Cars are making us unhappy and poor, #171

They promised freedom but, for many, the promise falls short.

This week we’ve sobering news about global heating - with ‘profound concern’ from climate scientists that extreme heat is ‘now the norm’ in the UK. We know transport is a big contributor to global heating, and that decarbonising the sector could bring real dividends. The alternative, car dependency, isn’t even that attractive, good for society, for social mobility, productivity, achievement at school… the list goes on. So then, active travel is not just a win, it’s a crucial part of our future.

BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY

SHEFFIELD TO TRIAL INNOVATIVE CROSSINGS. Sheffield will soon become the biggest local authority to trial ‘side road zebras’ - which are up to 100 times cheaper to install than the traditional zebras, thanks to the absence of the flashing ‘belisha beacon’. While they aren’t recommended by the Department for Transport, they exist in countless supermarket car parks (and all over continental Europe). Support is growing as evidence shows they improve driver behaviour at junctions, where they are installed, and with it, safety. Streets Ahead recorded an episode on them recently.

CAR OWNERSHIP TAKES ¼ OF POOREST’S INCOMES. New research has found the poorest households spend a quarter of their income on their cars, raising concerns about social exclusion, access to work, services and opportunities. The IPPR report found poor public transport to blame, among other things, and recommends investment in active travel routes, roadspace reallocation and measures like school streets, as cycling and walking are the cheapest forms of transport going.

EXTREME CAR DEPENDENCY MAKING AMERICANS UNHAPPY. That’s what a US-wide survey found, looking at the link between happiness and the amount people drive daily. Americans often have no choice but to drive most places, but a need to drive for 50% of out-of-home activities decreases life satisfaction rates, the Arizona State University study found. Car dependency isolates people and costs them money and health-giving exercise. Offering people more options by improving urban planning, and options like cycling, walking and public transport would help reverse the situation.

PARIS INAUGURATES ‘PAUL VARRY’ BIKE LANE. That is the name of the cycling activist who was killed by an SUV driver in the city last year. Paris mayor, Anne Hidalgo, inaugurated the bike lane last week, calling it ‘both a tribute and a promise’ that the city will continue making streets safer from traffic danger. The 27-year-old Paul Varry was an active member of Paris-en-Selle (Paris in the saddle) and the Council of Paris unanimously voted to name a bike lane in the city for the first time.

ROLLING (STOCK) WITH THE TIMES? A recent European Cyclists’ Federation report analysed and ranked cycle-rail provision across the EU and UK. It not only looked at on-board bike spaces but bike hire at stations, bike booking services, and other things touring cyclists might need (the focus was less on commuting). With train travel pivoting to leisure since the pandemic, some operators are altering their rolling-stock, making more space for cycles, while others aren’t. While the Caledonia Sleeper, Scotrail and Avanti West Coast got ‘good’ scores, the rest have a way to go.

OTHER HEADLINES

105-YEAR-OLD GETS CYCLING. One amazing centenarian has taken up cycling, aged 105. Victor was able to get more active thanks to the use of a side-by-side cycle at an inclusive hub in Derby. With a fellow rider sitting beside him and pedalling, Victor is now taking part in weekly sessions that are helping him regain strength and confidence following a stroke. Inclusive hubs like Cycle Derby exist country-wide, providing non-standard cycles and training to all ages and abilities, and are worth their weight in gold for improving health, social inclusion and wellbeing.

INTERESTING GRAPH OF THE WEEK:

Provision for bikes on (and around) train services in Europe. Three UK rail operators scored ‘good’, while ten were ranked as ‘poor’ by a recent European Cyclists’ Federation report. Source: https://ecf.com/media/ecf%20at%20velo-city/CLT/Cyclists%20Love%20Trains%202025%20Report.pdf

ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK:

Malus points. You’ve heard of bonus points; well, the ECF’s report, Cyclists Love Trains, has also given minus, or malus, points when deciding rankings for rail operators. Items that will lose people points include strict peak time cycle restrictions on board, surcharges for bikes, and strict weight and size restrictions for bikes.

Until next time,

Adam

Adam Tranter

CEO, Fusion & Founder, #BikeIsBest

This newsletter is brought to you by Fusion, the agency for movers, specialising in communications and public affairs for active travel and mobility.