Changing Gears on Fossil Fuels

Simon Sinclair and friend Sam are soon setting off on an epic bike ride raising awareness of oil extraction in Surrey and inspiring people to cycle as they go. We asked Simon some questions to find out more:

Hello Simon. What’s this challenge then?

My friend Sam and I will be cycling from Kingston to Barcelona on Saturday 3rd July. We’ve given ourselves a month to complete the trip, and we plan to do around 50 miles a day (with the occasional day-off, of course). We are expecting it to be pretty tough, what with the heat and mountainous terrain!

What causes are you promoting?

So we have two related causes. The first is to raise awareness of oil and gas exploration in Surrey, which most residents aren’t aware of, and to raise money for the legal challenge against the permission to extract oil from the site at Horse Hill (Horley, Surrey) for the next 20 years. A good overview of this challenge can be found here.

The second is a general promotion of cycling; we’d love to inspire more people to take up cycling for a variety of reasons – the physical and mental health benefits, saving money, tackling air pollution and reducing carbon emissions to tackle the climate emergency, to name a few. We hope to do this by bringing people to join us (<Facebook Events link) on our first 20 miles and by sharing on our Facebook page tips and inspiration throughout our journey to get more people on their bikes. To join Sam and Simon on their departure on Saturday 3rd July please sign up on the Facebook Events link above. It’s a 9am meet-up for 9:30 departure from Kingston’s Memorial Square (Postcode KT1 1RJ)

How did you plan your route?

Our original preferred route was similar to one that Sam has done a couple of times previously; Kingston to Horse Hill (we will be visiting the oil site and hearing from locals about the campaign against it) down to Brighton, across to Hastings (where we planned to do a talk at a school where we have previously worked) and back to Newhaven, over to Dieppe via ferry, along the spine of France, including Paris, and through the Pyrenees to Spain. Along this route we had planned to visit various sustainable communities and renewable energy projects and interview people involved.

However, we have had to come up with a plan B due to restrictions on Brits entering France. This involves cycling from Kingston to Brighton (as above), then to Portsmouth to take the ferry to the north-west coast of Spain, west to Santiago de Compostela, then back across the centre of the country, finishing in Barcelona. We hope to find similar communities and projects to visit as per plan A!

Have you done other long bike rides?

I (Simon) have never done a long distance bike trip before! I only really started getting into cycling at the end of last year when I got my first proper road bike for my birthday, and I have been slowly building up my distances over the year. I’ve done three or four 20 milers so far – so still a long way to go to get to the 50 miles we will be doing on day 1…but hopefully this will show that if I can do it, anyone can!

Luckily, Sam is much more accomplished. He cycled from Ireland to Japan with his Dad when he was 18, which took a year. He has also cycled to Spain and Italy. So I feel more at ease knowing we have his expertise to draw on…

Tell us about your bike/ luggage

Sam will be taking the same bike he used on his Ireland to Japan trip – a Dawes Super Galaxy touring bike. Unfortunately, my road bike won’t be suitable for the extra weight and longer distance. Luckily, Sam’s Dad, Mark has kindly lent me the bike that he used on their trip to Japan – a Dawes Sterling tour bike – for which I am eternally grateful. Thank you Mark!

So fairly old bikes but we tested them out on a 20 mile trial ride from Canterbury to Folkestone the other day and they’ve still got it.

Where will you stay?

“We plan to camp for most of the way, so it will be a mix of campsites and free camping, which is allowed in France and Spain. We are paying all the expenses out of our own pockets so trying to keep them to a minimum, however we will no doubt be grateful for a proper bed every now and then so I am sure we will visit the occasional hostel too”

What foods do you like to keep your energy up?

We are determined to eat and drink healthily for the entire trip, and starting now. So no more alcohol, caffeine or processed sugar. No doubt we will be needing a lot of carbs – pasta, rice – and fruit. Personally, my go-to energy food will be porridge with banana, whilst for Sam its banana, peanut butter and date sandwiches.

KCC wish Simon and Sam the best of luck with their adventure.

