RPC Bulletin #36, January 2021

Chris Campbell

January 11, 2021

RPC Bulletin #34, November 2020

Chris Campbell

January 11, 2021

Each month, we email a bulletin to everyone who has signed up on this site. Below is the mailout that we sent in November 2020. 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.

LOCKDOWN LOWDOWN

Before this month’s bulletin gets properly underway, a few quick (and, perhaps, obvious) points about the new lockdown restrictions announced by the Government yesterday which come into force on Thursday.

You will still be able to ride your bike in Richmond Park, but please be aware that you should only ride with a maximum of one other person from another household. You can exceed this limit if your riding companions live with you or are part of your support bubble, as outlined on the Government’s guidance (under section 3, “Meeting with family and friends”).

The park’s roads may be less busy as there could be fewer commuter journeys due to more people working from home in line with the latest rules – and with gyms shut, perhaps there will be more people getting out on their bikes, despite the cold weather. We shall see. For now, though, on with the newsletter!

VIRTUALLY CONNECTED

If you had the opportunity to speak directly to the people who run Richmond Park, what would you say to them? Well, it’s time to get your thinking cap on, because the next stakeholders’ breakfast meeting is taking place in just over a week and, as ever, we are one of the groups who have been invited to attend by The Royal Parks.

Hosted by Tom Jarvis, TRP’s Director of Parks, and Richmond Park’s manager Simon Richards, the event will take place virtually on the morning of Tuesday, November 10th. The Royal Parks Police will also be presenting. Richmond Park Cyclists has a slot to address the group, which we will use to speak about our proposed cycling Code of Conduct (and we’ll fill you in on small developments on that front later in this bulletin).

The stakeholder meetings enable us to represent the interests of all types of cyclists who visit the park. Please hit reply to this email and let us know what issues you would like us to bring up.

HERE IT CULLS AGAIN

The second of the biannual deer culls begins tomorrow (Monday) – which means that, for approximately six weeks, you will not be able to ride your bike in the park from 8pm until 7.30am the following day. These restrictions are for your own safety as firearms are used.

TRP’s team locks the gates in rotation each night. If you arrive at the park shortly prior to locking time, please do not enter unless you are absolutely certain you can easily reach your exit before 8pm. Arrive at, say, 7.59 and you will most likely find your exit gate is already locked – so you will have to ride back to where you entered, which will now be shut as well, then wait for TRP’s team to return on its final sweep and open it for you. Save yourself getting into a right pickle by using the roads around the park instead.

The process, which is a sensible measure to control the number of deer, could last longer or shorter than the allocated six-week period, depending on the health of the herd. If we receive news of when the pedestrian gates will reopen after next month’s bulletin comes out, we will let you know via social media.

TRIAL SOMETHING ELSE

Not long now, chums! The third and final public consultation on the Movement Strategy is due to open in roughly a couple of weeks, and we will let you know via social media as soon as TRP announces a date for commencement. We will also give some tips for your response that should help increase the likelihood of Richmond Park becoming an even better place to ride your bike once whatever the specific measures TRP decides upon are put in place in February next year.

In the meantime, take a look at the letter we wrote to Mat Bonomi, TRP’s Head of Transport, and the park’s manager Simon Richards earlier this week. It sets out suggested improvements to the current traffic trial in the park that would benefit every type of cyclist and park visitor. Here is the main text...

Richmond Park Cyclists (RPC) welcomes The Royal Parks’ Movement Strategy and the efforts it is making to reduce through traffic in Richmond Park. During the first half of the six- month trial we have observed a very substantial and pleasing reduction in through traffic in all parts of the park, with the notable exception of the roads between Kingston, Ham and Richmond gates. We are now proposing a modest change to the Movement Strategy trial in order to observe the impact of a restriction on this stretch at weekends.

For the second half of the six-month trial RPC proposes that weekend restrictions on the through movement of motor traffic are extended to include the roads between Kingston, Ham and Richmond gates. The effect of these restrictions can then be compared with those of the first half of the trial when these roads have been largely open to through movement at weekends.

We suggest that to maximise the benefit to park users, vehicle access is restricted at weekends, which is when most people visit. Our suggested restrictions are as follows:

Via Kingston Gate to the car parks at Kingston Gate, Broomfield Hill and the disabled parking facility at Isabella plantation, and through movement to Ham Gate.
Via Ham Gate to the car parks at Isabella plantation, Kingston Gate and Broomfield Hill, and through movement to Kingston Gate.
Via Richmond Gate to Pembroke Lodge car park.

We believe the visitor experience will be safer, quieter and substantially enhanced as a result. During the weekend, those who would normally choose to drive through the park as a means of taking a shortcut may instead walk, take a bus, cycle or ride an ebike to their destination. Some will persist, possibly out of necessity, and use roads outside the park to make the same journeys anyway.

The community impacted most by any displaced traffic at weekends would be Ham and Petersham. The traffic added to Petersham Road and nearby areas will be like that experienced in communities surrounding government-supported Lower Traffic Neighbourhoods. LTNs have brought calmer, safer shared roadspaces into the heart of communities, with the surrounding roads bearing the burden of the traffic they displace. But in the case of Ham and Petersham, our suggested restrictions would last only over weekends. An argument has been expressed by Ham and Petersham residents that additional restrictions on through motor traffic on their side of the park means safer, quieter roads for cycling into and out of their area.

The Ham and Petersham community already bears all displaced motor traffic from Richmond Park in the morning and evening rush-hour periods during winter as all vehicle gates in the park are closed during the hours of darkness. Petersham Road copes. We suggest that substantially more traffic evaporation would develop as resident and non- resident weekend motorists adjust and the burden falling on Ham and Petersham should fall.

We are confident that this proposal is in line with what other park stakeholders would like to see. But, as ever, we welcome any feedback, so please let us know what you think.

GONE IN 20 SECONDS

A quick word on security for your bike, following a theft at the beginning of October. Well-known local racer Jake Martin had his distinctive yellow and red Carrera pilfered from outside the Roehampton Gate toilets after popping inside for just 20 seconds to fill his water bottle. The speed of the theft, and the fact that a number of bikes have been nicked from there in recent years, shows that you should always take precautions. Use a portable lock, remove a wheel – do both, if you can – or, if you are riding with someone, get them to keep an eye on your bike.

In an unrelated development, the park’s police unit recovered a bicycle which they believe was stolen from the park but they could not be completely certain as the identifying frame number was on a sticker that had been removed. The park’s police sergeant Peter Sturgess advises dabbing a solution known as ImmobiDot on your bike, which will make the ownership details viewable on the Police National Mobile Property Register and therefore increases the chances of your stolen bicycle being returned to you. See the Immobilise website to buy a marking kit and register or to find out more.

Staying with the lost and found theme of this item, a kind Facebook follower came across a rather expensive pair of headphones on Broomfield Hill last Saturday and has offered to post them back to the owner. If this is you, please email us with a description of the headphones and we will pass on your details.

ANGER? DON’T GO DOWN THAT ROAD...

With the traffic trial ongoing, it may seem like there are motorists breaking the rules by driving on closed or restricted roads. In fact, there is a long list of vehicles authorised to travel within the park, including those driven by teachers at the ballet school, delivery drivers, TRP staff and contractors – some of whom have been upset by the anger directed at them by cyclists who have leapt to the wrong conclusion.

It should go without saying, but please do not abuse any driver, and ask anyone you see behaving in this way to hold back. More prominent permits may be displayed in some vehicles in future, but in any case you should leave enforcement to TRP’s security and the police. Confrontations and anger can only damage the reputation of all cyclists who visit the park.

