West Bridgford cycle streets

Find out how to get around easily by bike in West Bridgford
just click here

Nottingham City Transport - Easy Rider tickets

We are now present in West Bridgford on the Melton Road Market on the 1st Saturday of every month. The next one being 2nd April.

We are offering 5 days bus travel for just £10, which at £2 per day gives a £1 saving against the all day ticket.

So get yourselves one of these tickets so that you can use them, any day, any time, without a time limited and use them this Walk/ride day, wear something green and get some of the incentives from our local participating businesses

The Cycle Garage in West Bridgford can do your repairs!

The Cycle Garage offers a free collection, mobile service or drop-in repair service for all types of bike. Our service is available 7 days a week until 8pm most evenings.

For our returning customers we offer a 10% discount off our already competitive rates and if you service two bikes at the same time we will give you 50% off your second bike.

You can visit us or call us on 0115 860 2005'

Green Streets badges with a drink at Taste

Go to Taste on Clumber Road and treat yourselves to a drink.
You will then be given a Green streets badge. Please wear it and promote walking and cycling in West bridgford.
Many thanks

Whip car, rent the car next door!

Boost your income - ... Rent out your car! If you don't use your car all the time, you can rent it out by the hour or day via clever new site WhipCar, which also takes care of the insurance.

Journey Panner

I was at the Cyclenation conference in Nottingham and made contact with a host of amazing people and organisations.

One of which was the team who designed the cycleStreets.net website, which lets you plan a cycle journey from a-B anywhere in the UK. I have put the link on the right hand side of the blog, specifically for West Bridgford.

The planner gives the fastest, quietest and balanced route, catering for your cycling preferences.
You can even see at a glance how hilly your route will be - with hlls taken into account in the planner.

Ride to Broadway cinema by bike on Fri 25th March

Last year Margaret and Malcolm took a group of people to the Broadway cinema to experience how quick and easy it is to cycle into town. The feedback was great and well worth it. If you would like to go to a local cinema this walk/ride day Friday you have a choice of several films


Benda Bilili! (PG) 20:45
Cave of Forgotten Dreams (3D) (U) 17:45 20:30
Route Irish (15) 18:15
Submarine (15) 18:00 20:15
The Secret of Kells (PG) 10:30 13:30
You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (12A) 17:30 20:00

Whilst you are in this part of town you may want to visit Freewheel the bike shop as it is just around the corner (you can park your bike there if you like)
For more information see website

Cars2Share is now available in West Bridgford, you can sign up for FREE!

Do you know the true cost of running a car? Have a look at the following website:.... If this calculator made you decide that maybe it would be an idea to look at alternatives to your (second)car, we might have come up with an answer.

Enterprise rent-a-car, our local car hire company has very kindly come up with a brilliant deal for people in West Bridgford. It is simple to use, cost effective (for occasional use) and will contribute to clearer and safer roads in our Town. They will come and pick you up, drop you off, give you a huge selection of cars available (depending on what you need it for that day/weekend/week etc Van, small car, large car, MPV) Just click: Car2Share to go straigt to their site, you can sign up for Free membership

Clear and Simple

Dave printed this message on a green piece of paper and laminated it.
Then attached it to his bike.

Would you be willing to put a clear and simple message on our bike or trailer too?

Please feel free to copy his idea spread the word! (spot the deliberate spelling mistake)

You may want to write: If you're not going far,forget the car, walk or cycle instead

Thanks Dave for inspiring me

An example on how it could be done

And we thought cycling in Nottingham was well organised.
Here is a little video on what Rush hour looks like in Utrecht (Holland).

Go Green Streets 6,

Friday 24th September 7.30pm
Celebrating and promoting alternative transportation. A final ride in this series is a 30 to 40 minute riverside ride through Clifton Grove, on a mostly traffic free route. Please wear something green

Meet: Trent Embankment, outside county hall
West Bridgford
Grid Ref: SK 581380
Duration 1 hour
Leader: Brian and Katherine Shaw

Move and Mingle walking routes

Rushcliffe Borough Council is launching Move and Mingle an exciting programme of led health walks!
Walking is not only better for the environment, it has numerous health benefits and led walks offer people the chance to socialise, explore their local area and enjoy the natural
environment. Move and Mingle led health walks are safe and fun and best of all they’re free!

There are three Move and Mingle led walks:
• Rushcliffe Country Park, Ruddington – Wednesdays. Meet at the Education Centre at 10.30am.
• Cotgrave Country Park, Cotgrave – Fridays Meet at Rose and Crown pub car park for 2pm start.
• Lady Bay/Rushcliffe Embankment – Meet outside Southbank Bar on Trent Bridge at 10.30am start.

If you are interested in joining one of these led walks or any of the other 12 Move and Mingle Walks
Call Judith Grant, Health Activator at RBC, on 01159148334 or email jgrant@rushcliffe.gov.uk."

Kind regards,

Judith

Green Streets mobile field kitchen

Join Rebecca Beinart and her mobile Field Kitchen for a ride along the river Trent, hunting for wild food on Tuesday 14 September at 6pm meet at the Suspension bridge on the West Bridgford side. We will be cooking foraged foods on a rocket stove.
This trip will involve a mixture of cycling and pauses to learn about edible plants and foraging.
Field Kitchen is a bespoke bicycle trailer that incorporates the necessary equipment to cook edible plants found on expeditions in urban wilds. The project examines what we can find in our immediate surroundings for sustenance, pleasure and well being – raising questions about our relationship with plants and food, our reliance on imported goods, and lost fields of knowledge.

The emphasis of this trip is less about cycling a long distance and more about exploring the area we meet at 6pm at the Suspension bridge on the WB side and the foraging will last about 2 hours. Contribution of £3


Best wishes,
Rebecca
07963 505429

Field Kitchen comes to West Bridgford

As part of the Green Streets celebrations Rebecca Beinart came with her Field Kitchen to share her foraging knowledge with us.
12 of us met at the Suspension bridge and made our way along the river to the nature reserve at the side of the Wilford bridge.
Armed with brown paper bags (for possible goodies on the way) we set off. Blackberries, mugwort, plantains, red and white clover, horse raddish, jack in the hedge, nettles, dead nettle, silver weed and dock were some of the herbs I can remember, more can be seen on Rebecca's website.


