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!
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 but I really hope they’ll at least not be pushing the same anti-cycling culture-war BS of the last one.
I totally agree with everything you just said.
Doubt
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.
It’s not hard really, anything above 0£ would be an improvement!
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.
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.
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.
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.
