West Midlands Cycle Hire on High Street, Solihull

Remember Boris Bikes in London (aka Santander Bikes)? Well our Metro Mayor Andy Street has brought them to the West Midlands. West Midlands Cycle Hire has bikes at various points around the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull. I saw some on the Solihull High Street not far from the Masons Arms Public House. Not spotted any in Birmingham yet.

West Midlands Cycle Hire is already available in Coventry, Stourbridge, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and Wolverhampton. The scheme will be coming to Birmingham, Sandwell and Walsall soon. To use it, you need to download the Beryl cycle hire app from the App Store or Google Play. Use the app to unlock the bike. Ride it, later dock it, and lock it.

Use this link for the station map.

In Solihull Town Centre, there is 5 docking points.

1. Station Approach (near Solihull Station)
2. Station Road
3. Lode Lane (near Solihull Hospital)
4. High Street (near the Masons Arms)
5. Malvern & Brueton Park (not far from Park Road)

The only location I was aware of, was at the end of High Street in Solihull. Close to New Road and St Alphege's Church. Solihull Welcomes You! Safer, Stronger Solihull.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Cycle Hire" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WM Cycle Hire Solihull High St (Apr 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This docking point on the High Street is close to The Masons Arms.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Cycle Hire" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WM Cycle Hire Solihull High St (Apr 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

As well as Hunters. Drury Lane to the left, leads to Mell Square.

dndimg alt="West Midlands Cycle Hire" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WM Cycle Hire Solihull High St (Apr 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

Pop up cycle lanes in the Jewellery Quarter

A couple of pop up cycle lanes have been installed in the Jewellery Quarter. One on Newhall Hill, from Sandpits to Frederick Street (no bollards). The other on Legge Lane and Graham Street towards Newhall Street. Whether cyclists will use them, I don't know. Was at least one van parked in the lane on Newhall Hill. And one cyclist on Graham Street didn't even use it.

Newhall Hill

From the bottom of Newhall Hill towards Sandpits. The Council has placed red and white barriers, closing it off to motorists. So only cyclists and pedestrians can pass through.

dndimg alt="Newhall Hill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pop cycle lane Newhall Hill (Oct 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Just before here, saw a white van parked on the cycle lane, but the Council hasn't installed bollards up here (yet).

dndimg alt="Newhall Hill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pop cycle lane Newhall Hill (Oct 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Newhall Hill junction with Legge Lane and Graham Street. Near The Argent Centre (under scaffolding), and the Victoria Works of Joseph Gillott. Pens were historically made around here (or pen nibs).

dndimg alt="Newhall Hill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pop cycle lane Newhall Hill (Oct 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Legge Lane / Graham Street

Onto Graham Street, opposite the Victoria Works, I spotted these red and white bollards. Although was originally thinking of walking up Frederick Street towards the site of the clock. Instead I headed down Graham Street towards Newhall Street.

dndimg alt="Graham Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pop up cycle lane Graham St (Oct 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Looking back towards Legge Lane from Graham Street. The temporary sign says that there is no access to Sandpits except for cycles. But there is still some cars around here.

dndimg alt="Graham Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pop up cycle lane Graham St (Oct 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A bit further down Graham Street, and there was a raised platform for the bus stop about halfway down the road.

dndimg alt="Graham Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pop up cycle lane Graham St (Oct 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Graham Street curves into Newhall Street where the pop up cycle lane ends just past the red post box.

dndimg alt="Graham Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Pop up cycle lane Graham St (Oct 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

See also the pop up cycle lane on Bradford Street and Old Camp Hill in Digbeth / Bordesley.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown.

New cycle lane on Bradford Street in Digbeth

As of September 2020, there is a new cycle lane in Digbeth on Bradford Street. There is also a section on Old Camp Hill and Trinity Terrace near Holy Trinity Church. Double yellow lines and bollards in place to hopefully stop cars parking. But there is car parking spaces on the other side of the road.

From the bus heading in and out of Digbeth, I've spotted new cycle lanes with red and white bollards. They have also painted white lines on the road. Double yellow lines to hopefully stop car drivers parking their cars in the way of the cyclists. Who would then have to ride into on coming traffic.