At the end of our trip we sat down next to the lake and taste some wonderful nettle and sage bread, some freshly brewed mugwort tea with some blackberry bakewell cake.
The evening was cut short by a heavy rain shower but it did not dampen the wonderful experience.
I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank you to Rebecca to sharing her expertise and give us her time.

Go Green Streets 5, Rural Rides

Friday 27th August 2pm

Join the fifth in this series of rides, this time looking at safe commuting routes to the University Park to look at the eco houses. From there we will head to the Millennium Garden in University Park then returning via the Boots complex on canalside paths and riverside path. Please wear something green

Meet: Trent Embankment, outside county hall
West Bridgford
Grid Ref: SK 581380
Duration 3 hours
Leader: David Nicholson-Cole

Rural Ride to Ruddington Country park

Friday 30th July 5:30pm

Join the fourth in this series of rides, a 30 to 40 minute ride to Ruddington Country Park, on cycle paths and quiet roads, where we will pause to take advantage of the play area, the mountain bike course, or an easy ride around the park before returning home. Please wear something green.

Meet: Rushcliffe Arena,
Rugby Road,
West Bridgford
Grid Ref: SK 576364 Duration: 2 to 2 ½ hours
Leader: Brian & Katherine Shaw

cycling in Amsterdam

Many of the local West Bridgford residents know me from the lady with the cloggs and her bike trailer. I was virtually born on the bike, for me the bike is a mode of transport, I commuted to school 20km a day and I was not the only one... millions of people cycle in Holland to get from A-B on their bikes. For many it is a way of life.
The first british town I arrived in was Cambridge so for as far as I was concerned cycling is a way of life in the UK too. It was a little bit of a shock to then move away into other towns. Living in West Bridgford is quite good for cycling compared to many other areas. My dream though would be to make it more cycling friendly so that more people young and old can experience this fast and cheap mode of transport in a safe way.
Just to give you an idea of where I am from, have a look at this little video

Challenge your place of work

Employees across Nottinghamshire are gearing up for Shape Up Notts! Workplace Challenge – a free, easy and fun campaign designed to help businesses reap the rewards of a fit and healthy workforce.

There is now strong evidence that being active regularly can help to keep our bodies fit and our brains sharp. The financial benefits of fostering an active culture in the workplace also speak for themselves: reduced absenteeism, increased motivation and increased productivity.

The big challenge kicks off on June 20th 2010 with participants having until October 31st to join in with some ‘healthy’ competition. Record your activity during this period on the web site with the aim of reaching the top of the workplace leader board.

At the end of the challenge, prizes will be awarded to businesses and individuals who have excelled in their category.

Not only is the Challenge a fun and practical way of encouraging your workforce to get more active, the prospect of increased activity is a natural catalyst to getting out and about more, by opting to cycle or walk more, rather than relying on the car. Your carbon emissions will be reduced and you’ll be keeping active too! You’ll also be making a direct and valuable contribution to reducing local road congestion by swapping travelling by car for walking and cycling.

The Challenge is aimed at everyone and there are so many activities to try – anything from a gentle stroll to a more rigorous spinning class – the world is your oyster!

Sign up now and watch how small steps can make a huge step-change to the environment, your health and your fitness.

Find out more information at www.bikeweek.org.uk

Secure bike compound at Nottingham Station

The Secure Bike Compound at Nottingham Station was at last opened this afternoon, postponed from Bike Week, so we need to spread the word, via our website and in other ways. I gather that the existing stands in the Porte Cochere area at the front of the Station will be removed in about two weeks and Keith Morgan of the City Council has assured me that this will not be done until the replacement stands, for short-term visitors to the Station (buying tickets or making enquiries) have been provided. Initially these will be on a temporay site on the pavement outside and later on a more permanent site inside as part of the revamping of the whole Porte Cochere area for shops, cafes and pedestrian access only (i.e no taxi access and no other bike access). Watch out for the likely publicity about the new Bike Compound in the Post in the next day or two.

Games Workshop encourages its staff to cycle

This week all staff received an email from The Environmental team to come and celebrate their cycle scheme's 1st birthday in the Garden.

"Bring your bike for a free check up from Doctor Bike.
Get transport information from the Big Wheel team.
Have a chat with Evans Cycles about your bike needs.
Join a fun cycle ride around Lenton with Cyclewise (Learners & intermidiate)

Try out one of Raleigh’s new electric bikes.
12.00 - 2.00pm Friday the 25th of June

I hope they have a successful time and that many other firms can follow their example.

Great bike facilities, safe storage, showers, bike buying scheme all contribute to more and more members of staff taking up this healthy and sustainable mode of transport. Even the Chief Executive cycles to work.

Rural Rides

Rural Rides

Once you’ve got the cycling bug you could even try one of the many popular Rural Rides – a programme of guided rides across Nottinghamshire for beginners right through to the enthusiast. There are plenty of rides throughout Bike Week, so if you want a great way to see the countryside and get active, why not give them a try? For more information, visit website

Find out more information at www.bikeweek.org.uk

Great Nottingham Bike Ride

Great Nottinghamshire Bike Ride

To get Bike Week off to a flying start, why not take part in the Great Nottinghamshire Bike Ride? This year’s event falls on Sunday 20th June – Father’s Day- a great idea for a fun packed family day out. Nottinghamshire’s biggest family bike ride features several different rides aimed at all levels – what’s more it takes in some beautiful countryside and is a great form of exercise. Visit: www.nottscc.gov.uk/bikeride for the lowdown.

Find out more information at www.bikeweek.org.uk

The Big Track

Bike Week is the perfect time to take a spin around The Big Track – the city’s 10 mile car free route that runs along the River Trent and canal. It’s a haven for cyclists and walkers alike. Click here to access the latest interactive version.

Find out more information at www.bikeweek.org.uk

Cycle Maintenance Workshops, 26th June

Register to join us at the FREE cycle maintenance workshops, to find out more click here.

Find out more information at www.bikeweek.org.uk

National Bike Week

National Bike Week kicks off on 19th June 2010 with a week of activities celebrating cycling and all the environmental, social and health benefits it brings.

