21 June 2018 – Clean Air Day
Clean Air day is coming up on Thursday 21 June. This year CTPC members are planning to focus on #NoIdling – encouraging drivers to switch off their engines when stationary for more than one minute. Examples include when parked, waiting, loading/unloading and where there are long delays such as at Eastgates and at complex traffic light junctions such as both ends of Brook St and in Magdelen St (both in air quality management areas)
Colchester has four declared air quality management areas where Nitrogen Dioxide levels exceed the EU legal limit. The main source of the air pollution is from motor vehicles. Air pollution is believed to have contributed to over 140 early deaths in Colchester last year alone.
Find out more about air quality in Colchester
Transport is a massive source of air pollution. Toxic gases (such as nitrogen dioxide) and particulate matter emitted by vehicle engines can cause a whole range of health problems, ranging from coughing and itchy eyes to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and even premature death. Children are particularly at risk with air pollution linked to low birth weight and poor lung development. The health impacts of air pollution cost the NHS around £54 billion a year.
You are not safer inside the car either. If you are sitting in stationary traffic, the air pollution in your car from the exhaust of the car in front is worse than outside your car.
Find out more about the health impacts of poor air quality
Leaving engines running while stationary is an unnecessary source of air pollution. Switching off when stationary is a simple action everyone can take that can make a big difference.
A recent study showed in areas of high air pollution due to traffic congestion, switching off engines can reduce peak concentrations in air pollution by as much as 20-30%.
CTPC members will be looking at No Idling promotions on their own sites and with their own staff and asking staff to help spread the word.
Clean Air Day offers really useful free resources to provide training, guidance and downloadable posters and flyers to support ‘No Idling’ campaigns.
If you are interested in getting involved in helping spread the message about air pollution, it’s impact and how to reduce air pollution, get in touch; or if you are a school, workplace or healthcare provider, Clean Air Day has developed free tailored downloadable action packs.
Find out more about free resources to take part in Clean Air Day 2018
If you want to know more about how you can reduce your own contribution to air pollution, have a look at the Clean Air Day website or it you want to get involved in helping make Colchester’s air safer to breathe get in touch with the local community group Clean Air Colchester
Summer 2017 Bikeability courses
*Update* The Bikeability sessions will take place at Cpl Budd VC Gymnasium off Berechurch Road. Please email saferessexroads@essexhighways.org to book a place. Please don’t complete the form below! Thanks.
Colchester Travel Plan Club in partnership with Cycle Colchester and Safer Essex Roads Partnership are offering Bikeability sessions again this summer. We are still firming up the venue but are taking expressions of interest for Learn to Ride and Bikeability combined levels 1 & 2. There will be a £10 charge per participant.
Learn to Ride is aimed at anyone from 5 years upwards who isn’t able to cycle. The 45 minute session is a great confidence booster and the instructors usually get the participant cycling on two wheels by the end!
Combined levels 1 & 2 Bikeability is for children from 9 years old to adults, who want to improve their confidence to start cycling on quiet roads. The 8 hour course (over 2 days, 4 hours each day) covers road positioning, communication with other road users, recognising hazards and passing parked vehicles/side roads.
It is highly recommended that parents undertake Bikeability training too, so that you are aware of the good practice your children have been taught and can reinforce it when out cycling with them – you will also be surprised at how much it teaches you and how aware you become of the bad habits you may have got into!!
Either ourselves or Safer Essex Roads Partnership will be in touch soon to confirm the venue and send you the actual booking form.
Signups are now closed
15 June – National Clean Air Day
The first ever National Clean Air Day falls on Wednesday 15th June.
Air quality has been in the media a lot recently as the evidence of the health impacts of air pollution, particularly from motorised vehicles is now very clear, with old people, unborn babies, children and those suffering from lung and heart problems the most vulnerable.
In Colchester alone 143 early deaths every year are attributable to air pollution.
As a town with an air quality problem in specific areas including the town centre (see more about Colchester’s air quality problem and the Air Quality Management Areas), we are very keen to support this initiative and the Clean Air Day organisers have provided heaps of free resources to help us.
Everyone who drives has a responsibility to contribute to reducing air pollution and there are small actions everyone can take that can contribute to making a big difference.
Please use the day to raise awareness of the causes and health impacts of air pollution and ask your colleagues to pledge to make a change to their travel behaviour on the 15th June.
With just one hour of your time, you could:
- Forward the social media message and information to your communications team and ask them to promote the day internally and externally including signing up to the Thunderclap
National Clean Air Day Social media resources
- Put the posters below up around your workplace
Fact2 – Pollution damages our hearts
Fact3 – How to avoid worst air pollution
Poster – Leave the car at home
- Share these leaflets with your colleagues
- Encourage your colleagues to pledge online to make a change on the 15th June at www.cleanairday.org.uk/pledge
There are 4 pledges to choose from
Leave my car at home
Turn off my engine whenever I can
Walk my children to school
Share tips on how to cut pollution with others.
- Promote AirTEXT a free alert service highlighting high pollution level days in Colchester so people with heart and lung conditions can take action if needed. AirTEXT alert service
If you can do a bit more?
