Huge demand from the public for more and bigger cycle lanes

QUOTE:
People are keen to walk and cycle far more as the lockdown is eased – but only if they are given the space to do so safely, report finds.

A poll in London found that 56 per cent of inhabitants want pavements to be permanently widened to make space for walking and 57 per cent want to see new cycle lanes created and existing ones broadened. And a UK-wide survey found that 36 per cent of the population would ditch their cars in favour of cycling and walking, as long as they feel safe to do so.

They wanted to see traffic restrictions in residential streets, a reduction in the speed limit to 20mph in residential and built up areas, as well as more designated cycle lanes, according to a YouGov poll for the Cycling UK association. Meanwhile, more than 6,000 people across the UK have written to their councils asking them to create ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes using traffic cones and signs.

The new polls come amid growing interest in cycling as quieter roads and fears about travelling on public transport have pushed the number of cyclists on the road up by 70 per cent.

But cycling advocates are concerned that the newfound enthusiasm for pedaling could dwindle as the lockdown eases and roads become busier – and that car use could become even greater if people switch from public transport to cars rather than bikes.

They say Covid-19 has given the government and councils a mandate to improve and expand the network of cycling lanes and they should take this while they can.
People rethinking transport

“Our poll shows clearly that people are prepared to rethink their travel habits, using their cars less and cycling more, but only if they feel safe to do so,� said Duncan Dollimore, of Cycling UK.

“If there’s space for people to cycle separated from motor vehicles, millions more will do it,� he said.

Rob Whitehead, director of strategic projects at Centre for London think tank for the city, said: “Whilst lockdown has encouraged many to try walking and cycling to get to work and exercise, it looks equally likely to nudge Londoners to return to their cars.

“Without bold thinking and innovation, London could be heading for a new era of gridlock on our roads,� he said.

https://inews.co.uk/news/environment...muting-2874032

On 04/06/2020 11:07, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
People are keen to walk and cycle far more as the lockdown is eased – but only if they are given the space to do so safely, report finds.

A poll in London found that 56 per cent of inhabitants want pavements to be permanently widened to make space for walking and 57 per cent want to see new cycle lanes created and existing ones broadened. And a UK-wide survey found that 36 per cent of the population would ditch their cars in favour of cycling and walking, as long as they feel safe to do so.

They wanted to see traffic restrictions in residential streets, a reduction in the speed limit to 20mph in residential and built up areas, as well as more designated cycle lanes, according to a YouGov poll for the Cycling UK association. Meanwhile, more than 6,000 people across the UK have written to their councils asking them to create ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes using traffic cones and signs.

The new polls come amid growing interest in cycling as quieter roads and fears about travelling on public transport have pushed the number of cyclists on the road up by 70 per cent.

But cycling advocates are concerned that the newfound enthusiasm for pedaling could dwindle as the lockdown eases and roads become busier – and that car use could become even greater if people switch from public transport to cars rather than bikes.

They say Covid-19 has given the government and councils a mandate to improve and expand the network of cycling lanes and they should take this while they can.
People rethinking transport

“Our poll shows clearly that people are prepared to rethink their travel habits, using their cars less and cycling more, but only if they feel safe to do so,� said Duncan Dollimore, of Cycling UK.

“If there’s space for people to cycle separated from motor vehicles, millions more will do it,� he said.

Rob Whitehead, director of strategic projects at Centre for London think tank for the city, said: “Whilst lockdown has encouraged many to try walking and cycling to get to work and exercise, it looks equally likely to nudge Londoners to return to their cars.

“Without bold thinking and innovation, London could be heading for a new era of gridlock on our roads,� he said.

https://inews.co.uk/news/environment...muting-2874032

So 36% of the population (that's about 20,000,000 people, or more like
15,000,000 if you estimate that about a quarter are children) are
willing to give up ("ditch") their cars?

Can I interest you in a historic bascule bridge?

