#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No.79
#BikeIsBest Digest Edition No. 79 | Wednesday 30th August 2023 |
Hello and how was the Bank Holiday for you? Hopefully you’ve come out the other side feeling nicely rested.
MARK RUSKELL IS AN MSP, SORRY.
The eagle-eyed among you may have noticed my mention of Mark Ruskell, writing for the National in Scotland, about the importance of a legacy for the World Cycling Championships last week. The more eagle-eyed may have noticed I I incorrectly identified him as a columnist when in fact he is an MSP. So apologies, but it’s even better to read Parliamentary leaders talking about converting sporting legacies to everyday cycling.
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
E-BIKES FIGHTING CRIME
Bikes can take us where cars can’t - though Hollywood chase scenes are sadly lacking in pedal power. In the West Midlands, though, police are harnessing the powers of ebikes to chase suspects, as part of #OpAdvance. Bought via Coventry City Council’s crime budget, the e-bikes helped arrest a man suspected of breaching a court order on their first day.
CONNECTED ROUTES AND POLICING KEY, SAYS RESEARCHER
A transport researcher in Dublin has attributed a drop in the city’s cycle friendliness ranking to a lack of connected routes and a failure to keep those routes clear from parked vehicles. In interviews with Dublin cyclists these are two of the key issues that came up, along with poor driver behaviour.
SPEEDING TO DANGER?
The Government has released its annual data on vehicle speed compliance for 2022. 50% of car drivers exceeded the speed limit at 30mph sites. 85% of car drivers exceeded the speed limit at 20mph sites. This indicates the scale of the problem we face in kerbing excessive speed. We know for every 1mph speed reduction, collision rates fall by around 5% - and fatality rates with them.
TRANS ERYRI HYPE
Cycling UK’s new adventure route has received a positive response from the national press, after its launch last week. The new 140-mile mountain biking route, which crosses Snowdonia national park, is certainly a challenge, with its 5,000m of climbing, but if it’s anything like its predecessors, it should prove a draw for tourists, away from the well-trodden path. Perhaps it will also nudge greater access for cyclists on off-road routes across Wales.
MAAS APPEAL?
The government has launched its Mobility As A Service (MAAS) provider guidance this week, to hopefully improve access for different users across public transport, car share and cycling. Service providers will be encouraged to show step-free and ‘main road’ options, for wheelchair users, and for safe walking journeys at night, while bringing together different transport options in one service.
OTHER HEADLINES
SHEFFIELD STANDS FOR THE WIN
There’s any number of weird and wonderful cycle racks going, but more often than not they’re awkward and not as secure as the classic Sheffield stand. After trying to park my bike recently using a “wheel bender” rack, I’m reminded that no one has - and likely never will - come close to beating the simplicity of its design.
INTERESTING GRAPH(IC) OF THE WEEK
SPEEDING DATA: From the government’s annual vehicle speed compliance data for 2022, the levels of compliance on all our roads are nowhere near where they need to be. Speed kills, and we must tackle it as a society. Source: gov.uk
ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK:
Mobility as a Service (MaaS): a digital transport service platform allowing users to access, pay for, and get real-time information on a range of public and private transport. This could mean you can book, pay for and plan journeys on a hire bike, an e-scooter, a bus and a hire car, all in one place.
Until next time,
Founder, #BikeIsBest
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