I’m a great believer in cycling. Quite often I cycle through Oxford and think how great it would be to have 50% more cyclists, 50% less buses and 50% less cars. Many who get into cycling say how much they enjoy it. My former landlord used to drive the 2 miles to work for 20 years. But, then he was forced to cycle. But, now he cycles he says he would never go back to driving. But, how could we encourage more people to cycle? Especially in the UK, where we have the lowest rate of cycling in Europe.
1. Financial Incentives
People do respond to financial incentives. If it is more expensive to drive 2 miles into town and park, there is a greater incentive to cycle for free. The Social cost of driving is higher than the private cost. Driving creates negative externalities; accidents, congestion and pollution, therefore, it is justified for the government to tax cars, and parking. Unfortunately, the car lobby is powerful and people don’t like paying taxes. But, neither do people like sitting in traffic jams. The extra revenue can be used to improve public transport. Few governments have the political courage to raise taxes significantly, but rising price of oil may make a difference in encouraging people to cycle.
As well as making driving more expensive, the government can subsidise cycling. In the UK, the governments cycle to work scheme enables people to buy bikes tax free.
Free Bikes
Some cites such as Cambridge have experimented with free cycle lots. Places where you can pick up a bike for free, unfortunately most of the bikes got stolen and the scheme was ended. Nice idea, shame about the people.
2. Safer Roads
Probably the biggest factor is the perceived danger (justified) of cycling on roads. To improve safety there are various things that can be done.
1. More transport police to fine people for dangerous driving (rather than waiting for accident before prosecuting)
2. Enforced speed limits. 20mph limits in city centres.
3. Bike paths that are actually useful. Some bike paths in Oxford are so badly designed that it is safer to use the roads, but, some do give protection from road users and dangerous junctions.
3. Culture of Cycling.
I don’t know about other countries, but in the UK there seems to be a strong anti cycling lobby; it is fashionable to criticise cyclists, and cycling is often looked upon as a fringe activity. It’s difficult to change a culture of anti cycling, but, there are various things that might help.
- Presenting cycling in a positive light. The Tour de France was a good fiip, and I think the Tour of Britain is important. But, the main thing is to present cycling as a good thing, especially for young children. I’m not sure about the best way to do this.
- More policing of bad cycling. i.e. fines for riding without lights, jumping red lights. Improving the standard of cycling would help improve people’s perception of cycling themselves. I guess it could be done by same traffic police who look out for bad driving.
- Encouraging children to cycle to school. (great for reducing rush hour congestion)
- More cycle parks and places to leave bikes in a secured environment.
- The Police to actually try and stop cycle theft, rather than just give you a lecture on ‘why didn’t you spend £100 on a lock’ I know many who stopped cycling after their bike was stolen.
Related
I live in a town on the south coast of England, quite flat and the roads are difficult to use as half the workforce of a population of 70,000 of the town have to work off of the peninsular, just two roads in and out. It can take 2 hours to travel the six miles up the main road, by car, though a normal average is 30-45 minutes. I understand the numbers using push-bikes to commute to work in the UK is 3% in Gosport it is around 10. Even here there is a negative feeling about cyclists. I have 3 lights on the back and front of my bike as even when cyclists have lights, they can not always see them from cars. I agree those without lights and/or jumping lights should be prosecuted as should drivers jumping lights and using mobile phones should, but the Police cannot be everywhere.
In my hometown, Huntsville, AL USA , cyclists are expecting the new mayor to change the anti-cycling culture, in light of increasing numbers of fatal accidents. Each time the motorists has been at fault, but zero charges were filed against the driver–even one time when the driver admitted looking away to answer her ringing cellphone– hitting & killing a young woman from behind (cycling to and from a local Univ). I want the anti-cycling culture changed, laws enforced, etc but I don’t think a mayor can have this kind of impact. The public blames the cyclists (as does media) regardless of our traffic laws which give cyclists equal rights on the road and regardless of the accident’s evidence. I don’t know how the cycling community can diffuse this level of hate and misunderstanding. I like the suggestions on here, and noted no local politicians were given the task. I hope to see more ideas on instituting a positive attitude change.
Some great thoughts and comments. Yes, I too would love to see many more people enjoy cycling – the most enjoyable way I know to help save the planet!
And, yes! I do so agree with you about “bad” cycling, too and the way it gives us a bad name.
I am a cyclist by choice but also a motorist by necessity sometimes and it really p***ses me off when I see cyclists jump red lights etc.
Keep up the good work.
Frank