On Thu, 4 Jun 2020 03:07:41 -0700 (PDT), Simon Mason
wrote:

QUOTE:
People are keen to walk and cycle far more as the lockdown is eased – but only if they are given the space to do so safely, report finds.

A report carried out by Cycling UK so hardly independent.

A poll in London

again carried out by Cycling UK so hardly independent

found that 56 per cent of inhabitants want pavements to be permanently widened to make space for walking and 57 per cent want to see new cycle lanes created and existing ones broadened. And a UK-wide survey found that 36 per cent of the population would ditch their cars in favour of cycling and walking, as long as they feel safe to do so.
They wanted to see traffic restrictions in residential streets, a reduction in the speed limit to 20mph in residential and built up areas, as well as more designated cycle lanes, according to a YouGov poll for the Cycling UK association. Meanwhile, more than 6,000 people across the UK have written to their councils asking them to create ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes using traffic cones and signs.
The new polls come amid growing interest in cycling

yet another great resurgence which will fade with the autumn rain?


But cycling advocates

Otherwise known as Cycling UK, a bicycling propaganda organisation who
have historically been one of the leading opponents of provision of
segregated cycle ways and who go apoplectic if anyone suggests making
use of cycle ways mandatory (as in much of the Netherlands). All they
want is the right to race. British Cycling (another self appointed
cycling group) is aimed more at the Lycra Lout
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/about and claim to oversee all forms
of cycling in Britain

are concerned that the newfound enthusiasm for pedaling could dwindle

As it has after every "resurgence"

They say Covid-19 has given the government and councils a mandate to improve and expand the network of cycling lanes

Where is this "mandate" other than in their imagination?

“Our poll

of our members?

shows clearly that people are prepared to rethink their travel habits, using their cars less and cycling more, but only if they feel safe to do so

and you stop it raining and level all the hills.

On Thu, 04 Jun 2020 14:40:24 GMT, JNugent
wrote:

On 04/06/2020 11:07, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
People are keen to walk and cycle far more as the lockdown is eased
– but only if they are given the space to do so safely, report
finds.

A poll in London found that 56 per cent of inhabitants want pavements
to be permanently widened to make space for walking and 57 per cent
want to see new cycle lanes created and existing ones broadened. And
a UK-wide survey found that 36 per cent of the population would ditch
their cars in favour of cycling and walking, as long as they feel
safe to do so.

They wanted to see traffic restrictions in residential streets, a
reduction in the speed limit to 20mph in residential and built up
areas, as well as more designated cycle lanes, according to a YouGov
poll for the Cycling UK association. Meanwhile, more than 6,000
people across the UK have written to their councils asking them to
create ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes using traffic cones and signs.

The new polls come amid growing interest in cycling as quieter roads
and fears about travelling on public transport have pushed the number
of cyclists on the road up by 70 per cent.

But cycling advocates are concerned that the newfound enthusiasm for
pedaling could dwindle as the lockdown eases and roads become busier
– and that car use could become even greater if people switch from
public transport to cars rather than bikes.

They say Covid-19 has given the government and councils a mandate to
improve and expand the network of cycling lanes and they should take
this while they can. People rethinking transport

“Our poll shows clearly that people are prepared to rethink their
travel habits, using their cars less and cycling more, but only if
they feel safe to do so,� said Duncan Dollimore, of Cycling UK.

“If there’s space for people to cycle separated from motor
vehicles, millions more will do it,� he said.

Rob Whitehead, director of strategic projects at Centre for London
think tank for the city, said: “Whilst lockdown has encouraged many
to try walking and cycling to get to work and exercise, it looks
equally likely to nudge Londoners to return to their cars.

“Without bold thinking and innovation, London could be heading for
a new era of gridlock on our roads,� he said.

https://inews.co.uk/news/environment...n-demand-brito
ns-cycle-lanes-commuting-2874032

So 36% of the population (that's about 20,000,000 people, or more like
15,000,000 if you estimate that about a quarter are children) are
willing to give up ("ditch") their cars?