The main route goes down Bradford Street towards Moat Lane. There is another section that leaves Camp Hill at Old Camp Hill, then goes down Trinity Terrace (near the former Holy Trinity Church).

View 1: after getting off the no 50 bus, saw the demolition site opposite, where Kingfield Heath used to be.

dndimg alt="Bradford Street Digbeth" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cycle lane Bradford St Digbeth (Sept 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View 2: A bit further down, St Modwen Homes have taken over the St Anne's Court site which had been stalled for a few years. Fabrick Square was completed a few years ago.

dndimg alt="Bradford Street Digbeth" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cycle lane Bradford St Digbeth (Sept 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View 3: The abandoned S. K. Buildings. Which usually gets tagged and pasted all over. Hopefully this building can be redeveloped into apartments.

dndimg alt="Bradford Street Digbeth" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Cycle lane Bradford St Digbeth (Sept 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

A38 Cycleway on the Bristol Road in Edgbaston

Now that the new cycleway along the A38 in Edgbaston is open, I got some photos from the 1A bus in the Saturday sunshine along the Bristol Road. Between Edgbaston Road and the University of Birmingham. It ends at the Aston Webb Boulevard / Selly Oak Bypass (joining onto the existing painted cyclepath on the pavement).

I keep wanting to get the no 1 bus from Acocks Green, but keep missing it, and since NXWM introduced the 1A, end up getting that towards the University of Birmingham / QEHB instead. Better weather this time than when I last got the 1A up the Bristol Road (previous time raining). On the warm Saturday, took these photos from the bus, as far as the University.

Here the start of the dual carriageway. The blue cycleway joins from the crossing to the right.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The cycleway is closed overnight but open in daylight hours.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Trams used to go down here a very long time ago, at least as far as the Lickey Hills. But for maybe over 50 to 60 years has just been grass and trees down the middle.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Looking good in the summer sunshine but lacking cyclists.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Traffic lights I think close to the Pebble Mill Road junction.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A S bend in the cycleway here.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Curving round towards the University of Birmingham.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Getting close to the University.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The first man on a bike that I saw close to the new University Gym and swimming pool.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A man with a trailer behind his bike, waiting at the lights.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

He is now seen crossing over this junction.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The end of the blue cycleway near the University of Birmingham. Beyond here it is not painted blue, just the pre-existing cyclepath on the pavement on the Selly Oak Bypass / Aston Webb Boulevard.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This lady briefly headed onto the blue cycleway before heading into the University via the South Gate.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

End of the line. As you can see to the left the cyclepath on the bypass pavement is just painted lines, without the blue surface.

dndimg alt="A38 Cycleway Bristol Road Edgbaston" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/A38 Bristol Road Cycleway Edgbaston (14).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The other section of this cycleway goes up the Bristol Road from Edgbaston Road towards the Belgrave Interchange, but I think it switches sides on the pavement. And it may go up Bristol Street. Would be ideal if they built a link between this one and the other one for the A34 towards Perry Barr.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Velo Birmingham at Victoria Square

On the 10th and 11th May 2019, Velo Birmingham & Midlands was at Victoria Square in Birmingham. For cyclists to register for the event, and there was also stands there with information and bikes there too. Velo Birmingham took place on Sunday 12th May 2019. Starting at Birmingham for a 100 mile ride around the Midlands. Including to Coventry and around Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

Over the 10th and 11th May 2019, Velo Birmingham were set up in Victoria Square. So that cyclist could register for the event, pick up their number and get a goody bag! The main event itself was held on Sunday 12th May 2019 around Birmingham & the Midlands. That was effecting road closures and buses would have to be diverted. I wasn't expecting to get out to see the cyclists riding around the city and the West Midlands, but this gathering in Victoria Square will do (I'm not a cyclist, have never ridden a bike, or owned one!).

Riders can ride 100 miles or 42 miles.

