Tag: Cycling

Windows of Opportunity 

11th December 2023

Increasing cycling

“Before carbon-intensive travel became widespread, cycling epitomised highly efficient transport, and it still does. But now it’s also part of the solution for a low-carbon future. Cycling is one of the simplest lifestyle choices that most individuals can make to reduce their carbon footprint, and it offers huge benefits for health, the economy, air quality and neighbourhoods too.” (1)

The World Health Organisation is a keen to proponent of: “Walking and cycling are simple, cost-effective ways of being active. Walking is an essential part of all journeys. It is accessible and affordable, and socially equitable. Cycling is among the most efficient and sustainable means of transportation. Together, walking and cycling have economic, social, environmental and health benefits.  

WHO is working to help countries retain, promote and enable everyone to walk and cycle for recreation and transport. This will not only deliver significant health benefits but also contribute to developing sustainable mobility systems, creating liveable cities and communities, and cleaner air all of which contribute, directly and indirectly, to multiple Sustainable Development Goals.” (2)

(1) https://www.cyclinguk.org/briefing/case-cycling-tackling-climate-change

(2) https://www.who.int/activities/promoting-walking-and-cycling

And for further interest –  https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/27/why-i-quit-complaining-about-cyclists-men-in-lycra?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Counting on … day 1.198

20th October 2023

Repeating a previous blog – ‘Cars might seem essential for picking up shopping, delivering goods, or transporting children, but in reality there are many alternatives. Cargo bikes can just as easily fit the bill. Our local authority of Richmond upon Thames, has a hire scheme so residents can make use of cargo bikes for a minimal outlay’ – and the first 60 minutes are free – https://www.richmond.gov.uk/services/roads_and_transport/vehicles/active_travel/cargo_bikes

And from another entry -‘Cycle courier services have been around for many years now as bikes are often far quicker than any other vehicle for short  urban journeys – and of course have been used by Royal Mail for centuries. Likewise Co-op’s use of bikes for grocery deliveries is not new. Freddie’s Flowers – a weekly flower delivery service is also fulfilled by bike. Cycle delivery services such as Peddle Me, carryout same day deliveries for a variety of clients including  coffee roasters, breweries, flower suppliers, film companies, local authorities, community kitchens, charities, restaurant chains and numerous food suppliers –  “You name it, we deliver it”! They also offer a taxi service for people too! ’ –  https://pedalme.co.uk/about

Bikes are the future!

Counting on …. Day 1.197

19th October 2023

Cycling, walking, taking the train or the bus, all reduce our dependency on cars, and reduces carbon emissions. The more people use these car-alternatives the more likely the provisions of good infrastructure will increase. Equally the more people use car alternatives, the more that others will feel encouraged to do likewise.

Active travel is healthier, more sociable and creates pleasanter environment for everyone. And something we don’t always think about, active travel is good for local businesses. The following is a reasonably unbiased assessment – https://www.talk-business.co.uk/2019/12/02/are-car-free-streets-good-or-bad-for-business/

And this report highlights the value of cycling as industry with green growth potential  – https://www.smarttransport.org.uk/insight-and-policy/active-travel/the-cycle-industry-a-green-growth-sector-that-can-help-deliver-net-zero

Counting on …. Day 1.196

18th October 2023

Earlier this autumn the Guardian reported in an article about new electric cars ‘But even a low-carbon-emitting car remains a low-capacity mode of transportation. Doubling down on its near-monopoly over the surface transportation system would lead to a future of ever-worsening congestion and road accidents, which currently cost 30 lives in the UK every week.’ 

In other words greater use of public transport, cycling and walking would ease congestion on our roads. It has been well observed that building more roads increases traffic rather than reducing congestion. Money spent on road building would be better spent on public transport and cycling infrastructure, reducing congestion and more than likely, increasing journey times. 

Counting on … day 1.195

17th October 2023

Cycling as the days draw in and the weather gets colder, needs a little more planning. Have you got cycle-lights  and are the batteries fully charged? Have you got outer-layers that are waterproof, warm and high-viz? Have you got a brim on your cycle helmet or do you have a cycling cap to wear underneath, that will provide shade from the low but bright winter sun? Shining straight into your eyes, the sun can dazzle and limited visibility. 