‘Everyday cycling for everyone’ is the theme of this years event and throughout the week (19th – 27th June) there will be loads of events designed to inspire and encourage you to give cycling a go. After all, it’s a cheap and easy way to get fit, help the planet and have fun!

In support of Bike Week, The Big Wheel has been busy working with partners to come up with some great events and other fun ideas that should keep you busy!

Rural Ride will take you to Beeston Marina

Green streets walk/ride day Friday 28th May.
This time come and try out a route along The Big Track by the riverside to Beeston Marina. Generous cups of tea, chip butties and huge cakes await you at the cafe there. Then cycle off all of those calories on the way home - easy! Please wear something green!

Meet: Earlswood Drive shops, edwalton at 10.30 am (duration 2 hours)
Meet: co-op Central Avenue, West Bridgford 11.00 am (duration 1 hour)

Length: short

Leader: Malcolm and Margaret Kennerly

Family Bus Travel Prices Slashed for Half Term

Nottingham City Transport will once again be slashing the price of family bus travel during next week’s school holidays.

Group Rider tickets will be available for just £4 from the bus driver during the half-term holidays, offering unlimited bus travel for up to 5 people (min 1 adult, max 2 adults) within Greater Nottingham on all NCT services.

Anthony Carver-Smith NCT Marketing Manager commented, “With so many events going on across the City over the holidays, it makes sense to get there and back with Nottingham’s local bus company and our fantastic money saving £4 Group Rider offer.”

Group Rider tickets can also be used on City Council Link services and once purchased from the bus driver, they can also be used on the tram too.

The Group Network Rider ticket, which extends to cover South Notts and Pathfinder bus routes to Loughborough and Southwell will be reduced to just £6!

On Bank Holiday Monday, 31st May 2010, a Sunday timetable will operate on the NCT and NET network, with W4 operating for workers at Boots, Beeston.

NCT bus information is available online or by calling
0115 950 60 70.

Pedal Express - a local cycling expert in bike trailers

"Bike trailers are great for many reasons...
They’re healthy for you and the environment,
a good example to your child,
free to park,
cheaper to run,
pleasant exercise on lovely days,
fun for all the family,
inclusive - no one need miss out on the pleasures of cycling,
better than a child seat, i.e. keeps toddlers dry on rainy days and protected from bees and wasps on hot sunny ones,
great for doing shopping,
or carrying all the school bags,
sometimes even quicker than a car!" (K.Shaw)

Contact: Pedal Express

The Midlands only environmentally friendly courier company
0115 844 7744

www.pedalexpress.co.uk

Gordon Road Retail Association is joining forces with Green Streets

Out of no where came a wonderful surprise, 15 extra businesses have signed up to do something for the Green Street celebrations. They are all on Gordon Road, so why not have a wander around and visit them to find out what it is they are offering? They will be displaying the Green Streets logo in their windows. Don't forget to walk/cycle, use the bus and wear something green!

Members List.
Test Match Pub.
West Bridgford Chip Shop.
Carpet Image.
Warrens Barber Shop.
Hello Gorgeous.
Five Rivers.
Individuals Hair Design.
Mystique Nails.
Grace Maternity.
Age Concern.
Flower Scene.
Jolie Lingerie.
West Bridgford Newsagents.
No8 and Fruit Basket.
Starlon Jewellers.

For details about the Retail Association contact Emma 0115 9813028.

Doctor’s Orders for the Mobile Travel Centre

Nottingham City Transport’s popular Mobile Travel Centre bus is following doctor’s orders by visiting both major hospital campuses from this week, as the new timetable is launched for the summer.

On alternate Wednesdays through until the end of September, the Mobile Travel Centre bus will be visiting the Queen’s Medical Centre and City Hospital Campuses, offering bus journey planning advice and Easyrider Citycard top ups to staff, patients and visitors.

Anthony Carver-Smith, NCT Marketing Manager commented, “We are absolutely delighted to add the QMC and City Hospital campuses to the calling points for the Mobile Travel Centre. We have served thousands of regular customers since we launched the bus last year and look forward to meeting new people and making new friends at the hospital sites”.

The Mobile Travel Centre will continue to visit Arnold Town Centre, Beeston Market Place, Bulwell Market Place, Clifton Library, Netherfield Morrisons and West Bridgford Library, as well as the West Bridgford Campus of South Nottingham College each fortnight and a full timetable is available at www.nctx.co.uk.

Video for the younger pupils

This little video is great to get the message across to be seen in the right clothing

For more information

Green Streets West Bridgford is now officially 1!

Cake made by Wendy of Taste on Clumber Road

Yesterday saw the 12th celebration of Green Streets Walk/ride days that we organised to make people aware and experience what it is like to leave the car behind and make a special effort to walk, cycle or use public transport.

This is one of the numerous Transition West Bridgford initiatives to get our town involved in making it more resilient and less dependent on oil. Over this last year hundreds of local people have made this special effort and I would like to take this opportunity to say Thank you to all.

When Cllr Khan a year ago launched the campaign on Melton Road in front of Celebrations, businesses like Celebrations, Taste, The Green Boxshop, Caffe Nero, Belle and Jerome, Inspiration, Flowerbay in Lady Bay, The Lady Bay pub and Signature really put all their enthusiasm and energy behind the event, gave discounts and incentives to all those who walked and cycled and wore something Green. Nicola Pearson and Paul Philipps from Rushcliffe BC, Lin Taylor of our Library and Chris from Pedal express worked tirelessly to promote the event, designed, printed and distributed posters and flyers and cycled for miles with a bill board to announce the forthcoming walk day.
Schools like, Jesse Gray, WB Junior School, Greythorne Primary School had assemblies, sold badges and raised awareness to both their pupils and the parents. For this I am extremely grateful as I know that time is precious and that these days even primary schools are working to an amazingly tight schedule not giving much lee way to do anything else than follow the curriculum.

