#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest - Edition No. 145

Our final newsletter of 2024.

Hello and welcome to this, our final newsletter of 2024. It’s been quite the year, with a new government, a new secretary of state for transport saying very positive things about cycling, and now her replacement, for whom there are hopes of the same.

HOW WAS THE YEAR FOR YOU?

We’ve seen new cycleways and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods being built and some being removed. A new mayor in the West Midlands and an end to my role as Walking and Cycling Commissioner for the region. We’ve seen cycling bans and some culture wars throwbacks, money for cycling and legal challenges. But overall there’s been a shift in the narrative here in the UK around active travel, led by an understanding of the power of cycling to make things better, whether you cycle or not. I’m going to leave you with some (mostly) positive stories, and a few things to consider, to round off the year.

BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY

SHEFFIELD’S DUTCH ROUNDABOUT BEDDING IN. A growing understanding by road users of how to use Sheffield’s new ‘Dutch’ roundabout? Seems like it. The layout, common in the Netherlands, requires drivers to give way at each arm to those cycling and walking on dedicated paths. Which makes sense really. It only opened this month, and some people will take a while to get used to it, but they’ll get there in the end.

LTNS OUT IN TOWER HAMLETS? Disappointment for campaigners this week after the High Court rejected a legal challenge over the planned removal of three Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in Tower Hamlets. All seven grounds argued by Save our Safer Streets, including that Mayor Lutfur Rahman’s plans’ £2.5m price tag was poor value for money, were struck down. Campaigners say they will appeal the decision.

HARINGEY’S LTNS TO STAY. A stark contrast in Haringey, north London, where big numbers from three Low Traffic Neighbourhoods led to the unanimous decision by cabinet members to make them permanent. According to the council, traffic is down overall by 80,000 fewer vehicles a day, including a 3% increase on boundary roads, with on average 34% fewer crashes across the LTNs - and 56% fewer in the most deprived area, Bruce Grove, which previously had among the worst collision injury rates in London.

NEW TOWNS NEED TRANSPORT CHOICES. That’s the rallying cry of a new report, for 550,000 homes next to existing rail stations, and within cycling and walking distance (with routes) of daily needs. Recent homebuilding has locked in car dependency but this report shows by doing differently we can improve access to high-paying jobs in well-connected cities for residents of the future.

LISTENING TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. For International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024, new research by the National Centre for Accessible Transport (NCAT) found 92% of disabled people face barriers in transport - with inaccessible streets and pavements the biggest. This caused physical or mental distress for three-quarters of respondents. A new open-source dashboard informs policymakers and professionals on those issues, to help resolve them.

OTHER HEADLINES

A DIFFERENT WAY IN 2025? Boris Johnson’s advisor, and former cycling commissioner for London, Andrew Gilligan, has set out why opposing active travel measures isn’t a vote winner. Writing for Conservative Home, Gilligan points out ‘unblocking’ streets by removing bike lanes or LTNs isn’t popular and won’t have the desired effect of reducing congestion. Let’s hope politicians of all stripes learn this lesson soon.

BIG IDEAS FOR 2025. Speeding fines that are proportional to the offender’s income? Contraflow cycling (small measure, big impact) - as Camden Council is on its way to making half of all one-way streets contraflow for cycling. Vision-led transport planning, which starts with the outcome we want to see, and makes it happen, rather than assuming ever-growing car use and seeks to mitigate the negative impacts. Access to public space that centres people with disabilities and their varied needs and experiences, and finds a collaborative solution. More Side road zebra crossings, please, finally? And more climate solutions that include cycling.

INTERESTING GRAPH OF THE WEEK:

Physical activity is one of the best ways to improve and maintain good health. Cities have shorter distances to everyday amenities, making it ideal for active travel. Improving walking, cycling and green space access would improve the health of our urban population. These are the words of Chris Witty, England’s Chief Medical Officer, as he shares this image from a new ‘health in cities’ report. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/chief-medical-officers-annual-report-2024-health-in-cities

ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK:

Vision-led planning. Historically we’ve taken a ‘predict-and-provide’ approach to transport, that prediction being ever-growing motor traffic, and the provision being roads. Leading with people, or a vision, means starting with what we want (cleaner air, reduced traffic congestion, health, transport choice), and building for that (rail, bus, walking and cycling). Let’s make 2025 the year of decide and provide.

Until next time,

Adam

Adam Tranter

Founder, #BikeIsBest