#Brum

I’m interested in creating a map similar to ones that are made in the US which pinpoints potential hazards for cyclists. So far this Birmingham Cyclist Map has marked cycle journeys and will add any potential hazards I spot with a pink pin. I will also be adding any road information about potholes from Fix My Street.

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Popularity: 14% [?]

I’m investigating how safe Birmingham is for cyclists. Part of this involves mapping the city, using data to locate fatal collisions but also encouraging other bike riders to record near misses and smaller safety concerns.

I’ve also been tracking my own cycle journeys recording my hazards. Because of the winter weather, I had to ride an old bicycle which I’ve christened ’snow bike’ Read the rest of this entry »

Popularity: 14% [?]

I decided it was about time to get out there and start tracking my own cycle routes. On the map below you can see my latest track. Click on the Recent Tracks tab and you can scroll through all my journeys as I wheel about, gathering cycle interviews and other usual daily Hashbrum business. The Play button on this widget is the most fun.

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Popularity: 23% [?]

I’ve been running this investigation since November so to save you reading through the comments section and Help Me Investigate page here’s an update.

Mapping Birmingham
A local news search of fatality locations has only been successful on recent accidents so I’ve sent off another Freedom Of Information request.

Data released by the government recorded UK wide accidents involving pedal cycles. I’ve converted from OSGR grid references to Long/Lat readings but so far I’ve not found a way of putting such a large amount of data (16,000 per year) onto a map. If you know a map site that can handle this (Dave Harte pointed out that Times Online have managed it) then please comment below. I’m also interested in just pulling pinpoints for just Birmingham.

I’ve added the terrible accident which took place before Christmas and the accident that took place on New Year’s Day and with your help we can keep this map up-to-date. However, I want to highlight dangerous areas that a cyclist should be aware rather than just a crash map.

Encouragingly, similar investigations are taking place in both New York and Cardiff but I don’t want this investigation to end with this map.

Pedalling Some More
I want to go further than just stats. Over the next few weeks I will be filming my own cycle exploits and finding out what cycling Birmingham is like by talking to other cyclists and organisations. If you have anything to add about cycling in Birmingham then please comment or contact.

Popularity: 22% [?]

On November 11th every year, a group of people meet, and ride on the number 11 bus in Birmingham. It’s the circular route, and the man behind the project, Jon Bounds, claims its a great introduction to the “real city”.

Hashbrum reporter Caroline Beavon caught up with Jon at the start of today’s journey:

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Popularity: 46% [?]

Since summer I’ve cycled as often as I can around Birmingham. I genuinely love it, but a few close scrapes have led me to looking into how safe Birmingham is for bicyclists.

I recently requested statistics for fatal road accidents involving bikes over the last three years in the West Midlands. I need you to find any newspapers online or access any record statistics you can find that match up with those listed below.

When you find a matching collision, can you either post the link in the comments box below, or pinpoint the crash on the Birmingham Cyclist Map.

Add pinpoints or view Birmingham Cyclist Map in a larger map

Serious Road Collisions
1. Oct 2006 310 Cyclist entering Road from Pavement age 32
2. Nov 2006 310 Cyclist entering Road from Pavement age 71
3. Mar 2007 405 Driver/Rider failed to look properly age 59
4. Apr 2007 302 Driver/Rider disobeyed give way or stop sign age 14
5. Feb 2009 602 Driver/Rider careless or in a hurry age 81
6. Apr 2009 309 Driver rider travelling along pavement age 42
7. June 2009 310 Cyclist entering road from pavement age 13 (Found)
8. Sept 2009 310 Cyclist entering road from pavement age 15 (Found)
9. 11 Dec 2009 Driver/Ride failed to look properly? age 63 (Found)
10. 31 Dec 2009 Cyclist 79. Collision with Silver Rover car 10am. (Found) (’serious condition’)

If you have more crashes or danger spots to add please put them on the map or put a link in the comment section below. If you want to report a collision you’ve been involved with, want to report it and get legal advice click on the SMIDSY (Sorry Mate I Didn’t See You) logo.