For further tips see – 

https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/travel/cycling-in-winter

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/commuting/article/Daily-Commuting-Tips

Counting on … day 1.194

16th October 2023

A recent newsletter from Sustrans told of Albert, Rosemary and 1 year old Teifi who, even though they live in rural Wales, do not have a car and instead use cycling as their mode of transport. Albert provided the following tips for others inspired to ditch their car.

“Try doing one trip a week on bike instead of in a car, that could maybe be a trip to the shops to get a smaller amount of things in or taking the kids to the park.

“I’d recommend starting off small and slowly reducing the number of trips you take in the car. 

“Obviously it does depend on where you are, but you can certainly give it a go. 

“I guess it’s important not to see it as this massive challenge and more just making small tweaks. 

“It does involve changing habits and making adaptations, but it is doable.” 

https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/personal-stories/2023/all/living-car-free-with-a-young-child/?utm_campaign=205436_October Enews&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Sustrans&dm_i=7CK6,4EIK,CNH9L,HM8K,1

Counting on …. Day 1.059

1st March 2023 

Shop local. When we walk and  cycle more and drive less, it is local shops and businesses that benefit!

The Living Streets report, The Pedestrian Pound (updated 2018), noted that If more space is given for walking and cycling and less to cars, the absence of customers arriving by car is more than compensated by people arriving on foot or by bike. For example, in San Francisco, the first trial ‘parklet’ increased pedestrian traffic in the area by 37% on weeknights and increased people walking with bikes at the weekend by 350%. A similar scheme in Shoreditch, London, increased takings in an adjacent shop by 20%.

A different world is possible!

Counting on … day 1.058

28th February 2023 

Swopping to a cycle based city. 

In Copenhagen the bicycle has become the most important means of transport.  The goal is for 50 percent of all trips to work and education in Copenhagen to be made by bike by 2025. In 2018, they reached 49 percent. Out of all trips made to, from and in the City of Copenhagen, 28 percent were in 2018 made by bicycle (32 percent by car, 21 percent walking and 19 percent public transport). In the inner city, bicycles outnumbered cars in 2016. 

The backbone of the city’s design for cycling is a network of protected bike lanes. In Denmark, unidirectional bike lanes are separated from both the pavements and the road by a kerb. Protected bike lanes are a must when the volume and speed of vehicle traffic is high.

https://eu.boell.org/en/cycling-copenhagen-the-making-of-a-bike-friendly-city

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Counting on … day 392

28th November 2022 (this is rerun of a post from last year)

Bike is best!” Whether you are young or old or somewhere in between.  Whether you are able bodied  or disabled. Whether you are super fit or just starting out. Whether it’s simply  for leisure or for  getting from A to B. Whether it is for deliveries or commuting or the school ‘run’.  

Active travel reduces carbon emissions, improves air quality and aids healthy living. What’s not to like?

And what is included in active travel? – walking, wheeling and cycling. The following extract comes from Wheels of Wellbeing, a charity  that promotes cycling for people with disabilities.

Walking:  foot/pedestrian-based mobility that may incorporate the support of aids to mobility such  as stick/s, cane/s, crutch/es, the arm of another person and/or assistance animal/s.

Wheeling: an equivalent alternative to foot/pedestrian-based mobility. Includes wheeled mobilities such as manual self- or assistant-propelled wheelchairs, including wheelchairs with power attachments or all-terrain attachments (such as the “Freewheel”), powered wheelchairs, mobility scooters (three and four-wheeled) and rollators. Some people rely on their cycle to move (at a pedestrian’s pace) through pedestrianised environments when it is not physically possible to walk/push their cycle. Some people use their cycle as a walking aid, by leaning on it (do not use crutches but need to lean in order to walk, due to pain etc. – they can dismount but cannot park their cycle). Some people use e-scooters (with or without a seat), to wheel/scoot through pedestrianised environment if they cannot walk unaided.

We recommend never using ‘walking’ on its own (as it likely reinforces ableist stereotypes in people’s minds) but always using ‘walking/wheeling’ together. Both words represent the action of moving at a pedestrian’s pace, whether or not someone is standing or sitting, walking/wheeling unaided or using any kind of aid to mobility, including walking aids / wheeled aids, personal assistants or support animals.

Cycling:  incorporates the action of moving at speed on a wide range of pedal- powered wheeled transport that may be powered with hands and/or feet, may transport one or more person, may or may not include e-assist and usually have between 2 and 4 wheels. 

https://wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk/walking-wheeling-and-cycling-definitions/embed/#?secret=7xNzMjwypv