CODE TO PROGRESS

Finally, a note on some small but notable changes to our proposed Code of Conduct, which aims to make the park’s roadway a hospitable environment for every type of cyclist and other visitors. Following more suggestions from the park’s police unit, TRP and stakeholders, we’ve added the following:

The long version of the Code will now begin: “Richmond Park is a National Nature Reserve, and cycling in it is a privilege as well as a pleasure.”
The introduction advises: “If you are an experienced cyclist, your good behaviour can be an example to others.”
Under Stopping And Slowing: “At the raised crossings, you should stop for pedestrians.”
Also in Stopping And Slowing: “Deer are wild animals and can be unpredictable. Learn to read their behaviour – are they grazing or do they want to cross?”
And in “Show care when passing” under the Care And Courtesy heading: “Overtake smoothly, without a sudden surge in speed.”

If you haven’t seen the previous version of the proposed Code, which did not have the above changes, or you want a reminder of what it said, take a look at last month’s bulletin and give us your views.

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH...

All the best,

Richmond Park Cyclists

Chris Campbell

October 31, 2020

RPC Bulletin #33, October 2020

Chris Campbell

October 31, 2020

Each month, we email a bulletin to everyone who has signed up on this site. Below is the mailout that we sent in October 2020. 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.

STAY AT HOME, SAVE DRIVES?

Who is driving through the park at peak times during the week now that the Movement Strategy trial is in full swing? Judging by a recce we carried out this week, the answer could be mainly parents picking up their children.

On Monday evening, we cycled into the park around the time of the school run and waited at the roundabout by Kingston Gate to witness brief flurries of cars entering, in groups of four or five, punctuated by short periods where the road was almost entirely empty apart from cyclists coming down and going up Dark Hill. At around 6pm we went up to Richmond Gate where the roadway had even fewer cars on it – and outside the park, there was only a trickle of traffic heading down and coming up from Star and Garter Hill.

Could these lower traffic levels within the park and around it be the result of the Government’s advice to work from home, which was issued after the trial began? If so, local councils which are monitoring traffic displaced onto their roads during the trial should take into account that working from home is predicted to become the norm for two or three days a week for many office-based workers. That would mean once the pandemic is over, projected numbers for displaced motor traffic should be much lower.

It should be stressed that all of the above is based on observations from only one afternoon and evening. Your experience In the park, day in and day out, could be very different. So in the run-up to the third and final public consultation in a month and a half, we will be doing similar recces at various times of day to see how the trial is progressing. We’ll be posting photos and descriptions on our Instagram page, so look out for updates.

HOLE LOT BETTER

With the Movement Strategy progressing, The Royal Parks has launched a proposal which runs in parallel to it: the introduction of charges to use the car parks in Richmond and Bushy parks.

Its consultation paper points out that the scheme fits in with the strategy’s principle to “encourage the use of more sustainable ways to access and travel through the parks” and would “raise revenue” that would go towards upkeep costs of “related park infrastructure”.

The proposed charges would be £1.40 per hour from Monday to Saturday and £2 per hour on Sunday. The charges would apply from 9am to 6pm whenever the car parks are open (which is contingent on the changing times of sunrise and sunset throughout the year) and the maximum stay is set at six hours. Blue Badge holders and motorcyclists would be exempt.

Undoubtedly, there will be opposition to these plans. When TRP tried to bring in car park charges in 2010, the plan was thwarted by local MPs brandishing no fewer than five petitions (listed in the index of an official report). Zac Goldsmith, then Conservative MP for Richmond Park, even organised a rally. But John Penrose, the Tory minister who kiboshed the plans, promised to “find alternative sources of income instead” – which, a decade later, appear not to have been forthcoming. And over the course of ten years, the pothole-strewn road surface of most of the car parks has deteriorated to such an extent that rain-soaked cyclists huddled over their lattes in Colicci whenever there is a downpour are treated to the remarkable sight of a paddling pool suddenly emerging outside the window. Even some of those who oppose the charges must surely wonder how long will it be before the car parks become unusable.

Crucially, TRP has become a charity since the first parking charge plan bit the dust. That means it is funded less by government, creating a greater need to independently source revenue streams – which might strengthen its hand when local residents and stakeholders begin lobbying in earnest.

Richmond Park Cyclists supports The Royal Parks’ decision to implement charges for parking. It will further reduce the number of motor vehicles in the park which, as everyone has witnessed during the temporary car ban and the present trial, leads to more diverse populations of visitors coming to enjoy the unique environment of the park by bike – women, kids, young people and families happily riding on the roadway, many for the first time.

If you feel the same, please take a look at the outline of the consultation, which contains a questionnaire you can complete and has an email address for you to submit feedback. The consultation closes on November 1.

RULE IT OUT

Since last month’s bulletin, we have spoken and written to Cycling UK’s campaigns manager Keir Gallagher and British Cycling’s policy manager Nick Chamberlin about our concerns regarding the alteration of the Highway Code’s Rule 66, which is likely to have an impact on riding two abreast in the park if it is implemented as written.

To refresh your memory, and for the benefit of any new subscribers, the existing rule advises cyclists to “never ride more than two abreast, and ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends”. The Government wants to replace that advice with this: “Ride in single file when drivers wish to overtake and it is safe to let them do so. When riding in larger groups on narrow lanes, it is sometimes safer to ride two abreast.”

This would create dangers for a wide variety of cyclists. A parent riding with a child on their inside would be obliged to ride in single file, removing the protection they were providing. A group of club cyclists riding in a 3x2 formation would be obliged to change to one row of six (twice as long, and therefore harder to overtake) which can open them up to more danger. And if the driver decides the situation is safe for him or her to pass, they are likely to take matters into their own hands – regardless of what the cyclist thinks.

It is our belief that the above applies to all roads, but especially to Richmond Park where all vehicles are restricted to 20mph on the outer roadway and the priority is more to enjoy the environment and less to get from A to B. We think it is reasonable for cyclists to ride two abreast wherever they choose in the park – and if a driver is slightly inconvenienced for a short period of time, so be it.

Generally, we support the revisions to the Highway Code and encourage you to respond favourably to the consultation. But please highlight the difficulty with the proposed Rule 66. British Cycling is considering to propose the following: “Cycling in groups no more than two abreast is safe and can make it easier for drivers to pass. When riding in larger groups be aware of the needs of other road users. Consider riding in single file if drivers wish to overtake and it is safe to let them do so.”

We are considering our own response. You have until 27 October to take part in the consultation. Please have a look at the proposals and respond.

CONDUCTING CONVERSATIONS

Now we’re getting down to the nitty gritty! Over the past month we have had conversations with The Royal Parks and the park’s police unit about our proposed Code of Conduct, which aims to create a welcoming environment for all cyclists and other visitors. That dialogue is still ongoing. Both parties and the stakeholders we have shown it to are behind the code and have offered ideas to improve it. Once the final wording is agreed, we’ll run it in a future bulletin. And if you haven’t got involved with the code, there is still time. Have a look at the existing text below (the short version is written to fit on a credit-card-sized flyer) and let us know what you think.

Richmond Park Cyclists’ Code of Conduct for riding on the park roads

Credit card version:

CROSS CONSENSUS: Pedestrians have priority, so let them cross the road when you see them waiting. Stop for deer and horse riders. HARD AND FAST RULE: The speed limit, which applies to cyclists, is 20mph on the outer roadway and 10mph on the Quietway through the middle of the park. MIND THE GAP: Leave a space of 1.5m as you overtake. If you are passing a vulnerable road user, try to leave a bigger gap. RISKY BUSINESS: Look behind you before moving left or right. If you need to stop, get off the road. And when a car is in front of you, keep a distance of at least two bike lengths. JOY OF SIX: For safety, the maximum number of cyclists in a group should be six. Stick to two abreast.

Long version:

For many years, Richmond Park has been London’s No1 free cycling resource - and the diversity of its cyclists is growing.

