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With summer just around the corner and the sun showing its face early this year, the time to get our bucket and spades out and eat lots of bbq chicken is fast approaching :-)

I think it’s fair to assume folk all around the UK are already preparing excuses to escape into the wild and spend some quality time with that distant relative we get to see once or twice a year.. I’m of course talking about our temperamental sunny weather!

If you’re getting a tad too old for the bucket and spade then you might have considered taking up cycling this year. This summer promises to be a breakthrough for the cycling bandwagon and we will see an introduction of various campaigns aimed at encouraging people around the UK to jump on their bikes.

The Times Cycle Safe campaign in particular seems to have really galvanised the need to ensure UK roads are more cycle friendly in the near future with discussions surrounding safety for cyclists generating a lot of healthy debate. With soon to launch campaigns such as ‘Summer of Cycling’ the hope is for attention to now switch from safety issues, to the joys and benefits of cycling.

23 cycle organisations in total will be joining forces to promote cycling under a new unified banner ‘Summer of Cycling’ with the official website launching tomorrow.

Organisations such as British Cycling, CTC, Sustrans, London Cycling Campaign, Cycling Scotland, the Bicycle Association, Bike Week, Transport for London, the Association of Cycle Traders, Halfords, the Tour of Britain and Cyclenation will be promoting cycling to any and all organisations, businesses, clubs, magazines and individuals around the UK.

Looking to single-handedly spearhead the cycling movement (while fulfilling my 4 month late new years resolution), I whipped my bike out from the shed and headed over to a gym for an early morning work-out before work.

Upon arrival.. breathing quite heavily I might add, I couldn’t help but notice there was no accommodation available for parking my bike, I had expected at the very least some standard Cycle Racks, so I proceeded to chain my bicycle to a lamppost nearby before making way towards the entrance.

So.. while pushing my lil ticker to the limit on the treadmill, I couldn’t help but feel a little let down at the fact this reputable gym with a global brand, hadn’t bothered or been considerate enough to provide adequate cycle parking options on site, when it’s sole purpose was to provide and promote a healthy lifestyle.

After my hard, strenuous workout routine (mostly watching the news), I had a shower and got ready for work, making haste towards to the exit in the hope my bike hadn’t attracted any undesirable attention outside.

Before leaving I shamelessly plugged Urban Space Products and our range of Cycle Parking Solutions to the friendly gym staff, one of which, to my surprise, recommended I use the staff bike parking out back next time I visit. Staff bike parking? How did I not notice a staff bike parking facility? I’ll have to check this out for myself!

I grabbed my bike, pedalled around the corner and lo and behold, there it was.. the “staff bike parking”

(Photo of DIY bike parking taken outside local gym)

My first thought, if this no frills approach to parking your bike demonstrates how much they care about staff bikes, what sort of impression does that leave for general customers like me?

This area was near to a car park and accessible to all and without any form of security or surveillance; it wouldn’t need an expert to dismantle scaffolding such as this if intent was there, or simply lifting this structure elsewhere.

Not to mention, this isn’t exactly the most visually appealing solution, Cycle Shelters & Bike Racks are designed and manufactured in accordance with strict guidelines and structural calculations, manufactured using galvanised and powder coated steel and can withstand the daily rigours of modern life for many years to come.

Maybe I’m just biased, but it certainly doesn’t provide for a positive first impression, or even lasting impression. The availability of efficient bike parking could do wonders for the promotion of cycling while helping to reduce harmful emissions from the reduction in car journeys.

But I guess they did at the least make some sort of an effort to allow for parking my bike, and it was quite amusing turning to the corner to see this monstrosity!

The Summer of Cycling website launches this coming Thursday, for more information you can check out the facebook page @: http://www.facebook.com/summerofcycling

Each year the UK alone generates over 80 million tonnes of waste, for which only a small amount is bought and sold on to manufacturers to make new products. The rest either goes to landfill or is exported to China, both of which are bad for the environment and bad for the economy in the UK.

At Urban Space Products we are committed to changing this process by reducing the need for conventional waste disposal. We believe the government should actively discourage the export of waste to China and help local authorities and businesses to find ways of reducing landfill in the UK.

