Christmas holidays
The workshop will be closing for Christmas from the 19th December until the 13th January, so just two Saturdays left to come and buy a bike, lights, locks and puncture repair kits from us. Look out our shop page for the bikes we have for sale too.
Refurbished bikes for sale
We are having a big push to sell all the bikes that have been refurbished by volunteers from all walks of life. Each bike is fully checked by a qualified mechanic before being released for sale. If you are looking for a great value round town bike we probably have the thing for you. We have a selection of men’s, women’s and children’s bikes in both hybrid and mountain bike styles. Bikes are listed on our Facebook page, and are available for viewing and sale on Tuesdays and Saturdays 10am – 2pm.
September newsletter out now.
O
ur September newsletter is out now. We have information on the Tour of Britain, our Bike Jumble and updates on our workshop and Bikeability work.
May newsletter out now
Please read our May newsletter. It is packed full of information about our Big Bike Revival events coming up in May and June.
Workshop Officially Open
In a party atmosphere our Open Workshop at Cogges Farm pedalled off to a sunny start on Saturday with the help of our friends and plenty of tea, cake and biscuits.
Officially opened by the Mayor of Witney who emphasised the importance of the inclusive nature of the project – enabling cycling for all – the workshop will now run every Saturday and Tuesday from 10am to 2pm.
David Hibberd of the Veteran-Cycle Club travelled all the way from 1890 with his ‘Extra Special’ Crossframe Safety. Still in fine fettle it didn’t require any work but was the centre of attention among the mechanically minded.
Our mechanics and volunteers got straight on with the job of repairing or breaking down old bikes for parts and helping to diagnose the needs of our first visitors which included new chains, new cassettes (the cluster of sprockets on the rear wheel), new brake pads and a gear cable. Once diagnosed a mechanic is on hand to guide people through the process of replacing parts should they need it and to ensure the bike is fit for purpose once repaired.
Anyone can drop in but if people wish to book a slot or have a mechanical question then email workshop@windrushbikeproject.uk.
Open Workshop Launch
We are launching our Open Workshop on Saturday 25th March at Cogges from 11am. Come along and meet the team, have your bike checked, play the pedal powered games and enter our competition. Will has made aprons for the workshop and has renovated a Pashley delivery bike with our logo. More details about our Open Workshop here.
A40 Bus Lane and Bike Track Consultation
Our response to this consultation focuses on improving the design of proposed changes to the cycle route between Eynsham and Oxford using the latest design guidance.
The basic design parameters – a 3m wide two-way track with a 1.5m verge between the cycle track and the bus lane – are sound, but the decision to place the track on the northern side and the physical constraints of some of the junctions raise issues that need addressing.
Our main concern is that all of the crossings are made safe enough for children to cycle to school and put their Bikeability training into practice. A safe crossing at Eynsham roundabout is essential.
You can support our call for safe crossings for all by responding to the consultation and saying exactly that, or similar, in the comment box in part 3. You have until midnight tomorrow, Thursday 12th January.
Alternatively, you can send your comments to LTS.team@oxfordshire.gov.uk with a subject heading of Eynsham Park & Ride and A40 Bus Lane Consultation. Feel free to mention the Windrush Bike Project response.
Turning the Corner
We are supporting British Cycling’s Turning the Corner campaign to alter priority at junctions for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. The petition we (and hopefully you) are signing says:
“I support the introduction of a universal rule to give way when turning at junctions, to make them simpler and safer for people driving, cycling and walking.”
It’s a complex topic – the full report by Phil Jones Associates proposing the change and laying out the case for further research runs to 113 pages – but the executive summary gets that down to 19 pages, and Chris Boardman manages to sum it up in under a minute…
Phil Jones, one of the report’s authors, explains the technical advantages that can be made by simplifying junctions for all users…
This will make designing safe cycle routes easier and remove some of the problems with existing cycle tracks such as giving way at every side road.
Help us to help you – please sign the petition.
This initiative was the result of a number of study tours, particularly to Copenhagen, and if you’re curious I wrote this last year about my own experience of cycling there.
Christmas Café
