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Children, Cycling, Environment, Life and style, Society, Transport -

Mounted seats, cargo bikes and trailers offer families different options to give cycling a go

Those lockdown days of blissfully quiet roads may be behind us but, with local authorities across the UK investing in cycle infrastructure, now is still an excellent time to give cycling a go. That is especially true for young city-dwelling families who would formerly have relied on public transport to get around but are now reluctant to risk a bus, tram or train journey.

Fortunately, cycling with small children is not merely convenient and healthy but also great fun too. Here is how to do it.

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

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, which were in the pipeline before the pandemic, are good news for anyone who wants cleaner, safer roads, and residential streets that do not 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

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

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

Continue reading...

Read more

Birmingham, Cities, City mayors, Coventry, Environment, Leicester, Sheffield, UK news -

The region has made progress in getting people on to bikes, but where’s the ambition?

When the mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, stood on an unlit section of towpath opposite what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse recently and hailed a “big summer for cycling and walking”, it was perhaps worryingly symbolic. That Friday, hours after Street invited us to “come cycle Birmingham’s canals”, at least two women were pushed into Birmingham waterways by a group of young men.

The West Midlands is proud of its industrial heritage, but unlit, isolated towpaths are no replacement for a cycle network that safely takes people places they want to be.

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Birmingham, Cities, City mayors, Coventry, Environment, Leicester, Sheffield, UK news -

The region has made progress in getting people on to bikes, but where’s the ambition?

When the mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, stood on an unlit section of towpath opposite what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse recently and hailed a “big summer for cycling and walking”, it was perhaps worryingly symbolic. That Friday, hours after Street invited us to “come cycle Birmingham’s canals”, at least two women were pushed into Birmingham waterways by a group of young men.

The West Midlands is proud of its industrial heritage, but unlit, isolated towpaths are no replacement for a cycle network that safely takes people places they want to be.

Continue reading...

Read more