We believe that regular cyclists are in a good position to advise professional Highways Engineers on what facilities should be provided to make it safer for us to cycle on local roads.
We have a Right to Ride representative (see contacts) who is consulted by either the local Borough Councils or the County Council on highway schemes. Sometimes we are able to get changes made to schemes to make them more cycle friendly. Our representative also attends regular meetings of the County Councils Cycle Liaison Group and the Pendle Cycling Forum.
Burnley doesn't have a cycling forum yet (hopefully they will do soon) As a result of our campaigning, there should soon be more cycle lanes on the Main Line between Burnley and Colne, making it safer for us to commute to and from work and the shops. There are other examples of where we have been able to get improvements made to schemes to the benefit of cyclists.
In general, attitudes of our local councils towards cycling have got a lot better in recent years, and they are coming up with some good schemes. You can help CTCs local campaigning by letting local councils know of places which cause problems for cyclists. Is a particular junction too dangerous? How could it be improved? Where are those dangerous potholes? Or overhanging bushes which force you too far out into the road?
Please report any local problems to the Lancashire County Council hotline Tel: 0845 053 0011.
Lancashire County Council also have a section of their website dedicated to Cycling, which is worth a visit http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/cycling.aspx , and Kamala Fairclough the Sustainable Travel Officer can be contacted at
The National CTC website also has various methods for reporting any problems with roads including the site http://www.fillthathole.org.uk/ and there is also an iphone App.