Since the temporary ban on motor vehicles during lockdown, many more people have been visiting the park by bike. Some are vulnerable road users, such as children, and the elderly. Many of them will have less confidence on a bike than those who typically cycle in the park. By riding kindly, courteously and considerately, you will help to ensure it is a welcoming environment for every type of cyclist and other visitors.

This code is self-policing. If you see a cyclist falling short of it, politely ask them to adjust their behaviour in future.

Please obey the Highway Code and respect the police team who look after the park and its visitors. If another road user extends you a courtesy, thank them – they’ll be more likely to do so again. And try not to react discourteously when provoked by other people’s rude or dangerous behaviour – it could cause the incident to escalate and further compromise your safety.

Whether young or old, novice or expert, here are our guidelines for safe, enjoyable cycling.

STOPPING AND SLOWING

Pedestrians have priority. There are no formal crossings, but you should stop when safe to do so if you see someone waiting to cross.
Consider reducing your speed when passing cafes and car parks. It will give you more time to react to the greater number of people, dogs and traffic moving around.
Be aware of your closing speed. Slow down if necessary when approaching slower-moving road users from behind.
Deer can be unpredictable. Be ready to stop if you see them at the side of the road or approaching it, particularly if they are doing so at speed.
Slow down for horse riders when cycling next to them, such as on the Quietway.
If you need to stop riding, please get off the road. Staying on it creates a hazard.

SPEED

The speed limit on the outer roadway is 20mph. It applies to all road users. Sensible speeds create a more welcoming environment for everyone.
The speed limit on the Quietway is 10mph. Please pay special attention to children, walkers and learner cyclists who frequent this car-free area which runs through the centre of the park between Ham Cross and Sheen Cross.
Never race or time trial. Doing so creates a shorter time to react to hazards, and you are likely to exceed the speed limit. If you want to ride more briskly than the general flow, consider visiting the park when its roads are quieter.

CARE AND COURTESY

Read the road ahead to anticipate hazards.
Look behind you before moving left or right.
Show care when passing. Always overtake on the right (except when filtering) and leave a space of 1.5 metres. Try to leave more room when passing vulnerable road users or less experienced cyclists – they can still be startled or intimidated even at a safe distance.
Obey the solid white lines. They are on stretches of road where overtaking is dangerous. Crossing them is outlawed except to pass a stationary road user or anyone moving at 10mph or less.
Motorists can be frightened too. Keep a distance of at least two bike lengths from the car in front of you, and don’t tailgate if you cannot overtake. Filter gently through stationary or slow-moving traffic so as not to startle.
If you need to cough, sneeze or blow, check to your side and behind to avoid passing on germs.
Use lights at night and take care not to dazzle oncoming road users.

GROUPS AND PAIRS

Stick to a maximum of six riders. Any group larger than this can be less safe to ride in and makes overtaking challenging – both for you and others trying to pass you.
Ride two abreast. More than this creates an overtaking hazard.
When in doubt, single out. If you are not completely certain that you can overtake two abreast and leave a 1.5 metre gap, pass in single file.
Keep it down. Try to use verbal warnings of hazards only when necessary, or use common hand signals. Shouting instructions to others in your group can cause alarm to other road users – especially if they mistakenly think you are addressing them.

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH...

All the best,

Richmond Park Cyclists

Chris Campbell

September 28, 2020

RPC Bulletin #32, September 2020

Chris Campbell

September 28, 2020

Each month, we email a bulletin to everyone who has signed up on this site. Below is the mailout that we sent in September 2020. 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. Have a look at our first bulletin to find out more about how RPC was formed.

TRIAL AND TRIBULATION

The countdown has begun, chums! With the commencement of the six-month trial restricting motor vehicles in Richmond Park, and the accompanying public consultation running from November to December, the Movement Strategy has entered the finishing straight. That means after the chequered flag is waved in February, our favourite place to ride a bike could become an even more cycle-friendly place than it was in those seemingly far-off pre-pandemic times. But Queen’s Road – the busy north-south stretch between Kingston and Richmond Gate – is now accessible by car seven days a week (you can see full details of the trial here). Will the park ever be as blissful, and its cycling population as wonderfully diverse, as it was during lockdown when the presence of cars was temporarily eliminated?

In a telephone conversation with ourselves and Richmond Cycling, The Royal Parks made it clear that the complete removal of through traffic remains on the table. The impact during the trial of displaced traffic on roads outside the park (which will be monitored by Richmond, Kingston and Wandsworth councils), as well as the views of park users, will shape whatever permanent measures are put in place.

Nevertheless, if the temporary ban on vehicles had never happened, many would have been metaphorically throwing their helmets in the air for joy at the trial reduction of motor traffic. In reality, the reaction on social media was one of disappointment as it was predicted that the mixed community of children, women and sports cyclists that had naturally evolved was going to be diluted by the reintroduction of cars. Then came reports of aggressive and dangerous behaviour cyclists had experienced, including footage of extreme speeding in the park on Queen’s Road, and an eyewitness alleging that a driver physically attacked cyclists for not using the cycle lane on Priory Lane after they left the park from Roehampton Gate.

Obviously, these incidents are not widespread. But cyclists typically do not report behaviour to the authorities that makes them feel unsafe, and yet these sorts of incidents will undoubtedly shape the park’s accessibility after the trial ends. The more aggression and danger there is on its roads, the greater the likelihood that less confident cyclists stay away.

So we want to hear from anyone who experiences bad driving or aggression in the park during the trial, especially incidents that result in injury. You should contact us after reporting anything you consider in breach of the law by calling the police on 101, or 999 if it is an emergency, or by reporting it online. Email us any details – date, time and location, and any other facts you think are relevant. We want to show The Royal Parks that through traffic must be reduced to such an extent that the likelihood of encountering dangerous behaviour is much less common.

RETHINKING INTELLIGENTLY

What a difference six months makes! Prior to the temporary ban on motor vehicles, Intelligent Road Charging was, in a sense, our flagship policy. The idea of levying a fee for anyone who chooses to drive through the park, while keeping it free to those arriving by car to stop and visit, gained much traction with park stakeholders. Now that an unforeseen real-world experiment has provided a glimpse of what an almost entirely car-free Richmond Park could look like, does an idea aimed at reducing rather than eradicating the presence of motor vehicles have a future?

IRC has its advantages. It targets the source of the park’s long-standing traffic problems – shortcut journeys – while leaving genuine visitors unaffected. And unlike hard infrastructure, such as physical barriers, it has a useful variable: if the fee discourages too few journeys, increase it; if it pushes out too many people, charge less or offer exemptions. A change in the park’s regulations, which it would need to get the go-ahead, is achievable.

But the implementation could take two years, and TRP is now focussed on six months’ time when the trial ends and new measures begin. And it is probably accurate to say that the tolerance of any level of through traffic among some of those who ride their bikes in the park has lessened.

Ideas come and go… and sometimes come back again. In 2014, when then-MP Zac Goldsmith held a public meeting to discuss the tensions between cyclists and motorists in the park, a proposal emerged to allow different types of users access at different times. A working group considered the idea and shelved it, judging it to be too impractical to implement. But fast forward to today, and one feature of the trial has a similarly time-limited aspect: cars can use the road between Roehampton and Kingston gates only on weekdays.

So who knows? As the trial goes on, facts may emerge that cast the possibility of IRC in a new light. For now, though, we are pausing the idea and focussing on how all of us experience the park during the trial, and how we can feed back to TRP once the final public consultation begins.

66 PROBLEMS

Whether it’s with a group or just with a friend, almost all of us will ride two abreast in the park at some point. But changes to the Highway Code could limit the circumstances in which this safe, sociable formation could be used. And, oddly, the changes are intended to make roads safer environments for riding bikes.

