Cycles on the bus trial announced by Green councillor Ian Davey

26 May 2011. Bicycles will be carried on a bus service as a trial in Brighton and Hove.

There will be space for up to two bikes on the 79 bus to Ditchling Beacon, from 28 May, for a trial that will last throughout the summer. Cyclists can taken their bikes on the bus for no extra charge. Bikes will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. The bus driver will advise people how to secure their bike safely on the bus, which has specially-installed equipment.

Councillor Ian Davey, cabinet member for transport and the public realm, said: “The trial is in response to requests from residents who told the council they would like to cycle on the South Downs Way from the Beacon, but find getting there difficult. Ditchling Beacon Road, which links Old Boat Corner with the Beacon three miles away, is a very busy country road which can be particularly stressful to cycle along, so it’s great that there is now a practical alternative.”

A Council Press Officer said: "If the trial is successful, it is hoped to make the bike spaces a permanent feature of the 79 bus route. Bikes are not carried on other city bus routes because all available space is needed for the high number of buggy and wheelchair users. Fewer people bring buggies or use wheelchairs on the 79 route because of the challenging terrain at Ditchling Beacon."

The 79 bus runs every Saturday, Sunday and bank holiday, leaving Old Steine (stop U in the southwest corner) at 10.15 am and then hourly until 5.15 pm. The bus also stops in front of Brighton Station. Buses return from Ditchling Beacon at 45 minutes past the hour, until 5.45 pm. For more information please go to www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/breezebuses or call (01273) 292480.

The 79 bus to Ditchling Beacon is funded by Brighton & Hove City Council and the National Trust. Together with the South Downs National Park Authority they form the ‘Breeze up to the Downs’ Partnership, whose mission is to improve access by bus to popular Downland destinations. The other two ‘Breeze’ routes are the 77 from Brighton Pier to Devil’s Dyke and the 78 from Brighton Old Steine to Stanmer Park. The 79 route is operated under contract by Brighton & Hove Buses and the trial has been possible thanks to European Interreg ‘Collabor8’ funding granted to the Breeze Partnership.

Greens condemn plans to cut front line services while spending £1.1m on cycle closure.

Ian Davey leads protesters

This early PR for the Save Hove Cycle Lane campaign was not officially released - it was quickly overtaken by news of the plans to demolish the lane were abandoned.

Greens condemn plans to cut front line services while spending £1.1m on cycle closure.

21 Feb 2010. Cyclists braved rainy weather over the weekend to protest against the planned scrapping of the award winning cycle freeway along The Drive in Hove. Two Green councillors were at the event.

The plans to scrap the cycle lane, at a cost of £1.1m, were revealed in Brighton and Hove City Council’s budget proposals, made public last week. The plans have provoked protests from across the country, including from Sustrans, the charity that promotes sustainable travel in the UK.

The cycle freeway is segregated from traffic. It runs through Goldsmid, whose councillor, Alex Phillips, won the ward for the Green Party at a by-election in 2009. She said: “At a time of cuts to frontline services, leaving vulnerable people to fend for themselves, it’s not right that money is used to get rid of this important and well-used cycle lane.”

She added: “We launched a petition a few days ago, aiming to get a full council debate on the subject. Already we have 1,200 signatures, many online. Brighton’s status as a city of sustainable transport is of national interest”

Councillor Davey, Green Party spokesman for Transport said: “I’m so pleased so many people came out in the rain at such short notice. This is just the start of this protest. The Conservative administration led by Councillor Mary Mears will have to withdraw this proposal if they want get their budget passed by the council. We have every hope that Labour will vote with the Greens to overturn this budget when it comes before council for approval on 3 March.”

The cycle freeway was built with funding from Cycling England after Brighton and Hove was granted Cycle Demonstration Town status in 2005. When council’s transport team picked up the Transport Authority of the Year award last year. It was commended for cycling improvements that saw cycling in the city increase by 27% since 2006.

Councillor Davey said: “If they go ahead with spending a million pounds scrapping this cycle lane it will be the transport laughing stock of the year and it will be bottom of the class for cycling.”

The 2011 budget proposals were released on 11 February. They revealed plans to remove the cycle lanes. The reason cited was to “improve the visual impact and traffic flow along this important north – south corridor including access to the A27/A23 from the A259/Shoreham Harbour".

Councillor Davey said: “I wonder if Councillor Mears has consulted local residents about whether they will welcome this road becoming an artery for heavy vehicles on their way to Shoreham Harbour.”

Councillors Davey and Phillips asked those who support the campaign to sign the petition at http://www.gopetition.com/petition/43064.html .