You can go to their fund-raising page here:

https://chuffed.org/project/changing-gears-on-fossil-fuels-sam-and-simon-cycle-to-spain

Evening ride to Richmond Hill

Wednesday 23rd June. A mostly Sunny Evening, with 2 late cancellations, saw 10 Cyclists in 1 group leave via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Fulwell, Twickenham, St Margerets, Richmond Bridge, to Richmond Hill for refreshments at ‘the Roebuck’, also meeting up with the ‘unofficial Merton group’, the big question, would we get to enjoy a Sunset ? not quite, but pretty good all the same, (Clouds appearing just after the Photo)

Approaching Sunset from the Terrace, Richmond Hill : John E

then with a slight delay for a minor Mechanical problem, via Richmond Park, Kingston, the new Station Bridge to finish. Total 11 Miles, Special thanks to Ralph for Back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1588396

The history of Kingston’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – 1968 to present day

As a decision by the Council on Kingston’s three Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) trials approaches, Kingston Cycling Campaign has been undertaking research into the history of LTNs in Kingston.

Our research has found that LTNs in the Borough are far from new and one of the first ‘modal filters’ (the restriction of motor traffic passing through) was created at the junction of Lower Ham Road/Lower King’s Road in c.1968. Whilst another was installed on Bonner Hill Road in c.1978.

The modal filter on Bonner Hill Road (pictured below) helps create one of the Borough’s largest LTNs around Cambridge Road estate. This single modal filter helps reduce motor traffic and by making the roads safer, encourages walking and cycling which can reduce the use of motor vehicles that worsen the Borough’s air pollution problems.

*Bonner Hill Road modal filter, installed c.1978*

Our research found other LTNs were introduced in the Borough in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and, prior to the new LTN trials, the most recent one we have found was created in c.2008 through the installation of a modal filter on Walton Avenue in New Malden at its junction with Burlington Road.

We have also identified that LTNs have been introduced across many different parts of the Borough in the past 50 years including in the South (Stormont Way and Compton Crescent); in New Malden (Walton Avenue and George Road); and through to the North of the Borough (Skerne Road and Chatham Road).

Below you can see our map of LTNs already located in the Borough and which includes the three trial LTNs. This map is based on our own research and whilst we understand it to be correct, please do let us know if there are any omissions or errors.

This map also shows Kingston’s Go Cycle routes (either built, in construction or proposed) and that two of the trial LTNs (Albert Road and King Charles Road) link directly onto the Go Cycle network. This means the residents of these two LTNs not only have safer neighbourhood roads but can use these to connect to safer cycle access along the main roads to many destinations across the Borough. The provision of a network of safer cycle (and walking) routes along main roads that connect neighbourhoods is an absolutely essential part of encouraging walking and cycling. It is also an important part of supporting the accessibility of the Borough for the 29% of households in the Borough that do not own a car.

Though we know LTNs can receive some loud objections at the time they are put in place, if they are designed appropriately, they can have a large positive net impact on the community. Surveys show too that across London substantially more people support LTNs than oppose them. Recent research has also shown that road safety substantially improves within LTNs whilst not worsening on neighbouring main roads.

In Waltham Forest, which has had a large programme of new LTNs in recent years, research has shown that children in the Borough are now expected to live longer from the impact of reduced air pollution and increased physical activity whilst motor vehicle ownership has decreased and the measures have even led to reduced street crime.

More benefits of LTNs can be found in a London Cycle Campaign guide to LTNs and a collection of evidence that the charity Sustrans has put together.

We have already seen many people enjoy Kingston’s new LTNs (whilst we continue to see people enjoying the ones that have been in place for over 50 years too). We hope that these new LTNs will be made permanent so that their benefits can continue to be enjoyed. We have therefore written to all of the Borough’s Councillors today asking them to support making the trial LTNs permanent and asking them to assist residents in other parts of the Borough with making their roads safer too.

