#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No.70

#BikeIsBest Digest Edition No. 70 | Saturday 1st July 2023 | View in browser

Hello and welcome to this week’s #BikeIsBest newsletter, where we have your 52-yearly update on all things pedal power, and beyond.
SAFER ROADS, BETTER ACCESSIBILITY, AND FEWER CARS
Most of us want to see a change in how we travel, day-to-day, whether it’s to save money, boost our physical health or mood, or simply for convenience. There are still too many barriers in the way for many of us, though - from dangerous driving to the substantial cost of some cycles. Progress, while patchy, is happening in places.
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
CAR OWNERSHIP PLUMMETS?
More than two million car owners in the UK use their vehicles for less than an hour per week, according to a vehicle subscription company. Shared ownership makes sense, not least among people who only use their cars a fraction of the time, or those living where there’s public transport and active alternatives. In a cost of living crisis, an estimated 1.3m people could be spending around £6,000 a year on a vehicle.
RECUMBENTS CHANGE LIVES.
Vanessa Hilton has to lie horizontal constantly, because of a spinal issue, making everyday life incredibly challenging. Appearing in a Guardian experience article, she expressed a desire for a recumbent cycle that would let her travel independently, prone. Readers chipped in to her crowdfunder to buy the bike, with enough leftover for a charitable donation. “I’ve used it every day since,” she said. “I can’t put into words how liberating it’s been”
SERIOUS DEBATE ON TRAFFIC DANGER.
I have welcomed the sombre debate taking place in print and TV reporting on the recent tragic road deaths in Birmingham. We need to continue this conversation to turn the tide on aggressive driving. It will need increased enforcement and solid partnership working to make it clear to those who drive dangerously: we won’t tolerate this on our streets. Source: Twitter
WALES COUNTS DOWN TO 20
It’s three months until Wales introduces its default 20mph speed limit on most roads currently set at 30mph. The Welsh Government says it “could be the biggest step-change in community safety in a generation”, adding it will “save lives, reduce noise and help build stronger, safer communities.” Since Spain made a similar move, urban traffic deaths have dropped by 20%.
MORE FUNDING IN WALES TOO
In case you missed it, as we’re talking about Wales, for this year’s clean air day, earlier in the month, Wales announced a £58m boost for active travel, in a bid to cut some of the transport emissions responsible for air pollution. The funding will include half a million each for local authorities to develop a pipeline of future routes - a crucial part of long-term planning for cycling and walking.
OTHER HEADLINES
BACKWARDS STEPS FOR BRIGHTON BIKE LANE?
Local campaigners are concerned a new cycleway on Brighton seafront may be rolled back after councillors said they want a new solution that works for everyone. There are concerns that this means they don’t want to allocate road space from motor traffic.
INTERESTING GRAPHIC OF THE WEEK:
Another corker from Jan Kamensky, this time transforming Piccadilly Circus, removing through traffic and introducing benches, more pedestrian and cycling space. Regardless of practicality it’s an interesting exercise to highlight how much road space we give to motor traffic, and how things would look if we changed the status quo a little. Source: Twitter

ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK:
Accessibility. With several disabled cyclists reporting problems online this week around routing apps sending them to inaccessible places or there simply not being enough accessible routes, a good accessible design resource is Wheels for Wellbeing's Inclusive Cycling guide
Until next time,

Founder, #BikeIsBest
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