In connection with the Bristol half Marathon Also a reminder that it will be another central car free day on Sunday 29 September
The good people of Bristol need to ensure that this motherfucker of a major and his stupid ideas which include closing roads on a Sunday (part of Baldwin St etc) to encourage bike riding/walking in a city that is officially the worst in the UK for congestion, and where very few people ride bikes in reality due to the amount of hills, is never, ever re-elected. Helping to promote and build better roads, giving better and more affordable public transport, removing needless sets of traffic lights that stop you on a main road for no reason at 05.00 to allow the invisible pedestrians to cross, are all areas that he would be better off concentrating on. Come on man, ****ing wake up and look around you, this is Bristol George, not ****ing Amsterdam !!
Once a year is Ok, I've ran the Bristol Half Marathon 3 times and its a fantastic atmosphere. I do find the idea of doing random sundays a bit odd.
I was tempted to run it, and I'm definitely fit enough for it (ran 15 miles on Monday), but I can't stand running in crowds. I ran the Cardiff half marathon a few years back and it was horrible. You can't even see the nice scenery because there are so many people around, shouting at you. I imagine most people love the boost from the crowd; it just makes me feel really uncomfortable. As a motorist, I can't say I'm too thrilled with the car free days. I think it's a good idea to shut some roads, and the ones that have been chosen don't really get a lot of traffic anyway. What ****s me off is the constant propaganda against motorists, and Fergie's constant calls of "make Bristol like the Netherlands and Colombia!" are just insane. Also, there's no ****ing way I'm driving 20mph around most of Bristol. Every 20mph zone in Bristol is ignored any way... I'm sure he's a nice bloke, and I'm sure he means well, but I'm yet to see a single thing he's done for people outside of the centre. Many of the problems with traffic in Bristol could be resolved by optimising the routes around Bristol, and setting up better traffic light systems. No one expects it to be perfect, but it's not as bad as some cities, like London or Birmingham.
Business leaders have announced there has been an increase of trade coinciding with these events. The events themselves have obviously been well supported hence increase in trade. Only certain roads are shut, Bristol has not ground to a halt. I cycle, use a car, and use public transport. I will back any action that gets this nations lard arses onto bicycle as my employment brings me into contact with those whose health is in danger due to their lifestyles. Plenty of people cycle, the amount that do reflect the investment in cycling in the UK, it is isn't just hills. Cycle round Temple Meads and you may never want to cycle again, it is flat [ish]. However cycle around Clifton/Cliftonwood which is hilly [the steep is a challenge!] its highly enjoyable even with kids. Investment in cycling make sense, the relatively small investment can leave a legacy which a city like Bristol can service. In comparison hundreds of millions of pounds will not solve Bristol's congestion. The City will never be able to service those sums, and it will be constantly required, hardly an investment! At present bus fares are outside of Mr Fergusons control as contracts were signed before his election ... They ARE ****. They will require intervention of all parties and the Mayor to sort out.
Sorry there are many of us for whom cycling is impossible and public transport is a joke how are we supposed to get about buy a magic carpet and fly?
You would never know the difference. I try and use public transport regularly when I go out with friends for a drink. I'm a good boy and I leave the car at home, but the prices on the buses are out of kilter with the distances involved, the services are totally unreliable and take forever due to traffic even on a 4 mile run into town. From south Bristol to get to a little way up Stokes Croft took me 2 buses and 95 minutes last time I tried it a few weeks ago. So tonight I'm getting a taxi and will willingly pay the £15 or so to save an hour (traffic depending!!!!!) on the journey which my small contribution will add to. There are plenty of road improvements that could be made in central Bristol to alleviate the traffic and keep heavy good vehicles off of the A37 and A4, but instead under Ferguson we'll all kow-tow to the greens and do-gooders again and put in cycle lanes that virtually no-one will use and that will further hamper journey times.
Cities like Nottingham combine various modes of travel. The Mayor cannot wave a wand, he can only integrate what he can affect. It will take more than four years to address. Public transport can be addressed with cross party support, time and single mindedness. Provision for cyclists can be improved, and a lasting network set up. The future is not more cars. Millions upon more millions will still be spent but ultimately it is unsustainable.
More cars are not the answer. The Mayor cannot take hgv off the A4 and A37. Where are more cycle lanes going in central Bristol? Thousands use Bristol cycle paths everyday. I would not take my son on them, or any child. Is that not worthy of improvement and investement for the future? Should families be excluded from cycling? Buses are poor, that is not the fault of the Mayor, its down to market forces [First bus], and the contracts already signed. The government need to address the practices of companies like first. The council can fine them, but the fines they can impose are derisory [£20,000]. First laugh that off, and continue on regardless.
Run the marathon numerous times, still train and think the car fee days have been enjoyable. Too many lazy fatties moaning about fit people on this thread.
My old man, runs 3 times a week 4-5 miles a time he's 70 in December. He ran the London marathon about 15 years ago and didn't tell anyone he was doing it. It was normal for him to shoot off round the country every Sunday in some race. He's had a heart valve replacement and still runs. The downside of it is, it's like a drug to him we've asked him to stop he looks ill but he won't and can't.
Also forgot to mention its open doors day on Saturday when we play Peterborough. If your coming to the gate,the places which are available are the Clifton Suspension bridge Clifton rocks railway(from the top area only) The records office on the Cumberland basin,which might have some football footage of Bristol City in the bunker.