Full list of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods identified in the Royal Borough of Kingston

	Low Traffic Neighbourhood	Area	Roads covered by Low Traffic Neighbourhood	Date established*
1	Lower Ham Road (1)	Kingston	Lower Ham Road (part), Eastbury Road, Chestnut Road, Woodside Road	1968
2	Bonner Hill Road	Kingston	Bonner Hill Road, Hampden Road	1978
3	South Lane	Kingston	South Lane	1985
4	Palmer Crescent/Grange Road	Kingston	Palmer Crescent, Grange Road	1988
5	Barnsbury Lane	Tolworth	Barnsbury Lane (part)	1988
6	Chatham Road	Kingston	Chatham Road, Cobham Road, Chesham Road	1991
7	Woodbines Avenue/ The Bittoms	Kingston	Woodbines Avenue, The Bittoms, Milner Road	1992
8	Knight’s Park Bridge	Kingston	Knight’s Park	1993
9	Albert/George/Queen’s Roads	New Malden	Albert Road, George Road, Queen’s Road	1993
10	Stormont Way	Chessington	Stormont Way, Newlands Way, Devon Way, Holsworthy Way, Riponn Gardens, Tiverton Way, Hereford Way	1995
11	Caverleigh Way	Worcester Park	Caverleigh Way, Pembruy Avenue	1995
12	Sussex Road	New Malden	Sussex Road	1995
13	Compton Crescent	Chessington	Compton Crescent, Marston Avenue, Church Rise, Wilson Road	1996
14	Mill Place	Kingston	Mill Place, Dudley Road	1998
15	Skerne Walk	Kingston	Skerne Walk, Lower Kings Road	2001
16	St Mary’s Road	Surbiton	St Mary’s Road, Cottage Grove	Pre-2008
17	Walton Avenue	New Malden	Walton Avenue, Cavendish Road, Cromwell Avenue	2008
18	Lower Ham Road (2)	Kingston	Lower Ham Road (part), Bank Lane, Albany Park Road	2020
19	King Charles Road	Tolworth	King Charles Road (part), Beaconsfield Road, Broomfield Road, Derby Road	2020
20	Albert Road	Kingston	Albert Road, Victoria Road, Church Road	2020

_{^{*Our research is based on Traffic Regulation Orders (TRO) administered by Kingston Council. We have used the date of the TRO as the date when the Low Traffic Neighbourhood was established. In some cases, the TRO date may not exactly match where the modal filter (or other measures) were implemented.}}

As a final note, there are also many Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in the Borough that were established at the time they were built. Examples of this are cul-de-sacs or other estates which were built without provision for through motor vehicles. We have not included these in our analysis and have focussed on those converted to Low Traffic Neighbourhoods through the use of modal filters.

Bread pudding ride to Bookham

Sunday 20th June. A Cloudy, but otherwise pleasant day after 2 late Cancellations, & 1 abandon before the start, due to a visit from the ‘P Fairy’, so 15 Cyclists split into 2 groups, leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Tolworth & Greenway, West Ewell collecting 1 extra Cyclist, Long Grove Park, Epsom Common, pausing briefly at a Coal tax Post, also a short chat about Ashtead Common & why it’s owned by the City of London, Leatherhead, Fetcham, to Bookham, -not Pub in Little Bookham as originally planned, it turns out someone should have done a bit more research-, as the ‘Old Crown’ isn’t doing food at the moment, but does have very helpful, friendly staff & 2 Pet Rabbits, so we elected to stay, whilst some had come prepared, others found the local Co-op for grub, then with darkening Skies, Effingham, Martyr’s Green, Hatchford, Downside (Photo 1), Cobham, Fairmile, to Claremont Lake Cafe for Tea & Bread pudding, Esher, Hinchley wood, Long Ditton, Surbiton (Photo 2) to finish back in Kingston. Special thanks to Mags for group leading, thanks to Amy & Toni for Back marking each group, very special thanks to Christine for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute/route/954549

