More than a kerb, #163

Why bike lanes are really about people.

This week we’re reminded how, when we build people-friendly streets, it’s about so much more than just kerbs. It’s about measures that make our lives better: easier, healthier, more pleasant. In other words, it’s about putting people, not cars, first.

BIG STORIES FOR CYCLING ADVOCACY

EDINBURGH - THE NEW COPENHAGEN? This Times piece humanises the Scottish capital’s boom in cycling, through the lens of one man. Glossing over the idea that Jeremy Vine could put a nation off cycling, the piece notes that, when you build cycling infrastructure, people use it. Edinburgh’s cross-city cycle route, known catchily as CCWEL, now carries 8% of traffic on one street. And the city as a whole has the highest level of cycle commuters, even above Cambridge, at 10%.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES. There’s been a lot of talk about a High Court Ruling against Lambeth and one of its Low Traffic Neighbourhoods. Climate charity Possible’s Izzy Romilly makes a good case for these measures - for health, congestion and the climate. She notes opposition is often about wider failures in the transport system, not just the LTN. Local authorities need to acknowledge genuine concerns while introducing measures we know work. It’s a tricky line to walk, but doing nothing shouldn’t be the outcome of this ruling - it’s about doing better.

BEST BIKEWAYS IN THE USA. It’s not often we hear about decent cycle routes in America. Did you know, for example, that Chicago built 47 miles of bike facilities last year, 31 of which were apparently protected lanes and greenways? Even Motor City, Detroit, is developing a 28-mile greenway, looping through 23 neighbourhoods and three nearby cities, connecting marginalised communities en route. This Momentum piece sets out some of the secrets to success, including funding, which is being severely threatened under the current administration.

GREATER MANCHESTER BETS ON SCHOOL STREETS. There are 24 school streets in Greater Manchester, four in delivery and plans to increase that number to 100 by 2028. These timed street closures, at pick up and drop off times, help more kids and parents walk, wheel and cycle to school and reduce the danger outside the school gates. It’s great to see this measure embraced in the city region - with more schools encouraged to get involved.

A RARE BRIGHT SPOT FOR CYCLING? This blog piece, from earlier this month, makes the case for shared ebikes, through the lens of Lime Bikes. They may annoy people - rightly so - when they are left on the pavements or blocking bike racks, but they are bringing new people to cycling, in numbers. Younger, more diverse individuals are drawn to the ease of use. That’s not to discount the negatives - wheelchair users and anyone pushing a buggy are severely impacted by blocked pavements - but to say, both things can be true.

OTHER HEADLINES

HOW TO USE A ROUNDABOUT. Information videos have a long and storied history, and it’s a useful way to introduce people to new concepts and road layouts they might not have encountered before, say. That’s what Hertfordshire County Council has done ahead of the opening of the county’s first Dutch-style roundabout. The information video shows you how to navigate the new infrastructure as a cyclist, pedestrian and driver. Naturally, the Daily Mail has lost its mind over the roundabout. As one commenter put it: “If you find this confusing, perhaps you shouldn’t be driving.”

INTERESTING GRAPH OF THE WEEK: Car Spreading - the growth of motor vehicles - is damaging UK roads and putting lives at risk, as larger cars are more lethal in collisions. Taxation is one answer. So far the UK is doing too little to disincentivise the purchase of oversized private vehicles, as UK Head of Clean Cities, Oliver Lord outlines; based on new research by Transport and Environment. Source: https://www.transportenvironment.org/uploads/files/Are-European-countries-steering-drivers-to-go-electric-or-stick-to-polluting-SUVs.pdf

ACTIVE TRAVEL WORD OF THE WEEK:

People-friendly streets. This is about putting people, not traffic, first. Some local authorities are even branding their streetspace transformations as such. After all, urban spaces are about people. And cars don’t have feelings (yet).

Until next time,

Adam

Adam Tranter

CEO, Fusion & Founder, #BikeIsBest