Cycling is the new golf - literally

The oft-heard remark that “cycling is the new golf” has never been truer than on a new cycle path between Alva and Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire – because the route passes through land owned by Tillicoultry Golf Club.

Funded by Sustrans Scotland, the 2.5m-wide shared use path links the Devon Way cycle route with Alva Academy. It forms part of National Cycle Network route 768, under the Ochil Hills, one of an increasingly dense number of routes in the Alloa area. Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown called it “a fantastic exemplar project which helps to meet the demand for cycling and walking infrastructure”.

Is there a “masculine” way to ride a bike?

A fascinating article from US website The Atlantic Cities asks how masculine cycling is – and readers’ responses aren’t what you might expect. “It means suits, scarves, and a cadence that allows me to enjoy the ride,” says one. Can bike lane design play a part? “In the US, the bike lanes tend to assume single-file riding; in Europe, it’s more about supporting social riding by having space to ride side by side.” Worth a read.

Dutch cycling culture festival

If you need an excuse to see how the Netherlands do cycling, FietsFest could be it. This inaugural festival of Dutch cycling culture takes place on May 24th in Rotterdam, with a fascinating line-up of bikes, films, and speakers – “a one-day cultural festival where the bike is celebrated in word, image and sound”.

Tweed Run - “the original technical fabric”

The Telegraph has a profile of the Tweed Run, the old-school London cycling event that takes place this Saturday. Organiser Ben Young-Ing sells the virtues of tweed as a cycling garment: “I don’t like to think about the Tweed Run as a vintage ride. Tweed is the original technical fabric. It’s lightweight and breathable and thorn-proof and warm and weatherproof. It’s the anti-lycra.” 

Saturday is ‘Big Ride’ day

This Saturday, 17th May, thousands of cyclists will be taking to the streets to demand better cycling conditions – while having fun doing so.

The ‘Big Ride’ event, part of the Space for Cycling campaign, follows 2012’s London ride which attracted 10,000 riders. This year, the London Cycling Campaign is hoping to attract even more.

But it’s not just about London: five other cities will be holding Big Rides on the same day. Details are:

• London: Start at Park Lane, 11am for midday.
• Bristol: Start at Lower Approach Road, Temple Meads station, 11.30am.
• Leeds: Start at Millennium Square, midday.
• Newcastle: Start at Haymarket, 10am.
• Manchester: Start at Platt Fields, 1pm for 2pm.
• Sheffield: Start at Barker’s Pool, 10.30am for 11am.

London will also have ‘feeder rides’ from locations around the city.

The London Cycling Campaign describes the event as “a fun ride with a serious message, telling politicians we want streets that are safe and inviting for everyone to cycle”. Riders are asked to dress colourfully and bring flags, banners and other paraphernalia. And to emphasise the fun aspect, the rally coincides with the annual Tweed Run, where 500 cyclists dressed in tweed take to the streets on a colourful variety of characterful bikes.

The rides are campaigning for the national Space For Cycling aims:

• Protected space on main roads
• Removing through motor traffic in residential areas
• Lower speed limits
• Cycle-friendly town centres
• Safe routes to school
• Routes through green spaces