#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No.01


#BikeIsBest Digest Edition No. 1 | Wednesday, February 16th 2022 | View in browser

Hello and welcome to The #BikeIsBest Digest. It’s a working title, we’ll see if it sticks. The purpose of this bi-weekly newsletter is to share news and views support the quest to show that #BikeIsBest and get more people cycling for more journeys. If you enjoy it, consider sharing it with your friends, family and colleagues.
OKAY, GREAT. WHAT NOW?
Just a quick word about why we’re doing this. We set up #BikeIsBest to help change and shape the image of cycling in order to build a better political landscape to enable the kind of infrastructure we need to get many more people cycling. Our work is focused on winning hearts and minds - and we’re grateful to the support of our cycling industry partners and friends in helping us do this.
Let’s get into it. We’re open to feedback (drop me an email here).
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
ATE IS GO
You’ve probably heard by now that the Government is finally setting up Active Travel England (ATE), a new body to lead the £2billion investment in cycling and walking. It’s important because the organisation will review the quality of schemes (no more tragic Cyclists Dismount signs) and be able to withhold or withdraw funding from councils who don’t take active travel seriously. The full press release is here.
INTERESTING GRAPH OF THE WEEK

The infographic plots cities around the world based on the urban population density and per capita transport energy use. Summary: Density is good actually.
Source
CHRIS YOU WERE HERE
It’s going to be led by Chris Boardman, the nation’s new Cycling & Walking Commissioner. Chris has a reputation for getting things done and if there’s anybody who can do this, it’s him. Road.cc’s latest podcast interviews Chris and it’s worth a listen.
UNPOPULAR IS THE NEW POPULAR
The Economist has an interesting theory about the rise of “Unpopulism”. Are policies that MPs instinctively think will be unpopular actually more popular than they give credit for? Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are referenced: “In the minds of Tory mps, liberty extends to the Englishman’s inalienable right to drive where he pleases. When local councils started to create low-traffic neighbourhoods during lockdown, those MPs led the attack. But according to Opinium, a pollster, voters support low-traffic neighbourhoods by two to one.”

LONG LIVE THE LOCAL BIKE SHOP
This year, #BikeIsBest is partnering with the Association of Cycle Traders (ACT) to make Local Bike Shop Day the biggest ever. With over 400 esteemed cycle retailers signed up already, why not have your sales teams urge your dealers to sign up and help make bike stores THE place to go as a new or returning cyclist.
Learn more
SCOOTER TO THE FUTURE
E-Scooters are sure to spark a debate in the cycling industry. Whether you love them or loathe them, The Sunday Times’ deep dive is worth a read. Our view? Legislation is urgently needed but the movement for people-friendly cities and the accompanying infrastructure is stronger with e-scooters included. But, of course, #BikeIsBest.
SIGNS WON'T FIX IT, PART #293
There’s a temptation in some Councils to use signs to try and solve problems. It rarely works. A cycle lane in Bolton was ripped out in 2021, leaving just the signs asking: “Why Not Walk Or Cycle?” A new sign underneath adds “Probably because we removed the cycle lane”.
ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK; STROAD.
a street-road hybrid that frustrates everyone who uses it. A stroad is a type of thoroughfare that is a cross between a street and a road. It’s not safe or pleasant enough for pedestrians or cyclists to be a street and not fast or convenient enough for drivers to be a road.
Watch this if you want to find out more
DERAILING THE BIKE BOOM
There’s a worrying trend with e-bike batteries being banned from certain train services and buildings, such as the Houses of Parliament, due to fire risks. This is concerning not only because of the restrictions it imposes on e-bike owners (and potential owners), but because it gives off the impression that e-bikes are dangerous. We’re pleased to report that Caledonian Sleeper have done a U-Turn on their e-bike ban, as have WM Trains.
TIRE-SOME FURY
There’s “fury on Britain’s roads”, according to the Daily Mail, because of new Highway Code changes prioritising vulnerable road users. The reality is somewhat different and many of the rules just formalise common decency, as The Guardian’s Peter Walker explains. It is, however, positive news that sets the tone for the fact we want more people walking and cycling on our roads.
Until next time,
Adam Tranter
Founder, #BikeIsBest
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