Comments on: Effective Ways to Encourage Cycle Use

By: EDWARD

EDWARD — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:27:18 +0000

The problem here (West Wiltshire) is that it is very hilly. The standard response one gets to the suggestion that people ‘get on their bikes’ is that there is too much ‘up’, and not enough ‘down’. It is true that we have the Kennet and Avon towpath, but that suffers from wear and tear. We also have a lot of traffic, and a County Council that is, reputedly, half-hearted about cyclists in general. I hope that pressure will mount for 20mph limits but, with the volume of traffic increasing by .5% annually (not far off 36 million at the moment), we will need drastic action before people feel safe.

By: Keith

Keith — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 13:07:57 +0000

We are trying to knowledge-share and spread expertise about good cycling design through out new yearbook and trade directory for utility cycling – commuting, go shopping, travel to schools. Cycling needs to be seen as just another form of urban travel like driving or getting the bus, not just as a sport or leisure activity or fringe interest.

See http://www.transportxtra.com/getbritaincycling

Please let me know what you think by email – gbc@landor.co.uk

By: Britain’s Cycling Boom | Cycling UK

Britain’s Cycling Boom | Cycling UK — Wed, 04 May 2011 09:04:41 +0000

[...] See more: How To Increase Cycling. [...]

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:49:47 +0000

It’s not just having lots of students.

The University of Manchester is the biggest single site University in the UK in terms of studentnumbers, and shares the “Oxford road corridor” with Manchester Metropolitan (the second largest after UoM) as well as other colleges.

The main halls are some three miles from town, with the universities spread out in between. It’s really flat, and cycling would perhaps seem to be the obvious choice for students on a budget. There are a few but Oxford blows Manchester out of the water in terms of cyclist numbers.

Why? The main reason is dangerous roads full of buses and other traffic, where the reality is quite bad but the perception is even worse.

Also, there is a real issue with crime. Bikes go missing quickly if not securely locked and even those that are sometimes get vandalised. I was gobsmacked to see bikes in Oxford just locked to themselves, and not to any street furniture. They wouldn’t last two minutes in Manchester.

Mind you, cycling is still far and away the quickest easiest cheapest healthiest way to get around Manchester.

By: Fred

Fred — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 09:42:28 +0000

A brilliant and well thought out post. My friend and I were cycling out of Southampton to go to the New Forest, the only way out is adjacent to the A35 on dual use pavement, that or cycle on the 50mph dual carriageway. Until traffic planners make a concerted effort, above and beyond painting lines, then nothing will change drastically.

By: Lewis

Lewis — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 07:59:22 +0000

I’m trying to convince my girlfriend to cycle the 2 miles to work (would take her 10 mins max), rather than drive every day and she wouldn’t get stuck in school traffic on the way home. But she starts work early and isn’t very convinced. Too early, too cold, can’t come home on lunch breaks. Oh, and her bike got nicked…

By: steve

steve — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:21:22 +0000

>cycling the 1 mile to work
Blimey! I’d not even bother getting the bike out for such a short distance, let alone a car — at that sort of range, the time spent in getting set to go and parking at the other end reduces the marginal advantages of speed en route.

The main uphill battle is getting people to realise that some light physical exercise isn’t going to kill them.