Each month, we email a bulletin to everyone who has signed up on this site. Below is the edition that we sent in April 2022. If you like it, please sign up on our Get Involved section – you will be showing your support for our work and you will receive our free monthly bulletins a month before they appear here.
IN THIS ISSUE… +++ Tell canvassers what YOU think about through traffic +++ Impasse on Kingston Gate traffic +++ Code of Conduct to get update +++
BLANK CANVASS
The doormat of the RPC HQ has welcomed many political leaflets in recent weeks. Now comes the next stage: canvassers knocking on the door. But we’re actually looking forward to it – and so should you!
This is YOUR chance to tell those canvassing for the candidates in the forthcoming local elections what YOU think about through traffic in Richmond Park. If you think it should go completely, say so!
One of us at RPC has worked alongside door-knockers for one of the major parties in the past. In our experience, they can have little or no knowledge of some local issues. So this is the perfect opportunity to inform them that high levels of motor vehicles taking a shortcut through the park make its roadway less hospitable for less confident cyclists and pedestrians, if that is what you think. And remember: there will be plenty of voters who will happily give canvassers a very different view to yours – so make good use of their time on your doorstep.
We’ll keep an ear out for anything candidates say regarding the park and relate it in the next bulletin, which will be the last one before the elections.
HEAD START
We’re having our next regular quarterly meeting with Richmond Park’s management on Wednesday, April 13 – and you can feed ideas you might like us to bring up by coming along to see us at La Ciclista on Sunday, April 10. We’ll be at the cafe from 8am until 9.30am.
If you can’t make it but would like to chat with us face-to-face sometime, keep a lookout for a distinctive white helmet with the Richmond Park Cyclists logo. We’ve started wearing it in the park, and you may spot it on a table in Ciclista, Colicci or Fika while we refuel. Come say hi if you do!
KING’S DILEMMA
Calling all Kingstonians – and those who cycle through Kingston to get to the park! Our chums at The Friends Of Kingston Gate have told us that attempts to improve the overly busy eastern end of King’s Road, which leads to Kingston Gate, have reached an impasse.
In April 2019, we reported that a bid to create a one-way system was thwarted. Then, in September of that year, a report by Kingston Council revealed that the road would not be included in an assessment for its Healthy Streets project, which aims to improve cycling in North Kingston, as it was subject to “on-going investigations'' (see p22 of the North Kingston Healthy Street Scheme report). Now, it seems, nothing is getting done.
The current situation, with long queues of motor traffic and frequent angry confrontations between drivers trying to squeeze through non-existent gaps, is offputting for even the most experienced cyclists, so we hope that the FoKG, other locals and the council can find a solution.
Meanwhile, our pals at Kingston Cycling Campaign have dropped a note about dropping litter. They tell us that they are picking up used wrappers for energy bars and gels every day, so please make sure you tuck them into your pocket. Litter is a nuisance, especially in the park, where rubbish can harm the wildlife.
HERE WE CODE AGAIN
It’s been 13 months since the Code of Conduct for cycling in Richmond Park made its debut on our website – and it’s now due for a refresh, particularly to reflect changes to the Highway Code as well as The Royal Parks’ advice on cycling speeds. We’re drafting changes now, so take a look at the Code and let us know what you think could be improved to make riding in the park more welcoming for every type of cyclist.
WHEELS OF JUSTICE
A quick word on the slow-moving case of the cyclist descending Broomfield last July who ended up with serious injuries after trying to avoid a car whose driver was attempting a U-turn after ignoring the no entry sign at the top of the hill. The driver’s court appearance had been pushed back to March as he pleaded not guilty. Now it has been adjourned again, this time for Covid-related reasons, until April 24. We’ll let you know what happens next…
SEE YOU NEXT MONTH...
As ever, thank you for allowing us to pop into your inbox, and let us know what you think about anything related to cycling in Richmond Park – we reply personally to every email you send us. If you enjoyed this bulletin, please share it with your cycling friends – and if they like what they read, encourage them to sign up to our mailing list too. The more subscribers we have, the bigger our voice.
All the best,
Richmond Park Cyclists