We had Green Streets events on the Croquet Lawn and monthly guided bike rides organised by members of Pedals and members of Transition WB. A special Thank you to: Malcome and Margaret Kennerley, Brian and Kathy Shaw, Hugh McClintock, David Nicolson Cole, Kate Troy, Sheila Hood, employees of Games Workshop and Cllr Mallender for giving their time to show people in West Bridgford that it can be quick, easy and fun to cycle to various local destinations. The events on the Croquet lawn were hard work at times but made it all more rewarding to see that every single month, members from the West Bridgford Skills exchange, Jonathan and a local resident and a handful of local businesses came to help out and spread the message.

And then, there were the badges…. 12 different ones were printed for sale at 20 p in various locations but mainly through our local schools, where little champions were selling and promoting them. I would like to give a special mention to Natasha and her friends and Eleanor Collard who I know organised special events to sell the badges and promote the cause.. The idea behind the badges was that it would be an incentive to walk or cycle that day not realising that it had an even more diverse impact on the children.

Collecting these badges meant they had to be persistent and determined, they had to save their pocket money, they had to take care of them, treasure them and not loose them and that the reward of doing this would be that they would be entitled to go in the prize draw to win a bike.

Today is that big day, with the money received from all the 20p’s that you have paid to buy the badges, we have managed to buy a bike and helmet, The Green Streets birthday cake, the catering for this event and possibly 3 bike maintenance lessons in West Bridgford in the near future. If you are interested in these, please sign up and leave your details.

We have all contributed to this celebration in our own little ways and hope that you will continue to promote the last Friday in the month as a walk/ride day to your friends, colleagues and neighbours by handing out a badge to wear proudly on the day. The badges, some literature on cycling in WB and a window sticker are in the goodie bags that you will receive on your way out. Happy Walk/ Ride days and Thank you for making this year so rewarding for so many people.

The lucky winner of the bike was Cameron. Congratulations!

Green Streets Prize draw and first birthday Saturday 1st May

This month is your last chance to collect the last badge before the first birthday party on Saturday 1st May from 10-12 noon at the West Park Pavilion on Loughborough Road.

This party is our way of saying thank you for helping to make West Bridgford aware of cycling and walking and where Cllr Khan will be making the prize draw of all the names of people who collected 10 different badges. Could it be you who has won the bike?

Please put all your 10 badges on a piece of green clothing and wear it when you (and your family) join the party. Your name will then go in the hat to be drawn at the end of the morning.

Hoping to see many of you there.

Kind regards

Karina Wells
0115 9147408
Karina.wells@ntlworld.com

RSVP

Friday 30th April 10:30am Edwalton 11:00am West Bridgford

Join the first in this series of rides, on this ride with alternative starting points, showing a safe and easy route from Edwalton to West Bridgford and onward into Nottingham City Centre. Please wear something green.

Meet: Earlswood Drive Shops, Edwalton Grid at 10.30 amRef:SK 598354
Duration:2 hours

Meet:Co-op, Central Avenue, West Bridgford Grid at 11 am Ref:SK 587377
Duration:1 hour
Length:Short
Leader:Malcolm & MargaretKennerley

Message from Cllr Rod Jones

Dear Resident

I am pleased to tell you that on 21 April 2010, Notts County Council decided to make an Order establishing another Public Right of Way. This is a path which joins the Ruddington side of Landmere Lane, goes through the Underpass and east along the verge.

I applied for this path in 2009 as it had got separated from the other applications on a technicality. I would like to thank all those who gave evidence of useage including those who provided photographs.

The Underpass was blocked with earth by the owner of nearby land, Mr Wells, a few years back. It is not his land and the Highways Agency have said they are requiring him to remove the earth so they can access the structure and drains. The County Council are looking to install a gate of some sort which would not allow access to motorbikes. So it may take some months to be effective and post-signed.

This new Right of Way joins the path which leaves Sharphill Wood from the South and hits the A52. That path is already a Public Right of Way and is one of the eight upto and within the Wood which I successfully applied for over the period 2006-2009.

I am particularly pleased about this last path because it will provide people/walkers with a connection between Ruddington and West Bridgford. Tthe A52 sadly truncates 2 bridleways but there will now be a safe means of crossing.


Rod Jones
Liberal Democrat Councillor for Musters Ward
in Rushcliffe Borough Council.

Some feed back from a happy customer!

I went to the library before Christmas to get my bus pass as you suggested and am very pleased to have it - back next week to get it topped up. I've definitely used the bus more often since having it

Kate L

If you like cycling.... join Pedals

If you like cycling why not join Pedals. This group has been instrumental in opening up the suspension bridge, keeping pressure on the local councils to keep bike routes in good order.
Good cycling signage and they were actually the group who started the Great Nottingham Bike ride!

Great Nottinghamshire Bike Ride

The 2010 GNBR will take place on Sunday 20 June.
If you'd like to take part, you need to apply for a place. You can:

* Enter online
* Phone 08449 808080
* Pick up an entry form from your local county library


They also have good links with Ridewise, a charity that can help you get on your bike again.

Welcome to Ridewise for individual cycling training

RideWise is a Nottingham-based not-for-profit community enterprise committed to providing practical solutions that make cycling an enjoyable and safe form of everyday transport. We aim to give you the skills so you can cycle when you want to – to give you a real transport choice.

RideWise has a team of professionally trained, insured trainers. They are regular and experienced cyclists. They possess indepth knowledge about cycling in greater Nottingham.

For more details visit their website

Slide show of activities during Green Streets celebrations

Photo competition

As so many of you are joining in the fun and walk, cycle or use public transport to get to school, work or your clubs on the last Friday of the month, dressed up in something green, we are launching a photo competition.

Email your funniest, sweetest, or most beautiful picture of how you and your family celebrate Green streets, to greenstreetswb@gmail.com with your name, address, telephone and email details.

The best photograph will be picked for the 1st Anniversity on Green Streets Walk/Ride day in April 2010.

Looking forward to receiving your contributions!

Another side to Green Streets...

By walking, cycling and using public transport you tend to support local businesses.

Michael Shuman is showing how local businesses are beating global competition and helping to create self-reliant communities. Most of you will be very busy and have not got much time to spare, if you can however, watch his video it is well worth having a look.

Rural Ride guide is now available!

‘Rural Rides’ is a programme of guided cycle rides. Following quiet lanes and off-road routes at a leisurely pace, there are frequent stops to take in points of interest or just to admire the view. Designed for the casual rider, all shapes and sizes of cycle and cyclist are welcome!

