#BikeIsBest Advocacy Digest No. 97
Hello and welcome to 2024, where it’s still raining, but there is some exciting news, being that this week, and indeed year, we've moved to Substack! Nice.
So, Substack. Never heard of it? No worries, nothing changes. You’ll still get the Advocacy Digest straight to your inbox. But being on Substack opens up the digest to new readers and makes it more user-friendly. It also means it will be easier for you to read share and enjoy your weekly #BikeIsBest slice of joy. Let’s spread the word about active travel in 2024; if you hit the button below and share with a couple of friends - that’d be hugely appreciated.
NEW YEAR, NEW YOU?
It’s always tempting to look for big changes as we go into the New Year. But how about one that’s one of the single best things we can do for ourselves, and can be built into day-to-day life? Cycling, of course: little and often, for transport and errands. Quietly brilliant.
BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY
NEW YEAR, NEW STATESMAN? This story was actually from last year, but it’s interesting to note the different take from the New Statesman on things like 20mph and LTNs in a few short months. In August it declared LTNs a ‘working class nightmare’, claiming only the rich could afford to cycle, but by November it discovered, following some polling, councils were ‘overwhelmingly’ supportive, introducing 20mph limits anyway, by popular demand. Progress?
NEW YEAR, NEW JOIE DE VIVRE? There’s something about this charming blog that’s both poignant and inspiring. ‘Don’t let the old man in’ seems to be a good mantra in terms of staying adventurous and taking risks as we all get older - cycling being a great way to do that. We know riding a bike helps keep us young physically, and if Steve Thomas is to be believed, mentally too. Here’s to a year of adventure, whatever form that takes.
NEW YEAR, NEW SET OF LUNGS. The Telegraph is urging readers to take up cycling this year, to improve their health and longevity. One case study it presents is the remarkable story of Chris Jones who, after being diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) at 54, took up cycling. What followed was one of cycling’s miracle stories. Talk about keeping us young.
NEW YEAR, NEW HEADLINE IDEAS. I’ll stop now. In a similar vein, Forbes’ Carlton Reid has come up with 45 reasons to cycle more in 2024. Packed with research and positivity, from free parking to health and wellbeing, it’s a joyful kickstart to the year, reminding us why cycling is such a positive thing for all concerned, year-round.
NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST. The New Year Honours list includes two stalwart cycle campaigners, as road.cc reports. Cyclox’s Dr Alison Hill was honoured for two decades’ service to cycle campaigning. Dr Hill has also been chair of Bikeability Trust and sat on the board of Cycling England. 92-year-old Betty Philipson is president of City Road Club, in Hull, and was awarded the British Empire Medal for more than half a century’s service to cycling and the community in East Yorkshire.
OTHER HEADLINES
TOP TEN OF 2023. Momentum Mag has listed its ten best urban cycling stories from 2023. From a funky new bridge in Albuquerque to a woman physically defending a cycle lane in NYC from drivers, there’s also a British instalment, in the form of a stolen bike hunter. Road.cc also did a more UK-centric, and more completist version.
AND WHAT TO EXPECT FROM 2024. Transport Action Network sets out both its likely, and hoped-for predictions for 2024, from a new first minister in Wales, and a general election, to the pressing need to cut motor traffic.
INTERESTING GRAPH OF THE WEEK:
The many and sometimes surprising benefits of regular physical activity. Cycling is a great way to sneak that into our daily lives. Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/physical-activity-applying-all-our-health/physical-activity-applying-all-our-health
ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK:
Value for money. Cycling investment delivers this in spades. Think in the realm of £5.50 per £1 invested, compared with £1 for roads, if we're lucky.
Until next time,
Adam Tranter
Founder, #BikeIsBest