The Government’s review of the code features a new Rule 66, which covers when to ride in single file or two abreast. The new wording states that cyclists should be “in single file when drivers wish to overtake and it is safe for them [to] do so. When riding in larger groups in narrow lanes, it is sometimes safer to ride two abreast.”

On the face of it, this appears to prevent cyclists riding two abreast unless they are in larger groups in narrow lanes and there is no driver behind them wishing to overtake. In that situation, some motorists may not like it because overtaking cyclists riding two abreast is harder. But in terms of visibility, the formation is safer for cyclists. And in Richmond Park, where speeds of motorists and cyclists are broadly similar, two abreast is, we believe, perfectly acceptable and safe.

There is also a new Rule 72, which states that cyclists can ride in the centre of the lane but only in three situations:

1. On quiet roads or streets – if a faster vehicle comes up behind you, move to the left to enable them to overtake, if you can do so safely.

2. In slower-moving traffic move over to the left if you can do so safely so that faster vehicles behind you can overtake when the traffic around you starts to flow more freely.

3. At the approach to junctions or road narrowings where it would be unsafe for drivers to overtake you.

In effect, the proposed rule says get over to the left, except at approaches to junctions or road narrowings. Is this really better positioning?

A new Rule 213 reflects Rule 72 by telling motorists to expect cyclists in the middle of the lane but only on narrow sections, at road junctions and in slow-moving traffic.

The proposed rule changes reflect the establishment of a hierarchy of road users to ensure that those who do the greatest harm have the most responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others. It’s a worthy goal, but the proposals could go further. Many people, including us, would like the concept to include presumed liability – the principle that the less vulnerable road user is considered to be liable in the event of a traffic collision, unless they can establish the fault lies with the other party. This is the case in almost every European country (the exceptions being the UK, Ireland, Romania, Cyprus and Malta).

There is a public consultation on the proposals which closes on October 27. We are considering the details and are preparing a response. Please take a look at the proposals and tell us what you would like us to include in our feedback.

CODE READ

Huge thanks to everyone who had a gander at our condensed code of conduct and offered suggestions and help in putting it together. You have made it one of the most popular items to have appeared in our little bulletin!

To refresh your memories, and for the benefit of all our new subscribers (hello and thanks for joining us!), the idea is to draw up self-policing guidelines to help create a hospitable and safe environment for every kind of cyclist and park user. We plan to have a brief version, trialled in last month’s bulletin, printed on credit-card-sized flyers to distribute. A longer version will go on our website.

With your feedback, we reduced the maximum number for groups from eight to six and incorporated other ideas into the longer version. Please take a look at both – the wording is still very much at the prototype stage, so any more improvements and suggestions you make would be extremely welcome.

Richmond Park Cyclists’ Code of Conduct for riding on the park roads

Credit card version:

Long version:

For many years, Richmond Park has been London’s No1 free cycling resource – and the diversity of its cyclists is growing.

This code is self-policing. If you see a cyclist falling short of it, politely ask them to adjust their behaviour in future.

Whether young or old, novice or expert, here are our guidelines for safe, enjoyable cycling.

STOPPING AND SLOWING

Pedestrians have priority. There are no formal crossings, but you should stop when safe to do so if you see someone waiting to cross.
Consider reducing your speed when passing cafes and car parks. It will give you more time to react to the greater number of people, dogs and traffic moving around.
Be aware of your closing speed. Slow down if necessary when approaching slower-moving road users from behind.
Deer can be unpredictable. Be ready to stop if you see them at the side of the road or approaching it, particularly if they are doing so at speed.
Slow down for horse riders when cycling next to them, such as on the Quietway.
If you need to stop riding, please get off the road. Staying on it creates a hazard.

SPEED

The speed limit on the outer roadway is 20mph. It applies to all road users. Sensible speeds create a more welcoming environment for everyone.
The speed limit on the Quietway is 10mph. Please pay special attention to children, walkers and learner cyclists who frequent this car-free area which runs through the centre of the park between Ham Cross and Sheen Cross.
Never race or time trial. Doing so creates a shorter time to react to hazards, and you are likely to exceed the speed limit. If you want to ride more briskly than the general flow, consider visiting the park when its roads are quieter.

CARE AND COURTESY

Read the road ahead to anticipate hazards.
Look behind you before moving left or right.
Show care when passing. Always overtake on the right (except when filtering) and leave a space of 1.5 metres. Try to leave more room when passing vulnerable road users or less experienced cyclists – they can still be startled or intimidated even at a safe distance.
Obey the solid white lines. They are on stretches of road where overtaking is dangerous. Crossing them is outlawed except to pass a stationary road user or anyone moving at 10mph or less.
Motorists can be frightened too. Keep a distance of at least two bike lengths from the car in front of you, and don’t tailgate if you cannot overtake. Filter gently through stationary or slow-moving traffic so as not to startle.
If you need to cough, sneeze or blow, check to your side and behind to avoid passing on germs.
Use lights at night and take care not to dazzle oncoming road users.

GROUPS AND PAIRS

Stick to a maximum of six riders. Any group larger than this can be less safe to ride in and makes overtaking challenging – both for you and others trying to pass you.
Ride two abreast. More than this creates an overtaking hazard.
When in doubt, single out. If you are not completely certain that you can overtake two abreast and leave a 1.5 metre gap, pass in single file.
Keep it down. Try to use verbal warnings of hazards only when necessary, or use common hand signals. Shouting instructions to others in your group can cause alarm to other road users – especially if they mistakenly think you are addressing them.

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH...

Thank you for allowing us to pop into your inbox. As ever, let us know what you think about any of the subjects in this bulletin, or 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

Chris Campbell

September 28, 2020

RPC Bulletin #31, August 2020

Chris Campbell

September 28, 2020

Each month, we email a bulletin to everyone who has signed up on this site. Below is the mailout that we sent in August 2020. 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. Have a look at our first bulletin to find out more about how RPC was formed.

SEVEN HEAVEN

It’s finally happened, chums! As of this morning, seven-day-a-week cycling has returned to Richmond Park – and with the car parks closed at weekends, you won’t encounter any motor traffic on Saturdays and Sundays. Hooray! Richmond Park Cyclists got in nice and early this morning for the first Saturday in four months, and it was wonderful to see so many riders doing the same thing. How on earth did all of us manage to stay sane without it?

We arrived in the park at 9am and stayed for two hours. During that time, there was a mix of sports cyclists, families and couples sharing the roadway on their bikes, as well as a few runners. There were even a pair of competitive dads pushing buggies up Sawyers Hill at a fair old pace! With no cars on the road, there was more than enough space for everyone. If it had been twice as busy, the park’s roads would still not seem crowded.

The only note of caution is regarding the deer, who seemed to be enjoying the absence of motorists arriving to park. On three occasions they calmly trotted into the road, so please watch out for our ungulate pals – and wait for them to cross.

The weekend has always been the most popular time to cycle in the park, and with more people returning to their regular weekday work schedule over the past few weeks, the opportunity to ride on Saturdays and Sundays was especially missed by many. So thank you to everyone at The Royal Parks for listening to us and others in the cycling community. It took a long while for them to respond but they came through in the end!

TRP will be monitoring the numbers of cyclists using the park at weekends, which is likely to be higher than prior to the pandemic now that more people appear to be visiting on their bikes than ever before. With a greater range of cyclists on the roadway and shared paths, it’s important that everyone makes vulnerable road users and those new to cycling feel welcome by giving them enough space when passing – 1.5 metres is the recommended distance, although adding a bit more if it is safe to do so could make them feel less intimidated.

And echoing TRP’s social media campaign to “be kind” to its parks, please show as much consideration as possible to every type of park user. Pedestrians have priority, so let them cross the road if you are able to slow down. Do not tailgate when you are unable to overtake a car – it can be quite alarming having a cyclist inches from your rear window. And as already mentioned, if the deer are crossing, you should be stopping.