To join a ride all you need to do is select the ride from the programme and turn up at the start point at the time stated. All rides are free of charge and most of the leaders act in a purely voluntary capacity. They are, however, experts on the rides they lead and will offer a wealth of local knowledge and comment.

You can download Rural Rides April 2010 to March 2011 [PDF 1.3MB] Alternatively a printed copy can be ordered from this website.

If you would like more information about Rural Rides please contact us.

Greening West Bridgford: Challenge 1: if your journey is not far, leave the car!

Soon the whole of West Bridgford will receive the Greening Campaign Challenge cards through their letter box.

One of the challenges is to walk/cycle if your journey is less than 1 mile.

I have just come across a wonderful invention to stay safe and visible on the road for walkers, cyclists, horse riders, and other road users. I hope you find it of interest too.

Anklelite
Baglite


To find out where to buy:
For those of you who don't live in West Bridgford you can still join in and do the challenges. The more the merrier.

From today I will post a Challenge per day, so watch this space!

Vote Bike - By the National Cycling Organisation

With the general election approaching, now is the time to make sure that cycling will get the attention it deserves in the next parliament. CTC has written the Vote Bike Manifesto to make sure that MPs in the next parliament know what they need to do to make cycling a mainstream form of transport.

CTC's Vote Bike campaign makes it easy to engage with your prospective parliamentary candidates (PPCs) and find out how committed they are to voting bike.

Here's how you can get involved:

* Review CTC's Vote Bike Manifesto and find out what we're asking from PPCs.
* Take action! Find out if your PPCs support Vote Bike, and send them a message asking them to sign up to the manifesto.

Our headline message is for government to:
Commit to double cycle use within ten years, making cycling mainstream in the longer term.
For more details click here

Changes to concessionary bus pass scheme for older people.

It may be helpful to know that there are 2 changes occuring to the concessionary bus pass scheme for older people. The first is the result of the County Council removing funding for early morning travel and the second is a national change bringing getting a bus pass for the first time into line with state pensionable age.

From 1 April 2010 across Nottinghamshire:

If you already have a pass you are still entitled to free bus travel between 9.30am and 11pm Monday to Friday, all day at weekends and bank holidays. The pass also enables free travel on the Nottingham tram between 9.30am and 4pm and between 6pm and 11pm Monday to Friday, all day at weekends and bank holidays.

If you travel before 9.30am and after 11pm on weekdays then you will need to pay full fare.
The bus pass will no longer be valid on any trains.
The companion pass issued to people with certain types of disability (e.g. blind people) to allow a companion to travel with them, will be withdrawn.


Age of eligibility for new bus pass:
From 6 April 2010 the age of eligibility for a new first time bus pass will change. It will no longer be available at age 60. There is a sliding scale which eventually means that people become eligible when they reach pensionable age i.e. 65. Detailed dates of eligibility can be found from either Rushcliffe Council or Notts County Council.

Bus services in West Bridgford

With 3 different bus services in West Bridgford understanding fares can be confusing.
To put them all together: we have
1. Free localink which drives from Clifton to Gamston via West Bridgford every hour or so
2. Nottingham City Transport,
3. Trent Barton, please find below their fares.

Fares From West Bridgford to Nottingham
Adult - £1.60 (Single)
Child - £0.80 (Single)
Adult - £3.20 (Return)
Child - £1.60 (Return)
Adult - £1.20 (Using MANGO card) 25% discount
Child - £0.60 (Using CHILD MANGO card) 25% discount
16 to 18 Years MANGO FARE offering 35% Discount, starting 14th March £1.04
Yellow Cash Saver - 28 unlimited days travel £38 (equivalent to £1.35 a day)
Kangaroo - Which can be used on NCT and TrentBarton - £3.40
Zig Zag - £4.60

Bike Song

Something different arrived in my inbox today. This is a song about the very first bike.
fun and inspiring.

Get you helmet, your florescent jacket and enjoy your bike

Natasha promoting Green Streets

I would like to introduce to you my very active and reliable Green Streets helper.
Natasha from day one has been fired up to get West Bridgford out of their cars and on their bikes. She has been promoting Green Streets by selling badges at school, taking part of the Green Streets activities and now lately has written an article for the school magazine as well as the new local publication; Spotlight on West Bridgford.

Thank you Natasha, without you I would not have had such a good involvement of the Junior School

WB coop has improved cycling parking

Great news! The improved cycle parking at WB Coop has now at last been installed, only just over 3 months since they admitted to me at a Nottingham Area Local Members meeting that they had made a mistake in not including this in their general store upgrade in 2008 and would now put that right "but it might take 6 weeks"!

The new cycle stands seem to have been well installed, with good spacing between them for loading your panniers, as well as front and back. Being silvery/grey and that much close to the edge of the store they are not very obvious and, for a moment, when I went there today, I thought that the old battered 'wheelgrabber' stands had disappeared without the new ones taking their place. It would help to have a bit of (discrete) signing to help draw attention to them, and perhaps including some mention of bike parking, alongside the current mention of car parking, as one of the store's facilities mentioned on the big sign near the main entrance.

The Coop did say back in November that, when they had carried out the improvements, they would be keen to get feedback on how well they were used and what people thought of them so do please encourage people to use them and make favourable comments!

Hugh
Chair of Pedals

NCT Success at UK Bus Awards 2009

Nottingham City Transport is today celebrating after picking up the Winning New Customers Award at the 2009 UK Bus Awards.

NCT beat off tough competition from 5 other entries – Arriva Midlands, Translink, First Glasgow, Ulink Bus Service and Stagecoach – to take the Department for Transport Winning New Customers Award, after the winners were announced this afternoon at the London Hilton Hotel.

Mark Fowles, NCT Managing Director commented, “Nottingham City Transport’s primary aim is to increase patronage and attract more people on to our buses, which we have successfully achieved in recent years. The Winning New Customers Award rewards our innovative approach to attracting car users in West Bridgford onto our buses, where nearly a third of our customers now choose to leave the car at home”.

