iarocu wrote:

I was talking to a motorist today discussing a junction where the
council have installed traffic lights where they are not required
resulting in long peak hour tailbacks. I learned she spent 25 minutes
in her car on a journey of 2 miles every morning. So I suggested why
not cycle. From the look I got I might as well have suggested cycling
to the moon.
Her journey would involve largely a well lit and well surfaced
cycle path and canal bank or quiet streets. Would be 10 minutes
maximum. No big hills. And be less than half the time taken in her
car. And would not involve the parking problems at work she had also
complained about.
So if people are prepared to sit in their cars for twice as long
as it would take to cycle the goverment might as well forget targets
for cycle use. It's not going to happen.
Iain

I cannot agree more. You can talk and argue until you are blue in the
face but still people will drive just a few hundred yards. They*know*
you are right but they cannot make the change. There are always excuses.

There is an increase in cycling but mainly of the off-raod type on
leisure car-free routes.
When talking to a County Road Safety Officer recently it was clear the
only targets he was interested in were reducing casualties. If that
meant less cyclists on the roads then so what. Cyclists could always
drive to the Sustrans type routes.
Of course the Leisure Department loves this - greater use of their
facilities, but it does not reduce the number of vehicles on the roads.
Just look at the number of vehicles that now have bikes strapped to the
back of them :-(
Indeed such activities may increase car use.
"I HAVE to have a car so I can get to the cycle route"
Just one of the many excuses.

Everytime someone drives they add to the problem. Yes, even driving to
cycling events and rallies. People drive from all over the country to
York or the New Forest then compalin about the road conditions for
cyclists. Get real.

IMO there will be a crunch time - it will be when there is no more space
and those of us who have not fallen into the car-culture will have the advantage.
only problem is taht we may have to take to the pavements :-(

I don't think it will be too long coming.

John B