Spokes East Kent
Cycle Campaign
Update

September 2017
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​Round the world in 79 days
Ultra-endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont has completed his 80 day round the world tour in just 79. The 34-year-old from Perthshire set off from Paris on 2 July and returned to the same spot 79 days later.
Inspired by Jules Verne's classic adventure novel, Around The World In Eighty Days, he was one day ahead of schedule. His route was through Europe, Russia, Mongolia and China. He then cycled across Australia, up through New Zealand and across North America before the final "sprint finish" through Portugal, Spain and France.
In total Mark completed an incredible distance of 18,000 miles. He spent on average over 16 hours a day in the saddle and had only five hours sleep a night. He took four flights, a ferry and overcome two unpleasant crashes – one required dental work on route. 
He now holds the world record for a second time. In 2008 he cycled the world in 194 days but was later beaten by New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson who did it in 123 days. Now Mark has beaten everyone - including Phileas Fogg!
 
Adult cycle training
KCC’s Adult Cycling Sessions are being held in October and November.
For specific locations and dates, see www.kent.gov.uk/cycletraining or the Spokes website.

Safer cycling
 Figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) show, between 2011 and 2015, 3108 people were injured, eight fatally, when vehicle doors were opened or closed negligently.
Of these people 2009 were cyclists, resulting in five fatalities. Cycling UK want motorists to open car doors with their far hand, rather than the near one. This method, sometimes called the Dutch Reach, is common practice in the Netherlands, and allows the person opening the car door to look behind while also limiting how far the door can open.
The cycling charity has also suggested a public awareness campaign to advise on safer road positioning for cyclists and create understanding among all road users about the dangerous ‘door zone’. Cycling UK has written to the DfT asking them to look into this and highlight the serious threats of ‘car-dooring’ through a public awareness THINK style campaign.
 
Spokes ride, Sunday, 1 October
Meet at Canterbury East station at 10.30am. A circular ride of about 26 miles via Petham and Stelling Minnis with a lunch stop at the Lord Whisky Animal Sanctuary café near Rhodes Minnis.
Up one valley and down another using quiet roads and regional routes 16 & 17. Return through Pett Bottom, Bridge and Patrixbourne. There will be a marshall and a backstop! 
Leader: Peter Clements 01227 277457 or 07864 037162.  

Brompton electric 
The Brompton Electric has been in development for over a decade and will be on sale next year. 
The company is now taking deposits for delivery in 2018. The bike folds to the same size as a non-powered Brompton, with an additional 1.5L battery bag that can be carried as a shoulder bag when it's not on the bike. The battery also features a USB charging port for mobile devices  A larger 20L bag is also available.
The Brompton Electric has four modes, ranging from no assistance, through to a high level assistance. Brompton claims it has a range of between 25 and 50 miles so the bike should have enough power for a lengthy urban commute.

Canterbury air pollution challenged
A crowdfunding page has been launched to raise the funds necessary to challenge Canterbury's Adopted Local Plan on air pollution grounds.
Spokes members are urged to support the legal challenge by contributing what they can to the fund and by sharing the crowdjustice link by email and social media.
https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/canterburyairpollution/
 
Bicycle jewels
Caren Hartley is a trained jeweller and silversmith but now makes bikes for a living.
She is one of 12 finalists in the Woman’s Hour Crafts Prize organised by the V&A, the Crafts Council and Radio 4 to celebrate 70 years of Woman’s Hour.
Each bicycle is hand-made and tailored to each rider using a variety of jewellery and metalwork techniques. They often incorporate precious metals. In 2015 Caren was commissioned by the Design Museum to produce a bicycle for the exhibition ‘Cycle Revolution’. Work by the 12 finalists is on show at the Woman’s Hour Craft Prize at the V&A  until 5 February 2018.
 
£80million for active travel in Scotland
On 5 September, the Scottish Government announced that it would double the annual level of funding for active travel (cycling and walking), by £40m, bringing the total to £80m.
With this increased funding, Transport Scotland aims to get more people making active travel choices for short, everyday journeys wherever possible, to improve health and the environment.  With a combination of initiatives to change behaviour and the building of physical infrastructure to make towns and cities friendlier and safer spaces, Transport Scotland wants to encourage more people to walk and cycle more often.