Cycling to Stockport

[CTCREP]

Further to my plea for more people to join Cycle Stockport you may like to know that for the first time the proposed revision of the Highway Code has been publicised widely through the Internet. Through organisations such as Cycle Stockport, and individuals making their comments known, the Government has received many thousands of responses calling for better recognition of cycling and its integration within the transport system. It is too late now to make a response, but you can view information on the consultation and proposed amendments on www.dsa.gov.uk/highwaycode . If you cycle, or have anyone in the family who cycles, then join Cycle Stockport at www.cyclestockport.org.uk  and help try to improve cycling conditions in Stockport. All we need is information on cycling problems in your area and how they could be addressed, how much more you get involved is up to you.

[CTCREP]

Can't help agreeing with you Victor. However, through Cycle Stockport, we are doing our best to encourage the Council to improve matters - it's not quite a banging your head against a brick wall situation, more like dense mud, but we are making some impression. In fairness the Council gets more complaints from motorists than cyclists, so you can't blame them totally, however some other towns seem to make a better job of catering for vulnerable road users. You can talk to the Council direct through their Cycle User Group meetings, or join us at www.cyclestockport.org.uk and help us keep abreast of problems that we will take to the Council.

[Victor M]

I regularly commute between Marple & Stockport by cycle and often wonder why the council don't try and encourage more people to commute by bike as its quicker, cheaper than joining a gym and better for the environment.  when you try and raise this with local councillors they quote all soughts of things that they are doing but they are all centred on areas west of the A6.  If you look at the latest cycle network map for Stockport you can't help but notice how many roads are designated cycle friendly West of the A6 and how few there are East of the A6.  But best of all is the recommended route from Strines to Stockport, it takes you up Plucksbridge Road, through Hawk Green via Ridge Road, into Torkington Lane  to the A6.  Once at the A6 it does take you down side streets to Stockport Centre.  I can't think of a more torturous, and in places darn site dangerous route.  The incline on Plucksbridge Lane is more akin to the mountain section of the Tour de France and the speed of traffic and cycle visibility on Torkington Lane makes it very risky for cyclists.  In wonder why more people don't cycle!