The Department for Transport Winning New Customers Award recognises the success of NCT’s West Bridgford campaign last year, where a fleet of 22 new buses, at a cost of £3m, were introduced. Recognising the car as the main competitor, NCT sought to replicate car luxuries and benefits, by updating the bus product and image and supporting it with an extensive advertising campaign built around the theme of “a vehicle so advanced, they didn’t even need to drive it!”

The campaign increased patronage by 3.7% in a year and saw the number of customers leaving their car at home increase to 31% (up from 21% in 2005).

Other key results include:

• Continued patronage growth in the area – up 19.5% over 5 year period

• Increased customer satisfaction of 15% year on year

• 8% of users new to the service in the past year, with 65% quoting the marketing and image change as a motivator

• Passenger capacity increased on all routes by 40%

• New bus stop waiting facilities with better timetable information and more bus shelters installed by Nottinghamshire County Council to complement the scheme

• Vast improvements for disabled passengers with all buses fully wheelchair and disabled accessible – 9 years ahead of UK legislative requirements


The purpose of the UK Bus Awards is to recognise and reward the success and good practice in bus based public transport and attracted some 210 entries this year, the highest ever! NCT has been a shortlisted operator every year since first entering in 2002, picking up many awards and commendations.

ENDS
For further information, please contact Anthony Carver-Smith, NCT Marketing Manager on 07971 105 108 or by email at anthony.carver-smith@nctx.co.uk

Schools resources

Dear Teacher,

I have found the following video's and materials on the web which might be of help to get the message of save travel across to your pupils and students. I hope it is of use.

Kind regards
Karina

truestory : For teenagers to use safety belts
Secondary School Teaching Resource:For secondary schools - lesson plans in modern foreign languages (MFL), PSHE, media and citizenship for Key Stage 3, 4 and AS/A2 level.

Lunchtime reminders; For the little ones:
Although this is a Canadian site, it has some great ideas

Free lesson plans Lesson plans and support material all written by education professionals are available - please see the Think! Lesson plans website.

Primary School Teaching Resource:For primary schools - lesson plans for all years in Key Stage 1 and 2, covering geography, ICT, literacy, numeracy, PSHE and science.


Learn the lyrics to the Hedgehogs song and you can sing along!
You know your own street
And everyone you meet
You know which dogs bark
The best way to the park
It's your neighbourhood
That's where you feel good
Though you know the road well,
Still you never can tell
You've got to be wise
You can be surprised
On the roads near home...Stop, Think then GoOoo-ooo ooo-ooo ooo-ooo ooo-ooo oooOoo-ooo ooo-ooo ooo-ooo ooo-ooo ooo

Be seen when you are walking or cycling

Know a serious cyclist that uses clipless or cleated pedals ? a cyclist that wants to be seen not hit? or Jogger ?A unique and innovative solar-powered, eco-friendly lighting product worn around the ankle and keeping cyclists safe on the roads or joggers while out in the evenings.

Anklelite doubles as a trouser clip replacement for cyclists and provides 360 degree lighting for those cyclists riding with clipless and all other types of pedals. The Anklelite with adjustable straps fits all sizes and can be worn with or without trousers and fits securely over riding boots. Anklelite provides super-bright 360 degree lighting without the need for batteries. A large unique floodlight module is attached to straps that fit comfortably around the ankle with high visibility reflective strips on both sides as an additional feature. The lights shine brightly from every angle so cyclists, sports people and children wearing Anklelite will be seen clearly by motorists any time day or night. The lights can be turned on and off and set to different modes – flashing, constant or off.

Just put Anklelite into Google to see the hundreds of positive reviews of the product.

Anklelite is already priced in the shops at just £12.49 (UK) / BUT as if bought as an Ecolist Customer, these ankle lights can be purchased for the next 30 days at a 25% discount from the retail prices you will see in shops worldwide ! For information on how to obtain the discount please see below. How to get the special discountsIt's easy! all you have to do is go to the Pedalite shop at www.pedalite.com/shop.aspx, buy the products you want and then put in the promotional code "pedalite" at the time of checkout and your 25% discount will be applied. Its really that simple.

Co-operative Support for Walking Buses

Hi Karina

I am writing with more details of our programme to support walking buses.

You may know The Co-operative as a local community retailer. We believe we have to do all we can to reduce the effects of climate change and, as part of our campaign, we are offering support to schools in our trading areas for walking to school initiatives.

If we can help your school please do get in touch. We are able to offer the following support:

· Hi-visibility vests for walkers and parent helpers (upto 40 infant or junior vests, or a mix of the two and 10 adult vests)
· Reflective snap-bands to reward children walkers
· Banners and posters to promote walking to school

If you would like to play the walking bus game click here

I look forward to hearing from you should you wish to take up this offer of support.

Kind regards,
Sophie


Sophie Smedley
Project Officer 6th Floor
New Century House
Corporation Street
Manchester
M60 4ES Telephone: 0161 827 6808
Facsimile: 0161 827 6230
Email: sophie.smedley@co-operative.coop
Website:

Cycling in Copenhagen

We are trying our best here to get a few more people on their bikes... Judging from this video we have still a long way to go

Supermarket introduces bicycle trailer 2009

Albert Heijn, the Dutch supermarket chain, has introduced the first Albert Heijn bicycle trailer in Apeldoorn. The so-called iShop may be used inside the shop as a shopping cart and can be clipped onto the luggage carrier, once outside.

The trailer has been developed in close co-operation between bicycle manufacturer Gazelle and Albert Heijn. Apeldoorn local authorities support the initiative. Local authorities expect bicycle promotion to increase urban quality and improve access to the (centre of the) city. The experiment will last for six months, until March 1, 2010.

John Joseph Power
01-10-2009 @ 14:51

What a Brilliant Idea we could do with this in Ireland as most Bikes would not be able to hold much Groceries. There is only a few People who actually own Dutch Bikes or Bakfiets or those Bulitt Bikes. It is nice and Light for occasional use and some People would really Appreciate this without going to the Expense of Buying a Trailer. I think Feelers should be put out to see if there is a Market for them over Here in Ireland or in the UK. I would imagine it would have to be a lot Stronger than a Normal Shopping Trolly for it to be Towed behind a Bike in order for it to last . You could even take something like this on Touring down the Countryside

The Green Pod

The Green Pod is a high quality end of trip facility for cyclists that can be integrated into indoor and outdoor applications.

