Comments on: How To Get More People Cycling

By: velocipede2288

velocipede2288 — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:20:07 +0000

The trouble with 20 mile an hour limits is the same as 30 mile an hour limits, no one keeps to these speeds unless there is a camera to catch them out, and now councils are scrapping cameras on streets.
What is the point of giving limits if there are no cameras?

By: Effective Ways to Encourage Cycle Use | Cycling UK

Effective Ways to Encourage Cycle Use | Cycling UK — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:04:46 +0000

[...] How to get more people cycling [...]

By: Standards of Driving | Cycling UK

Standards of Driving | Cycling UK — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 20:17:28 +0000

[...] How to get more people cycling [...]

By: tejvan

tejvan — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:21:32 +0000

Good point Dan, I think people lack confidence cycling and personal experience is best way to overcome

By: Dan H

Dan H — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:19:38 +0000

One thing that hasn’t been mentioned here but I’ve heard a lot about is “bike buddy” schemes. They pair up a commuter with an experienced cyclist. For the first few weeks they do the daily commute together, just to help the newbie get over the initial confidence hump, and to help them feel more safe on the roads. After that they might do slightly longer or unfamiliar rides together, to help the newbie learn to spot the ridiculously small cycle route signs and markings, and to plan routes; and after that the buddy is available to give advice by email or to meet up infrequently with advice on lighting, wet weather gear, or anything else you can only really be told by a more experienced person.

I haven’t taken part in one of these, but from what I hear the new cyclists really appreciate being able to learn from a good example, and just having someone there so they’re not doing this unfamiliar and scary thing alone.

By: MagicRoundabout

MagicRoundabout — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:59:29 +0000

Missed this post a few weeks ago. Here’s a good way to get people to give cycling a go: http://www.swindoncyclechallenge.org.uk/

By: tejvan

tejvan — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:45:09 +0000

Thanks Nigel, I like the posts on your blog. http://www.bikingbrits.blogspot.com/ It would be great to see more of cycling culture here in UK.

By: WestfieldWanderers

WestfieldWanderers — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:49:20 +0000

My Utopian ideal would be for every primary school child to have the opportunity to be trained to National Standard Level 2 (an improved version of the old Cycling Proficiency training) by the age of 11. Cycling, like crossing the road safely, should be regarded as a “life skill” and ideally even be part of the National Curriculum.

Further, every applicant for a Provisional Driving Licence should be trained to National Standard Level 3 (advanced cycling in urban traffic) before they are issued with the licence.

Not only would new drivers then learn a greater awareness of road conditions, their roadcraft skills would be much greater, having been trained road users for several years before taking up driving. Far better than the current situation when a youngster “graduates” from the rear passenger seat to the driving seat without ever even being taught to cross the road safely.

One final benefit is that every driver would also, by default, be a cyclist too. Thus eliminating at a stroke that tedious “us-and-them” situation we all suffer on the roads today.