#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No.02


#BikeIsBest Digest Edition No. 2 | Wednesday, February 23rd 2022 | View in browser

Hello and hopefully you got through storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin unscathed. Dutch cyclists put triathlon-style bars on their everyday bikes for blustery days, but 70mph winds might be pushing it for even the most committed riders.
ENOUGH ABOUT THE WEATHER
But seriously, extreme weather events are becoming more common as the climate changes due to human activity - and we know a massive solution is decarbonising transport. The industry can help get more people cycling, but it’s a societal-wide change that needs leadership.
You’ll note this email is just a week after the last one: due to the lovely feedback, we decided to make this a weekly thing.
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
PUTTING THE NATIONAL IN NATIONAL CYCLING NETWORK
Sustrans, the charity custodian of the National Cycle Network (NCN), has stepped up its ambition to improve and expand the NCN to every settlement of 10,000 people or more, UK-wide. That includes removing, yes, steps and barriers. Sustrans says the improvements will reap £1.7bn in benefits for businesses - including the cycle industry, with £2.1bn boosts for health and the environment.
INTERESTING GRAPH OF THE WEEK

This graph plots gender representation and cycling levels in cities and countries around the world. Summary: more people cycling means more women cycling.
Source
BEYOND THE BIKE BOOM
Our friends at The Bicycle Association have a new report into the pandemic bike boom, showing 2021 sales were up 34% vs 2019. The BA’s Steve Garidis adds a warning, though: “without significant policy intervention to correct the car-centric, heavy-traffic status quo, cycling growth will be held back in the UK”. At #BikeIsBest, we’re here to help change the image of cycling, enabling politicians to make the bold decisions we need.
LONDON BALLING?
When it comes to active travel, London has seen some growth in recent years, helped by a growing cycling network, but is it on the cusp of European levels of walking and cycling? Not quite.

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
Our #BikeIsBest partners, The London Cycling Campaign and Bikester recently came together to support London based Londra Bisiklet Kulübü - a community group primarily for Turkish and Kurdish riders - with a donation of 170 bicycles. LCC were on the ground to deliver some of these bikes and capture some of the good work that #BikeIsBest does.
Learn more
BUILDING CAR DEPENDENCY
A new report by Transport for New Homes reveals what life is like in Britain’s new car-dependent developments - and needless to say, it isn’t good. Forget cycling and walking links, this is the road to hell.
PEDESTRIANISE IT
At the other end of the spectrum. Warwickshire town centres pedestrianised during the pandemic saw increased footfall and more cycling visitors, with a ‘significant drop-off’ once traffic returned in Leamington Spa, according to a local democracy reporter. It goes to show that the world won’t cave in when we make things easier for pedestrians and people cycling.
ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK; HEADWIND.
Pretty self explanatory
PARK IT
Walking-friendly streets are cycling-friendly streets (if they’re well designed), and one thing we can all agree on is pavement parking is not a good look. A new report by CPRE tells London boroughs more action is needed to tackle the problem - and launches a handy Parking Policy Benchmark Tool. Today’s parking space is tomorrow’s parklet, cycle parking, green space, or just space for people to breathe.
CAR INDUSTRY HOPS ON E-BIKE BANDWAGON, PART 5
Porsche gains a toehold in the e-bike market, acquiring a 20% stake in e-bike drive systems manufacturer, Fazua, along with two planned joint ventures in the field of e-mobility with Ponooc, a Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer. Porsche e-bikes: if there’s a Cayenne-equivalent mountain bike, expect it to come with slick tyres. Just don’t try riding it off-road.
ZERO EMISSION DREAMS
Oxfordshire county council proposes a workplace parking levy, traffic filters and expansion of the city’s Zero Emission Zone to cut transport emissions. The council will be consulting on these and other measures from late summer. Still, there’s a way to go to make the county truly cycle friendly. Watch this space.
Until next time,
Adam Tranter
Founder, #BikeIsBest
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