Our new range of Recycled Seating & Tables are manufactured using 100% recycled plastics, but more importantly can provide a more sustainable, wear resistant alternative to standard timber furniture without comprimise for appearance or general comfort. The raw materials for our products are sourced from industrial waste from a diverse range of organisations in the public and private sectors.

Throughout history wood has typically been the primary material used in the making of street furniture, the long-term benefits of utilising our eco-friendly materials could see a reduction in the clearing or consumption of rainforests and raw materials, in turn helping to lower greenhouse gasses from air/water pollution in the atmosphere.

Take our latest range of Recycled Decking & Fencing for example, which is maintenance free and splinter proof, providing a more practical, long term solution with a much greater life span than standard wooden decking/fencing could have to offer.

10 reasons why Recycled Street Furniture is more practical and cost effective than timber:

• Extremely hard wearing & durable (lasts at least 5 times longer than timber)
• Resistant to weather conditions
• UV resistant
• Solid profiles (chip, crack and splinter proof, vandal resistant)
• Rot and algae-proof (Impervious to water - does not rot)
• Insect-resistant
• No surface treatment or staining required - low maintenance, easy to clean
• Versatile fabrication & assembly (can be nailed, screwed and sawn like wood)
• Consistent quality - no knots, splits or shakes
• Can be recycled again and again…

The future for recycled furniture is indeed promising and the possibilities are endless, the benefits of choosing recycled products by far exceed the need for wooden furniture. To find out more, or for a full price list, please click the link below or contact our sales team on: 0845 0177 622

http://www.urbanspaceproducts.co.uk/products/recycled-street-furniture/default.phuse

Outdoor storage for prams and pushchairs are fast becoming a “must have” for children centres and nurseries around the UK.

Managing the intake of prams on a daily basis can be a huge headache for staff, with indoor space being occupied by huge numbers of buggies, often resulting in cases of theft or parents mistakenly running off with the wrong buggy!

You may have even been forced to invest in surveillance systems to monitor the status of belongings, while constantly cleaning up the tyre tracks leftover on a miserable rainy day.

Pram Shelters can offer safe, secure & attractive means of storing away buggy’s without the additional hassle of having to constantly monitor and maintain clutter within busy, limited spaces. Our range of outdoor buggy parks can provide a practical, cost effective alternative, immediately eradicating the typical problems that arise as a result of indoor buggy parking.

Choosing the right Buggy Storage solution is essential, and luckily there are a variety of products to choose from; such as Pram Shelters, Pram Lockers & Secure Buggy Storage (with lockable doors). Whether it be a particular tight space you have to work with, or budget problems following government cuts you would be surprised how flexible our buggy parking solutions can be.

So what will you need to know in order make the right choice?

1. How many prams in total will need to be stored away?
2. How long are your buggies likely to remain in the shelter on any given basis?
3. Will prams need to be secure with limited/managed access?
4. Do you have a particular area in mind for where the pram shelter will be located?
5. How much space will be available on site for a shelter?
6. What colour would you like your shelter to be?

Buggy Storage offers not only a boost for staff morale, but also provides a welcoming, caring impression for first time visitors. Parents can effectively store away their pushchair and continue on with their day without any unnecessary aggravation.

5 reasons why pram shelters are essential:

• Allow parents to store push chairs without worrying about security or length of stay.

• Dry and convenient means of storing away prams, toys and other personal items.

• Secure locking systems including lockable doors for those areas where security may be of concern.

• Prevent parents from having to make dual trips dropping off their buggy at home before heading to work.

• No unnecessary clutter around the entrance, allowing for a clean, professional first impression, while reducing risk of injury by removing trip hazards.

Liverpool City Council is among the local authorities throughout the UK being asked to adopt a cycling manifesto, first flagged up by The Times newspaper, to make cities safer for bike riders, with a cycling Tsar to ensure the policy is a runner.

Nearly 80 MP’s, including three ministers, attended a packed Westminster Hall in February to lend their support to The Times ‘Cycle Safe’ campaign, praising the newspaper for its eight-point manifesto designed to transform cycling in Britain.

The problem, for the most part, a simple cycle journey to school or work, or even the local corner shop is a potential life threatening situation, with cyclists forced to brush shoulders with heavy traffic on narrow cycle lanes.

Not only does moving from A to B provide an unnecessary danger for two-wheel commuters, but at the mid-point of any cycling journey, travellers are faced with the same dilemma.. Where the hell can I store my bike? Will by bike still be here when I get back?

