#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No. 107

Hello and welcome to this rainy edition of #BikeIsBest, where your shoes may or may not contain a puddle.

UMBRELLAS AT THE READY

This week, I joined a walking tour of some of London’s pedestrian infrastructure, with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cycling and Walking. Our tour included a former gyratory that’s now a pedestrian plaza at Aldwych. Bike may be best sometimes, but a stroll is pretty great too, even in the rain.

BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY

LTNS ARE POPULAR AND WORK, RESEARCH SHOWS. Polling repeatedly shows most people don’t even know they live in a Low Traffic Neighbourhood and that more people like them than don’t like them. The latest research, commissioned as part of the Prime Minister’s LTN review and leaked to the Guardian last week, appears to underline this (once again).

LTN REMOVALS, MIXED REVIEWS. A few LTNs have been removed, following backlash; the BBC reported last week on the response in Jesmond, Newcastle, a month on. After pressure from businesses and concerns about traffic displacement the council removed the trail LTN. However, while some are happy they can once again drive through the area, others feel it’s made cycling more dangerous. 

ACTIVE TRAVEL ‘BEST BUY’ FOR HEALTH. Active travel is a “best buy” for improving health, according to this BMJ piece. The author, Professor Scarlett McNally’s opinion, is to reap the benefits of cycling and walking, pavements need repairing, crossings improved, the Highway Code changes learned by drivers and 20mph speed limits introduced in built-up areas. The NHS should lead with its own staff, McNally says, and link in with other departments’ efforts, such as those tackling the climate crisis.

LONDON QUADRUPLES CYCLE ROUTES. Since 2016, Sadiq Khan and his active travel team, with cycling and walking commissioner Will Norman, have quadrupled the city’s cycle network, they announced this week. A major new cycleway opened in Southwark this month, one of 20 new cycleways introduced in the past 12 months. Cycling growth continues apace, unsurprisingly.

LEE WATERS STEPS DOWN. Wales’ Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters, will leave his post ahead of a change in First Minister, he has announced. Waters led on Wales’ introduction of 20mph speed limits, as well as in toughening up standards to build new roads. Waters was interviewed by my podcast, Streets Ahead, last year, in case you missed it. I wish Lee all the best in the future. 

OTHER HEADLINES

BEDFORD, A 15 MINUTE CITY. One cycling campaigner has pointed out many towns and cities, in this case, Bedford, are already 15 minute cities, if you travel by bike. The convenience and traffic-jam busting nature of pedal power means you can pretty much guarantee journey times, unlike in a car, and you may even enjoy the journey.  

INTERESTING GRAPH OF THE WEEK: 

Sustrans’ Walking and Cycling Index was published last week. Here’s some data from Scotland, showing a substantial proportion of people want to cycle, walk and wheel more, and support investment to help them do it. Source: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/the-walking-and-cycling-index/scotland-walking-and-cycling-index/ 

ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK:

Walking and wheeling. Terms used for moving as a pedestrian, whether by walking or wheeling, using a mobility aid, or unaided. Transport Scotland points out some, but not all, disabled people identify with the term ‘wheeling’; it's often used to include those with mobility aids in active travel parlance.

Until next time,

Adam Tranter

Founder, #BikeIsBest