The next Watford Cycle Forum will be held is at Watford Cycle Hub at 6.00pm on Thursday 18th September.
This is an informal drop-in session packed with local clubs, bike maintenance tips, volunteering opportunities, and Watford’s future cycling plans! Including Spokes who will have a stand.
Meet partners like Beryl Bikes, Breeze Ride, and Watford Velo – plus learn how to build confidence or simply explore cycling in our community.
Hertfordshire County Council have asked Peter Jackson for an updated quote on the safety improvements completed last year to the Watford High Street/Water Lane junction
Sadly Peter was unable to agree their 100% positive suggestion due to remaining issues. 90% of drivers still fail to stop or look right at the stop lane when turning into High Street from Water Lane and the beneficial wands segregating the cycle lane in the High Street Water Lane to Ring Road section have been removed
Peter offered the following amended version:
“The realignment has greatly improved visibility, allowing people driving and cycling to see each other sooner, and we’ve noticed slower vehicle speeds and more considerate behaviour, such as cars stopping for pedestrians. However, 90% of drivers still do not stop or look right at the Stop Line and the beneficial wands segregating the High St Cycle Lane Water Lane to the ring road section, have been removed. Overall, it’s a good step forward given the space available.”
Did you know that there is a cycle path between Thomas Sawyer Way to the Ebury Way?
Most of this cycle route was established a long time ago and some of it is still signed but the signage is not consistent. And, crucially, where the path leaves the paved Colnebank Drive there is no sign.
Spokes have asked Watford Council to install a sign identifying the existing cycling route from the new flats on Colnebank Drive. This would make the Ebury Way more accessible and promote this useful link to Thomas Sawyer Way and Watford General Hospital.
The picture shows the sign at the Ebury Way end of the link but there is no sign when coming the other way!
After over 25 years in Watford, the last day Cycles UK St Alban’s road will trade is this Saturday 12th July 2025
Cycling trip in Riccione, a picturesque Italian seaside resort 6 miles south of Rimini which is easily reached by a flat bike ride or by electric train. The hotel is close to seafront with miles of promenade and a wide selection of shops, bars, and ice-cream parlours
Rimini old town has many sights including the Arch of Augustus from 27 BC, and Tiberius Bridge
This is the third cycling trip that is being organised by Spokes in 2025 but is the earliest one in the year to take place
The Watford Green Loop is now open and being used by walkers, cyclists and other wheelers
Spokes conceived the idea of a circular cycling route around Watford using roads and tracks in 2019. Watford Borough Council adopted, and improved the idea including widening a shared use paths in Cassiobury Park
Two separate sets of signage have been provided. The totem signs being used on the off road (Green) areas. On the roads the conventional blue signs indicate the route
Now the Green Loop is established we hope it will enable successful bids for improving the cycling infrastructure on the more difficult parts of the Green Loop
Booking for the four day, three night cycling holiday in the Black Country opens today
The trip gives an opportunity to explore the area using canals and old railway paths and well as enjoying the architecture and culture
This is one of three holidays we hope to arrange in 2025, look out for the others!
Watford Borough Council (WBC) have announced that Watford Green Loop will be officially opened by the Mayor on Monday 17th November
Spokes conceived the idea of a circular cycling route around Watford in 2019 using quiet roads and existing off-road tracks. WBC adopted, and improved, the idea including widening a shared use path in Cassiobury Park
The 6.5 mile route ranges from the bustling Watford Junction railway station to tranquil Cassiobury Park and connects key locations, serene open spaces and valued heritage sites, using the popular National Cycle Route 6, Ebury Way and a joined up network of cycle paths. Signage for the route is currently being installed and will be complete in the next few weeks
The launch will be celebrated with Spokes leading rides around the route. Watch out for further details and visit the WBC website to download a leaflet, see a map of the route and link to a Spokes designed gps route that you can download
On or before 21 August Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) contractors closed the shared use path between Oxhey Activity Park and the Retail Park with barriers each side of the Railway Viaduct. Signage from the Activity Park for Pedestrians led them on to Dalton Way to walk in the road with their back to the traffic. From the High Street the sign at the Railway Viaduct simply directed Pedestrians back the way they had come
This very dangerous situation remained for at least two weeks, after which barriers were erected to provide protection for pedestrians walking along Dalton Way. Spokes have informed Watford Borough Council (WBC) of our concern that this danger was created and remained a danger for so long. WBC have passed our concerns on to HCC
We have since received an update that the emergency works have been permitted by HCC and are likely to continue until late October
Innovative smart sensor technology is being tested on Solihull’s A34 Stratford Road in a bid to make busy crossings safer for cyclists and pedestrians
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), and Solihull Council have installed the ground-breaking technology at a toucan crossing near Blythe Valley. Sensors, developed by VivaCity, detect cyclists 20-30 meters away from the crossing compared to standard technology and enable the traffic signals to go green quicker, giving cyclists a smoother, uninterrupted journey on their bikes
The sensors use intelligent video analytics and advanced algorithms to accurately and anonymously classify users and avoid false detections, which could otherwise disrupt traffic flow. This not only improves safety but also encourages more people to consider cycling as a convenient and stress-free option for their daily journeys
This pilot marks the first use of such sensors for this purpose in the region, and it is expected to serve as a model for future projects aimed at reducing vehicle dependency and improving the quality of life for all road users in the West Midlands