A look around Victoria Square. No sooner had the Knife Angel been installed in the square, that they set up the Velo Birmingham event all around! This to the right of the Knife Angel and left of the Queen Victoria statue.

dndimg alt="Velo Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Velo Birmingham Victoria Square (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Help Desk. Insturctions for registering for the event. Was a lot of people around.

dndimg alt="Velo Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Velo Birmingham Victoria Square (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Cycle Republic Mini will be the events crew car.

dndimg alt="Velo Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Velo Birmingham Victoria Square (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Cycle Republic Mini looking towards the Council House.

dndimg alt="Velo Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Velo Birmingham Victoria Square (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Enjoy The Ride! This seen at the bottom of Victoria Square near New Street and the newly opened Nandos.

dndimg alt="Velo Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Velo Birmingham Victoria Square (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Stands including West Midlands Cycle and West Midlands Network.

dndimg alt="Velo Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Velo Birmingham Victoria Square (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

West Midlands Railway were there too!

dndimg alt="Velo Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Velo Birmingham Victoria Square (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Velo Birmingham & Midlands banners seen near the Knife Angel from Chamberlain Square, looking towards Victoria Square House.

dndimg alt="Velo Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Velo Birmingham Victoria Square (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The view from Colmore Row towards the Town Hall.

dndimg alt="Velo Birmingham" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Velo Birmingham Victoria Square (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Good luck to all the riders taking part. (am assuming that this will go up after the Velo Birmingham event has finished).

Photos taken by Elliott Brown

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown (over 1000 followers!).

Sky Ride Birmingham 2012 and 2013

While this event is no longer held in Birmingham, there used to be a Sky Ride event in the city back in 2012 and 2013. In 2012 it was around Edgbaston. In 2013 around Digbeth. Families could ride together along the route wearing a Sky Ride yellow bib! While we haven't had Sky Ride since 2013, a few years later was replaced by Lets Ride Birmingham sponsored by HSBC UK.

Sky Ride Birmingham 2012: Edgbaston

This event was held on Sunday 19th August 2012.

Seen on the Edgbaston Park Road.

dndimg alt="Sky Ride Birmingham 2012" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sky Ride Birmingham 2012 Edgbaston Park Road (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Passing Edgbaston Park at The Vale (University of Birmingham).

dndimg alt="Sky Ride Birmingham 2012" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sky Ride Birmingham 2012 Edgbaston Park Road (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Passing a man with Union Jack balloons, looked like a clown with that wig on!

dndimg alt="Sky Ride Birmingham 2012" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sky Ride Birmingham 2012 Edgbaston Park Road (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the top of Edgbaston Park Road. I think it was bidirectional on this road.

dndimg alt="Sky Ride Birmingham 2012" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sky Ride Birmingham 2012 Edgbaston Park Road (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This bunch was turning from Church Road onto Edgbaston Park Road. Barriers round the corner blocked access to Arthur Road.

dndimg alt="Sky Ride Birmingham 2012" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sky Ride Birmingham 2012 Edgbaston Park Road (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Sky Ride Birmingham 2013: Digbeth

This event was held on Sunday the 13th September 2013. Around Highgate, Digbeth and Eastside.

Seen on Rea Street South in Highgate. Bidirectional on this road. Many side roads were closed at the time.

dndimg alt="Sky Ride Birmingham 2013" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sky Ride Birmingham 2013 Rea Street South Highgate.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen on Moseley Street in Highgate.

dndimg alt="Sky Ride Birmingham 2013" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sky Ride Birmingham 2013 Moseley Street Highgate.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Passing the Custard Factory on High Street Deritend in Digbeth.

dndimg alt="Sky Ride Birmingham 2013" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sky Ride Birmingham 2013 High Street Deritend Digbeth.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This was seen on River Street in Digbeth. Bidirectional on this section of the route.

dndimg alt="Sky Ride Birmingham 2013" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sky Ride Birmingham 2013 River Street Digbeth.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

On Fazeley Street in Digbeth, heading for Eastside. Hotel La Tour is now the Clayton Hotel. Masshouse on the right. Bidirectional here too!

dndimg alt="Sky Ride Birmingham 2013" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sky Ride Birmingham 2013 Fazeley Street Digbeth.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

On New Canal Street in Eastside, between The Woodman pub and Curzon Street Station. The route ended / started near Millennium Point in Eastside City Park.

dndimg alt="Sky Ride Birmingham 2013" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sky Ride Birmingham 2013 Millennium Point Eastside.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

While there has been no more Sky Ride's in Birmingham since 2013, Birmingham has had Velo Birmingham in September 2017. But that is for professional cyclists. The next Velo will be held on Sunday 12th May 2019 throughout Birmingham and the West Midlands. But there is an event coming for amateur cyclists, Lets Ride Birmingham. Sponsored by HSBC UK. To be held on Sunday 9th June 2019.