Thanks to all of you who have contributed to this feature so far check out the progress report here.

Popularity: 51% [?]

Steve Beauchampe takes us into the heart and soul of Moseley Road Baths, tells its history, and shows how important and valuable a building can be.

Visit friendsofmrb.co.uk for more details.

http://www.vimeo.com/7463252

Popularity: 33% [?]

A brand new, £12.5m swimming pool is to replace Harborne’s ageing baths.
Birmingham City Council announced that a two-storey leisure centre would be built on the site of the old pool, which was opened in 1923.
The council says it will start building the new facility in February or March next year and aims to complete it by ‘late 2011′. It will include:

Harborne Pool, opened in 1923.

• a 25m pool;
• a learner pool;
• an adult fitness suite;
• a junior gym;
• a dance aerobics studio.

The council believes Harborne’s 23m pool is ‘in danger of closure’ and there is a clear need for a new facility in the west of the city.

Councillor Martin Mullaney, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: “I recognise our swimming pool strategy is extremely ambitious and we don’t just want to talk about a strategy, we want to deliver for the people of this city. This is a significant stage in delivery of the strategy.”

Hashbrum reporter, Andrew Brightwell, has written a report on Harborne Pool.

This map shows all of the local authority swimming pools in Birmingham. While the pool is closed, residents in Harborne, or those living to the west of the city centre, will face long journeys for a swim.
View Swimming pools in Birmingham in a larger map

Do you have any memories of Harborne pool or opinions about the council’s plan? Please tell us what you think.

Popularity: 47% [?]

At the Memories and Memorabilia Day for Moseley Road Baths, Andrew Brightwell spoke to organiser Rachel Gillies about the campaign to save the endangered Edwardian pools and her hopes for the future of the famous landmark.

Rachel, who is the secretary of the Friends of Moseley Roads Baths, believes the council should step in to save the famous and very rare baths. Guest of honour at the Memorabilia Day, historian Simon Inglis, also made a heartfelt plea for the baths to be saved and to be kept as the only pre-Second World War, Grade II-star-listed swimming baths in use.

What is the ‘Memories and Memorabilia day all about?

What is wrong with the baths at the moment?

What does the future hold?

Are these the right plans for Moseley Road? Should the council stump up the cash to save the baths? Please tell us what you think.

Popularity: 41% [?]

http://www.vimeo.com/7399243

Historian Simon Inglis has told Birmingham City Council it must act to save the historic Moseley Road Baths or risk losing a landmark of international significance.

Speaking at the Memories and Memorabilia event, organised by the Friends of Moseley Road Baths, the author laid out the case for preserving the Edwardian building, which has fallen into disrepair and now has only one of its two pools in use.

At a talk at the Methodist Church opposite the baths, he said: “There are only six pre Second World War baths that are Grade II-star listed, and Moseley Road is the only one that is still in use. It is no exaggeration to say that the building over the road is of enormous importance internationally.”

He explained that, due to its intact fittings, splendid architecture and remarkably preserved pools, it served as a unique example of how public baths had transformed health and hygiene in Victorian and Edwardian Britain. Since the UK had led the way in the development of modern swimming pools, Moseley Road was not just significant here, but in the rest of the world.

Designed by William Hale and opened in 1907, it has been the subject of huge debate since its main (Gala) pool was closed in 2003. While the Friends hope the Gala pool can be refurbished at a cost between £3million and £4million, Birmingham City Council is struggling with a funding black hole of £2.2billion and is yet to announce its plans for the baths.

The writer, born opposite Sparkhill pool, said it was time city planners took note of local feeling by doing everything they could to save the Moseley Road Baths and warned that handing it over to a not-for-profit trust – as the council is considering – might not be enough to save the facility. “It doesn’t free the local authority from bringing it up to scratch,” he said, adding that the full figure for its complete restoration could be in the region of £20million.

Pictures and video, including a tour of the baths and an interview with Simon Inglis, to follow shortly.

Popularity: 40% [?]