Group 2 Queens Prom, Surbiton : Tracey C

Midweek ride to West Wickham

A glorious Sunny, if somewhat humid day, after 3 late cancellations, saw 13 Cyclists gather at New Malden, split into 2 groups, leave via Raynes park, South Wimbledon, Colliers wood, – with 1 member of group 2 suffering a ‘brief encounter with some Nettles-, Tooting collecting 1 extra Cyclist, Streatham, Norbury, Thornton heath, Heavers Meadow, Woodside, Ashburton Field, Shirley, Langley Park, to West Wickham for lunch at ‘the Railway’ (Ember Inns),

Group 1 Beddington Park, with newly planted Cherry Trees.

then more Shirley, Addiscombe, Lloyd Park (Photo 2), South Croydon, Waddon to Beddington Park (Photo 1) for Tea & Refreshments, a congested Hackbridge, a nicely re-wilded part of the Wandle trail, Morden, Morden Park, Merton Cemetery, Motspur Park, to finish back in New Malden. Total 31 Miles. Special thanks to Pete M for leading Group 2, thanks to Stephanie & John E for back marking each group.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1579827

2 Part ride to Cheam & Molesey Lock

Sunday 6th June, Part 1 A mostly cloudy Morning saw 18 (or was it 19) Cyclists split into 3 groups, leave via Lower Marsh, Berrylands, Tolworth & Greenway, Bonesgate path, Horton Country Park, West Ewell, Hogsmill open space

(Photo 1), Stoneleigh, Nonsuch Park (Photo 2), to Cheam for lunch at ‘Ye Olde Red Lion’ (Stonegate), – with a little confusion among the staff on the billing front-, North Cheam, Worcester park, New Malden, Berrylands to Kingston. Sub total 17 Miles. Special thanks to Bai & Steve F for Group leading, thanks to Chris F, Andrea & Amy for back marking each group.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/632049

Part 2, A slightly brighter Afternoon, with late Sun, saying farewell to 7, but hello to 7 fresh faces, this time split into 2 groups of 9, after an admin mix-up, leave via Skerne Rd & Path, Thames towpath, Aerospace estate, Ham lands, Teddington Footbridge, Teddington, Bushy Park, Hampton Court Bridge, -with a small detatchment of group 2, extra thirsty, taking a short cut-, Molesey, to Molesey Lock Cafe, with a ‘sedate service’, for Tea & Bread pudding, Thames Ditton, Giggshill Green, Portsmouth Rd & Cycle track to Kingston. Sub total 11Miles, Total 28 Miles. Special thanks to Carl for group leading, thanks to Bai & John E for back marking, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1570078

Bread pudding ride to Ripley

Sunday 23rd May. A Blustery day, with a few short but heavy Showers saw 15 Cyclist after 1 late cancellation, split into 1 Group of 8, 1 of 7, leave via Portsmouth Rd Track, Surbiton, Long Ditton, Hinchley wood, Esher, Fairmile, Cobham, Hatchford, Ockham, to Ripley for an early lunch at the ‘Jovial Sailor’, with a fantastic canopy covering most of the Garden, -very handy, because a short Deluge from above, & somehow Group 2 got fed first, so they could leave first-, Send Marsh, passing the remains of Newark Priory, Pyrford, West Byfleet, Byfleet (where another Deluge for gropup 2, let group 1 almost catch the tail, thus time for a group 1 Photo),

Group 2, Wey Bridge, from Brooklands Park: Carl S

Weybridge, Broadwater path, with a Fallen Tree, anyone got a Chainsaw ?, can’t go around it, can’t get under, we’ll have to lift our Bikes over the obstruction, now ‘Groupo Compacto’ as the Giro de Italia riders might say, to Walton Bridge for Tea & Bread pudding at ‘Wilde Bunch’, Walton on Thames, Molesey, Thames Ditton – with Group 1 Leader not watching the tail, so initially unaware that 1 person had suffered a mechanical, leading to an alternaive route home- (a reminder to keep an eye on the back marker, even if we are almost back to the finish), Portsmouth Rd & track to Kingston. Total 34 Miles, Special thanks to Carl for leading group 2, thanks to Steve D & Mike F for Back marking each group, Thanks to John D for the BP. Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1559849.