The answers to those questions rely heavily on local councils ability to identify and install Cycle Storage facilities in public places throughout the country. Lockable Bike Shelters or Compounds can provide cyclists with safe, secure areas to store their bikes for long periods of time, protected from extreme weather conditions and vandalism. Each shelter can be fitted with Cycle Racks, which allow for secure, around the clock storage of bicycles in public places.

But let’s be realistic, with the on-going, never ending financial climate forcing budget cuts throughout the public sector, expecting too much from local authorities will only lead to disappointment, so what else could be done?

Should the private sector do more for the promotion of cycling initiatives?

More people are likely to interact and engage in promotions available at their local supermarket or workplace, than a cycling initiative broadcasted on the news or local newspaper.

So should supermarkets, airports, theme parks and the like, be more responsible for providing cycle storage options on site? If a supermarket for example, is willing to invest in fancy storage facilities for the protection of trolleys, then why are they not as concerned about our valuables?

Okay, cycling home while carrying 6 shopping bags full of groceries wouldn’t be the smartest of ideas, but for some casual shoppers popping out for a quick resupply, providing the option of bike storage could alone significantly reduce carbon emissions.

With petrol currently around six pounds per gallon, more people will be forced to reconsider alternative methods of transport, and with on-going plans and discussions aimed at improving cycle infrastructure on our roads, we could start to see more people jumping on their bikes in the near future.

But if the UK is to truly become a cycle friendly country and, more reputable brands throughout will need to play their part, helping to overcome the obstacles that cyclists face on a daily basis when reaching the mid-point of their journey.

Urban Space Products are experts, in the provision of outdoor bike storage facilities in the UK, click here to find out more.

Here are the 8 points of the cycling manifesto:

1. Lorries entering a city centre should be required by law to fit sensors, audible turning alarms, extra mirrors and safety bars to stop cyclists being thrown under the wheels.

2. The 500 most dangerous road junctions must be identified, redesigned or fitted with priority traffic lights for cyclists and Trixi mirrors that allow lorry drivers to see cyclists on their near-side.

3. A national audit of cycling to find out how many people cycle in Britain and how cyclists are killed or injured should be held to underpin effective cycle safety.

4. Two per cent of the Highways Agency budget should be earmarked for nexts generation cycle routes, providing £100 million a year towards world-class cycling infrastructure. Each year cities should be graded on the quality of cycling provision.

5. The training of cyclists and drivers must improve and cycle safety should become a core part of the driving test.

6. 20mph should become the default speed limit in residential areas where there are no cycle lanes.

7. Businesses should be invited to sponsor cycleways and cycling super-highways, mirroring the Barclays-backed bicycle hire scheme in London.

8. Every city should appoint a cycling commissioner to push home reforms.

Growing numbers of nurseries and schools throughout the UK are beginning to experience improvements in the attitude and performance of their pupils as a result of exploring the possibilities of outdoor learning.

Recent research has shown learning and playing outdoors can significantly help children to learn more effectively, develop their social skills and overall provide a more positive environment for children to focus.

With on-going changes in urban and rural landscapes limiting opportunities to go outside and play, school grounds can provide the only opportunity for some children to play and engage in a meaningful way outdoors.

We design and manufacture a wide range of street furniture, shelters and canopies for children centres and schools throughout the UK, which enable children to learn and play outdoors while providing protection from the suns harmful rays, or undesirable weather conditions.

From Recycled Seating & Picnic Tables, Cycle Shelters & Lockers, Outdoor Classroom/Playground Shelters and Entrance Canopies, we have the products and experience to ensure schools can provide an inspiring environment for children to connect with nature and take a proactive role towards learning.

Going back way back when, if I was given the option as a young child to study indoors or outdoors, I know for sure which line I would be standing in, that long line… queuing up to head outside, breaking away from the everyday, typical routine of studying indoors all year round.

Not everyone enjoys being tied up in the same constrained walls day in, day out - so could studying outdoors improve not only the general mind-set of children, but also learning outcomes in the long term?

Check the following links to see a roundup of the services we provide to schools throughout the UK:

• Nurseries & Children Centres
• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools
• Higher Education

The future for cycling in the UK is looking promising, in the last month we have seen a flurry of activity and discussions aimed at raising and promoting awareness for cycle safety.