With the next stage of the Movement Strategy on the horizon, these are exciting times for cycling in our favourite ride destination. TRP’s aim to reduce through traffic in all eight royal parks came a step closer last month with the publication of the implementation plan which included a trial scheme for Richmond Park. TRP has yet to unveil any details, but we want to share what you could expect to happen. Read on!

THE ROAD AHEAD

The suspension of cars on the park’s roads is exactly that – a suspension. At some point soon, cyclists will be sharing the roadway with motorists again. But as part of the Movement Strategy’s progression, the aim of the reintroduction will be to observe the effects of a greatly reduced presence of cars on the park – likely to be much lower than it was pre-pandemic – and the knock-on effects on traffic levels in the surrounding boroughs. At the end of the process, the ultimate prize of reducing through traffic permanently should be achieved.

We understand that cars will be reintroduced in two to three weeks’ time. Measures will be put in place that will make it impossible to drive a full lap of the park, and to facilitate this reduction of access, we understand there is likely to be one gate shut as well as closures to part of the roadway. There could be two levels of restrictions, one during weekdays and another set of more stringent rules at weekends, which is when the park’s roads have traditionally been much busier. Richmond, Wandsworth and Kingston councils will monitor the effect of traffic levels on their roads.

TRP will unveil the details before our next monthly bulletin, so be sure to follow us on Twitter or Facebook to hear about the announcement as soon as it emerges. Links to our social media channels are at the foot of the email.

TO OUR CREDIT

We had an enjoyable socially distanced meeting at Pen Ponds cafe with Sergeant Peter Sturgess and Pc Paul Barber of the park’s police unit a couple of weeks ago where we floated the idea of a code of conduct for cyclists. As you may remember, in last month’s bulletin we mentioned our intention to draw up guidelines to help create a hospitable and safe environment for every kind of cyclist and park user. Since then, we’ve come up with the idea of putting five key points from the code on flyers the size of a credit card that could be handed out in the park.

We are putting together the full code. In the meantime, here is a rough draft of the abbreviated credit-card version:

DON’T MAKE THEM CROSS: Pedestrians have priority, so let them cross the road when you see them waiting. Stop for deer and horse riders. HARD AND FAST RULE: The speed limit, which applies to cyclists, is 20mph on the outer roadway and 10mph on the Quietway through the middle of the park. MIND THE GAP: Leave a space of 1.5m as you overtake. If you are passing a vulnerable road user, try to leave a bigger gap. RISKY BUSINESS: Look behind you before moving left or right. If you need to stop, get off the road. And when a car is in front of you, keep a distance of at least two bike lengths. EIGHT IS GREAT: For safety, the maximum number of cyclists in a group should be eight. Stick to two abreast.

The park’s policemen seemed to like the idea of the cards, which would be small enough to fit in your wallet or purse, and TRP has said it would endorse the full version of the guidelines if the final wording meets their expectations. So what do you think should be in the code? We would love to hear your suggestions, so please email us with your thoughts.

The code would be self-policed, which means it would be down to all of us to politely approach anyone who has fallen short of the guidelines and ask them to adjust their behaviour. In a separate development, TRP has suggested there could be a cycling equivalent of the park’s volunteer rangers. The idea would be similar to Ride London’s safety captains – the event’s designated riders who help maintain safe riding. It’s an interesting concept, and we will approach the TRP managers who organise the rangers to see that they think.

CRACKING THE CODE

Finally, a word on the Department for Transport’s recent announcement that it intends to change the Highway Code. The aim is to improve road safety for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders. A public consultation is underway which will end on October 27.

Next month’s bulletin will detail our view on the proposed changes. In the meantime, please take a look at the consultation.

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH...

Thank you for allowing us to pop into your inbox – and a special thank you to our many new subscribers who signed up over the past month. Let us know what you think about any of the subjects in this bulletin, or 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

Chris Campbell

July 31, 2020

RPC Bulletin #30, July 2020

Chris Campbell

July 31, 2020

Each month, we email a bulletin to everyone who has signed up on this site. Below is the mailout that we sent in July 2020. 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. Have a look at our first bulletin to find out more about how RPC was formed.

SHARE VALUES

And so the unplanned social experiment in Richmond Park continues – with wonderful results. The ongoing ban on cars combined with reopening most of the roadway to cycling throughout the day on weekdays has produced an environment in which every type of rider, from the most vulnerable to the highly experienced, is peacefully sharing the space together. This video, sent by one of our followers on social media, perfectly captures the atmosphere in the park at the moment. Cyclists are getting along with the business of getting along. It feels safe because it is safe. It is a success that The Royal Parks should be proud of and surely cannot ignore.

Feedback from our subscribers shows that many of you would like TRP to do more. But during our ongoing conversations with TRP, it has become clear that whatever happens next might have to occur in stages. So here we have set out for the good people who run the park how that gradual change could happen – with every type of cyclist benefitting.

The eastern roadway should be fully reopened. TRP may have hoped to reduce the number of sports cyclists by making it impossible to ride full laps, perhaps believing that their faster speeds would present a hazard to less experienced riders, particularly newcomers who have started coming to the park since the lockdown began. But sports cyclists have continued coming and they are, by and large, riding respectfully. The considerable presence of vulnerable road users shows they are not put off by their speedier counterparts. TRP should not be either.

The harmonious blend of vulnerable road users and experienced cyclists has been achieved with a minimum of supportive messaging from us or anybody else – although we have offered TRP support in this area and stand ready to do so, especially when the park is reopened to cycling at weekends.

The other justification for shutting the eastern roads was to avoid breaches of the two-metre rule, which is unavoidable on the crowded hills. But the Government is reducing distancing to “one metre-plus”, and publicly available guides to staying safe now consistently state that transmission is much less likely outdoors. Moreover, “people should not be overly concerned about passing cyclists” because the speed of movement produces a much smaller contactzzzz time than, say, passing someone walking down the street.

There is a more fundamental reason to open the eastern roadway. Traditionally, the most vulnerable road users, such as very young children learning to ride a bike, would use the quietway through the centre of the park, while the most confident riders would enjoy exercising up and down Broomfield and Dark Hill as part of their normal laps. Now the two parties have been swapped into each other’s natural environment and, predictably, it suits neither. Inexperienced riders get two big hills which many of them could do without while sports cyclists cause congestion on the much narrower quietway and have been yelled at by pedestrians for doing so. Shouldn’t TRP just let the bike traffic flow in its natural way?

The suspension of cars’ access to the park should continue for a while longer. We understand TRP is carefully considering how and when to allow motor vehicles back into the park. In theory, with social distancing down to “one metre-plus” from this Saturday, the carrying capacity of the park and its roads can be safely restored to what it was pre-crisis.

We have concerns about this. Our reasons have a lot to do with the Movement Strategy – part of which, as longtime subscribers will know, includes TRP’s goal to significantly reduce shortcut journeys made in motor vehicles through Richmond Park and its seven other green spaces. The next stage of the process is the publication in the coming days of a document which will inform specific ideas to be implemented in Richmond Park at a later date. TRP is committed to working with the boroughs surrounding the park to reduce the impact of the traffic that will be displaced once measures are decided upon and put in place. So why not trial it now to inform those discussions? The Government has recently granted all local authorities power to temporarily restrict motor vehicle use of roads to facilitate more walking and cycling. If required, can TRP draw on that legislation to do the same?

Many people have enjoyed the absence of motor cars and now favour prolonging the suspension. In a recent poll on the NextDoor community forum – not usually known for being a hotbed of cycling support – users in Kingston plumped for “ban cars” as the most popular of five different types of access restriction to the park. Could this be a small sign of a shift in wider public opinion?

