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I really hope they're serious about this and implement it well. Cycling and walking are great for your health, sanity and wallet. Also better for drivers if it leads to less congestion, pollution and slows degradation of road surfaces.
Agreed, it's such a no brainer and one where everyone wins.
I'm very sceptical of this new government and whether they'll actually do much (due to all the noises they're making about there being 'no money', and insistence on following all the Tories spending rules).
But I really hope they'll at least not be pushing the same anti-cycling culture-war BS of the last government.
I totally agree with everything you just said.
Please for the love of god put some proper cycle lanes in. Not these that are on the road with a faint line, or share it with pedestrians where road signs block the path, an actual, dedicated lane with something seperating the cars and pedestrains. I'd love to cycle more but I just stick to the limited cycle lanes we have around us (which admitedly are probably better than a lot have it), there's no way I'm going on the roads.
Dedicated and separated cycle lanes are the way to go. Cars, cycles, and pedestrians all need their own space. The challenge for the UK is our often quite narrow existing roads. Making space for physically separated cycle lanes is often going to mean taking lanes away from cars. Which is not necessarily a bad thing but obviously creates a lot more friction to be implemented.
Many cities in Europe have had an easier time with this due to more post-war modernisation/rebuilding that created wider roads.
Agreed.
They put in some cycle lanes in my city recently, but they change sides of the road at intervals and require cyclists to cross the road.
It's so much hassle and so much more dangerous that I don't bother.
Welcome of course, but too fucking late. We're already at 1.5°, a few bike lanes isn't going to cut it.
I'd say this is less about reducing CO2 and more about making cities and towns nicer places to live and helping people live healthier lives.
I have no idea what the stats on this are, but I'd guess that the amount of emissions saved in people cycling more vs using a petrol car or electric car wouldn't actually be much compared to measures that reduce emissions from goods transport.
Private vehicles are by far the greatest share of transport-related CO2 emissions, more than double road-based freight . You can just easily look this up.
I wish more would be done to link up walking routes. There's a lot of footpaths in the country but they often poorly connected to each other. Local authorities are supposed to have plans on implementing new routes but progress seems very slow.
I'm hoping the reforms they're talking about here, which include more joined-up thinking, basically, will have that effect even if they don't invest that much money. But they should also invest the money!
It's not hard really, anything above 0£ would be an improvement!
This sounds very promising and it's clearly in step with the government's overall policy programme, which suggests it will happen in some form.
I especially like the hint that they'd redirect some of the capital funding earmarked for new roads to walking and cycling, ('Asked about the £16bn of trunk road projects, [...] Haigh said: "We're looking at all capital projects, and where that money should be best spent."').
Ultimately, we'll have to wait for the outcome of the transport infrastructure spending review before we know whether this is anything to get excited about.
Doubt
While this is a deffinate plus if it happens.
They have sorta ruined it by canceling the plans to reopen rail stations.
I live near a town that had its sration closed in Beeching(sp?) Cuts of the 60s.
Like all of the small towns in oxfordshire it is expanding hugly with about 40k new houses built in the area.
These sort of towns have real issues they are to far to cycle to major work sites. Buses will not take bikes. (Of course)
Ive actually cycled there a few times from a slightly larger town 10miles away. The roads are fing dangerouse so cycle tracks would be cool. (Assuming its more then a white line)
But the distance is only doable by fairly fit folks and still leaves the issue of showers needed at work. Rare to non existant for lower earning jobs.
This town was expecting the tory fund (post HS2 cut) to reactivate the station. As were many others in this situ around the nation.
Added to improoved cycle tracks at local cities etc. And the fact the rail link would need major work after almost 70years. Would mean it would be perfect for electification. And allow many workers to train followed by cycle ebike etc etc.
That is how we seriosly reduce car usage.
Busses can be a impracticle in these towns. Its better then some as in it has regular busses. But like most oxen small towns. They go all over the place and take hours to get many places. Are unrelaiable due to small roads and lots of traffic during rush hour
Meaning you tend to need to add an hour or more to have any likely hood of getting their on time.
Honestly. Cycle etc is a fantastic idea to reduce car use and CO2.
But without huge investments in public transport used to match the use of these routes.
They're spending it on a single 20ft cycle line. Which will be unprecedented, because it will be a thousand billion times more than the conservatives ever spent.
It's a pretty low bar they need to get over.