March 2023 Update

We are delighted to announce that the bicycle rack has been installed and is now ready for use! The official opening and blessing of the bicycle rack is Sunday 5 March 2023 immediately after the 9am Mass. Laudato Si’, Praise Be!

Thank you to all those involved in organising, purchasing and installing the bicycle rack. We are particularly grateful to all those parishioners and friends who contributed and raised funds for the St Mary’s bicycle rack project. Thank you!

Paul from St Mary’s has written an article on cycling to help inspire more cycling. We hope the increased number of bicycle spaces (10 spaces in the new rack and 4 on the West wall of the car park close to the gate) will encourage more cycling and fewer car journeys, helping the environment and boosting health and wellbeing.

Thank you

October 2022 Update

Thank you to all those who have contributed and raised funds for the St Mary’s bicycle rack project. It is fitting that on the feast day of St Francis of Assisi, the last day in the Season of Creation 2022, we reached our fundraising target and can now move forward with project implementation.

Over the next few weeks we will be coordinating the location and purchase of the bicycle rack.

The increased capacity of secure bicycle parking shall hopefully see more parishioners willing to make the switch from cars to bikes, helping to improve the overall environmental footprint of our community as well as giving more opportunity for experiencing the health benefits of a more active lifestyle.

Thank you

Project Background

Cyclists or those interested in cycling to church in the future plus other interested parishioners are invited to review the following proposal for an increase in space for bicycles at church.

The proposal is to significantly increase the spaces available for bicycles at the church to encourage would-be cyclists to leave their cars at home and cycle to church. It is proposed to add a heavy duty cycle rack for 5-10 bicycles in the church car park and apply for grants and permission for a cycle rack at the front of church for parishioners and wider community use.

Bike Rack in Church Car Park

Best location (on right of image exactly where blue container cabin is) for a cycle rack in church car park

A bike rack in the corner of the church car park where the blue cabin is shown in the image. The bike rack will be bolted to the ground with clearance to the gate so that bikes parked here will not obstruct pedestrian access to the gate.

An uncovered bike rack serving up to 10 bikes is suggested, with space reserved to extend later to 20 bikes if it proves to be popular (the second rack would be to the left of the first one installed in a single line). A “Sheffield Toask Rack” style bike rack is proposed and the cost of this would be around £210 for up to 10 bikes excluding installation costs. It is also located close to the existing four wall-mounted holders.

It is proposed to be uncovered to make it cost-effective, for improved observational security and to blend in more effectively with the Lady Chapel.

Purchase and installation will be scheduled to be for once the existing works are completed in early 2022.

Funding will be by cycling fundraising activities. Any fundraising ideas or if you would like to help fundraise please get in contact.

Update (May 2022)

Many thanks to all those who have been in contact about this (mainly by email). There is sufficient interest to proceed and the scaffolding and cabin are being removed so we are able to start. The location of the bike rack may be either next to the Parish Centre Hall (by the blue doors on the left of the image) or as described above (where the blue cabin is in the image). If you have a particularly strong opinion on which one then please contact us using the contact page with “bike rack project” as a reference or leave a comment below.

There is still an opportunity to contribute towards its cost or organize cycle fundraising activities. Please use the contact page if you would like to help and one of us will be in touch.

Update (July 2022)

We are still collecting funds for the bike rack. Once we have raised sufficient funds to cover the purchase we will be able to move forwards. Financial contributions are welcome via St Mary’s Parish with reference “LiveSimplyBR”. Giving details are on the parish website. BACS: sort code: 30 92 59 account: 00428642 (name St Mary’s Derby RCP NRCDT) and please put your surname and LIVESIMPLYBR as reference; or cheques to ‘St Mary’s Derby RCP NRCDT’ with same reference on back; or cash in the Rectory’s letterbox or box at the back of the church in envelope marked with “LiveSimplyBR”. Many thanks!

Bike Rack at the Front

A bike rack at the front is proposed in front of the greenery in the image. This is not an obstruction for pedestrians and would serve the wider community as it is well-placed for visitors to the Cathedral Quarter.

An uncovered bike rack serving up to 10 bikes is suggested, with space reserved to extend later to 20 bikes if it proves to be popular. A “Sheffield Toask Rack” style bike rack is proposed and the cost of this would be around £210 for up to 10 bikes excluding installation costs.

It is proposed to be uncovered so it doesn’t detract from the surrounding architecture and the Pugin tower and is also more cost-effective.

A volunteer is needed to liaise with Derby City Council and apply for the required permissions, confirm land ownership, and seek out Derby City Council funding or find alternative grant funding. Please get in contact if you would like to help on the St Mary’s Front Bike Rack.

Update (May 2022)

Many thanks to all those who have been in contact about this (mainly by email). From the feedback received so far there is not enough interest to proceed with this option. We will not be looking to implement the Front Bike Rack at this time.

We are interested to hear any suggestions and improvements to both cycle rack proposals, especially from cyclists or those who could be tempted to cycle.