Do you have problems estimating London's population? /rhetorical

Can I interest you in a historic bascule bridge?




--
Bah, and indeed, Humbug.

On 04/06/2020 18:54, Kerr-Mudd,John wrote:
On Thu, 04 Jun 2020 14:40:24 GMT, JNugent
wrote:

On 04/06/2020 11:07, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
People are keen to walk and cycle far more as the lockdown is eased
– but only if they are given the space to do so safely, report
finds.

A poll in London found that 56 per cent of inhabitants want pavements
to be permanently widened to make space for walking and 57 per cent
want to see new cycle lanes created and existing ones broadened. And
a UK-wide survey found that 36 per cent of the population would ditch
their cars in favour of cycling and walking, as long as they feel
safe to do so.

They wanted to see traffic restrictions in residential streets, a
reduction in the speed limit to 20mph in residential and built up
areas, as well as more designated cycle lanes, according to a YouGov
poll for the Cycling UK association. Meanwhile, more than 6,000
people across the UK have written to their councils asking them to
create ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes using traffic cones and signs.

The new polls come amid growing interest in cycling as quieter roads
and fears about travelling on public transport have pushed the number
of cyclists on the road up by 70 per cent.

But cycling advocates are concerned that the newfound enthusiasm for
pedaling could dwindle as the lockdown eases and roads become busier
– and that car use could become even greater if people switch from
public transport to cars rather than bikes.

They say Covid-19 has given the government and councils a mandate to
improve and expand the network of cycling lanes and they should take
this while they can. People rethinking transport

“Our poll shows clearly that people are prepared to rethink their
travel habits, using their cars less and cycling more, but only if
they feel safe to do so,� said Duncan Dollimore, of Cycling UK.

“If there’s space for people to cycle separated from motor
vehicles, millions more will do it,� he said.

Rob Whitehead, director of strategic projects at Centre for London
think tank for the city, said: “Whilst lockdown has encouraged many
to try walking and cycling to get to work and exercise, it looks
equally likely to nudge Londoners to return to their cars.

“Without bold thinking and innovation, London could be heading for
a new era of gridlock on our roads,� he said.

https://inews.co.uk/news/environment...n-demand-brito
ns-cycle-lanes-commuting-2874032

So 36% of the population (that's about 20,000,000 people, or more like
15,000,000 if you estimate that about a quarter are children) are
willing to give up ("ditch") their cars?

Do you have problems estimating London's population? /rhetorical

Do you have difficulty with the fact that London's citizens (and others)
are not going to be tremendously different in outlook and aspiration
from anyone else in the UK?

The central message here is "Don't believe everything you read in the
papers, especially not the "i".

There is no chance whatever of a third of the population (whether of
London or the UK) giving up the use of cars. At least, not willingly.
The war on driving would have to be severely intensified in order to
force them to do so.

Can I interest you in a historic bascule bridge?

On Friday, 5 June 2020 03:10:56 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:

There is no chance whatever of a third of the population (whether of
London or the UK) giving up the use of cars. At least, not willingly.
The war on driving would have to be severely intensified in order to
force them to do so.

There is no 'war on driving' nor is anyone trying to force people to give up their cars. All that is happening is pedestrians and cyclists are taking back road space that was stolen from them by motorists.

On Fri, 05 Jun 2020 04:59:44 GMT, Mike Collins
wrote:

On Friday, 5 June 2020 03:10:56 UTC+1, JNugent wrote:

There is no chance whatever of a third of the population (whether of
London or the UK) giving up the use of cars. At least, not willingly.
The war on driving would have to be severely intensified in order to
force them to do so.

There is no 'war on driving' nor is anyone trying to force people to
give up their cars. All that is happening is pedestrians and cyclists
are taking back road space that was stolen from them by motorists.


and London is Special, anyhow.


--
Bah, and indeed, Humbug.