Following on a recent post about road design and space for cyclists, I came across this video where John Snow articulates the case for making cycle provision a legal requirement.
John Snow makes a very strong, articulate and common sense case for enforcing road designers to incorporate cycle provision when planning roads. (this makes much more sense than the current piecemeal approach of occasionally re-planning roads at a later date or painting on some cycle lane because a council gets some money.)
Bike Lane in Oxford (doesn’t last very far, but the thought is nice)
Important Points of Video
- Without legislation road designers won’t provide safe cycle provisions.
- Cycling has many social benefits which makes the investment in cycling worth-while.
- I liked the line ‘putting blue paint on the road is not creating cycle facilities’
- The growth of cycling in London is really despite road design. If safer cycling facilities were provided, I’m sure you would see an even bigger increase in cycle numbers.
- The main point is that you can’t leave cycle provision to piecemeal ad-hoc and variable measures. There needs to be a co-ordinated national strategy.
- Interestingly Wales has recently announced a legal commitment to provide safe access for pedestrians and cyclists.
Example of Road Design for Cyclists at Busy Junction
It is easy to look at some trunk roads and junctions and say it is too busy to bother trying to accommodate cyclists. But, where there is a will, there is a way. This is not most exciting video, but it shows how the good old Dutch made a junction safe and usable for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Often you simply need a will to accommodate different road users. You need to believe it is possible and then make it happen.
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