Improving cycling networks

[Teabaseddiet]

This was discussed at today's briefing and seems quite encouraging. I'm all up for better cycling infrastructures etc, might get me off my arse (although work is 25 miles from home, so not for commuting).

[dairyfairies]

I hope one thing to come out of this crisis is will be better cycle facilities and many more people on two wheels. The UK has a huge percentage of the population who is overweight or obese, doesn't move which brings all kinds of other health issues. Air quality is appealing. A mass take up of cycling would bring so many benefits, improved health, less pressure on the NHS, better air etc... I think it would be amazing if cycling would be really on the up once Corona is over.

[yogz1976]

I think most people are more worried about their job or whether they will be able to keep up their mortgage repayments...

[The80sweregreat]

Loads of money on this but other things such as adult social care on the back burner? People won't take up cycling in the winter time! It's ludicrous!
Magic money trees all over the place now!

[bobstersmum]

I have just received my new ebike today, I have a normal mountain bike too but I do have a bad hip so hills can be a struggle, and it's quite hilly where we live. I had a quick blast on it today with dd in her toddler seat behind me, I loved it! I am definitely going to use it to get around on shorter journeys rather than use the car all the time.

[yogz1976]

Thank you. Someone with some sense. And what's this about a "new world"? I'm hearing this expression being used a lot lately and it sends shivers down my spine. Am I the only that senses something sinister?

[lljkk]

The money announced was already allocated for cycling infrastructure says Twitter, there's no new money tree.

[The80sweregreat]

I'm suspecting something now. It's about control and getting people fitter and eating less etc. All good things but it seems fishy! ?

[The80sweregreat]

How many will cycle in a snow storm?

[JacobReesMogadishu]

Smacks of fiddling while Rome burns. And I say that as a keen cyclist who commutes to work on a shit cycling track.

[lljkk]

tbf, there aren't many snow storms where most the UK population live.

[The80sweregreat]

Bad weather will put people off! We do get snow in winter and it causes havoc!
I can't cycle for toffee and I don't have a bike so I'm out ! 😀
I still smell a rat

[PlanDeRaccordement]

I’m wondering how disabled people will cope? Not everyone can drive or cycle or walk. Will they ensure enough buses? And what if the cost of bus and train tickets go through the roof due to distancing! How will disabled people living in benefits that are so low be able to afford to go anywhere?

[vengeancer]

How many will cycle in a snow storm?

this is a UK based forum, the80. I would not worry about that

[Bollss]

It just pissed me off that they announced they're going to spend that much money on something practically irrelevant at this time.

I don't care about sodding cycle lanes (nobody uses them here they cycle in the middle of the road anyway!) I care about my job and my house and my child.

I can't cycle to work anyway because like most people I have limited time between nursery drop off and my start time.

Stupid idea. Distraction technique.

[lljkk]

The idea is to get the capable-of-cycling folk on bikes to make more room for the disabled / not-capable-of-cycling folk on public transport.
It's not a coercion situation.

And there isn't new money, it's a bit of froth announcement However, there is a will to remove institutional obstacles that often stop the money being spent or any actual initiatives. That's the only real change.

[JacobReesMogadishu]

How quickly are they going to sort the cycle lanes then? Because they need doing by next month? My 7 commute is on a path which is rutted and cracked and collapsing, it needs resurfacing. You also can’t pass a bike coming the other way, it isn’t wide enough. Nor can you overtake a slower cyclist. It’s 7 miles of shit path. I will be delighted if it’s widened and tarmaced by next month.

[MockersxxxxxxxSocialDistancing]

It's the attitude to cycling that needs to change so we can get rid of this sort of thing:

[cologne4711]

I think it's good. Air pollution is a killer and I firmly believe it plays a role in at least some forms of dementia. If people are scared of public transport and decide to use cars it will be catastrophic in terms of traffic jams and pollution unless we make all new cars electric (can we also ban all new SUVs and pavement parking on main roads while we are at it).

Even if it's not new money if councils are given the power to push things through hopefully something will happen. The town next to me has a brilliant cycle network but there are two gaps to our cycle network. if those could be filled in it would make a real difference and it wouldn't take that long to do.

Drivers need to change their behaviour though and stop acting as if the roads belong to them.

[cologne4711]

As for most people worrying about their jobs and mortgages, cars are a lot more expensive than bikes to run...

and you know the old adage about the weather - there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

[cologne4711]

(though I've got to confess I am 100% a fair weather cyclist - but I don't drive to work)

[Bollss]

As for most people worrying about their jobs and mortgages, cars are a lot more expensive than bikes to run...

Oh yea giving up my car will more than make up for losing half our families income. Thanks for that pearl of wisdom.

I won't have a job to bloody well cycle to at this rate.

[museumum]

I cycle a lot anyway, in Scotland, there are only ever around two week a year when snow and ice prevent cycling safely.
Rain and wind can be an issue though (generally when a storm is bad enough to get a name it’s not a good idea to try cycling).

[Hugglespuffed]

I think it is absolutely fantastic. So many people are capable of walking / cycling to work and don't. Childless people who are capable could walk/ cycle instead of getting public transport meaning people who do need to catch it are able to. Yes people need to get their kids to school/ childcare but many people live in walking distance to their school anyway. It all depends where you are I guess. I live in a city where schools are allocated to people living nearby. I'm really happy with this update. Of course not everyone will do it, but the more people who do it the better. As for bad weather, decent waterproofs work well.

[thatmustbenigelwiththebrie]

Of course bad weather and snow will be deterrents. But it isn't bad weather and snow every day is it? Even if people only cycled in the summer it would still be great for their health and the environment. Just because you buy a bike you're not obliged to use it every day. It's about giving people the option.

[IsolatedIzzy]

It's to take the pressure of public transport as we 'start to get the Country moving'!
If you apply the social distancing rules to public transport you reduce capacity, for example a double decker bus will carry 85 people, apply social distancing, it can carry 15 people. They need more room on the pavements for people walking, queuing etc, so they want to widen the pavements, narrow the roads hence - use a bike!