnson launched Strictly Cycling in June 2011

A festival of cycling and a fun day out for everyone Bike Fest will have a Skills Arena, Bike Polo, Sprint Lane, Grass Track Racing for anyone to have a go and will also incorporate the British Cycling Regional 8K Grass Track Championships.  Loads of cycling information and stalls will be available and Bike Doctor will be on hand to fix any those little bike problems and to provide a bike safety check!

In 2012 five of the Boroughs Schools ran competitive cycling lessons run by Mac our British Cycling Coach to help find the next Sir Bradley Wiggins, Sir Chris Hoy or Laura Trott or Lizzi Armitage.

To find out more or join in Call me on : 07824 333 564

Or Mac (Graham MacNamee) Central Region British Cycling Coach

British Cycling on: 07786 932 887 www.britishcycling.org.uk

STRICTLY CYCLING MAKES MARK ON QUEENS JUBILEE

Richmond’s Strictly Cycling got the royal seal of approval on 15 th May 2012 when the Queen visited Richmond Park as part of her Jubilee celebrations. 

Despite the inclement mid-May weather, the Queen was able to see at first hand why Richmond is now firmly established on the cycling map with several impressive displays and cycling competitions.

After last year’s successful launch, Strictly Cycling Bike Fest  is returning on Sunday June 24 bigger and better than ever, backed by North Richmond Councillor Katharine Harborne. “It was great to see the Queen here enjoying the cycling displays,” said Katharine which I hope came across – despite the rain!

Last year’s event was a great success with this year’s promising to be even better.  Strictly Cycling is accredited to the Olympic Inspire programme and we’re running it in parallel to the Olympic road race to give Richmond an Olympic legacy to be proud of.”

Organised by Twickenham Cycling Club and Richmond Council, Strictly Cycling’s aim is to become a permanent event on the calendar, getting competitive cycling in local schools combined with volunteer participation events.  Big Society with Wheels”

The aim of Strictly Cycling is to get competitive cycling in our local schools combined with “just have a go” participation events.

This year is just the start – we will run it next year in parallel to the Olympic road race in Richmond Park.  It is a joint project with LBRuT and British Cycling, Twickenham Cycling Club,  NHS Richmond and our local Met Police.  It promises to be Fabulous programme of events leading up to the Olympics and beyond.  To truly give Richmond an Olympic legacy to be proud of.

Find out more! Take Part? Get in Touch:

BORIS LAUNCHES RICHMOND SKY RIDES  

Here are our  wonderful Sky Ride Richmond Leaders. We have trained up 40 and we have more lead rides than any other borough to find out more about local safe lead rides do visit:

http://www.goskyride.com/Richmond

Breeze

Katharine Harborne, Councillor for North Richmond is backing Breeze’s campaign to close the cycling gap and get more women back on their bikes.

Councillor Harborne says: “We know that nationally only one in four people who cycle once a week are women. The Breeze network aims to redress the balance and give women the confidence to travel by bike. I hope that many more will now get on their bikes and enjoy the beautiful borough we have through the Breeze rides.”

If you’re interested in becoming a champion, don’t worry, you don’t need to be a cycling expert or super-fit!  You just need to be enthusiastic and enjoy riding your bike.

Breeze Champion training will be coming to Richmond and we want anyone who has enthusiasm for cycling and the health and fitness of their community to come along and get free training leading to a professional qualification.

Please contact the Breeze team on 0161 274 2117 or e-mail breeze@britishcycling.org.uk

http://www.goskyride.com/Breeze/ShowArticle/Calling-Richmond-ladies

To find out about Breeze rides follow this link:

THE OLYMPIC ROAD RACE

Exciting, Exciting news – The Olympic road Race Route has been revealed and will go through Richmond Park, Twickenham, Hampton Court and back again.  There will also be a trial run this year!  This is one of the free to view Olympic events.  See the route.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12416914

SMARTER TRAVEL RICHMOND 2010-11

Richmond Council collaborated with Transport for London to deliver the Smarter Travel Programme.

I am also thrilled that the wonderful team at Smarter Travel Richmond have worked hard since May 2010 to install safe and secure cycle parking at businesses, colleges, stations, destinations and in social housing at 810 sites  right around the borough.  This is more than they planned because Richmond Housing Partnership agreed to match fund.