Since the ‘Cites fit for cycling’ campaign in The Times won cross-party support, the #cyclesafe movement seems to have gathered considerable pace. The Prime Minister pledged his support last month and Labour has backed calls to spend Highway Agency funds to build cycling infrastructure in the UK.

But Mike Penning, the Road Safety Minister, said he was wary of calls to switch money from a national roads budget to cycling, which is usually done on local authority roads. “We are already giving £1.8 billion to local councils over four years for transport improvements, including measures for cyclists, as well as providing £560 million to support local authorities specifically to use sustainable transport to create growth and cut carbon,” he said.

Since the campaign began, thousands of people have written pledges of support, which prompted cycle safety to take centre stage in parliament last Thursday. 77 MP’s where in attendance to discuss bike safety and the ‘joy of cycling’ in a 3-hour debate.

Furthermore, this afternoon saw the Labour Party holding a cycle strategy summit in Westminster to discuss ways of promoting increased safety for cyclists on our roads, with former head of Cycling England Philip Darnton calling for long-term, consistent, cross-party and cross-government approach to boost cycling.

But with over 115,000 bikes worth a whopping £80 million stolen in the UK each year, security is a huge concern for commuters that should be addressed sooner rather than later. 

At Urban Space Products we design and manufacture a range of bike storage solutions bespoke to each individual requirement, including Cycle Shelters, Cycle Compounds and Cycle Lockers allowing for ‘around the clock’ storage of bicycles in public places.

The availability of bike storage on-site can provide a boost in the promotion of cycling to work/school as a realistic option and on a regular basis. Whilst providing staff/pupils with the opportunity to secure their bikes in an area protected from weather conditions and/or theft.

If a boost to cycling infrastructure on our roads does start to gather some much needed momentum, then we hope to play our part in providing innovate, cost effective bike security solutions to establishments throughout the UK.

So often in the past we bare witness as a member of government looks into a camera with a gleaming smile on their face, reassuringly reminding us “Children are the future of our planet”.

That’s all fine and dandy, but even more frequently we see our schools and children centres all around the UK being shut down, funding slashed and schools left with no option but to stand still and maintain outdated teaching methods.

A recent study has shown the attention span of children in modern society is in steady decline as a direct result of the on-going usage of modern technology. Children spending lots of time indoors using computers or watching television are more likely to show a lack of interest in school subjects than those who remain active.

In response, teachers made an effort to shake up traditional methods and make learning more engaging with activities such as problem solving and team building exercises. This came under heavy scrutiny from not only the Prince of Wales but in the more recent flagship Coalition policies designed to enforce schools into back-to-basic methods.

Not everyone will agree with these new policies/methods and most notably the All-Party Parliament Group of Education recently stated that an over reliance on traditional methods risked undermining pupils education. In my eyes this simply highlights our government’s inability to grasp the importance of providing a modern, inspiring learning environment for our children.

Our range of School Shelters & Canopies such as Outdoor Classrooms, Shade Play & Playground Shelters can provide schools with an instant extension on premises, freeing up space indoors and allowing for outdoor learning regardless of weather conditions.

Learning and playing outdoors can significantly help children to learn more effectively, develop their social skills and overall provide a more positive, fresh environment for children to focus. And with the rising number of pupils in the UK set to heap pressure on school places over the next decade, there has never been a better time to consider what outdoor learning has to offer in the long-term.

At Urban Space Products we design, manufacture and install bespoke shelters and structures for schools that provide an inspiring, outdoor learning environment without having to make drastic changes to traditional teaching methods… or risk further upsetting the Prince of Wales!

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/primary-school-classes-could-be-taught-in-sheds-7216670.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/birth-rate-puts-pressure-on-primary-schools-6293901.html

The government would like us to jump on our bikes and travel to work but are they providing enough incentive to do so? Since the introduction of the Cycle to Work scheme in 1999 have you personally noticed any changes in your local area to encourage or accommodate cyclists?

There are many reasons and benefits to cycling, healthier living, reduced travel costs and lower carbon emissions to name a few. So why is it just 3% of the UK’s population cycle to work?  With well over 50 million calories burned by cycling yesterday alone, the idea is something certainly worth stopping for a moment to think about.

