Cycle Lewes: promoting cycling for all in and around Lewes
News
Lewes Cycle Challenge 6-26 September
If you work for an organisation in the Lewes District Council area (Lewes/Seaford/Newhaven/Ringmer) please give some thought to helping your colleagues get on their bikes. Participating organisations are competing to see who can get the most staff to ride a bike for just 10 minutes or more. People log their cycling online, with spot prizes for individuals and team prizes for those that get the most people cycling (related to the size of organisation, so it's fair to small ones). 18 organisations were signed up at the end of August, from as few as 4 employees (Future Cycles) to over 1000 (ESCC and Sussex Police). For further information, please visit the Cycle Challenge website or contact Kim Washington, Coordinator, Lewes Cycle Challenge on 07711 098638
Ringmer-Lewes cycle route
Currently under construction, this is probably the most-needed cycle path around Lewes. It's disappointing that it won't go all the way through to Lewes yet, but having half of it in place, alongside the obvious need for a path on this route to serve work and school flows in both directions, will make a strong case for getting further funding in future. Everyone using this route - drivers as well as cyclists - should benefit. More on the route's history here.
Fume Free Friday - 1 October
Lewes District Council is planning another Fume Free Friday event, like the one where our cycle map was launched two years ago, with stalls and activities in the precinct from 12 until 5pm to encourage people onto their bikes. We and other cycling/walking groups will be there.
Lewes District Council draft core strategy
Our response to a consultation on the District Council's high-level draft strategy for the future, based on Cycle Lewes's experience with cycling in the area over more than a decade, develops the idea that:
While this paper looks at strategic road and rail infrastructure it does not characterise the rural road and off-road networks, which are extensive, and of great potential for recreation and tourism potential, but are generally poorly connected to the centres of population. We would add:
The northern part of Lewes District has an extensive network of quiet lanes used by cyclists and equestrians, while the southern area on and around the South Downs has some of the best off-road cycling in England. However the connections between these areas and the towns are poor, with cyclists needing to negotiate heavy traffic and difficult junctions. There is no signage from the towns (where most of the population lives) or the railway stations to to the edge of towns or to the South Downs. The cycle connections between Lewes and Newhaven/Seaford are particularly poor.
Meetings and rides?
Cycle Lewes isn't currently running rides or regular meetings, but if you are interested in helping set these up do get in touch. For links to other groups in the area who lead rides, see the routes section.
Cycle Lewes on youtube
We now have an account on youtube - click here to view. If you have clips of your favourite cycle route or least-favourite cycling facilities - or anything else relevant - and want to put them up, contact us for log-in details.
Cycle Lewes map
Pick up your FREE copy of the Cycle Lewes map, published by Lewes District Council as part of its ‘Think Air’ air quality initiative in September 2008. You can also look at it online - the routes preferred by local cyclists in Lewes here and the on and off-road routes in the surrounding area here. It was researched and written by Tim and Anne Locke, with input on off-road routes from Stephen Burgess, and designed by Lewes graphic artist Andy Gammon. Available from Lewes Tourist Information Centre or Lewes District Council offices, and other venues around town.