Dear <<First Name>> 

For the first time in 25 years, Essex has a county council that is not Conservative*. Whether this is better or worse will depend on your point of view and personal choices – but no one can deny that Reform UK had a landslide victory, gaining 52 of the 77 seats at County Hall.

We are nearly a month into the new administration and so far their main actions have been to launch a £7.5mn pothole emergency fund (which has to be good), cancel a proposed libraries booking fee and set out their stall to Westminster on opposing local government reorganisation. They've also introduced the Lord's Prayer and the National Anthem at the beginning and end of county meetings.

As usual, the campaign keeps politics at arm's length.

One unquestionable fact is that there is no magic wand that any party can wave to minimise chronic traffic jams. 

The campaign's argument, as always, will be that, more than ever, people need a choice of how to travel. If nothing is done and the default is to jump in the car, congestion will get a lot worse, especially as new homes are built.

Essex Cycling Action Network (the campaign has two reps) agreed to ask for a  meeting with Mark Webster, the highways cabinet member, as a matter of priority. The campaign has also sent a letter of congratulation.

Meanwhile it is worth reminding ourselves of the county council's active travel duties and judicial review risk.

* Essex has been either Conservative or no overall control since 1974

About Mark Webster

Mr Webster's Facebook page says he is "serious about public service, high standards and accountability for results". So far his support (or otherwise) for cycling initiatives and 20mph is unclear.

Professionally, he runs a business consultancy called Westrop Webster and has been a manager for Bureau Veritas, a French company that, according to Mr Webster's LinkedIn page, has worked for clients including National Highways Rolls-Royce and Arla Foods.

Mr Webster represents Clacton South, where 3,700 voters backed him. 

My ride, our right ... the Glow Rides are coming. Glow Rides highlight the need for safer streets and better cycle routes, especially for women riding after dark. 

If you would like to take part or even organise a Glow Ride in Colchester, please see https://www.cyclinguk.org/my-ride-our-right/mass-rides

This is your chance to help fund the campaign. Thanks to Anna, Cath, Mark, Neil and Bob for last month's donations.

Jo and Jay, the founders of Wivenhoe Bike Kitchen, write: "After 12 years of service to the community, the bike kitchen is under threat from Wivenhoe Town Council, our landlord, which is trying to triple our rent.

"This is despite the fact we have a commercial lease that gives us protections and have obtained an independent valuation which shows we  already pay  a market-level rent. 

"We've had to get legal advice and finally ask the court to step in to resolve things. We have launched a crowdfunder to help towards our costs and any help you can give is warmly appreciated." 

For more information about the dispute and a link to the crowdfunder see the bike kitchen website.

Wivenhoe Town Council said the situation was complex and that the accommodation was "heavily subsidised". It added that a commercial tenant was interested in the premises and it had approached the bike kitchen to offer a new site. It added: "Instead the bike kitchen has started legal proceedings."

We have two bits of good news about the Colchester network this month. 

Brick Kiln Lane between the Castellum Grange estate and North Station Road is now open to cyclists after being widened and resurfaced. It includes a hill and a loose gravel surface that should bind down quickly. 

The work was funded by a Section 106 agreement between Persimmon Homes  and the city council regarding the site of former Cowdray Centre. We're now hoping that work to remove the kink in the path before the nearby foot tunnel will start soon.

The lunar landscape at the East Bay end of the Moors cycle path (arguably part of the Wivenhoe Trail) is no more. Thanks to Colchester Borough Homes the path has been resurfaced around towards the allotments. Thanks to CBH and the contractor Henderson & Taylor, the path was only shut for two days, and that excluded peak walk/ride to school and work times.

We know from talking to you that Colchester people love their bikes made by Islabikes, the brand founded by Isla Rowntree that specialises in bikes for children. The company is  about to release an adult gravel bike, the Rosetta, "for people who choose practicality over pretence, comfort over convention, and experiences over equipment". https://www.islabikes.co.uk/rosetta

Colchester Cycling Campaign uses Email Octopus to create this newsletter. If you would like to do the same for your organisation please use this link https://emailoctopus.com/?urli=XN4MS. The campaign and the new group each get a "new joiner" benefit of 15 USD (about £12). 

