#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No.09

#BikeIsBest Digest Edition No. 9 | Wednesday, April 13th 2022 | View in browser

Hello and while we eat, sleep and live our lives the bicycle is quietly saving the world. It spreads joy wherever it’s used, improving our mental and physical health, our streets and environments and our lives, and generally being incredibly useful. Someone give it a biscuit. 

CYCLING AND EQUALITY

It’s important we think about all members of the community when designing and maintaining cycling and walking infrastructure, from women to older people and those with mobility issues. Some of this week’s stories remind us just how important that is, and how we can do it.

BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY

OIL FOR COGS, NOT CARS

While our greatest Russian fossil fuel Achilles heel is gas, oil has its role to play in our energy security and campaigners, among them author and environmentalist Mark Lynas, has set out policy ideas to cut its use. Car-free city centres, combined with free public transport, is one idea posited in the ‘Switch off Putin’ plan. 

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE FOOTPATH?

Oxfordshire County Council will improve lighting on footpaths and cycleways after local councillors experienced its unlit, overgrown cycle paths in the winter months. A common concern for women, poorly-maintained and poorly-lit active travel routes can be a major barrier to year-round walking and cycling. 

WE'RE FILMING OUR NEXT AD THIS WEEK

Thanks to everybody who applied to be part of it. We’re filming in London, Leicester and Birmingham this week. The weather looks good - we can’t wait!
 

LEGAL CHALLENGE WIN FOR LAMBETH LTNS

The Court of Appeal rejected a legal challenge to Lambeth’s Low Traffic Neighbourhoods last week, finding the council took due regard to equalities impacts when implementing Oval, Streatham and Railton LTNs. The council says most Lambeth residents don’t have access to a car, and LTNs help make the borough more equal.

ET PHONE HOME?

While a loophole allowing mobile phone use while driving was closed recently, there are no plans to extend the legislation to cyclists (although cycling and phoning is not recommended). In a debate tabled by a fellow peer after an errant cyclist nearly didn’t stop at a crossing, Transport Minister Baroness Vere said “it is really important that we do not demonise all cyclists.” 

CYCLING FREEDOM

This simply wonderful piece from the BBC tells the story of people recovering from brain injuries who rediscover their freedom on adapted cycles, thanks to charity Brain Injury Matters’ cycling club. As Physiotherapist, Dr Jonathan McCrea, puts it in this great video, “They have lost their sense of self and they leave their walking frames behind, get on the bikes and all of a sudden they’re free.” 

END OF SUBSTANDARD CYCLE LANES?

Transport Xtra reminds online readers of government warnings that active travel schemes failing to meet standards won’t be funded. The piece gives three examples where councils lost or had funding reduced after removing or u-turning on schemes. 

OTHER HEADLINES

A DAY IN THE LIFE…OF A CARGO BIKE

Because no #BikeIsBest newsletter would be complete without a nod to cargo bikes, Oxford cargo bike logistics company, Pedal and Post, demonstrates its cargo bike trailer game in a recent social media post. There are few things a van can do that a cargo bike can’t these days in dense urban environments - and there’s no petrol needed.

INTERESTING GRAPHIC OF THE WEEK

A six-year German study found that while anti-speeding education and advertising campaigns had little impact on road safety, targeted speed enforcement cut crashes and road casualties by 8%. In short, an increased threat of being caught changed people’s behaviour. We know a major barrier to cycling is road danger, so this stuff matters for active travel.

Source

ACTIVE TRAVEL PHRASE OF THE WEEK; BLITZMARATHON

From the above study, it’s an intense focus on speeding that seems to have a marked impact on road safety. Because no-one does portmanteaus like the Germans.

Until next time,

Founder, #BikeIsBest

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