#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No.43
#BikeIsBest Digest Edition No. 43 | Friday 9th December 2022 | View in browser
Hello and welcome to this second newsletter of the last month of the year 2022.
CARGO BIKES, MONEY SAVING AND EBIKES IN THE WILD
Most people will need some help to travel actively if we’re to meet targets of half of journeys walked and cycled by 2030. From women who are still underrepresented in active travel, along with people from ethnic minorities who may not feel it is safe enough or accessible, to businesspeople who may not know about the benefits of switching to pedal power, this week there’s a few solutions, and some inspiration along the way.
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
MONEYSAVING MAJOR CYCLING MOTIVATION
Money saving is a key driver for people to cycle, Cycling Scotland has found. One headline of the latest wave of interviews in a longitudinal study running since 2017, is that of 1,037 participants, money saving is a factor for 29%, up from 17% in 2021. One respondent estimated saving £40-50 a month cycling some days, instead of driving, and many recognised the health and stress management benefits. More than two thirds (69%) of people who would consider cycling, meanwhile, cited cost saving as a motivation.
EBIKE LOANS “TAME WELSH HILLS”
An ebike loan scheme in Wales is helping people see what’s possible under pedal power. Gemma Loveless carries her kids to school on a long wheelbase electric bike, having found child seats on her regular bicycle made for an unnervingly wobbly ride. She told the BBC: "I ended up hiring it in the middle of December in cold and wet, rainy weather, but still loved it. Having had the taste of it, we went out and bought our own”. Gemma, like many others, borrowed the machine for free using Sustrans’ E-move scheme.
HOW TO BE AN ALLY
Women are still underrepresented in cycling, and in the industry, but as Eleanor Jaskowska, founder of School of Rocks, points out, there is plenty that men can do to help. Among them is to be an ally, helping remove some of the barriers women face to access cycling, from childcare to mechanics and advocacy. Understanding the issues is the first step and this article, connected to Cycling UK’s 100 Women in Cycling celebration, is a good start.
CARGO BIKES’ CARBON CUTTING CAPACITY
Replacing just 7.5% of diesel vans with cargo bikes could save more carbon than cutting domestic aviation. This is according to a study by the Green Alliance. Lack of suitable road infrastructure such as parking and suitable cycle lanes, as well as a lack of knowledge about cargo bikes’ capability is holding back growth, the report says.
SAFER ROADS, MORE CYCLING, FOR BETTER HEALTH
Prof. Scarlett McNally, a surgeon, honorary clinical professor and active travel enthusiast has written a well-researched opinion piece on the impact of traffic danger and inactivity, as well as the cost of car dependency, and their solutions, for the British Medical Journal. Prof. McNally says we can’t afford not to prioritise health, by cutting car travel in favour of active journeys.
OTHER HEADLINES
NOT HOLLAND…IPSWICH!
Chris Boardman and a drone visited Kesgrave High School in Ipswich recently - where 90% of kids walk or cycle to school. There’s no magic involved, just a network of safe cycle routes that take kids in the easiest, often quickest way, safely to school on foot or on bikes. As Chris puts it, this has “given a young generation of kids transport independence”, saving their parents a ton of money and time along the way.
INTERESTING GRAPHIC OF THE WEEK
Cycling Scotland’s research into reasons people might be considering cycling. Traffic fears remained a barrier for many, however.
Source
ACTIVE TRAVEL PHRASE OF THE WEEK; ALLYSHIP
According to the dictionary an ally “is a person who advocates and actively works for the inclusion of a marginalised or politicised group”. Female-friendly off-road cycle club, School of Rocks founder, Eleanor Jaskowska, says above all "Allyship is an action and a choice".
Until next time,
Founder, #BikeIsBest
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