Astucia helps Bristol to top the "Bike Friendly Cities" list

Astucia SolarLite road studs are making a lasting impression on a number of cycle paths around Bristol City, which has recently been named the UK's most bike-friendly big city.

A total of over 500 of the Astucia SolarLite studs, which studs contain an integral LED, are being used to improve night time visibility for cyclists on four routes around the city including on the Whitchurch Railway path.

Bristol has put great effort into developing its cycle path network after being denoted the UK’s first Cycling City in June 2008. The status was awarded jointly to the two councils in Greater Bristol - Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council with the aim to double the numbers of regular cyclists in a number of areas within Greater Bristol. Their efforts have now been rewarded with the bike friendly award which is the result of a study by Cycling Plus magazine.

The study took the country's 20 biggest cities and towns by population – thus excluding traditional bike centres such as Cambridge and York – and ranked them using a series of factors including cycle commuter numbers, levels of bike theft, the number of traffic-free bike lanes, casualties, pollution and even rainfall.

The installation of Astucia SolarLite studs is a key part of the Cycling City project; being used to improve visibility and safety when cycling on the paths at night. The “intelligent” studs are solar powered can increase the view for up to a kilometer ahead. This gives significantly increased awareness of the terrain and potential hazards including sharp bends, gateways, junctions with roads and numerous other hazards that occur on both urban and rural cycle paths.

One of the first sections to receive an installation of Astucia studs in 2009 was a section of the new Northern Link route, from St Werburghs to Muller Road this was also as part of a host of green features including fruit trees and a mini park.

At the time of installation Councillor Jon Rogers, the then Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability, said: “I was particularly keen to see this path meet the needs of local people and I think Cycling City has got the balance right. Path width and lighting were seen as sensitive issues for some residents. So we looked at a way of making the path safe and useable but without the glaring nuisance lighting. The use of the green space is also very creative and we hope the community feel that the fits well with the local spirit.”

Jean-Christophe Vangenot, Business Development Manager for Astucia commented “It is great news that the Astucia SolarLite studs are providing increased visibility for cyclists around Bristol. We are delighted that Bristol City has received further recognition for the work they have been undertaking to improve routes for cyclists in the area, and we are proud to also be involved in the project.”