#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No.29
#BikeIsBest Digest Edition No. 29 | Thursday, September 1st 2022 | View in browser
Hello and with worrying news about soaring energy bills apparently ever worsening, here’s a little dose of positivity in the form of some active travel news.
ALL MY LIFE'S A CYCLE LANE
Figuratively speaking. This week we’re serving up some cycle lane news, some city-wide transport news, kids cycling and an end to that cycle number plates debacle.
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
YOUR NUMBER (PLATE) IS UP
The cycle number plates furore has been put to bed after the DfT confirmed there’s no plans to introduce such a retrograde policy. Selaine Saxby MP, member of the All Parliamentary Party for Cycling and Walking, wrote in PoliticsHome we should be encouraging cycling, not further regulating it.
UK’S BEST CYCLE PATH?
A local cycle route I use regularly shows the kind of quality that’s possible, without resorting to shared use. The National Cycle Network (NCN) route, which separates people walking and cycling, connects homes in the suburbs of Warwick and Leamington Spa, on NCN41, and it’s well-lit for year-round use. More of this, please.
BRUSSELS TRANSFORMATION
Brussels’ circulation plan came into effect earlier this month, creating new ‘segments’ to reduce through routes for drivers. Instead those travelling by car will need to go round the outside of the city centre. With less traffic, active travel should be easier and more pleasant. The Good Move Brussels plan is similar to the famous Ghent programme and one underway in Birmingham.
CYCLE TO SCHOOL WEEK
Sustrans and Bikeability are promoting this year’s Cycle to School Week, saying swapping the car for pedal power could save £160 over the year on fuel alone. Cycling when possible is one small way to mitigate the cost of living crisis’ impacts. Households can pledge to swap anything from a single family bike ride, to cycling every day.
KIDICAL MASS-IVE
Speaking of which. This year’s Kidical Mass will see children and their families take to the streets worldwide to highlight the need for safe cycle routes for the youngest members of society. A joyful celebration of cycling, and an activist movement, you can find out more, and where events are taking place on 24 and 25 September, here.
TRUSS UP FOR CYCLING
Conservative Friends of Cycling has received a reply from Liz Truss on cycling support. The leadership front runner says she supports cycling investment to promote cycling and is “looking forward to working with the cycling community to improve access to cycling and promote their interests”. Truss’ comments follow supportive remarks from her competitor, Rishi Sunak.
OTHER HEADLINES
RE-CYCLE PATH
One company is using rubber scraps from old bicycle tyres for a cycle path surface. The Velo-Path is porous and doesn’t get slippery in the rain, according to manufacturers Velorim. Talk about circular economy.
INTERESTING GRAPHIC OF THE WEEK
Brussels’ new Pentagon traffic pattern, with segments permitting through cycling and walking trips between them, but not through car journeys.
Source:
ACTIVE TRAVEL PHRASE OF THE WEEK; TRANSPORT PLANNING
Boring but life-changing. Good transport planning gives us liveable streets that meet the needs of communities, and prioritises walking, cycling and public transport, rather than simply delivering roads for cars.
Until next time,
Founder, #BikeIsBest
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