Andy D'Agorne

So far the local press coverage of us securing one of the ten 'Cycle Demonstration Town' places bringing in £20 per head over the next 3 years for cycling has been disappointing - A small article that was a straight lift of the council press release, underneath a big feature about the hundreds of cards sent to the family of Ruby Milnes, the teenage cyclist tragically killed recently. So far no one has really made the link that if we want to prevent future tragedies we need to provide top class cycling facilities and educate all road users. In response to those who keep writing letters calling for police action against cycling on pavements, I will be pressing for the council to improve the facilities, if needed by removing roadspace for other vehicles. One place crying out for this is the section of inner ring road from Tower St round to Piccadilly, where the inside lane gets progressively narrower as you cross the Foss bridge. While we can provide more off road routes that can be used by younger children, we need to make all main routes cycle and pedestrian friendly too, as we will be trying to do soon along Fulford Rd.

York Cycle rally ride 22/6/08

Here is a statement I put out in response to the success in the cycle bid:

  Green councillor and cyclist Andy D'Agorne has welcomed news that York is to get government funding as one of ten 'Cycling demonstration towns'.    He said 'This gives York the opportunity to re-establish its position as premier UK cycling city, on a par with European levels of cycling.' York has been selected out of over 70 bidders - vidicating the pressure from the Greens and local MP Hugh Bayley to apply even though council officers initially felt we were unlikely to qualify because we already have relatively high levels of cycling for the UK.  

As part of the process of taking forward better provision for cyclists, Cllr D'Agorne is calling for an annual meeting between the Social Inclusion Working Group and representatives of cycle groups, travel plan officers etc to ensure regular dialogue between those representing the elderly and disabled and those developing better access for cyclists.   "Ive seen the working well in Sheffield, it is something that I hope our cycling champion will take up, given his concern about promoting safety between cyclists and pedestrians" said Cllr D'Agorne The council already has a commitment to re-establishing a Cycle Forum, Cllr D'Agorne believes this should be one of first issues for it to consider, alongside taking forward the cycle demonstration town implementation.