Oxford Cycle Workshop's March Cyclist's Newsletter

Familiarity can be a dangerous thing sometimes, and that's no more or
less true in Oxford. The snow that fell since our last newsletter is a
good example of how a slight change to something very familiar can
completely change your perspective and appreciation of home. It's
easy to settle into an expectation of your neighbourhood
surroundings, and find comfort in the knowledge that they are
perfectly acceptable and have no need to change.

February was a month when the exciting news that the Beechcroft Road
project had received funding to transform a neighbourhood rat run into
a space where cars would feel like guests as they tip toed through an
Oxford community reached our attention. Some of you may be familiar
with the antics of Ted Dewan the 'Road witch' and his long running
off the wall approach to making drivers reconsider their attitude
when driving past his home. Those who are not can find all the images
they need to fill in the blanks at http://www.roadwitch.org.uk
. All Ted's hard work has paid off and this offer of funding will
allow the residents of Beechcroft Road to mirror community road lay
outs that have been perfected by the Danish in Copenhagen. At the
heart of the Danish projects have been considering the space the road
and pavement occupies as community space, allowing picnic tables, bike
racks, trees and flower beds to spill out across the entire space,
only just allowing enough room for cars to sneak through. The aim is
that with the mind set of drivers changed and cars traveling more
slowly, kids can have the freedom to play safely in their front yard
and pedestrians can enjoy passing through the neighbourhood. People
like Ted are important people to have in this world. Sometimes making
the world a better place requires stepping outside your comfort zone
and thinking outside the box to put a different perspective on the
space we all have around us. We look forward to seeing how this
project develops, and whether it is successful in creating community
through creating community space. . Other links:
www.livingstreets.org.uk

The other way in which familiarity can be dangerous is if you take
something for granted so much that you forget how important it is. On
Saturday there will be a protest bike ride from Broad Street at 12.45
to show support for the campaign to save Radley Lakes. Having local
green space is a hidden social resource that is easily under rated. I
know a vital part of my growing up was having places to explore and
learn through the freedom that access to common land gives you. If
the mild weather we are enjoying continues Saturday should be a good
day for a comfortably paced group ride. www.saveradleylakes.org.uk
<http://www.saveradelylakes.org.uk>

One thing all of us at Oxford Cycle Workshop have been busy with
this month is making changes to the shop during the quiter months of
our supposed winter, and finalsing our membership package for 2007
has been one of our most important tasks. One of the big new things
that we are very excited about here is the introduction of Members
nights. On these nights members will have access to our workshop
space free from the day to day chaos of shop business. We will be on
hand to help you, and for the first month work stand time will be
charged at just £1 per hour (so email if you would like to book a
stand, it should be popular). The first grand opening evening of
members night will be March 27th, and will continue every Tuesday
between 6.30 and 9 pm. Anyone curious about the other benefits of
membership feel free to email, or call us for details.

Here at OCW we also share a vision for turning Oxford into a model
cycling city in the UK, and we'd like to mention someone we whole
heartedly support again briefly. Another visionary Ted, this time of
Oxford's new pedicab company Oxon Carts. Ted is currently taking
bookings for use of his Rickshaws while he does the hard work of
getting a licence to operate like Oxford's black cabs. He is
available for romantic cruises through our historic streets,
delivering loads and general taxiing so call him on 07747024600 if
you or your load needs a lift, or if you have a novel way to make use
of his bikes.

I think I'd also like to take this opportunity to also proclaim 2007
to be "The Year of the Shopper". We see a lot of shoppers donated to
OCW and continue to welcome them because we believe they are a
flippin good fun ride for Oxford. Reflecting our enthusiasm for the
20 inch wheeled pocket rockets someone has set up a myspace community
called The Shopper Collective at
http://www.myspace.com/theshoppercollective
. So if you're looking for a neat little simple and mainly fun way
to get around Oxford come see us.

Maintenance tip for the month
Next time you prepare to make a journey by bike, before setting out
pick up both wheels one at a time and give them a spin. A slightly
buckled wheel could touch your brake blocks on every rotation, which
could be once every two meters you travel. Saving brake rubber is
always good but knocking a couple of minutes off you commute
too.......... All your wheel should need is a little love with a
spoke key to solve this problem.
This Month's Quote
"The bicycle is just as good company as most husbands and, when it
gets old and shabby, a woman can dispose of it and get a new one
without shocking the entire community." -- Ann Strong, Minneapolis
Tribune, 1895 

Frightfully bad cycling joke of the month
Why was Cinderella so uncompetitive at cycling?
Because she had a pumpkin for a coach

Have a fab month, and happy cycling
Dan,
(on behalf of all of the OCW crew)