Note: For those familiar with the New Malden Raynes Park link, Kingston & Merton Council’s are looking for a name for this delightful route, there is a short-list of 4, I believe a 5th option will be added soon, but for now here is the link, open until June 2nd:- https://kingstonletstalk.co.uk/name-the-route , after further thought, Beeline way will be an added option.

Evening ride to New Malden

Wednesday 19th May after a few Showers, a largely Bright evening saw 8 Cyclists, with 2 late cancellations, leave via Cranes park, Tolworth -including a short stretch of the new Cycle Path-, Old Malden, Motspur park, Raynes park, to New Malden for Refreshments at Woodies,- with a visit from a ‘Special guest’,- then Norbiton, Kingston & the new Bridge next to Kingston Station, to finish back at the Market place. Total 12 Miles, 1 face returning after a very long interval, thanks to Mike for Back marking.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1549009

Midweek ride to Addlestone

Wednesday 12th May, A largely Sunny day, with a few light Showers, saw 15 Cyclists, with 1 cancellation, split into 3 groups of 5 leave via Portsmouth Rd Track, Thames Ditton, Molesey, Walton on Thames, Weybridge, Brooklands Park,

Group 2, Brooklands Museum and Concorde’s nose: Mags Mckinlay

Byfleet, New Haw to Addlestone for lunch at the Pelican, a lovely Wey Navigation side Pub, Chertsey Meads, Chertsey Bridge, Shepperton, Sunbury, Hampton, Bushy Park for Tea & refreshments, Hampton Wick, Kingston Bridge. Total 30 Miles 2 new faces, special thanks to Mags & Mike F for group leading, thanks to Dave P, John E & Steve F for back marking each group. Alas it was Raining the couple of times I thought about a Photo for group 1, but if any others have Pics to share, do let me know.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/966549

Bread pudding Picnic ride to Burgess Park

Sunday 9th May, a very pleasant sunny day, much warmer than of late, saw 23 Cyclists, with 1 cancellation, split into 4 groups, but all groups seemed to play a version of Musical chairs at various stages of the day, (group 2 not being quite ready, so they were demoted to group 4). Leaving the Market place via Fairfield, Norbiton, New Malden, Raynes park, South Wimbledon, Wandle path, Earlsfield, with Group 3 suffering a visit from the ‘P Fairy’ meaning Group 4, now became group 2 ?, Wandsworth Common, Clapham Common, Vauxhall, Camberwell to Burgess Park for a Picnic lunch, pausing earlier at the Lime Kiln, the Camberwell Beauty Mosaic & also ‘Silent Raid’, an Art installation in memory of a Zeppelin raid from WW1,

Group 2 or was it 4 ? with the Lime Kiln, Burgess Park

Group 1 with the Camberwell Beauty, Burgess Park

continuing via the Surrey Canal Path, Peckham, Dulwich, Brockwell Park, where an unfortunate coming together between 2 members of group 3, with 1 Bike unridable, & a slight Shoulder injury, meaning a Taxi ride home was the best option, thanks to members of Group 2/ 4, (if you’re keeping up), for there assistance, meanwhile ahead, due to an impromptu Loo stop, group 4/2 had briefly taken the lead, which was a surprise for group 1, Tulse Hill, Streatham Hill, Tooting Bec Common for a Tea & Bread pudding stop, Tooting, Mitcham, Morden Hall Park, Morden, Morden Park, Lower Morden, Motspur park, New Malden, Berrylands, to finish back at Kingston. Total 34 Miles. Special thanks to Bai, Carl, & Steve F for group leading, thanks to Toni, Steve D, Ellie & John E for back marking each group, thanks to John D for the BP.

Map:- www.plotaroute.com/route/1534861

Casualty Update: Having spoken to Tom this Afternoon, he is in good spirits, looking forward to getting back on the Bike & joining us on a ride in the near future.

10/05 RM

Kingston Cycling Campaign

Promoting safer and more enjoyable cycling in South West London and beyond

Uncategorized