#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No.95
#BikeIsBest Digest Edition No. 95 | Wednesday 20th December 2023 |
Hello and welcome to your ‘miracle pill’ newsletter, where every pedal stroke is a boon for life and limb.
WOULD YOU LIKE SOME CYCLING WITH YOUR RAIN? It’s a wet old day out there but, with mounting concerns over the shape of the NHS this winter, and the state of our nation’s health, it’s never been a better time to brave the blustery weather and enjoy the health-giving benefits of a bike ride, or a stroll. We’ll certainly feel better afterwards.
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
AM I READING THAT RIGHT? It’s a shocking headline, that 3,000 ward admissions per day are linked to obesity, but that’s the reality of our inactive lifestyle. Many conditions and their treatment are exacerbated by the condition, which has doubled in just six years, and is worse in poorer areas. Regular physical activity, like cycling, can help reduce a plethora of conditions related to inactivity.
TWO WHEELS BETTER A care company in Oxford has turned to cycling to beat congestion, and discovered some unexpected benefits along the way. Works to Oxford’s railway station have blocked a major road, so Bellevie Care workers were given a bike to reach patients instead. Predictable, short journey times, easier parking and more enjoyable journeys were among those benefits.
CONTRAFLOW KINGS Cities across Europe are using a simple but powerful tool in improving access for people cycling. That tool is the humble contraflow. A few signs and a bit of paint and you have yourself more direct, easier cycling journeys for people to get about by bike. It may not have the wow factor of a big protected bike lane, but it makes a big difference to everyday cycling.
SLOW CHANGE IN THE CYCLE INDUSTRY A recent worrying study found 71% of women were considering leaving the industry. Cycling Weekly speaks to some female leaders about whether change is happening fast enough and what there is to be positive about. Conferences may be majority male, and women still being talked over, but thanks to strong leadership and diversity programmes, change is happening. It just isn’t happening fast enough.
DIVERSITY IN ACTION Disabled cycling powerhouse, Wheels for Wellbeing, is helping tackle what it calls the invisibility of disabled cyclists. The charity’s new disabled cycling photobank makes available a library of images of a variety of riders and their non-standard cycles. The aim of the project is to help showcase that not all cyclists look the same, or ride a standard bicycle. You can register for free here.
OTHER HEADLINES
THANKS TO RUTH CADBURY The MP for Brentford and Isleworth stepped down as co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking this month, after eight years with the group. Ruth Cadbury says it’s been a hugely important role for her, and her efforts and dedication to enable and campaign for active travel in Westminster and beyond are to be celebrated. Fabian Hamilton MP has since stepped into the role.
SAFE WINTER CYCLING It may be cold and wet, or even icy, but that doesn’t mean we need to stop cycling. Cycling UK has some neat tips for staying safe when the thermometer dips below zero.
INTERESTING GRAPH OF THE WEEK:
On that contraflow story, here’s how the UK stacks up against European countries according to the proportion of one-way streets made contraflow for cycling. The UK is at 4.6%, vs 56% in the Netherlands - so some room for improvement. Source
ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK:
Obesogenic Environment. Without body-shaming anyone, we know our surroundings, and a lack of access to daily exercise, aka the obesogenic environment, profoundly impacts our mental and physical health. Designing activity into our public space is a powerful way to help people stay healthy and fit, whatever our body shape.
Until next time,
Founder, #BikeIsBest
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