Shopping & parking. Do Oxford a favour: give cycling a go.

On Yer Bike

Monday 15th June 2009 By James Styring »

Every time the price of city centre car parking goes up, the tiniest dip in car park use sparks a furore amongst Oxford’s “business leaders”.

This perennial panic really gets my goat because it assumes that the car driver’s concerns are all that matters and it assumes that mainly drivers shop.... more

Oxford like a bike graveyard

Tuesday 9th June 2009 By Chris Walker »

"OXFORD has been left looking like a bike “graveyard” according to a transport expert criticising the city council for failing to clear abandoned cycles.

The chairman of Oxford Pedestrians’ Association, Paul Cullen, joined the Oxford Mail on a three-hour inspection of bike racks last week and discovered 40 abandoned bikes in the city centre. Mr Cullen said they were an “eyesore” – many of which having fallen victim to theft and vandalism with missing parts or buckled wheels.

He also warned the problem discouraged cyclists by clogging up overcrowded bike racks and deterring bikers who would be fearful of similar damage happening to their property. ..."

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The more you cycle, the safer it gets

By James Styring in the Oxford Mail

Wednesday 3rd June 2009

CTC, the national cyclists’ organisation, has just published a really interesting report that corroborates the oft-quoted wisdom that cycling gets safer the more people do it.

Countries in Europe with high levels of cycle use tend to be less risky for cyclists. In Denmark, people cycle over 900 kilometres a year and it is a far safer country to cycle in than Portugal, where barely 30 km is covered by each person by bike annually. more