Drumrolls, roll-outs and stuck in a rut, #191

Half a decade’s hiatus, and a better half to look forward to

This week, we’re looking back at a five-year delayed Pavement Parking ban and forward to the Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, which both need a little help. Meanwhile, there’s good news from Wales, and the Cycle to Work Scheme gets a reprieve.

BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY

NEW ROAD SAFETY STRATEGY DRUMROLL. It is widely anticipated the government’s new road safety strategy will be published on the week of 15 December. While details are under wraps, Road Safety GB makes some educated guesses about its content. That is: renewed Vision Zero commitments, enhanced active travel infrastructure investment and “stronger collaboration between national and local authorities to tackle high-risk routes and behaviours”. Their webinar on 17 December hopes to unpack the new strategy.

WALES TO ROLL OUT SIDE ROAD ZEBRAS. Wales has become the first home nation to draft legislation allowing zebra crossings to be installed at side roads in 20mph zones, without the expensive Belisha Beacons. Positioned across the mouth of junctions, and common across Europe, there have long been calls for their introduction. They improve safety for pavement users and give children independence to walk to and from school. They are also much cheaper to install. Meanwhile, trials across various English cities and hopes in Edinburgh for similar have so far been unsuccessful in bringing about similar legislation.

PAVEMENT PARKING’S UNHAPPY FIFTH BIRTHDAY. Five years and four prime ministers since a consultation on tackling pavement parking ended and there’s been no action at all. In the latest Streets Ahead podcast episode Ned, Laura and I discuss, with Living Streets’ Tanya Braun, the impact on people’s lives. This impact is disproportionately felt by people with disabilities and people with children or buggies, and older adults. Living Streets recently launched an action allowing people to share, on a map, problem locations they know - with photos - and so far more than 1600 people have done so.

MORE SAFE ROUTES NEEDED FOR CARGO CYCLE ROLL-OUT. A new report by the Green Alliance says more is needed to help pave the way for e-cargo cycle uptake. While operators recognise the environmental and time-saving benefits of e-cargo, a lack of safe infrastructure for the vehicles is a major barrier to uptake, the report says. If the UK switched just 7.5% of urban traffic from diesel van to e-cargo, we’d save more carbon than by cutting all domestic flights. Meanwhile, home delivery growth has helped push van emissions up 60% since 1990.

A BETTER FIVE-YEAR STRATEGY FOR WALKING AND CYCLING? And wheeling, of course. The government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, which is now out for consultation, needs some help. While its aims are on the right lines, it lacks measurable targets and any meaningful mention of infrastructure expansion - unlike its counterpart for roads, RIS3. Walking, wheeling and cycling have huge benefits across government priorities and Laura Laker’s latest substack post outlines why - and how - it can be better.

OTHER HEADLINES

CYCLE TO WORK SAVED. Following a lot of understandable concern, the Chancellor decided not to impose a rumoured £1000 cap on Cycle to Work. The salary sacrifice scheme, representing 40% of some retailers’ sales, is a crucial part of a bike shop’s income - but at up to 15% the commission rates operators charge retailers is too high, warns the Association of Cycle Traders. They add that shops face 30% bill increases next year, due to a ‘perfect storm’ of pressures - which remain untackled in the short term.

INTERESTING GRAPH OF THE WEEK:

Some of the 1600 reports of pavement parking added to Living Streets’ interactive map. Add yours here

Source: https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/end-pavement-parking-in-england/

ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK:

Cycle Commuting. An oft-under-reported fact is that more cycle journeys are for commuting purposes (31%) than car trips (13%). The biggest trip purpose, however, is leisure - at 41% for cycling and 33% for driving.

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.