Transition Stroud meetings

Another couple of meetings I went to last week and haven't mentioned here on the blog were the Transition Stroud Open meeting - see my full write up here with lots of photos - and a part of the Transition Transport group - I've not managed to get to so many of those meetings as they clashed with others - however they are a very dynamic group that is seriously taking on the challenge of our transport emissions.

Photo: Open meeting last week

Indeed the Transport group are covering so many key issues that it is hard to do justice here - but just to give you a flavour of the discussions....and this really was only part of the discussions...

Travel to work initiatives. It seems likely that the Sustrans initiative at Hucclecote is the same as the GCC travel smart initiative at Quedgley and Hucclecote in which travel information was sent out to households inviting those interested to have someone visit them and discuss their travel needs – an individual travel promotion plan. This was quite successful and led to a fall in car use and an increase in use of public transport. A similar initiative was used in the Worcester Sustainable Travel City initiative (which received national funding). The group are already looking to see if this could happen here.

Wiki Website on transport. The website is slowly getting additional information. The names of who owns which maps needs to be added in, so that people can get hold of them. A new website for TS is proposed, in which there would be editors for each section. More on this as it develops (see also more in my write up of the Open Meeting).

Photo: Horse near Woodchester - only added as thought horse photo might fit with all this talk of transport?

Agreeing priorities. A proposal for using a “change management” approach to agreeing on future priorities was put forward. It was agreed to pursue this.

Writing to companies. SDC is planning a Green Travel Week (16-24 June 2008 – this is almost the same as National Bike Week which is 14-22 June!) in which it will be promoting green travel with schools and companies. Green councillor Sarah Lunnon has also proposed a “district cycle to school week” at the same time. A letterhead/logo is being created so letters are on hold until next meeting.

Cycling Strategy. This is only slowly moving forward and it was felt that the Campaign/Forum will need to apply some pressure to get it moving more in the District.

Electric bikes. It was agreed to check out AtoB to see if they can recommend bikes suitable for the Stroud Valleys. There are hopes for a demo day.

Events for 2008. There are a few dates on the web. A mass cycling event which is scheduled for Sunday 23 September. On 15th June there will be a similar local event cycling from the Subscription Rooms to Chalford. Bike Film Night is on 31 January (7-10pm) at the Sub Rooms - see more details here.

Teenage cycling wear. The issue was raised - a concern about teenagers cycling to school who do not wear any hi-viz clothing because the usual products are not cool. This is particularly true for the darker uniforms. Various people had suggestions and all are asked to send any ideas, web sites etc so that it can be built into the green travel/cycle to school week in June.