CTC: Cycle-friendly traffic regulation
The CTC has called for improved traffic regulations for cyclists.
- 20mph to be the normal speed limit for built-up areas, with signs for 30mph (or higher) speed limits being confined to the wider and busier roads.
- More traffic police to enforce the rules of the road .
- Many one way streets could be made two-way for cycling ie cyclists allowed to travel both ways in one way streets.
- Good cycle training should be available to people of all ages.
(2) is interesting given the rants in red-tops etc about cyclists jumping red lights and cycling on pavements. While the CTC comments that some (not all) of it is a response to dangerous road traffic conditions it is not clear what the effect would be. Perhaps stopping parking in cycle lanes, enforcing correct use af advanced stop lines would help?
Bristol named UK's 'cycling city'
BBC reports: The government has announced that Bristol will be the UK's first official cycling city and there will be a further 11 cycling demonstration towns.
Bristol intends to double the number of cyclists over the next three years.
Unfair given that they already do a lot for cyclists? Or, perhaps this is why they were chosen?
Sharing Bus Lanes with Motorbikes and PHVs?
The Council has been allowing PHVs to use the bus lane along the Walsall Rd, A34, bus lane since Nov 2007 as a twelve month experiment. Similarly, motorcycles have had use of the Alcester Road, A435, bus lane.
The Council asked PushBikes to submit our views as part of the consultation process, which we've done: see it here.
PHVs = private hire vehicles, there were 8000 in the West Midlands in 2006. They are less distinguishable from private cars than black cab style taxis. So, motorists might mistakenly think that the bus lane is open; cyclists may not realise a PHV can enter the bus lane and try to pass on the left, within the bus lane, only to get a nasty surprise.
The London Cycling Campaign is organising a petition to stop this happening in London. The arguments are here.
It would be interesting to know what "evidence" the experiment has produced. Probably statistically non-significant numbers like number of accidents, complaints etc.
Overall, a possible small & transient gain to motorised traffic at the cost of discouraging cycling and a possible increase in the risk to cyclists & pedestrians. You have to wonder if the Council is serious about the 'Cycling Strategy' or just responding to the need to tick a box?
In London, cycling levels have risen by 83 per cent since 2000 while in Birmingham it's low and declining. The positive TfL stategy, see below, and resourcing versus inertia might explain it.
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Governmernt plans 20 mph limit for urban streets
Times: May 16th 2008
The Government is preparing a road safety strategy for the next
decade and will publish proposals in a consultation document this
year.
more >>
Parents afraid to allow their children to cycle on roads
Parents are stopping their children cycling to school or using their bikes on roads because of growing concerns about safety, according to a study.
The Guardian, Tuesday May 6 2008
What a surprise?
London Cycling Strategy
The five new programmes are:
- A Central London bike hire scheme, similar to the recently launched Paris scheme, with up to 6,000 bikes located across docking stations every 300m so Londoners and visitors have quick and easy access to a bike. This will be supported by a series of easily navigable routes so that people can enjoy London's sights by bike.
- Around a dozen radial Cycling Corridors for commuters to provide high-profile, easy to follow cycling streams into central London.
- The creation of a series of Bike Zones for shoppers and the school run in Inner and Outer London, with cycle priority streets, 20mph speed limits and quick, clear and simple routes that link key local destinations and open parks and waterways for cyclists.
- The expansion of the Legible London signage system to help people make short trips around the capital on foot, rather than driving, or taking the bus and tube.
- Working with the London Boroughs on the establishment of 200 Streets of Gold - urban makeovers which link key local destinations like stations, schools and shops in inner and outer London with high quality walking facilities, delivering improved pavements, seating and crossings alongside regeneration measures.
Which raises the question - why not in
Birmingham?
Surely London has a more difficult problem with more people &
cars but they are going to try and act decisively.
Cycle Training Provision for Half a Million Children by 2012
This ambitious new drive to boost cycling will help to tackle road congestion and improve air quality as well as create more opportunities for exercise. It fulfils a commitment to increase investment in sustainable transport initiatives, outlined in the recent strategy document, 'Towards a Sustainable Transport System'.
The New Highway Code & Cyclists
John Bennett has been looking through the new highway Code. Below are a few extracts relevant to cycling. Maybe everyone else is fully conversant and what I think is worth highlighting says more about my personal lack of awareness.
Campaigns:
- member of Birmingham City Council Cycling Advisory Group
- attends British Waterways Canal Users Forums
- Responds to proposals such as the recent changes Highway Code that may affect cyclists