I saw this in the window of the HSBC UK bank on Poplar Road in Solihull Town Centre, about Lets Ride. HSBC UK are a proud partner of British Cycling.

dndimg alt="HSBC UK Lets Ride Solihull" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/HSBC UK Lets Ride Solihull.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown (over 1000 followers!).

New blue cycleway open up the A34 towards Perry Barr

Starting from James Watt Queensway, opposite Aston University, this new blue cycleway has opened during April 2019. Going past Lancaster Circus, it then goes up Lancaster Street, then up New Town Row. Continuing on towards Perry Barr on the Birchfield Road. My most recent photos of the route are only the sections close to the city centre, so James Watt Queensway to New Town Row!

Seen during August 2018, on James Watt Queensway, this was my first glimpse of the new blue cycling surface, close to Birmingham Children's Hospital and opposite Aston University. The helipad used by the Midlands Air Ambulance is to the left. Quite close to the Steelhouse Conservation Area (where Dalton Street, Ryder Street and Corporation Street meet at the end of the Methodist Central Hall).The route continues down the ramps to the subways of Lancaster Circus, as a no 51 bus was waiting to turn left. This is one of the buses that you can catch up to Perry Barr or Walsall.

dndimg alt="Blue cycleway James Watt Queensway August 2018" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Blue cycleway James Watt Queensway August 2018.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I heard via Twitter from Birmingham Cycle Revolution that the A34 Cycle Route had opened the week starting 9th April 2019. They were posting various photos on their Twitter feed, so I wanted to take some myself. I'm just a walker, not a cyclist, but like to see cycle routes around the city! The last time I walked down to Lancaster Circus, I did notice that the cycle route down to the subways hasn't been painted blue (just the old white lines painted on the pavement).

dndimg alt="Blue cycleway James Watt Queenway April 2019" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Blue cycleway James Watt Queensway April 2019.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

For a lunchtime walk, I left the Aston University Campus and headed over towards Lancaster Circus, and got onto Lancaster Street to see a section of the newly opened blue cycleway on the A34. This section is opposite the student accommodation blocks of Staniforth House, Bagot Street 1 and Bagot Street 2. The only cyclist I saw was from Uber Eats. I headed up towards the Shazam! billboard where I would get off the road at the Lancaster Street Bridge, so I could get onto the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal (where most cyclists would currently ride their bikes!).

dndimg alt="Blue cycleway - Lancaster Street / New Town Row (April 2019)" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Blue cycleway Lancaster Street New Town Row A34 April 2019 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The bus stop is placed on the right and the blue cycleway curves around it. Bagot Street 1 and 2 opposite. You would see many National Express West Midlands Platinum buses along the A34 corridor towards Perry Barr and Walsall.

dndimg alt="Blue cycleway - Lancaster Street / New Town Row (April 2019)" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Blue cycleway Lancaster Street New Town Row A34 April 2019 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The blue cycleway continues to curve around up New Town Row towards the Birchfield Road. Just about enough room here for a bus lane! Beyond here, the route would head up the Newtown High Street, then past Six Ways Aston, and up the Birchfield Road.

dndimg alt="Blue cycleway - Lancaster Street / New Town Row (April 2019)" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Blue cycleway Lancaster Street New Town Row A34 April 2019 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I have yet to check out the section beyond Newtown Middleway / New John Street since the full route was completed! Reckon that I'll need to catch a bus up to Perry Barr, and get photos out of the window at the front of the top deck (on the left), as long as it doesn't rain, and is dry. Previous attempts from a bus window, weren't too great when the window of the bus was covered in condensation from the rain, so best to go up on a dry, sunny spring day!

Check out this video on Facebook, posted by George Everett! The A34 route to Perry Barr is finally open!. A time lapse of the entire route.

Photos taken by Elliott Brown

Follow me here or on Twitter here ellrbrown (over 1000 followers!).