The Green Pod is the size of a car park and comes in two configurations,
1) 1 Shower, 1 Change Room, 10 Bicycles, 10 Lockers.
2) 2 Showers, 2 Change Rooms, 28 Lockers, 0 bicycles

The Pod has been designed to operate on 12V DC system that can be powered by solar panels on the roof. The Pod consist of a solar hot water system, electronic locking system, LED lighting activated by motion sensors, a grey water treatment unit that discharges grey water into green areas, timed showers and a self cleaning mechanism.

The Pod utilizes an innovative self cleaning system which ensures users enjoy a high standard of sanitation without the cost of daily cleaning.

• High Quality
• Sustainable Construction
• Encourages sustainable lifestyles
• Flexibility to meet demand increases
• Low establishment and operational costs

Bright Kidz will make sure that we'll be 'Seeing You Go Safely'

When we were kids nearly all of us walked to school every day. We would chat to our friends on the way and arrive fit, refreshed and ready to start the school day. Congestion from school run traffic was not a big issue and the school gates were not such danger zones.

Unfortunately many children are now driven to and from school every day. Not all children go to their nearest school. Lifestyles have changed; walking to school does not always fit in with our busy schedules. Increased traffic makes parents worry about their children walking alone, so they drive them and become part of the problem.

We want to give more children the opportunity to walk all or part of the way to school safely every day. BrightKidz tel: 01536 526461 has some practical ideas of how you can help make this happen at your primary school and some of the ideas can be used for pre-schools and secondary schools too.

If you're a parent, teacher or governor you might be interested in finding out about Bridght Kidz and their brilliant range of fluorescent reflective clothing and accessories. Park & Stride, the Walking Bus or other schemes then you've come to the right place. We can also let you know what other help is available, how to promote your schemes and how to get others motivated to join you.

if you order from Bright Kidz quote the coupon code GREEN01 and you will receive a 5% discount off the value of your shopping cart (excluding any shipping charge that may apply).

If you order from here online: this 5% discount is automatically included

For more information see their website: http://www.brightkidz.co.uk/ or phone 01536 526461

Would you like to promote your business and join in Green Streets?

Over the winter months we are relying on our local businesses to promote what they are doing and joining in the Green streets celebrations on the last Friday of the month.

Most of you who have already signed up will have a window sticker, if you wish to have one, please let me know.

During the Summer months I have made posters and put them up in the Libraries, public notice boards etc to announce what is happening with regards to special events.

Now the weather has changed I have decided not to do these posters and rely on your individual businesses to put a poster in your windows announcing what incentives you are prepared to give to the customers who wear green and who have walked, cycled or used the bus to your premises.

Please find a template here
If you wish me to announce on the web what you are doing, please feel free to drop me a line.

regards
karina

Act on CO2

Watch this video
Walking and cycling

As nearly a quarter of all car journeys are under two miles, walking or cycling is often a practical alternative to driving.

Why make fewer trips by car?

* Fewer car journeys will reduce the CO2 emissions that contribute to climate change.
* The fewer trips you make, the more money you save on fuel.
* Short journeys increase the wear and tear on your engine.
* If you have more than one car in your household, and more family members walked and cycled, you might be able to give up that extra car, saving thousands of pounds each year on running costs. If you need a 2nd car occasionally why not look at the Cars2Share scheme that was set up by Transition West Bridgford and Enterprise (see links in right hand column)

Why cycle?

* Nearly a quarter of all car trips are under two miles, a distance that can be cycled in under 15 minutes.
* Cycling two-mile trips could save you over £600 each year in fuel.
* Cycling is a great way to exercise. It has a low impact on your joints and each two-mile trip can burn up over 100 calories.

Why walk?

* Many car journeys are just one mile, which would normally take just 20 minutes to walk.
* Walking your one-mile trips could save you over £160 each year in fuel.
* Walking briskly on a regular basis is good for your heart and lungs, helps burn calories and is a good way to a healthier active life.

On Friday 27th is Green Street walk/ride day why not give it a go and see how you it works for you.

For great value Easy ride bus tickets have a look at the NCT article below.

Opening of the Meadow Lane canal lock riverside path link

In November there was the opening a new riverside path (the 'missing link') by the Meadow Lane lock between the riverside path from Victoria Embankment (under Trent Bridge) and the canal path by London Road and the Turney's Quay housing area, opposite the NFFC ground on the south bank.
New canal path
An article about this can also be found on the Nottingham Evening Post website and headed "£1.5mn towpath link officially opened"

The opening, by City Transport Portfolio Holder, Councillor, Jane Urquhart, was attended by a good crowd of cyclists, pedestrians and representatives of the City Council, British Waterways and other organisations and including two local MPs, Alan Simpson and John Heppell, which was good. Alan's speech included a reference to the closure of the Wilford Suspension Bridge and to the need for more good quality paths like this to encourage more people to walk on cycle, along the lines of the extensive system he had experience in Montreal, where his wife comes from.
New canal towpath

www.transportdirect.com

If you want to get from A-B with local transport, why not use this handy website it gives you times and places. Transpport direct

Good luck and enjoy the ride!

NCT Launches Mobile Travel Centre

Nottingham City Transport’s latest bus takes to the streets this week – but it’s a bus with a difference that will certainly stand out from the rest!

The inside of the bus has been completely transformed, thanks to some excellent in-house work by NCT’s Engineering Department, with the seats removed and replaced by a purpose built counter and all the equipment needed to issue and renew Easyrider Citycard smart cards, that offer unlimited bus and tram travel from less than £1 per day.

The Mobile Travel Centre will visit local town centres and colleges across the city on 3 days per week to bring Nottingham City Transport closer to the communities served by the bus network. This new facility, partly supported by Nottingham City Council, offers customers a more convenient way to buy and renew discounted Easyrider Citycard travel cards closer to home, work or college and avoids the need to come into the busy Travel Centre in the City Centre.

As well as offering Easyrider Citycard issues and renewals, the bus also carries every NCT bus timetable and two dedicated on board Consultants are at hand to answer any query, question or enquiry about Nottingham City Transport.

NCT will visit West Bridgford Library every week on Thursdays.

