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Cycling, Environment, Life and style, Politics, Transport, Transport policy, UK news - July 28, 2020

What do the Highway Code proposals mean for pedestrians and cyclists?

Changes under consultation follow raft of cycling and walking announcements

Amid the storm of Covid-19, a raft of cycling and walking announcements has landed as part of the government’s attempt to promote a healthier population, save the NHS from collapse and fend off the worst outcomes from coronavirus.

The plans were in the pipeline before the pandemic and are good news for anyone who wants cleaner, safer roads, and residential streets that don’t moonlight as rat runs for short-cutting drivers.

An explicit road user hierarchy, with vulnerable road users at the top. This means priority for those walking and cycling over those turning at side roads.

Rules on giving enough space when overtaking cyclists.

Detail on road positioning and riding two abreast, which aim to clarify a common source of conflict and confusion, even with roads police.

The government’s consultation can be found here

Are the Tories really serious about supporting cycling?

New measures reflect the place riding a bike has taken in our lives during the coronavirus crisis – but do they go far enough?

Saturday’s announcement of extra funds for walking and cycling was a rare example of political focus on sustainable travel. Could the investment announced by the transport minister, Grant Shapps, help usher in what Boris Johnson pledged a week earlier: a ‘golden age for cycling’?.

The measures announced at the weekend reflect the place cycling and walking have taken in our lives during the coronavirus crisis – and the key role they will play in our medium- and long-term future.

This could be the time to usher in a golden age for cycling in Britain

New measures reflect the place riding a bike has taken in our lives during the coronavirus crisis – but do they go far enough?

Saturday’s announcement of extra funds for walking and cycling was a rare example of political focus on sustainable travel. Could the investment announced by the transport minister, Grant Shapps, help usher in what Boris Johnson pledged a week earlier: a ‘golden age for cycling’?.

The measures announced at the weekend reflect the place cycling and walking have taken in our lives during the coronavirus crisis – and the key role they will play in our medium- and long-term future.

The government must invest in cycling. Here's how to do it

Co-chair of all-party parliamentary group on cycling and walking sets out a manifesto for active travel

The all-party parliamentary group for cycling and walking has, in collaboration with its 80 member groups, set out a manifesto for cycling and walking. The economic case for investment in these modes of travel is strong. We get £5.50 for every £1 we invest and the benefits are cross-cutting: a healthier population; stronger, safer local communities; better access to jobs and education; and lower levels of pollution.

Almost three years ago the government committed to a cycling and walking investment strategy for England, with a stated aim to return walking levels to 300 stages (ie part of a journey) per person per year, double cycling stages by 2025 and increase walking to school. As many people pointed out at the time, the investment strategy had little in the way of actual investment. Indeed, dedicated funding for cycling from government since then has been sporadic and meagre, with only a handful of cities investing at the levels required to catch up with the level we see in neighbouring, successful countries for active travel such as the Netherlands.

Why Finland leads the field when it comes to winter cycling

Progressive policies help get people get on their bike, even in below-freezing conditions

In London, where I live, the idea of winter cycling generally involves little more than remembering some gloves and making sure your bike lights are charged. In Joensuu, the compact city in eastern Finland, where I am now, it’s arguably a more serious business.

When I got off the train from Helsinki the temperature was -16C (3F), and hasn’t yet risen higher than -6C. Every roadway, pavement and cycle route is covered in a layer of compacted snow.

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Politics RSS

What do the Highway Code proposals mean for pedestrians and cyclists?

Are the Tories really serious about supporting cycling?

This could be the time to usher in a golden age for cycling in Britain

The government must invest in cycling. Here's how to do it

Why Finland leads the field when it comes to winter cycling

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