#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No.68
#BikeIsBest Digest Edition No. 68 | Wednesday 14th June 2023 | View in browser
Hello and welcome one and all to this week’s newsletter, where we are out on our bikes and riding in the sun, without number plates.
LET'S GET A MOVE ON
Wildfires in Canada spreading apocalyptic smoke across North America and rising ocean temperatures. Climate change is ever more pressing, and reducing transport emissions has never been more urgent. When we invest in cycling and walking friendly streets we start to tackle these pressing issues.
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
MPS RIDE BIKES
This year’s Parliamentary bike ride saw members of the Commons and the Lords meeting and cycling around central London in the sunshine. This annual reminder of why pedal power is the future is held courtesy of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking (APPGCW) and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
EBIKE RED HERRING
Every road death is a tragedy and we should be doing everything we can to prevent future deaths. Recent fatalities involving electric motorcycles have led some news outlets to conflate machines capable of doing 20-30mph with e-cycles, whose speeds are capped at 15.5mph. As Detective Superintendent Andy Cox points out, greater media concern over the primary causes of road death and injury would be incredibly welcome. Five daily deaths on UK roads is five too many.
EUROPEAN YEAR OF CYCLING?
The European Cyclists’ Federation is calling for 2024 to become the European Year of Cycling. The designation is ‘within our grasp’, the campaign group says, thanks to widespread support from EU member states and growing investment in cycling across the continent. It’s a promotional exercise, but it would be significant, if achieved.
SOME GOOD NEWS
Transport for London’s safer lorry standard has cut fatal collisions where vision is a factor by 75%. In the graded scheme, standards are gradually ratcheted up to direct vision standard where drivers can directly see the road around them, without needing a complex web of mirrors and cameras. Lorries with high cabs are disproportionately involved in fatal collisions, particularly of cyclists and pedestrians, so this change is welcome and needed nationwide.
OTHER HEADLINES
BETTER TRANSPORT WEEK
The Campaign For Better Transport is using this week to highlight the benefits of cycling, walking and public transport. It’s the charity’s 50th year and they’ve split the week into rail day, bus and coach day and cycling to your local train or bus station day. Multi-modal transport for the win!
INTERESTING GRAPH OF THE WEEK:
SCARY GRAPH North Atlantic sea surface temperature is currently well above the 40-year average, and Antarctic sea ice is well below the 30 year average. Water takes a huge amount of energy to heat, so this rise represents a significant and worrying change. Scientists don’t fully understand what’s happening but you can read a bit more here. Source: Twitter
ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK:
Direct Vision Standard. Relating to lorries, and the (often still aspirational) standard that drivers be able to see the road around them directly, without mirrors and cameras. Over the years technology has tried to compensate for the enormous blind spots of high-cab HGVs, when the cab design needed overhauling. London’s star rating reflects vehicle safety standard levels, and only vehicles that comply with current star requirements can enter Greater London.
Until next time,
Founder, #BikeIsBest
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