Nearly everyone in Colchester must at some time have driven (or been driven) over the Army and Navy roundabout in Chelmsford. Until November 1986 it was part of the main A12  into London. Now Essex Highways has released a video of its proposed improvements. https://www.facebook.com/reel/1943692566241615

Te be honest, it makes us feel rather envious. Imagine how the Ipswich Road and Harwich Road roundabouts in Colchester could have been if their "improvements" were coming on stream now. Such road projects are completed, on average, every 60 years, so roll on 2076...

Colchester Cycling Campaign has a narrow focus: to improve cycling infrastructure in the city and wider district.

However, that doesn't stop us cycling for pleasure. Many of us draw a line at sport (your editor is mid-60s and any racing days were long ago!).

That said, endurance riding is a different challenge.

We were delighted to find the thriving Audax Club Mid Essex which designs and hosts rides from 50km long.

Many of Acme's events start in Witham but some are from our area, for instance the 400km Asparagus and Strawberries ride which sets off from Manningtree on June 6.

Does that whet your taste buds?

Report highways issues, including potholes, failed traffic signals and overgrowth to Essex Highways here: https://www.essexhighways.org/tell-us

Remember to keep the record number of your complaint. If you record lots of issues it may be worth starting a personal spreadsheet giving details of location, reference number, dates and results. 

The next Bike Meet is on Tuesday June 16 at 8pm. We're not sure yet whether it will be in person or online and will decide nearer the time. Please watch for an email.

The campaign is looking for a volunteer whose sole job will be to organise our monthly meetings. It isn't onerous but it could help take pressure off the officers. If you think you could do this, please contact admin@colchester-cycling.org.uk

Last month we mentioned Better Connected, the government's new cycling strategy for which many of you took part in the consultation. Here is Cycling UK's view of what the strategy will mean. https://www.cyclinguk.org/blog/governments-new-transport-strategy-could-be-turning-point-cycling

Would you fancy riding this cycle route, above? Cyclists in Sussex don't either. Read about their approach to National Highways: https://www.sussexexpress.co.uk/community/critical-cycle-route-between-lewes-and-brighton-is-unsafe-and-unpleasant-campaigners-say-8553808

Cycling to work boosts health and can cut traffic jams ... so why not pay people to do it? Read about the Belgian scheme.  https://www.brusselstimes.com/1401729/belgian-commutes-pay-off-employees-earn-up-to-e810-for-cycling-to-work

Here in Blighty if you use your own bike for business reasons (ie, not cycling to and from work) you can claim 20p a mile. https://www.cyclinguk.org/article/campaigns-guide/tax-incentives

The editor writes: The reason for this 1920s cycle parade past the Castle pub in High Street has been lost in time. The two men wheeling their bikes at the front are carrying a wreath so I thought it was a remembrance event. Look closer though and there is a boy dressed in knight's armour, another swaddled in bandages and – just possibly – a penny-farthing rider in a gorilla costume. Most mysterious. If you can shed any light on what this is about, please do get in touch.

Thanks to Melissa Bruntlett for flagging up this film. If you've never cycled in the Netherlands, this is the next best thing. The film has its public premiere this Wednesday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq93DgLvmFc

If you want to try leisure rides, Colchester Cycling Campaign recommends both Cycling For Pleasure and Happy Handlebars. Both clubs run a variety of events for people of different abilities. 

Cycling for Pleasure: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1594722180845186

Happy Handlebars: https://www.facebook.com/HappyHandlebarsColch

Other clubs and local routes to try: https://www.colchester-cycling.org.uk/maps-rides-clubs.html 

Colchester Cycling Campaign has lots of LOCAL cycling advice on its website. If you have a question, make our advice page your first port of call.

Visit https://www.colchester-cycling.org.uk/advice.html

Chairman: Will Bramhill
Secretary: Chris Stevenson
Treasurer: Catherine Johnson
Your committee: Alex Hooper, Stuart Johnson, Jean Quinn, Nathaniel Catchpole, Alan Spence, Kristin Bradley and Paul Byrne