Dundee Cycle Map 2017 Bigger and Better than Ever

Dundee City Council have recently launched the new look Dundee Cycle Map 2017. The map has been extensively updated to include new routes and to update locations of destinations.

The map is free and is available from all libraries and cycle shops across the city and has been funded through the Smarter Choices, Smarter Places fund from the Scottish Government.

The map features the Green Circular which circumnavigates the city, linking some of Dundee’s best green places, and Greenways routes which link other areas. The Green Circular was opened in 1995. Recent improvements include resurfacing at Riverside near the Nature Park and upgrading to tarmac surface at Trottick Ponds. The launch took place at a new Toucan Crossing at Whalers Lane in the Central Waterfront, part of efforts to connect the City to the Tay.

This is the largest Dundee Cycle Map ever, with more information, including a bigger City Centre insert, information on the locations of 20mph zones and suggestions for leisure rides to the north, south, east and west of the city.

Improvements to the map have prepared by the council’s City Development and Neighbourhood Services. Dundee Cycling Forum have provided significant information into routes they use, barriers and text suggestions.

The ancestor of the modern bicycle, the Velocipede is 200 years old in 2017. Isn’t it time you gave it a go!

Grove Academy Cycling Team Awarded Dundee Cyclathon Fundraising Cup 2016

Congratulations to the pupils from Grove Academy who last night were awarded the Fundraising Cup for the most money raised by a team who entered the Dundee Cyclathon. 

Back in September, this young team of cyclists completed a circuit of the 26 mile Green Circular route starting and finishing in Camperdown Park. Last night they were presented with the Fundrasing Cup by Lord Provost Bob Duncan at a Civic Reception for the cyclists/fundraisers and the organisers of the Cyclathon, Rotary Club of Claverhouse.

This is not the first occasion that a team of cyclists from Grove Academy, with staff support, have won this fundraising award. 

Riding the Dundee Cyclathon Today Whatever the Weather

Later today, I will be taking part in the Dundee Cyclathon 2013 organised by Claverhouse Rotary Club. The Cyclathon follows the 26 miles of the Green Circular route round the city starting and finishing at Camperdown Park. 

The weather forecast is not that great but, as I am committed to fundraising for a good cause, I shall be riding round whatever the weather.

This year I shall be riding with Charles Aitkenhead, Karen Wolstencroft and David Zwirlein as part of the Cleghorn Crusaders team and we are fundraising for the Cleghorn Charitable Trust  a Charity Registered in Scotland No. SC008372

Cleghorn Charitable Trust provides support to tenants in Dundee who are living on some of the lowest incomes in the city and are setting up their first home. This trust help with items such as essential floor covering for which grants are not available. 

Please donate and help make a house a home!

Kilmac Put Finishing Touches to Coastal Pathway Improvements

Yesterday, Kilmac staff were putting the finishing touches to the upgrading of the coastal pathway. 

In the picture you can see they were installing the last set of safety railings at the Grassy Beach end.

Kilmac staff began the contract just before Christmas and hope to have finished on site by Friday of this week.

Dundee City of Cycling?

In the last fortnight, three events have made me think about the possibility of our city being declared:

Dundee City of Cycling.

1. Firstly, on Tuesday 30 October there was a Civic Reception for the folk who had raised money for charity while cycling the roads and paths round Dundee in the Annual Dundee Cyclathon back in early September;
2. The Proposed Dundee Local Development Plan (October 2012) was issued for consultation and
3. Bradley Wiggins was hospitalised after being knocked off his bike while out on a training ride near his home town of Chorley.

On Sunday 9 September, I took part in the annual Cyclathon organised by Claverhouse Rotary Club. I enjoyed the experience of cycling round the 26 miles of Dundee's Green Circular route and raising over £320 for my nominated charity Tushinde Children's Trust. Looking back, the ride was particularly enjoyable because a good proportion of the route is off road and of course I was cycling in the company of many others with the added reassurance of members of the Claverhouse Rotary Club acting as marshals at points where we crossed the road. I think these are important observations for our planners who are working to promote more sustainable transportation.

Survey's about Cycling identify that most households have a bike or two in the garage but all too rarely we take them them out on the road. One of the key reasons folk mention for not getting out on their bikes is the perceived sense of vulnerability on a bike on our roads. So when our Olympic Gold medalist and Tour de France winner, Bradley Wiggins, gets knocked off his bike, it confirms our concerns while perhaps emphasising that something should be done about this to make cycling safer.

