CYCLISTS' TOURING CLUB--A CENTURY OF SERVICE TO CYCLING. 1878-1978

Growth of a cycling club in Great Britain from 1878 to 1978 is reviewed. In the 1870's, cyclists were generally unpopular and a national body known as the Bicycle Union was formed to protect their interests. Membership in the subsequently established touring club reached 60,000 persons by 1899. Accomplishments of this club included the publications of route books and maps, the creation of a nationwide network of "consuls" to provide members with information about local road surface conditions, a list of hotels offering meals and accommodations for cyclists, and the erection of over 2000 "danger" or "caution" signs at the top of steep hills. The club later became more involved in road safety and road construction, and succeeded in having a number of London parks opened to cyclists. A touring information bureau was set up and group cycling tours were organized at home and abroad. In the early 1900's, interest in cycling declined with the advent of the motor vehicle, but increased after World War II. Club membership later declined in the 1970's due to increased availability of motor vehicles. The club continued to play an active role in safeguarding general interests of cyclists, particularly on matters related to road safety and access to the countryside. The club was largely responsible for Section 30 of the 1968 Countryside Act, giving bicyclists a legal right to ride on bridleways. In the late 1970's, the focus of the club was on the environment and appropriate energy use.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Published in HS-030 012 (TRRL-SR-540), "Cycling as a Mode of Transport, Symposium Proceedings," England, 1980, pp 2-4. Symposium held at Crowthorne, 25 October 1978.
• Corporate Authors:

  Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)

  Wokingham, Berkshire  United Kingdom 
• Authors:
  • Warner, L
• Publication Date: 1980

Media Info

• Pagination: 3 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Associations; Bikeways; Cyclists; Energy; Environment; Highway safety; Information dissemination; Maps; Parks; Warning signs
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Energy; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00376866
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-030 013
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 30 1983 12:00AM