People are slowly starting to return to their place of work, but many big companies are offering their employees the chance to work from home – and, sadly, there are also those who are now or will shortly become unemployed. Patterns of commuter travel will undoubtedly differ from those prior to the pandemic, so borough leaders now have a golden opportunity to find out if their roads can sustain the new normal traffic levels. Only if they can’t should TRP consider allowing through movement again, in which case we would then revisit our ideas around Intelligent Road Charging – levying a fee for shortcut journeys made in motor vehicles.

In the meantime, we would concede that cars should be allowed to enter Richmond Park at Kingston, Richmond, East Sheen and Roehampton gates, but only to access the nearest car park in order to relieve parking pressures outside the gates. The car parks at Pen Ponds, Robin Hood Gate and at the top of Broomfield Hill should remain closed to motor cars as should the roads between the four remaining car parks.

Reintroduce weekend cycling. With the return to work and school, many people are unable to cycle for fun in Richmond Park under the current rules. We don’t think that’s fair, and we would like to see TRP lift the current ban on cycling at weekends.

Restrict group riding. If the eastern roadway is reopened, sports cyclists will obviously get their laps back – but it can be intimidating being passed at speed by a group of riders, even at a safe distance. So to keep the roadway a hospitable environment for vulnerable road users, many of whom may have only started riding in the park during lockdown, we would like to see group riding restricted to mornings and evenings only and in groups of six maximum to comply with social distancing, moving up to no more than eight when social contact rules allow. We have good communication with the major cycling clubs in the area, and we can work with them to encourage their members to follow this guidance. Which brings us to our final idea...

We should have a code of conduct. Whatever happens in the next few weeks or months regarding the pandemic, the long-term goal that Richmond Park Cyclists and The Royal Parks share is to make the park an even better place to ride your bike. In the current context, that surely now means maintaining the newly established diversity of users. Keeping the suspension of cars using the park as a through route would go a long way to achieving that aim, but all of us can help too.

A simple set of guidelines for riding in the park, backed by the big local cycling clubs, would ensure that less confident riders always feel at home. To give one example, you may give enough space when passing safely, but could you give a bit more when going round a mum riding with her young child?

The code would be self-policed by you and us. In practical terms, it would mean politely approaching cyclists who you see riding in an unhelpful way and asking them to adjust their behaviour. A similar scheme in Regents Park has, in TRP’s view, improved riders’ conduct.

We would like TRP to endorse whatever guidelines we agree on. It would be a clear sign that the organisation wants to keep cycling in the park safe for all. In turn, establishing a code of conduct would, we hope, show TRP that cyclists are the most passionate and enthusiastic of all the visitors to Richmond Park, and they appreciate its value as the capital’s greatest free cycling resource.

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH...

Thank you for allowing us to pop into your inbox – and a special thank you to our many new subscribers who signed up over the past few weeks. Let us know what you think about the ideas outlined above – 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

Chris Campbell

July 31, 2020

RPC Bulletin #29, June 2020

Chris Campbell

July 31, 2020

Each month, we email a bulletin to everyone who has signed up on this site. Below is the mailout that we sent in June 2020. 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. Have a look at our first bulletin to find out more about how RPC was formed.

SUPER TUESDAY

It finally happened – cycling has returned to Richmond Park! Like many others, Richmond Park Cyclists got out of bed early and rode straight in on Tuesday morning to enjoy the car-free environment in glorious sunshine, and it was pleasing to see so many kinds of cyclists easily accommodating each other’s presence on roads which had been unavailable to most of us for more than a month.

Now we have got this fabulous asset to health and wellbeing back, it’s incumbent on all of us to show respect and courtesy to other park visitors, whether they are on two wheels or on foot, by passing at a considerate speed and keeping a distance of two metres at all times in accordance with Government advice. If you want to exercise without too many other cyclists to distract you, try to get to the park when there will be fewer riders on the road. We rode in the park at 6.30pm for over an hour and the roads were fairly clear.

And as everyone gets used to the change of rules on cycling in the park, let’s show courtesy to the people who help enforce them. Yesterday, the security personnel at Sheen Gate told us cycling was not permitted on the gravel path next to the road – when, in fact, it is. It turned out that crossed wires in the briefing they had been given was the source of confusion, and the problem was ironed out after we whipped out our phones to show them the official advice The Royal Parks had given on social media regarding the path. It is perfectly understandable that with so much new guidance to process at this early stage there will be some misunderstandings, so please deal with the situation patiently if you find yourself in a similar position – and stick to the rules at all times.

That said, there are some aspects of the restrictions that are concerning. The gravel path by Sheen Gate is one of two areas we are quite apprehensive about; the other is the section of the quietway by Pen Ponds. Both are narrow and shared with pedestrians, creating great difficulty in attempts to socially distance. The gravel on the Sheen Gate path makes it dangerous to ride on, and the density of people on the quietway is a major issue. These issues, and others further on in this bulletin, will be the subject of a letter which we will be sending to Tom Jarvis, TRP’s head of parks, in the next couple of days. If you want us to bring up any other issues, please reply to this email.

In the meantime, have a look at our Q&A guide to the new restrictions, which includes some background on how they came into being and an analysis of what could happen next...

Can I now ride my bike in the park?

Yes you can! Two months after cycling was suspended, Richmond Park is now open again to ALL cyclists. Hooray!

Are motor vehicles allowed back in?

No. You can enjoy the unique opportunity to ride on roads that are still car-free!

Are there any restrictions to riding on the park’s roads?

Yes. You are only permitted to ride on the roads before 10am and after 4pm weekdays, and you cannot use the eastern stretch of the roadway from Roehampton Gate to Kingston Gate – the part that covers Dark Hill and Broomfield Hill. The road between Sheen Gate and Sheen Cross is also off-limits – although since The Royal Parks announced the reintroduction of cycling last week, it has emerged that you CAN enter and exit via the gate and ride on the shared-use gravel path next to the road. All the roads you can ride on are clearly marked on this handy map.

Who is exempt from the restrictions?

Key workers and children age 12 and under can ride their bikes on all of the park’s roads.

Can I ride on the Tamsin Trail?

Yes. The park’s off-road trail and other permitted paths are open. As usual, cyclists share them with pedestrians.

Why are the restrictions in place?

There was a huge increase in the number of cyclists in the park after permission for motor vehicles to enter was temporarily rescinded in March. Some were new to cycling or inexperienced. TRP felt the sheer volume of bike riders of greatly different abilities, combined with their presence among walkers and runners, posed a danger to safety.

So TRP has established restrictions to avoid accidents (which would place an additional burden on the NHS) and to keep people at least two metres apart so they abide by the advice set out by the Government.

The eastern roads, which are now a no-go area, cover the hilliest side of the park. Dark Hill and Broomfield Hill create greater differences in speed, mainly due to their descents, making breaches of the 2m rule impossible to avoid during overtaking on the road at busier times. Like the rest of the park’s roadway, the hills had become densely populated after the roads became car-free.

As well as suiting commuters, allowing cycling only on weekday mornings and evenings could limit the number of cyclists who would normally visit throughout the week (including the weekends which are traditionally much busier) thereby making it easier to socially distance.

But in the case of Sheen Gate to Sheen Cross, it’s not immediately apparent how this road closure could help achieve TRP’s goals. It is not a fast stretch, and as a limb taking traffic to and from the main loop, it is not particularly busy. Cyclists can use the parallel gravel path between the gate and the roundabout, but this is a cause for concern as it is too narrow to support social distancing.

Can access be further improved?

In terms of accommodating vulnerable road users and achieving TRP’s aim of maintaining the 2m rule, the answer, we think, is yes.

