Αυτά είναι τα πρακτικά από την τελευταία σύσκεψη που έγινε για τα ποδήλατα στο Υπ. Συγκοινωνιών.
Έλαβαν μέρος φορείς και ποδηλατικές οργανώσεις και η συνάντηση έγινε με τον Ολλανδό ειδικό για το θέμα, γι αυτό και η αγγλική γλώσσα.
Subjects on the Agenda:
1) Short-term Measures:
As this was the first meeting of the group, the Coordinator, Mr. Willem Brouwer, welcomed the participants and explained the purpose of the formation of this group, which is the establishment of a programme that promotes cycling in Nicosia, in particular, and in Cyprus in general. Subsequently, all members were asked to contribute in a brain storming session regarding possible short-term measures that could be incorporated. The various suggestions are outlined below:
• Create bicycle racks
• Offer free helmets for children cyclists
• Create safe cycling routes, e.g. connecting the Presidential palace with Nicosia Center
• Create awareness for the benefits of cycling (e.g. tv spots)
• a pilot bike street + campaign/rental
• Establishment of more Cycling Clubs
• Organise “tour of Cyprus” and give it large publicity
• Organise massive events. Get the bikes out of garages of the homes
• Co-finance the purchase of bikes
• Assist schools to organise cycle clubs, stimulate schools to go to traffic education sites
• Enforce parking laws and regulations
• Redesign cycle routes
• Operate a bicycle rentals policy
• Assign bicycles to police patrols (e.g. Washington, San Francisco)
The above suggestions will be given further thought and the group shall conclude to the final recommendations in future meetings.
It has been suggested that the group may be enlarged with representatives from school societies, universities, employers’ federations, etc. Such representatives shall be invited ad hoc, when the discussion subjects are of their direct interest.
It has also been suggested that it may be useful to ask the Cyprus Cycling Federation to participate in our group as a permanent member. This suggestion has been unilaterally accepted.
A long discussion has been devoted to the design mode of cycle tracks and the fact that they are not connected, thus rendering the individual tracks almost useless.
Another discussion issue was the safety of the cyclists which is not catered for in the present cycle route system.
As a result of the above discussion issues, the Town Planning and Housing Department (TPHD) representatives have kindly offered to give a presentation to the group on their plans regarding cycle tracks. The group welcomed this proposal and it has been decided that the Ministry shall request in writing the Director of the TPHD to authorize his representatives to the group to proceed with the preparation of the presentation.
The Limassol Cycling Club president suggested that Ministry officials together with the Commissioner for the Environment and himself meet with Mr. Andreas Malloupas, the Director of the Technical University of Cyprus (TEPAK), based in Limassol, in order to find ways to promote the use of the bicycle among the students of the University. The meeting shall be arranged by Ministry officials.
Another recommendation was to pay a visit to the Director of the TPHD in order to verify the commitment of the Department to the allocation of cycling tracks to all new roads.
Willem Brouwer briefly outlined the proposal he presented to the Steering Committee concerning the promotion of cycling in Nicosia/Cyprus. Key issues were:
• When promoting cycling: take small steps.
• Make sure that every step clearly results in more cyclists on Nicosia roads.
• Accompany every step with appropriate publicity campaigns.
This is very much in line with what many of the organisations present indicated in the brainstorm. Aglantzia, Latsia, Athalassa Park and the Campus of the University of Cyprus were indicated as areas where first network improvements could be implemented.
It was agreed that Willem Brouwer, in co-operation with one or more of the organisations present, will prepare a proposal for network completion/improvement in this area.
The Group’s next meeting has been set for the 2nd of April 2009, at 3.30 p.m. at the Ministry of Communication and Works.
Έλαβαν μέρος φορείς και ποδηλατικές οργανώσεις και η συνάντηση έγινε με τον Ολλανδό ειδικό για το θέμα, γι αυτό και η αγγλική γλώσσα.
Subjects on the Agenda:
1) Short-term Measures:
As this was the first meeting of the group, the Coordinator, Mr. Willem Brouwer, welcomed the participants and explained the purpose of the formation of this group, which is the establishment of a programme that promotes cycling in Nicosia, in particular, and in Cyprus in general. Subsequently, all members were asked to contribute in a brain storming session regarding possible short-term measures that could be incorporated. The various suggestions are outlined below:
• Create bicycle racks
• Offer free helmets for children cyclists
• Create safe cycling routes, e.g. connecting the Presidential palace with Nicosia Center
• Create awareness for the benefits of cycling (e.g. tv spots)
• a pilot bike street + campaign/rental
• Establishment of more Cycling Clubs
• Organise “tour of Cyprus” and give it large publicity
• Organise massive events. Get the bikes out of garages of the homes
• Co-finance the purchase of bikes
• Assist schools to organise cycle clubs, stimulate schools to go to traffic education sites
• Enforce parking laws and regulations
• Redesign cycle routes
• Operate a bicycle rentals policy
• Assign bicycles to police patrols (e.g. Washington, San Francisco)
The above suggestions will be given further thought and the group shall conclude to the final recommendations in future meetings.
It has been suggested that the group may be enlarged with representatives from school societies, universities, employers’ federations, etc. Such representatives shall be invited ad hoc, when the discussion subjects are of their direct interest.
It has also been suggested that it may be useful to ask the Cyprus Cycling Federation to participate in our group as a permanent member. This suggestion has been unilaterally accepted.
A long discussion has been devoted to the design mode of cycle tracks and the fact that they are not connected, thus rendering the individual tracks almost useless.
Another discussion issue was the safety of the cyclists which is not catered for in the present cycle route system.
As a result of the above discussion issues, the Town Planning and Housing Department (TPHD) representatives have kindly offered to give a presentation to the group on their plans regarding cycle tracks. The group welcomed this proposal and it has been decided that the Ministry shall request in writing the Director of the TPHD to authorize his representatives to the group to proceed with the preparation of the presentation.
The Limassol Cycling Club president suggested that Ministry officials together with the Commissioner for the Environment and himself meet with Mr. Andreas Malloupas, the Director of the Technical University of Cyprus (TEPAK), based in Limassol, in order to find ways to promote the use of the bicycle among the students of the University. The meeting shall be arranged by Ministry officials.
Another recommendation was to pay a visit to the Director of the TPHD in order to verify the commitment of the Department to the allocation of cycling tracks to all new roads.
Willem Brouwer briefly outlined the proposal he presented to the Steering Committee concerning the promotion of cycling in Nicosia/Cyprus. Key issues were:
• When promoting cycling: take small steps.
• Make sure that every step clearly results in more cyclists on Nicosia roads.
• Accompany every step with appropriate publicity campaigns.
This is very much in line with what many of the organisations present indicated in the brainstorm. Aglantzia, Latsia, Athalassa Park and the Campus of the University of Cyprus were indicated as areas where first network improvements could be implemented.
It was agreed that Willem Brouwer, in co-operation with one or more of the organisations present, will prepare a proposal for network completion/improvement in this area.
The Group’s next meeting has been set for the 2nd of April 2009, at 3.30 p.m. at the Ministry of Communication and Works.
Σχόλια
Get MPs and ministers on bike to go to the office. Let them put their money where their mouth is. Cameron, although I don't like him, cycles, or at least cycled once to his office. So did that fellow Boris, mayor of London.