#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No.56
#BikeIsBest Digest Edition No. 56 | Sunday 19th March 2023 (oops, should have sent it earlier) | View in browser
Hello and it’s been a week of ups and downs, from a massive funding disappointment to a look back at the Highway Code changes, one year on - and the impact they’ve had.
HIGHWAYS AND LOWS
Meanwhile active travel rankings have been published for local authorities up and down the country, setting a baseline if you like. From there councils will hopefully spring competitively into action on cycling and walking, like the late great Dick Fosbury when he revolutionised the high jump - if there are sufficient funds, of course.
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
FUNDING DISAPPOINTMENT
The government announced last week it would slash cycling and walking funding by £380m to save money. Active travel delivers huge benefits for society, and cutting investment in clean, healthy transport is a false economy. From reducing NHS waiting times to boosting high streets, to tackling the climate emergency, with returns far above those roads deliver, active travel should be top of the investment hierarchy, not the bottom.
ACTIVE TRAVEL RATINGS
The DfT, meanwhile, calls active travel “one of the best return on investment decisions governments can make”. In its rankings of local authorities, Active Travel England rates progress of councils in England so far, rankings that will inform future active travel investment in those areas. See how your local authority did.
HIGHWAY CODE, ONE YEAR ON
The All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking held a discussion on the Highway Code, one year on. The AA’s Edmund King speaks of his support for the changes, which sought to improve conditions for cycling and walking, and their impact on driver awareness. Leigh Day’s Rachel Botterill discusses the impact on collision claims. Detective Superintendent Andy Cox, from national roads policing, talks about the most impactful changes, and what success looks like.
CYCLE SCHEMES SHOULD PRIORITISE WOMEN
A financial planning website isn’t the place you’d normally go for words about gender inclusivity in active travel but I’m here for it. Women are generally paid less than men, have less access to motor vehicles, and are less willing to tolerate dangerous roads, so safe cycling routes are absolutely an equality issue, both financially and socially.
EU PLEDGES CYCLE FUNDING INCREASE
Across the Channel, EU institutions are in the process of developing an ambitious cycling plan, which will see increased commitments to boost cycle investment and help create a million green jobs. This follows a resolution passed last month to double cycling in the EU. This new plan will represent the highest level of political commitment for cycling by the EU parliament and member states. It’ll be interesting to see what they come up with.
OTHER HEADLINES
EBIKES ADDED TO NATION’S BASKET
E-bikes are now included in the nation’s basket of goods and services, the measure used to track inflation and the cost of living. This reflects their growing role in society, and for many people, their everyday transport. CDs and alcopops, more redolent of the 1990s, are out, meanwhile.
INTERESTING GRAPH OF THE WEEK:
Local authorities’ rankings on active travel, as published by Active Travel England. Source:
ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK:
False economy: An apparent financial saving that will lead to greater expenditure down the line. When something has the enormous health, economic and social benefits of active travel, it’s foolish not to invest.
OH, AND...
A special shout to our friends at London Cycling Campaign for their role in organising the Women’s Freedom Ride recently. A great organisation, doing great things. I'm a huge supporter of their work, and a fully paid-up member...
Until next time,
Founder, #BikeIsBest
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