There are lots of other ideas and resources available to help you draft a message from your chief executive or managing director, to hold an event, or talk to people about turning off their engines. Look at the resources below for further information.
There are other resource packs for schools and healthcare providers packed with ideas, posters, templates and key messages to share.
Go to the Clean Air Day website for more information.
October half term Bikeability sessions
We will be running Bikeability sessions on Monday 24 and Tuesday 25 October at Thomas Lord Audley (TLA) school in Monkwick.
If you live in or off Mile End Road or Bergholt Road, Best Foot Forward Bikeablity sessions are on offer on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 at The Gilberd. Check the Best Foot Forward website for details.
Sessions for adults and children offered at TLA are:
Bikeability Learn to Ride – 1 to 1, 45 minute session for children or adults who are unable to ride
Bikeability level 1 – From age 8 upwards, 2 hour session in the play ground to improve coordination, stopping, starting , sharing space and using gears in preparation for on road riding.
Bikeablity combined levels 1 and 2 – Suitable for age 9 to adults – 2 x 4 hour sessions mainly on quiet roads focusing on road positioning, communication with other road users, recognising hazards, passing parked vehicles/side roads.
Please complete the booking form to request a place. There is a £5 charge per learner. You will need to have a road worthy bike to take part in a session.
Summer holiday Bikeability
The summer holiday offers a chance for great value, fun days out by bike and there is plenty to do locally within cycling distance. If you need to build your confidence and practical skills or haven’t been on your bike because it has a puncture, book onto one of our Bikeablity sessions to get you set for a cycling summer.
The following sessions are available for children and parents and will take place at Thomas Lord Audley school in Monkwick on the 1 and 2 August.
If you live in or off Mile End road or Bergholt Road, separate Bikeability courses are being arranged as part of the Best Foot Forward project, please check the BFF website for details.
If we are over subscribed or you can’t make these dates we may organise further sessions later in the summer holidays depending on demand. If you would be interested please complete this form.
Otherwise if the 1 and 2 August suit you please see below what we will be offering and complete the form below.
Bikeability Learn to Ride – 1 to 1, 45 minute session for children or adults who are unable to ride
Bikeability Fix – A practical hands on 1.5 hour sessions for kids (8+) and adults to learn simple repairs and adjustments.
Bikeability level 1 – for those that can ride without stabilisers to age 8, off road session to improve coordination, stopping, starting , sharing space and using gears
Bikeablity combined levels 1 and 2 – Suitable for age 9 to adults – Preparing for cycling on quiet roads, road positioning, communication with road users, recognising hazards, passing parked vehicles/side roads.
Bikeability Transition – For children moving from primary to secondary school, provides route planning skills to plan and make a safe cycle ride from home to their new school.
For more on Bikeability levels 1 and 2, look at bikeability.org.uk/what
Signups are now closed
June is cycling month
In June there is loads going on in Colchester and not just because National Bike Week falls within this month!
Visit the Cycle Colchester website to discover lots of opportunities to get your bike checked out, workshops to help you make your own repairs and led rides.
Cycle Colchester will also be at several events over the summer, so more opportunities to get some advice first hand to help you get cycling.
Get On Your Bike 2016 has been updated and revamped and is downloadable from the Cycle Colchester website.
We also want to hear from anyone who is interested in an adult cycle session to help you gain the practical skills and confidence for cycling on the road.
May half term Bikeability sessions
This May half term we have more Bikeability sessions for children and parents on offer at Thomas Lord Audley school including Learn to Ride, Bikeability Fix and Bikeability combined levels 1 & 2.
If you live in or off Mile End Road or Bergholt Road, we are offering Bikeability sessions aimed at your community through the Best Foot Forward project, please check out the sessions and book via the BFF website.
Bikeability Learn to Ride
Bikeability Learn to Ride sessions are for children or adults who are unable to cycle. This includes those struggling to master the skill, adults who have never learnt to cycle or children making the transition from cycling with stabilisers to cycling without.
The sessions are outside and 1:1. If a child is taking up the training, a parent/responsible adult will need to stay.
Bikeability Fix
Let your kids learn to fix their own bike – or yours!
Bikeability Fix is a short 1.5 hour session for 8 years + (adults welcome too) which focuses on doing, rather than watching, so every child will get the opportunity to work on a bike. During the session, children will learn how to:
- Learn and name parts of a bike
- Adjust saddle height (and knowing what height to set)
- Repair punctures/change an inner tube
- Adjust their brakes
- Learn how gears work
- Understand when to get a qualified mechanic to fix their bike instead.
The session will take place inside and every child will be given a puncture repair kit to take home with them so that they can fix a puncture at home or on a ride. Adults not taking part on the course do not need to stay.
We will also be offering Bikeability combined levels 1 and 2 which is suitable for children from year 5 upwards and parents
Level 1 starts in the playground testing skills and your control of your bike before leading onto Level 2 which takes place on local streets. Trainees learn how to deal with traffic on short journeys such as cycling to school or the local shops. At Level 2 you can:
- prepare for on-road cycling
- start and finish an on-road journey
- recognise typical hazards
- let others know what you are about to do
- know where to ride on the road
- pass parked vehicles and side roads
Please request a place via the booking form below.
