Let's have some balance

[sprocket]

I was initially delighted to have stumbled across this site, however closer examination leads me to question the thinking behind it. Who's site is it? Is it West Cheshire & Chester LA? Is it the Cycle Campaign? Is it intended to tell us that our elected councilors have at long last embraced cycling? It's just not clear. Can we have more transparency?

Looking at the content the site turns out to be a missed opportunity. The only external link, in the home page link list, is to the Chester Cycling Campaign. The only event, other than the launch of Cycle Demonstration Town status, is the next meeting of the Cycle Campaign.

Where is information for roadies, for BMX'ers, downhill enthusiasts, mountain bikers or your average club rider? What about cycle sports: after all the UK's main velodrome is only just up the road? Why no information about, or home page links to, Chester Road Club, the local CTC groups or Chester Easy Riders (whom I see advertise each week in the Standard)? And Yes, on third reading I did eventually spot the Cycle Campaigns link list in"recent articles"!

Surely the events section should be full of information on local sportifs, Audax events and tourist challenge rides: yet we have none. Someone new to the area or new to cycling would come away thinking that the Chester cycling scene was non-existent!

Its as though the site has been designed by non-cyclists, without any understanding of cyclist's interests other than some limited contact with local cycle campaigners.

Now before all the local campaigners get worked up let me say that I'm not knocking their achievements. What I'm asking for is both transparency, so that we know who we are dealing with, and some balance.

[spokes]

Fair comment;

I only speak as an active Chester Cycling campaigner. The site has been developed by our volunteer dedicated Web Officer 100+ hours to date so far.

The site only went live 2 weeks ago, which would enable all 130+ Chester Cycling Campaign members the chance to test it and start adding content. Initially the site is designed to promote Chester's CDT status, but as you kindly point out it could have endless opportunities....BUT the key is getting people to submit relevant articles and web links, that's the challenge?

We do have an action plan once we are happy with the site to roll it out to the residents of Chester and the general public. Hopefully in time to coincide with the Council's 25 & 26th Aprils Cycling Weekend program.


If you have any links or information please forward them on, all contributions welcome.

Thank you again for your comments

Regards


Spokes


Ps our next meeting is the 1st April at 7.30pm in the Custom House, Chester

[Bryan Wade]

Well spotted "sprocket". Even though I knew that the Campaign were developing a new site I hadn't realised this was it. I thought this was the official Cycle Demonstration Town site! If the intention was to mislead then it is to be roundly condemned. Misleading your user base does nothing for your credibility: you always get found out.

At the very least I would expect the home page to announce that this is the/a Chester Cycling Campaign site. Then we would all know where we stand.

Thanks for mentioning Chester Easy Riders. It's good to see that the recent ads in the Standard are being read. If you are free any Thursdays come along and join us. See www.ChesterEasyRiders.co.uk for details.

Bryan Wade, Secretary, Chester Easy Riders

[sprocket]

Spokes commented "I only speak as an active Chester Cycling campaigner. The site has been developed by our volunteer dedicated Web Officer 100+ hours to date so far. "

Fair enough, but does this mean that the site is a new Chester Cycling Campaign website or are we to deduce that the web officer has put this together off his own bat? The exact position is still unclear and that does lead me, and no doubt others, to wonder what is going on. Is there something to hide? I am reminded of the old adage, if in doubt follow the money. In this case the money seems to follow cyclists to the doors of the advertisers (given the ad prominence). Nothing wrong with that, of course, indeed some would praise the enterprise in putting such a deal together, if indeed it has been, but shouldn't we know?
How about an official from the Campaign (secretary, president, chairman or whatever) putting the record straight so that we can move on knowing where we stand. Full transparency please.

[purplesue]

I liked the look of the site, but it is hard to get back to the site from the forums. Excuse me - I am going to have another critical look....

[purplesue]

I'm back. Yes, Chester Road club should be there and maybe the Tri club?
I want to know how to use the calender for events - that would be useful for people visting the site.
I too was curious about the sponsorhip/ advertising - but I have been told (and please correct me if this is wrong) that the hosting is initially with the solicitors, but after three years it belongs to the Campaign.
The Links are there, not sure if it should say 'Chester City Links' - maybe misleading?

But it is here for us to use and populate - I think that is a great idea (I will now go and post something about more rides we are running...!)

[Wheelie Fast]

This website is not live. It is in development. It is owned by and is being developed by the Chester Cycling Campaign. There is very little content on the website, as the webmaster has limited free time to develop it. We are using a content management system which requires that all development must take place in real time on the web server. That is why you are able to see the website in its current state.

There will certainly be lots of information in the About Us section when I get around to it.

It is likely to be many months before the site is ready to be launched. We do not want to duplicate websites already in existence, or to compete with anyone, or to deceive anyone. Quite the contrary. Many, many apologies for any confusion caused. A huge notice has now been placed on the website to this effect. If anyone has any IT skills and wants to help with the development, then that would be most welcome.

Constructive assistance to develop an attractive and high-tech website to support the Chester Cycling Community would be most welcome.

[Bryan Wade]

Wow! What a change from yesterday. You must have been burning the midnight oil Wheelie Fast.

The new "About Us" section makes the ownership and running of the site absolutely clear for all to see. I particularly appreciate the background to the sponsorship by Bartlett's. Now that's a positive cycling story in its own right. I just can't believe it wasn't given prominence before. So we can now rest easy in the knowledge that the Campaign hasn't lost its soul.

It's also good to see the Campaign reacting to the issues being raised here and then addressing them positively. I for one feel a great deal happier.

For the future the fact that so many people have viewed this thread suggests that there is a significant underlying demand for a local cycle forum. And that's on a site that's not even "live"!

Bryan Wade, Secretary, Chester Easy Riders

[purplesue]

Are we live, yet?

[Craig Steeland]

Yes, the website went officially 'live' last Thursday, May 7th. Four of us were at Bartlett's solicitors together with Trevor (the Bartlett's partner and Campaign member who agreed sponsorship for the website), and a photographer from the Chronicle.

We put a couple of Cycle City stickers in Bartlett's windows, posed with some bikes for photos, and had an interesting discussion with Trevor about the future development of the website and the Campaign. We may be able to persuade him to contribute a 'legal questions and answers' column on the website, which would be a useful addition.

So there may be an article in this week's Chronicle about the website!