#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No.27
#BikeIsBest Digest Edition No. 27 | Wednesday, August 17th 2022 | View in browser
Hello and as the heatwave finally ends we may face the wrong kind of (heavy) rain that threatens to run straight off parched soil, doing little to mitigate the current drought many parts of the UK face. The weather continues to remind us the climate crisis is real and pressing, as is action to combat it.
NUMBER PLATE NONSENSE
Not the story I thought I'd have to write about but it is August silly season, after all. Various news outlets report that Transport Secretary Grant Shapps is considering a review into bicycle number plates (Shapps later claimed he thinks this would be overkill), speed limits for bikes and mandatory insurance.
This topic comes up every few years and experts remind us all that the cost to administer such a scheme would outweigh the benefits and would suppress cycling demand. The only country to require bicycle number plates is, er, North Korea.
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
IT'S NOT ALL BAD NEWS
It’s not all bad news and there are pockets of action, though arguably none of it is fast enough to meet the environmental challenges we face, not least the massive scale of tree planting needed to absorb carbon and protect us during future heatwaves. Last week I popped to Oxford to see firsthand its new Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, and discover why so many people cycle there - you can listen to the Streets Ahead podcast on that here.
RISHI READY FOR CYCLING?
Conservative Friends of Cycling have asked the two Conservative leadership candidates about their support for cycling. Rishi Sunak says as Chancellor he’s taken active travel investment to £2bn over this parliament and “if successful… will continue to support cycling policy and ensure Active Travel England is able to continue the good work started by the government.” Looks like they’re awaiting a reply from Liz Truss.
E-CARGO: A BRIGHT SPOT IN CYCLE SALES?
Cycling Industry News delves into new figures by the Bicycle Association showing while cycle sales are down on pre-pandemic levels, e-cargo bikes are bucking the trend. Sales of pedal-powered work horses are up 37% in the 12 months to May. According to BA commercial and personal e-cargo bikes sales are contributing equally to growth.
CAMDEN CALLING
New cycle lanes in Camden have the support of four local schools, two hospitals and some, if not all, local businesses. The trial cycle lanes on Haverstock Hill are under consultation before a final decision on their future but local councillor Adam Harrison says he's confident the lane will be good for residents, visitors and local businesses.
TWO WHEELS GOOD
A new book of selective stories on the history of the bicycle and how it has shaped societies around the world is out, by author and US journalist Jody Rosen. Two Wheels Good, the history and mystery of the bicycle, has been given four stars out of five by everyone from road.cc to the Mail on Sunday - and it’s well worth a read.
FOUR WHEELS BAD?
New York City is one step closer to introducing road congestion pricing, with drivers into the city racking up as much as $120 charges if they are outside of the discount zone. With city transport funding issues, drastic times call for measures, and these could cut motor traffic by 9%, and increase public transport ridership by 2%, Bloomberg reports.
ANTI SOCIAL PARKING WOES
People seem increasingly concerned about drivers parking in cycle lanes and on pavements. Trafford council says they lack the ability to restrict parking, but will review enforcement options, after a cycle lane in Cornbrook road, Stretford, was blocked multiple times by drivers recently, generating complaints to local police. Campaigners are calling for a national ban on pavement parking and more action from councils.
OTHER HEADLINES
UBER STUPIDITY?
This powerful snippet from an Uber advert shows the strange and surreal way in which cars have taken over our cities, and our lives - and just how impractical they are as mass transport.
INTERESTING GRAPHIC OF THE WEEK
Graph showing just how efficient cycling and walking are compared with other modes, consuming 0.06 and 0.16 megajoules per passenger kilometre respectively
Source: https://www.eco-business.com/opinion/which-transport-fairest-them-all/ from David Banister’s research on transport efficiency
ACTIVE TRAVEL PHRASE OF THE WEEK; OMAFIETS/BAKFIETS
Both Dutch words meaning, respectively, grandma bike and cargo bike. Grandma bike isn’t supposed to be disrespectful but a function of the accessibility and universality of the traditional step-through frame bicycle that has remained unchanged for a century or more. Carlton Reid argues it’s actually an English bicycle. Bakfiets, or cargo bike, is hopefully self-explanatory - and on the up.
Until next time,
Founder, #BikeIsBest
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