This made the launch of the Proposed Dundee Local Development Plan (October 2012) of particular interest, especially as it's out for consultation. How will that plan help develop cycling in Dundee when even streak of lightning Wiggo can't avoid a crash and crushed ribs? How will the plan help us to encourage the tenfold increase in cycling for journeys of under two miles that would meet the target set by the Scottish Government? The aspiration of developing more sustainable transport is mentioned clearly in the plan and a number of measures are proposed for major new developments. Whilst that is positive, is it enough? I hope cycling and environmental interest groups will examine the Proposed Dundee Local Development Plan and respond during the consultation period.
Let's hope that for the sake of our environment, our waistlines, and safer cycling, we might soon be able to celebrate Dundee City of Cycling.

Panmurefield Environmental Issues Reported

Following up a complaint from a constituent, I took my dog for a walk in the public open space between Panmurefield Village and Balgillo Road. 

This valuable corridor of land sits either side of the Dighty Water. The major pathway running along the North bank is a section of the Dundee Green Circular.

My picture, bottom left, shows two public benches near the section of the Green Circular close to the Seven Arches bridge which have been almost overwhelmed by the growth of weeds including Giant Hogweed. I have reported this to the Environment Department.

The main section of the pathway which runs above the benches (and is out of view) seems to be poorly drained and is prone to water pooling and consequently gets muddy. I have also reported this and requested this stretch of the Green Circular is added to the programme of upgrading works to the surface of the route which is ongoing. 

Entering Dundee Cyclathon Sunday 9 September 2012

Ready to go in the 2011 Cyclathon

Sunday 9 September is the 2012 Dundee Cyclathon organised by Claverhouse Rotary Club with cyclists raising money for the Caring for Kids charity or their own nominated charity.
I shall be joining hundreds of cyclists who will pedalling around the 26 miles of the Dundee Green Circular route with the start and finish at Camperdown Park. 

This year I will be riding with my two daughters Naomi and Imogen and we will be making up a team entry.

Our team are raising sponsorship cash for Tushinde Childrens' Trust. If you would like to sponsor us, we have a fund raising page on Just Giving.

If you want to join in the cycling fun and raise some cash for good causes there is still time to enter the Cyclathon. More details of how to enter.

Balgillo Road East Potholes - Council Action Required

Residents in Balgillo have complained to me about the poholes on Balgillo Road East. 

Balgillo Road East is the busy road that runs between Balgillo Road and the main A92 Arbroath Road. It runs down the western side of the Sandy Park.

From my observations the potholes are worst on the stretch of the road from its junction with Balgillo Road going north as far as the junction with Rossie Avenue. 

Potholes are more than a nuisance to drivers who experience a bumpy ride and worry about their suspension; they can be a real danger especially to cyclists and other road users with two wheels.

At this specific location, many cyclists are crossing the road while using the Dundee Green Circular route for part of their journey.

I have written to the Transportation Department to request an inspection of this stretch of road and early action to fill in these potholes. 

Green Circular Ride Raises Over £390 for Charity

On Sunday 11 September, I enjoyed pedaling round the 26 miles of the Dundee Cyclathon in the company of hundreds of other cyclists. The route was mainly off road following the Dundee Green Circular.

The Abertay Rotary Club is to be congratulated on a well organised, safe and fun event. There were marshals at all the key junctions and refreshment stations every few miles. 

With the generous help from constituents, friends, family, and colleagues, I raised £393.50 in sponsorship. I was fundraising for Tushinde Children's Trust, a Scottish based charity that supports projects in Nairobi Kenya that provide education and nutrition for children living in in a highly populated sprawling slum called Mathare. When some final donations are recorded, I am hoping my target of £400 will be exceeded. It's not too late to donate via my fundraising page 

Much of my time as a Councillor is focusing on the education of our children in Dundee. I have found it humbling to be involved with a charity that focuses on meeting the needs of children in Mathare for whom access to school and one square meal a day cannot be taken for granted.

Read/download Dundee Green Circular Route Map East

Read/download Dundee Green Circular Route Map West

Paper copies of the map are available free from Libraries and Cycle Shops.