How to build a bike lane, #148

In this edition: there's also more 20mph zones, some new cycling offences and a need for women’s voices in the transport conversation.

Americans may have more on their minds than bike lanes in the coming weeks and months, but for those whose job it is to deliver cycling infrastructure, there’s some help, in the form of an updated design guide from city transport giants, NACTO. Elsewhere, there’s more 20mph zones, some new cycling offences and a need for women’s voices in the transport conversation.

BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY

ELEVEN NEW CYCLING OFFENCES, HANGING ON THE WALL. It was frustrating this week to see 11 new cycling offences proposed by the government (out of 13 new traffic offences) - which were mostly on tabloid editors’, rather than road safety experts’, hit lists. Among the list are dazzling bike lights, dangerous cycling, and Royal Parks-specific offences around rider behaviour. With someone killed or seriously injured in motor traffic collisions every 20 minutes in England the legal system, police resourcing, public education and enforcement are woefully inadequate. The response from the road safety community: these do not address real road safety priorities.

‘REVOLUTIONARY’ BIKE LANE GUIDE UPGRADED. The urban bikeway design guide that ‘sparked a design revolution’ in US cities has an update. Published by the National Association of City Transportation Officials, NACTO, it learns from dozens of cities, considers more diverse riders, and tackles things like planning. NACTO board chair, Janette Sadik-Khan, says: ‘In a time when we are looking to grow our cities and to deal with climate change and deal with the issue of affordability, bike lanes and bike programs check all of those boxes.’

ON THE ONE HAND… 20mph zones are being proposed in Plymouth, and the BBC has turned it into a for/against story. With opinion apparently split, after slightly fatuous comments about ‘rip off Britain’, and drivers ‘suffering’ at 20mph, the piece interviews residents with concerns about the risks caused by speeding drivers, and councillors who want kids to be able to move on the streets safely.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN SAFER STREETS. This piece by the Urban Cycling Institute discusses the importance of women’s voices in advocacy. Giving the groundbreaking example of the public rejection of a Swiss highway expansion project, the piece notes women were 61% against the project, vs 41% of men. We know women have less access to, and are more impacted by car dominance, and their voices are crucial in shaping transport policy, and the streetscape. Part of the conversation has to be about understanding how to make sure they are listened to.

MANCHESTER JOINS THE 20MPH PARTY. Residential roads in Manchester are set to have 20mph, while main roads will be brought down to 30mph. The move follows a worrying rise in people being killed or seriously injured while walking and cycling since the pandemic. The Manchester Evening News reports the speed limit on Mancunian Way was cut to 30mph in 2022 following a safety review - and the council will also police traffic offences at ten new sites.

OTHER HEADLINES

E-BIKING FOR THE WIN. This celebratory tale of an e-bike opening up adventure for one man is worth sharing. Moving to a hilly part of France, Nigel Kendall put away his regular bike after a single, exhausting, ride. A new e-bike changed his relationship - and access - to his new home territory. And he’s not alone. With all the negativity around e-bikes it’s important to remember their power in transforming our lives.

ANOTHER CONSULTATION WE DIDN’T NEED. The government’s proposal to change the law around Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles has been put to bed. Unsurprisingly, consultation responses to the proposal to include high-powered, twist-and-go bikes under existing e-bike regulations was roundly rejected. These faster, beefier machines, technically motorbikes under current legislation, may have their place but they are not e-bikes, is the conclusion.

INTERESTING GRAPH OF THE WEEK: From the European Cyclists’ Federation’s assessment of cycling strategies in Europe. Among 56 countries, including 27 EU member states, cycling policies vary. This graph identifies some of those, from 19 nations, and how many have adopted each. Source.

ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK: Intermodality: From the above graph, the ECF (European Cyclists’ Federation) describes this as ‘The integration of cycling and public transport, e.g. bicycle parking and more accessibility at stations, bicycle carriage on trains and buses.

Until next time,

Adam

Adam Tranter

Founder, #BikeIsBest