In addition, the Mobile Travel Centre will also be visiting both the Clifton and West Bridgford campuses of South Nottingham College, which will help students top up their smart cards on site before lectures and whilst at South Nottingham College, the bus will also be open to local residents of West Bridgford and Clifton East too.

The Mobile Travel Centre will operate to the following timetable until Christmas – come along and talk to us, top up your Easyrider Citycard or pick up a timetable.

We’ll be looking for more sites in 2010 and if you have any suggestions about future locations, please contact us.
We're in West Bridgford Library every Thursday from 11am until 4pm and also at South Nottm College pm Thursdays 8.30am until 10am, where we are topping up.

If you want the Anytime card and 3 days for £5 offer, we can accept payment by cheque and post it to you. All we need is full name, address and postcode as well as date of birth.

Nottingham City Transport,Theatre Royal and Concert Hall are teaming up

Leave your car at home and use the bus or tram to travel to the Theatre Royal or Concert Hall with a £1 Royal Ticket.

The Royal Centre, Nottingham City Transport and the trams (Nottingham Express Transit) have teamed up to offer a return tram or bus ticket for just £1 per person to all customers booking tickets for events at the Theatre Royal or the Royal Concert Hall.

The special £1 Royal Tickets can be purchased from the box office at the same time as theatre tickets and are valid on all Nottingham City Transport buses within the Greater Nottingham City Area* and from all tram stops. Tickets are valid for one inward and one outward journey until the last bus or tram at midnight.

The £1 Royal Tickets can be booked in person at the Royal Centre box office in the Royal Concert Hall foyer on South Sherwood St or by telephone on 0115 989 5555. The Royal ticket can also be added to existing bookings by calling the box office.

Further details on routes and times are available online here
* Bus tickets are valid on all bus routes within the Greater Nottingham City area, including routes ’100’ up to Carlton Willows School and the ’1’ and ’Skylink’ up to Clifton Pastures.

Flower Bay is joining the celebrations!

Flower Bay is an established florist offering a wide range of fresh flowers and plants, which are imported daily from around the world for maximum freshness.

Any customers that spend over £10 on the day a 20% discount.(excl weddings) when they mention the Greenstreets initiative.


As a fully qualified florist, with over 12 years experience Rachel offers a comprehensive range of styles from Traditional to Contemporary.
Whether the occasion is a Birthday, Anniversary, Get Well Soon or just to let someone know that you care, Flower Bay can supply the perfect gift.

We offer a wide range of quality gifts including Vases and Glassware, Candles, Teddy Bears, Balloons and Belgian Chocolate Pizza's (for the chocoholics out there!)

Same day deliveries are available and delivery is FREE in West Bridgford, with competitive charges for all other deliveries in the Nottingham area.

We are the only stockist of the collectable badges to support the Green Streets Initiative in the Lady Bay area they only cost 20p so why not walk or cycle to our shop on Walk/Ride Fridays to get one of the 12 and while you are there, treat yourself or a loved one with a little bouquet of sunshine for the weekend ahead. A guaranteed winner!


Flower Bay
3 Trent Boulevard
Lady Bay
West Bridgford
Nottingham
NG2 5BB
Tel: 0115 981 65 65

To celebrate Green Streets, Lady Bay public house is offering for every 2 adult meals a free childs meal

Love your local, a great venue with great food offering good value for money and great customer service.

Walk to your local pub, The Ladybay on Friday 31st October where for every two adult meals purchased you will receive one childs meal free. When you come in our pub on Green Fridays wear something green and say your are celebrating Green Streets!

Thanks
Ali

89 Trent Boulevard
West Bridgford
Nottingham
NG2 5BE
Tel: 01159 811228

Alison or Paul Buxton e-mail 4748@greeneking.co.uk

Cancer Research Compton Acres is celebrating with us

On Friday 31st October Cancer Research Charity Shop on Compton Acres will be having a "Green Rag bag day. Bring in your rags and they will be able to sell this to the rag man and receive funds for Cancer Research

So why not walk to their shop, hop on the bike or the bus and join them in the celebrations?

The Green Box Shop - Cost Effective Natural Household and Beauty Products to your Door

The Green Box Shop will be offering a 10% discount on all orders placed on Green Streets day 31st October 2009.

We are the distributor of the limited edition Green Streets badges.

Collect all 10 by April 2010 and a surprise awaits you.

The Green Box Shop - Cost Effective Natural Household and Beauty Products to your Door.
Rushcliffe Community Awards Finalist 2008

Get yourself ready for the darker months ahead

Now it is half term it might be a good time to check that the helmets still fit, that the lights work and that you have something to wear that is easy to be seen by other road users. Radcliffe Road Cycles even sell helmets with lights in them! Why not pedal past and have your bike checked over at the same time

I hope you can join in with the Green Streets Activities but don't restrict it to just one day a month, make a habit of walking and cycling and be part of the growing group of West Bridgfordians who want to make our town more pleasant, safer and healtier.

Co-op is promoting walking busses

Walking to school gives children a really healthy start to their day. It also cuts down on car journeys, so it’s a great way for families to reduce their own carbon emissions. With the school run accounting for 18% of morning rush hour traffic, walking to school can also have a positive impact on local congestion.

However, many parents are understandably concerned about their children walking to school on their own. So, we help schools to set up walking buses – groups of children who walk to school together, accompanied by two adult volunteers – by providing them with a package of material, including high visibility vests for children and volunteers. Our commitment to support walking buses is just one part of our comprehensive programme to address global climate change.

If 15 children who were previously driven to school walked to school for a year, it would save 4,800 car journeys and 4.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of six flights to New York.

How to apply for support for your walking bus

Is your school near a Co-operative Group store? Are you thinking of starting a walking bus?
If the answer to both questions is yes, you may be eligible for one of our Walking Bus packages, which includes the following materials:

* 40 junior or infant high visibility (hi-viz) vests
* 10 adult hi-viz vests
* a banner for the school railings, to promote the bus to children and parents)
* posters for use in the school to promote the bus
* 50 hi-viz snapbands to use as rewards for the walkers.

If you think your school might be eligible, please email us at:
social.goals@co-operative.coop
and we'll send you more details.