A Richmond-based group called Mothers Against Muggings contacted us asking if the age limit to the suspension rules could be lifted to 18 which would give more teens the opportunity to ride their bikes in a safe environment. A subscriber who works with the Weir Archer Academy for disabled athletes tells us that lack of access to the park has severely restricted their access to exercise.

All disabled cyclists and those aged 18 and under are vulnerable groups on the open roads, especially now traffic levels are rising again, and the times when the park is currently available for cycling could be a hurdle for some of them. Before the lifting of the suspension, we spoke to TRP about giving both groups full access to all the park’s roads at all times, and we’ll keep making the case for both parties.

More fundamentally, large numbers of cyclists will now have to ride around pedestrians and runners on the roadway. The park’s roads are only about 1% of its total space, and it is where most of those who arrive by bike choose to ride. Could TRP politely ask runners and pedestrians to distance from cyclists by using the other 99%? When we highlighted this issue on Twitter last week, it was the most popular tweet on the thread about the reintroduction of cycling, so rest assured we will bring this up with TRP.

Another baffling element is the Tamsin Trail. Our advice is to temporarily make it a no-go for cycling as its narrowness leads to frequent breaches of the 2m rule, and excluding cyclists would create extra capacity for pedestrians. TRP said it wouldn’t be able to police such a restriction. But with little policing of the suspension, visitors largely stuck to it. Why would they not do the same on the Tamsin Trail?

What happens next?

TRP is going to monitor usage. Part of that process will involve data gathered from electronic traffic monitoring devices placed on the roads (you can see their locations marked in yellow on the map). We believe a first review is likely in two weeks.

A change in Government advice would also affect the next stage. Lessening the nationwide restrictions could lead to more cycling in the park, or vice versa.

Either way, it will be interesting to see how everyone behaves in this latest chapter of the fascinating real-world experiment of cycling on traffic-free roads. Will we see families rushing back in the numbers we saw prior to the suspension? Now that sports cyclists cannot do laps, will they be less likely to ride in the park? How will cyclists and pedestrians alike socially distance on the narrow path through the centre of the park and on the shared use trails? Might it be sensible to re-open the roads on the hillier eastern section of the park to support social distancing which is proving to be a challenge on the shared use roadways and paths?

It is a reasonable assumption that all of us will witness something similar to those five wonderful days in March, between the ban on cars and the cycling suspension, when Richmond Park became a haven for every type of cyclist. Women, children, families and the elderly arrived on bikes, many for the first time. They felt safe because, by and large, it was safe.

Whatever happens, Richmond Park Cyclists would like to see reasoned evidence for whatever decisions TRP makes. There were many raised eyebrows when a Freedom Of Information request revealed that TRP had counted 1,072 cyclists pass Roehampton Gate Roundabout in one hour – a figure that could surely only have been reached by double- and triple-counting some cyclists who were doing laps – while its fears regarding accidents seem to have been heavily influenced by just one relatively minor incident. But both of those aspects featured in an internal report written at a tense moment nationally in the pandemic crisis when the organisation was forced to make difficult decisions for public safety in just a few days. With two weeks of monitoring – and with you telling us about your experiences of cycling in Richmond Park – we hope TRP has a broader, fairer picture on which to base their decisions.

Finally, it is worth remembering that regardless of what the next stage may bring, the restrictions on cycling triggered by lockdown are merely temporary. In contrast, The Royal Parks’ ongoing Movement Strategy is committed to change which is both welcome and permanent, including the reduction of shortcut journeys made in motor vehicles, and throughout the process Richmond Park Cyclists will continue to help make the park an even better place for you to ride your bike.

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH...

Thank you for allowing us to pop into your inbox – and a special thank you to our many new subscribers who signed up over the past month. 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

Chris Campbell

May 30, 2020

RPC Bulletin #28, May 2020

Chris Campbell

May 30, 2020

Each month, we email a bulletin to everyone who has signed up on this site. Below is the mailout that we sent in May 2020. 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. Have a look at our first bulletin to find out more about how RPC was formed and why we are progressing the idea of reducing traffic in the park by charging for shortcut journeys.

TIME OUT

Are you missing riding in Richmond Park as much as we are? While the suspension of cycling under the current circumstances of the pandemic is understandable, witnessing the absence of riders flowing daily through the roadway and the Tamsin Trail still seems strange to many who would usually include it in their normal everyday life. One small positive aspect of the situation is that many more fans of riding bikes in the park have now discovered Richmond Park Cyclists and signed up to our monthly bulletin or started following us on social media. Thank you if you are one of the new recruits to our merry band, and a big hello to you!

The park may be closed to all cyclists, save NHS key workers and children under 12, but our small organisation has never been busier. In a bid to get the suspension lifted, we have been in regular contact with key people in charge of the park, culminating in a phone call yesterday with Tom Jarvis, who is the head of all eight royal parks. Despite our best efforts, Tom told us that The Royal Parks is keeping the temporary cycling suspension in Richmond Park. You can learn more about what was discussed and the outcome further on in this bulletin.

It’s worth remembering, though, that the very nature of the cycling suspension is that it will not last forever – and long before it began, wheels were set in motion to implement changes that will ultimately make Richmond Park an even better place to ride your bike once those five magnificent pairs of wrought-iron gates finally swing open for us all again. So let’s go back to those heady far-off days before the lockdown started for an update on The Royal Parks’ Movement Strategy – the ambitious, far-reaching plan to prioritise the needs of pedestrians and cyclists.

STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENTS

Regular subscribers will already know that the second and final phase of the Movement Strategy’s public consultation finished at the end of March. Any individual was able to email TRP with their thoughts on the ideas that had been generated by the survey which formed the basis of the first phase. Additionally, TRP invited stakeholder groups to respond – and RPC was one of them.

In our submission, we reiterated that Richmond Park Cyclists has long argued for the implementation of Intelligent Road Charging – a cost-effective means of reducing traffic by levying a fee for shortcut journeys made in motor vehicles. We would also like to see family-friendly car-free days that would be suited to children learning to ride a bike, and suggested using the day of the Prudential RideLondon for a trial as the park’s roadway has always remained closed to motor traffic after participants in the event have all passed through.

Some park riders have been injured by dogs straying into their path, so we proposed all of them should be kept on a lead within 100 metres of the roadway.

Our letter to TRP also included ideas that could benefit everyone – not just cyclists. A proactive joint effort from RPC and TRP to improve the behaviour of those who ride inconsiderately would create a more welcoming environment, while shared space zones near the gates and car parks would make it easier for pedestrians to cross. But we also warned against traffic calming measures that would impact cyclists who train in the park as it would discourage them from using it and push them on to roads outside which are less safe.

TRP now hopes to get the Movement Strategy signed off at a board meeting this month, although it is currently experiencing issues with cash flow that may take priority.

After the strategy is signed off, an opportunity may also arise to consult with us and other stakeholders on the positive lessons learned from the access restrictions. The ban on motor vehicles and the subsequent brief period where all kinds of cyclists appeared in greater numbers, as well as the current influx of pedestrians, have been an unplanned, real-world experiment in how visitors move around the park – which has always been the focus of the strategy. TRP’s observations on whatever successes these unusual circumstances produce should, we hope, shape its long-term goals.

MAINTAINING DISTANCE

We published our letter to Tom Jarvis, TRP’s Director of Parks, on social media last week, in which we encouraged a trial reintroduction of cycling on Richmond Park’s roadway and offered assistance to make sure the two-metre rule is observed. The key messages were that many ordinary people still do not feel safe cycling on regular roads, particularly as some motorists are now taking advantage of low traffic levels to speed, and riding in the park – exploring its unique environment at distances not achievable by running or walking – creates a brief sense of escape that is vital for mental wellbeing in these testing times.

