#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No.25
#BikeIsBest Digest Edition No. 25 | Thursday, August 4th 2022 | View in browser
Hello and welcome to this special Commonwealth Games edition of #BikeisBest. The West Midlands is buzzing with visitors for this massive sporting event, bringing its own transport challenges, but we’re helping people choose green options, with two free cycle hire rides per day until 8 August.
IT’S STILL ABOUT EVERYDAY CYCLING
But there are some nice people-friendly improvements in Birmingham, including the escalation of the growing parklets movement to include a huge new people-friendly space and a giant King Kong on Great Hampton Row. I’m totally on board for it.
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
HEATWAVE DEATH TOLL
An estimated 1,000 people tragically lost their lives as a result of the recent heatwave, reports New Scientist, most of them aged over 85. Climate change disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable and a cleaner, lower-carbon society is, by definition, fairer - and will save lives. We urgently need to tackle our emissions, and their contribution to global heating. Not tomorrow, but today.
EUROPE INVESTS IN CYCLING
The European Investment Bank has published a policy document on transport projects lending that, Cycling Industry News reports, “throws its full weight behind providing cash for sustainable city developments, including promoting cycling as a key future transport form”. Recognising the challenges of a growing urban population, the EIB’s position reflects Europe’s increasing prioritisation of clean, efficient transport.
NO SPACE AT HOME
A report by Cycling Scotland revealed one third of Scots have nowhere secure at home to store their cycles. Storage is a vital and often overlooked detail of boosting cycle travel, particularly for non-standard cycles, and tackling it will enable more people to ride more for everyday journeys. The issue is worse in cities like Glasgow - also the places where the most trips could be made by cycle - where 75% of people live in flats.
ON PONTEVEDRA
The Spanish city of Pontevedra cut out cars from its streets, and its mayor boasts not a single road-related death in more than a decade. Quality of life has improved, he tells Politico, and 15,000 people moved in, keen to enjoy a car-free life. The article notes many global cities are to varying extents cutting back on motor traffic, with the numerous benefits that brings.
HILLS, TURNS, JAMS
Not a what.three.words location, but cycle routing improvements from Google. My most recent Streets Ahead podcast episode discussed cycle mapping and how to improve it. Last week Google announced improvements to its cycle routes, offering new information on route congestion and things like hills and junctions, which affect cyclists in ways you don’t notice while driving. It’s a small but welcome improvement.
BEHAVIOUR CHANGE CAMPAIGNS WORK
The Daily Record reports a local campaign by Renfrewshire Council, called Not Far? Leave the Car, motivated one dad to ditch his vehicle. Stephen Dock decided to cycle and take the train or bus to work and on the school run. Within four weeks he was using the car once a week, instead of daily, saying: “The end result is now that I have sold my car and now only use my bike and public transport.” Participants can earn points for walking, wheeling or taking public transport, convertible into local gift cards.
OTHER HEADLINES
SUV MADNESS
Blind spots in front of vehicles increase with the height and bulk of a car’s bonnet. This US news segment shows how American monster-sized SUVs can have a 16ft blind spot capable of concealing ten seated children lined up in front of them. Often bought for safety reasons, these vehicles are far more lethal for those outside the cab than a small car. For Pete’s sake, get a cargo bike instead.
INTERESTING GRAPHIC OF THE WEEK
Graph showing the capacity of a transport corridor by different modes, per person per hour in both directions. Source: the International Association of Public Transport (UITP).
Source
ACTIVE TRAVEL PHRASE OF THE WEEK; PARKLET
A pop-up garden, often on tarmac previously dedicated to cars, with things like planters, seating and cycle parking. It’s one low-cost, people-friendly way of redistributing roadspace, and can lead to more permanent streetspace greening.
Until next time,
Founder, #BikeIsBest
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