Let’s take a look at Holland, a country with a population of 15 million people and 12 million bicycles. Almost every living person in Holland rides a bicycle whether it be work or pleasure this is an incredible achievement, so how did they do it?

Simple, they set out a plan of action, building a network of separate bike paths specifically constructed for cyclists in rural and urban areas. These pathways stretch into each of the 14 provinces and were aided by a simple a campaign “Everybody on the bicycle”.

And this was done and implemented over a century ago… Hundred years later and the incredible advances in technology and urban planning should surely suggest we could adopt a similar approach in a fraction of the time.

The cycle safety debate in parliament on Thursday helped to raise key issues we are facing, so here’s hoping MPs start to take this scheme more seriously in the near future. The long-term benefits of improving cycle infrastructure in the UK are there for everyone to see.

If authorities want us to seriously consider adopting a new way of life, then at the very least they need to make more of an effort to provide us with means to do so.

To see a roundup of Thursdays parliamentary debate on cycle & safety, check out the link below:

http://www.goinggoingbike.com/blog/cycle-safety-takes-centre-stage-in-parliamentary-debate/

The Education Secretary Michael Gove seems to have made it his mission to indict architects for the collapse of the £55bn Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

Have you, like many of our clients, lost work through government cuts? As sub-contractors for a number of architects, the closure of the BSF has had a massive effect on the way we work. We’ve been working closely with architects, designers and our contractors to come up with new, budget ideas for education centres.

Creating items that are both sound for their purpose and provide best value is no easy task. It takes effort, innovation - and expertise.

This is why Gove’s recent attacks on the role of design and architects in the building of new schools is so ill-founded.

• Gove last year criticising architects for supposedly “creaming off” the BSF.

• He has mockingly stated at a recent free schools conference that “we won’t be getting any award-winning architects” to design the schools, “because no-one in this room is here to make architects richer.”

• He has misrepresented architects’ fees in parliament, and argued that the fees paid to architects should go into classroom resources.

Like architects, Urban Space knows this is the wrong way to think about school planning.

• A school’s design dictates whether it is practical and suitable for teaching - and learning.

• A well thought-out space, that is bright and inspiring, makes pupils and staff feel cared for, and inspired.

• Outdoor grounds that are designed for outdoor teaching, as well as healthy living, makes a big difference to the well being of students.

Do school grounds matter? It’s been proven they do. Outdoor initiatives, that use a school’s grounds as an extension of the classroom, have been proven to improve teaching standards.

Where outdoor learning is used, it has proved successful and popular, and when used in collaboration with beautifully designed school and academy buildings, the results are even better.

Despite the cuts, Urban Space Products are working with leading architects to achieve what our schools deserve.  Call us if you require more advice, or alternatively give us your thoughts below.

We at Urban Space like the way transport infrastructure is going.

Not just because we have a wonderful range of cycle storage systems on offer, of course - but because city planners now see the importance of greener inner-city travel. This would include:

• Public transport such as buses, trains and metro systems
• Proper provision for cyclists throughout the city
• Linking all these together for efficient, flexible travel

USP plays a role in all this by providing bespoke solutions for local authorities that allow cyclists to lock up their bikes securely, and hop onto other transport links around the city.

If this sounds like the sort of thing you’re after, give us a call! Because as well priding ourselves on providing the best bespoke solution for each client and site, we are passionate about jobs that make the USP motto ring true: “Urban Space Products - making public spaces into better places.”

Successful transport infrastructure is going to play a big part in the development of Ecocities – sustainable, low-emission urban areas that are both eco-friendly and efficient.

But why cycling?

Well, more than being a token act towards reducing your carbon footprint, cycling really is the best way to get around the city. Data collected in Lyon, France in 2010 showed that, on average, city journeys by bicycle were quicker than by car!

Cycling’s new popularity (in London, by the way, the number of cycle journey’s has increased by 107% since 2000) requires thoughtful young companies like Urban Space to provide the right adequate, secure storage facilities.

More and more we are being asked to provide racks and shelters for train and metro stations, bus terminals and pedestrianised city centres.

We’re always looking for new ideas and new ways to help local authorities improve urban transport, and the fact that such change is happening now is encouraging us in what we do.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/12/urban-cycling-faster-than-driving.php

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8068016.stm