But TRP was not convinced. It argues that removing pedestrians from the road, where currently they are allowed to walk, would lead to social distancing problems on the paths. We suggested discouraging the use of the roadway for serious training, which could make it more attractive to families and other groups of cyclists whose presence is less typical in normal circumstances. TRP does not believe that we would be able to persuade enough sporty cyclists to use roads outside the park, and some cyclists who visit at busy times would breach social distancing rules when the roads are more crowded.

Obviously, keeping the suspension in place is disappointing for many people who ride a bike in the park, especially as no one knows when social distancing restrictions will be relaxed. Government advice will change as Covid-19 is eventually brought under control. We have offered our support and advice to TRP in advance of Richmond Park being opened once again for cycling.

BACK OF THE KEW

Those of you who would usually enter or leave the park by cycling through Ham Gate will probably not have seen that Ham Gate Avenue and Church Road now have shiny new signs saying “20mph”. They are, of course, part of Richmond Council’s year-long rollout of the new borough-wide speed limit which began last August and which this humble bulletin reported on three months prior to that. The scheme seems to be making good progress – judging by information on the council’s website and the map it references, Kew is the only area that is still waiting to get its 20mph signage.

In February, neighbouring Kingston ended its public consultation into a proposed blanket 20mph limit. Meanwhile, on the other side of the park, Wandsworth already has a 20 limit in all residential areas which is likely to soon become borough-wide (with the exception of roads under the control of TfL, which is also the case for Richmond and Kingston). It’s full speed ahead for low speeds!

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH...

Thank you for allowing us to pop into your inbox. 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

Chris Campbell

May 30, 2020

RPC Bulletin #27, April 2020

Chris Campbell

May 30, 2020

Each month, we email a bulletin to everyone who has signed up on this site. Below is the mailout that we sent in April 2020. 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. Have a look at our first bulletin to find out more about how RPC was formed and why we are progressing the idea of reducing traffic in the park by charging for shortcut journeys.

BEST OF TIMES, WORST OF TIMES

Everyone will have wished that the huge increase in cycling at Richmond Park recently could have happened for a better reason. But the ban on cars in the wake of the coronavirus crisis provided a brief picture of how cycling in the park could look, with more women, children, and the elderly suddenly experiencing the same freedom on a bike that many of us have enjoyed for years.

Now that cycling has been suspended too, where do we go from here? Richmond Park Cyclists is still speaking to The Royal Parks with a view to letting cyclists back in under safe conditions. We’ll elaborate further on the ideas we are proposing. First, though, here is an explanation of why the suspension came about, the reaction to it behind the scenes, and what could happen in the future.

What led to the temporary suspension of cycling in Richmond Park?

Following the ban on motor vehicles on Sunday 22 March, a great number of people came to the park to enjoy cycling on the car-free roadway. This dramatically increased the density of road users. In light of this and congestion elsewhere, The Royal Parks felt unable to enforce the Government’s two-metre distancing rule, so it temporarily suspended cycling on Saturday 28 March.

There were specific issues that led to the suspension. People, many of them cyclists, queued at the pedestrian gates during peak times, leading to breaches of the two-metre rule – although most were not intentional. Some visitors entering the park were inadvertently brought into closer contact as bikes take longer to wheel through the spring-loaded double gates, which are necessary to keep the deer in at night. Out on the park roads, breaches of distancing rules were caused by close passing – probably inadvertent in most cases – as well as reports of near misses and collisions. Some hazards were created by the influx of scooters, skateboarders, runners and pedestrians – some of whom were in family groups and, perhaps understandably, lulled into a false sense of security by the peaceful environment and not paying full attention. The close proximity of cyclists and pedestrians was a particular issue on the much narrower Tamsin Trail.

The cycling suspension follows the same principle as TRP’s earlier decisions to ban motor vehicles and close the park’s food and drink outlets: clusters of people would build up in the car parks and among the cafes, so it was necessary to remove them.

Could the park authorities have done more to enforce the two-metre rule?

TRP has had skeleton staffing in Richmond Park since 2008. There are no wardens in the park and the volunteers who patrol as rangers were suspended two weeks ago. As for a police presence, there are a maximum of four officers in the park at any one time, and they are shared with Bushy Park. With very little manpower, TRP cannot realistically guide nor enforce safe distancing.

Are any cyclists exempt from the suspension?

Yes. Under-12s are allowed to ride and key workers can cycle through provided they carry ID. Visitors can arrive by bike as long as they do not ride once inside the park. Those who choose this option, which discourages car use thereby easing parking pressures as well as congestion in nearby neighbourhoods, can lock their bike to the railings or another sensible place. This should be particularly useful for parents who will, naturally, want to oversee their young children’s riding.

TRP has acknowledged communication of the dispensations was not immediately clear. The full details are now listed on its website.

How did local politicians and other stakeholders react to the suspension?

We detected an overall feeling that TRP had acted in haste, possibly due to fearing a further surge in road-user numbers would overwhelm its limited resources to monitor and control. There was surprise and disappointment that it had made the decision so quickly and with no escalation in prior warnings. One stakeholder said they were “blindsided” while another was “extremely disappointed” – although TRP tells us some were pleased.

Will TRP change its decision to allow some degree of cycling in the park?

We have spoken with Mat Bonomi, TRP’s head of transport and access, and hope that we have made a convincing case to reopen the park’s roadway to cyclists – many of whom are now inevitably riding elsewhere on roads which are undoubtedly not as safe as those in the park. Given the present lockdown is likely to continue for some considerable time, either continuously or in phases, reopening the park roads to cycling for the wellbeing of the hemmed-in local population would, under safe conditions, be a welcome boon.

What measures would enable cycling to take place on the roads in the park under present conditions?

With complex issues of public safety paramount, no one has a simple or complete solution. But, based partly on what we have seen in the park during the five days of car-free access, Richmond Park Cyclists is proposing a number of ideas for TRP to consider.

Open the vehicle gates, with bollards to block motor vehicles entering. This would ease pressure on bunching at the pedestrian gates.

Keep the temporary suspension of cycling on the Tamsin Trail to avoid distancing breaches.

Signage at every gate explaining that cars remain banned, the roads are for cycling only (which includes disabled riders) and a reminder of the two-metre distancing measure as well as other government advice. There should also be a sign explaining that the Tamsin Trail is closed to cyclists.

A key message for signage and other communication is that the above measures are a trial – so behave well and it could last until Covid-19 restrictions are eased or lifted.

Will the increase in cycling during the car ban have an effect on the Movement Strategy?

The strategy will, of course, have a far more significant and positive impact on the park than the temporary suspension of cycling. The aim of The Royal Parks’ ongoing process is to create a better environment for walking and cycling in its eight green spaces, which includes Richmond Park. In that respect, the huge surge in cycling following the car ban provided a wonderful glimpse of what could happen.

It should be stressed that it was an imperfect vision of the future: in normal circumstances there will be group riding to contend with, while a permanent ban on all motor vehicles would lead to more traffic outside the park. But the level of cooperation and peaceful coexistence between all types of cyclists and other road users was far more remarkable than the rule-breaking and inconsiderate behaviour, which was relatively low given how populated the roads were. It suggested that in the event of through traffic being drastically reduced – which is TRP’s aim – cyclists and pedestrians will adjust to each other’s increased presence. The chaos which some fear – pedestrians stepping into the path of cyclists, riders showing no consideration for those crossing the road – will not come about, given what we saw in the park last week.

But the CV19 restrictions will likely delay the timetable of the strategy. The board meeting to approve it, which was scheduled for next month, will likely be deferred to a later date. We are hopeful that with home-working, TRP and its board will not delay the strategy for long.

SEE YOU NEXT MONTH...

Thank you for allowing us to pop into your inbox and explain the issues surrounding the cycling suspension. We hope it has shed light on some difficult areas and provided an idea of what can happen next. 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