And that’s before the Diglis bridge opens for business – due in July. I’ve read that the towpath upgrades have just been completed*. Anyone go that way and can report?

* Update on towpath – it is only one section that has been completed so far. See Worcester News article.

Worcester is one area it claims to cover. No go trying to get it to produce a route to Malvern, but seems to work well for the city itself. You can choose from Quickest or Quietest, and in my test (St Johns to St Peters) this did produce very different results, as it should. Download the GPX files for your on-bike GPS device – that requires a right-click which isn’t mentioned but can’t complain really.

Worth checking if it covers where you want to go, and hopefully it will expand soon.

Click on image to see much larger version

The Science Park cycle route, funded from science park expansion money, is gradually getting there. The image to the left shows the revised plans.

Some more details are on the Worcs County Council website. Note that the on-road sections of Science Park cycle route will be marked with on-road cycle symbols, strategically placed to miss parked cars (!), while the walk/cycle route marked in red to Great Malvern station includes widening of the footpath alongside Qinetiq to allow for shared use.

Comments welcome, but it seems this will be done by financial year end (31st March) anyway. One of teh short off-road sections, at Edith Berry Court, has already been done, linking two bits of estate road for cycle use so avoiding the busy Pickersleigh Road.

• There isn’t much in the way of cycle paths or lanes in the area, but for what there is (and some possibilities), see Routes. We do slightly better on cycle parking/racks, but this can be tucked away – see the Resources page.
• For cycle shops – buying kit, repairs etc – MalvernTrail has a full list.
• Members of the Malvern Hills Freecycle Cafe (online discussion list) can often provide useful advice, even practical help, on such things as finding a cheap bike or getting an old one back on the road.
• Check the Helpful Links on the More page for useful sites on starting out, the legalities, getting a bike, maintenance tips. and much more.
• Local cycling groups, for those who want to get into this as a sport or for leisure, are on MalvernTrail along with info on organised cycle rides. Plus a page on sorting out a ride for yourself.
• More support may be available from the Transition Cycling Group (new Oct 09).

First version of this Sep 09 – no doubt it will develop over time.

Image via Wikipedia

Diglis Bridge, Worcester

Taken from Worcester County Council page: “15th September 2009: Planning Permission has been granted for the Diglis bridge and construction will begin in November 2009. The bridge is due for completion by summer 2010.”

Cyclists from Malvern still have to deal with getting through Powick to get there, but could be a useful way into the city.

Cycle path extension from Townsend Way

Part of the North Site (Malvern Vale) spin-offs, initial information has appeared on upgrading of paths from the side of Morrisons and across Worcester Road. Formal consultation to follow.

If you’re interested in leisure rides, see MalvernTrail, which also has some basic details on sports cycling groups locally.

Check the Origami web page for more details.

From The Copenhagen Bike Culture Blog:

“As with all good, timely ideas, the [Slow Food] concept has really taken off. Inevitably, the concept of Slow has spawned other offshoots.. …
“So why not start a bicycle-friendly version of the movement?
The Slow Bike Movement – no, make that the Slow BICYCLE movement – the very word ‘bike’ is a speeded up version of the original.”

It’s about taking time to appreciate the world.

The logo reminds me of ‘Is the Bicycle a revolution or part of the natural cycle’ for some reason – see Resources page (I hope).

Slow Bike Movement logo