Signups are now closed
Easter Bikeability Sessions
We are pleased to be working again with SERP and Cycle Colchester to offer more Bikeability sessions this Easter holidays.
Bikeability is all about gaining practical skills and understanding how to cycle on today’s roads and it isn’t just for kids!
*Mums, Dads* – Bikeability is a great way to improve your confidence to cycle with or without kids as well as increasing your awareness of how to cycle safely.
We would love to see more adults taking part this Easter.
To find out more about the different levels of Bikeability, check out the Bikeability website.
We are offering:
Monday 4 April a.m: One to One 45 minute Bikeability Learn to Ride sessions (An adult needs to stay with learners under 16)
- Adults who have never learned to ride, older kids who are struggling to ride and younger children making the transition from stabilisers
Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 April 9:15 to 13:15 Bikeability combined levels 1 & 2
Thursday 7 and Friday 8 April 9:15 to 13:15 Bikeability combined levels 1 & 2
- Adults and children who are ready to start riding on quiet roads
Wednesday 6 April Bikeability level 3 – 9:15 to 13:15
- Adults and children who are already confident on quiet roads and want to start cycling on busier roads and around/across busy junctions
The sessions are free, however we require a £5 payment for each learner to secure their place and towards the cost of hiring the school. Places are limited on all of the courses and offered on a first come first served basis. Please request your place below and we will be in touch in due course to confirm your booking once we know numbers.
Signups are now closed
What is your New Year’s Resolution for 2016?
If one of your new year’s resolutions was to be more active, lose weight or get out more, then cycling is a great way to do all three!
Below are some tips to help and support you to get started.
If you received a lovely new bike for Christmas, have you got the right lock and do you know how best to secure your bike when you park it? Watch this video for some guidance and advice.
Purchase a discounted ImmobiTag to electronically identify your bike. Simply pop the tag down your seat post and register your bike online. If your bike is stolen and recovered, it will help Police get it back to you.
Discounted ImmobiTags can be purchased from the Colchester Travel Plan Club for £4.50 (usual retail price £14.29) by emailing travel.plan.club@colchester.gov.uk
Or if you work or study at the University and/or Maltings Student Village you can purchase an ImmobiTag for just £2. (Contact the Estates Management Desk at the Uni or reception at The Maltings)
Would you and/or your kids (8yrs +) like to learn more about how to fix your bike?
A FREE one and a half hour Bikeability Fix session is available on the 18 February during the half term where you will learn to:
Learn and name parts of a bike
Adjust saddle height (and knowing what height to set)
Repair punctures/change an inner tube
Adjust brakes
Learn how gears work
Understand when to get a qualified mechanic to fix their bike instead.
Have you or your kids never learnt to cycle, are struggling to master the skill, or are making the transition from cycling with stabilisers to cycling without, then why not take up a FREE 1:1 Learn to Ride session also being held on the 18 February?
Both courses are being held at the Thomas Lord Audley school in Monkwick. More information and a booking request form can be found at Colchester Travel Plan Club
Want some bike inspired New Year’s Resolutions? Then check out Cycle Colchester’s ten suggestions
Bikeability Fix and Bikeability Learn to Ride – February half term courses
During the February half term, CTPC have teamed up with Cycle Colchester and the Safer Essex Roads Partnership (SERP) to offer more courses to help you get (and stay) on your bike. Both courses will run on Thursday 18 February at Thomas Lord Audley school in Monkwick.
Bikeability Fix
Let your kids learn to fix their own bike – or yours!
Bikeability Fix is a short 1.5 hour session for 8 years + (adults welcome too) which focuses on doing, rather than watching, so every child will get the opportunity to work on a bike. During the session, children will learn how to:
- Learn and name parts of a bike
- Adjust saddle height (and knowing what height to set)
- Repair punctures/change an inner tube
- Adjust their brakes
- Learn how gears work
- Understand when to get a qualified mechanic to fix their bike instead.
The session will take place inside and every child will be given a puncture repair kit to take home with them so that they can fix a puncture at home or on a ride. Adults not taking part on the course do not need to stay.
Bikeability Learn to Ride
Bikeability Learn to Ride sessions are for children or adults who are unable to cycle. This includes those struggling to master the skill, adults who have never learnt to cycle or children making the transition from cycling with stabilisers to cycling without.
The sessions are outside and 1:1. If a child is taking up the training, a parent/responsible adult will need to stay.
We will also be offering Bikeability combined levels 1 and 2 and level 3 in the Easter holidays on:
Tuesday 5 and Thursday 7 April 9:15 to 13:15 or Wednesday 6 and Friday 8 April 9:15 to 13:15 for Levels 1 and 2 combined and Wednesday 6 April 9:15 to 13:15 for Level 3.
A booking form will be available soon.
How to book for Bikeability Fix and Bikeability Learn to Ride
If you are interested, in the first instance please complete the booking request below for each learner wanting to take part. We will then contact you to discuss any questions you might have and if you want to go ahead confirm your booking. Please note a charge of £5 will be made per learner to cover the cost of hiring the school.
Signups are now closed