To think we could close some roads for one hour a week?

[StScholastica]

To let people who want to get fit by cycling or families with younger children, cycle in safety. I think it would also build community cohesion.
Obviously there would have to be concessions for emergency vehicles?

Am I mad?

How would it cause more traffic?

Yes yes yes!

One of the very few high points of the initial Covid lockdown was the quiet streets, free of diesel fumes, SUVs and single occupancy vehicles. It was lovely walking around albeit only for one hour a day.

Sadly I think very few councillors would take this on.

I'm not advocating that there should be a "ban" with fines. Or mandatory road closures.
Just a polite request that people try to refrain from using motor vehicles during community cycling hour.

I have an electric suv. Why am I denied road space?

So everyone sticks to your idea of a timetable? When would this be? Would it suit me?

They tried this where I live I think in 2021. Disaster . They put huge fixed planters to block certain roads off but access to emergency vehicles was delayed often when they had to go the long way round and their sat navs weren’t showing the newly blocked off roads

Would you consider staying in for one hour? To let others try to improve their fitness?

It would be at a time that is least disruptive for the majority. Maybe early on a Sunday morning?
Those who still need to use their cars obviously could, but maybe drive extra mindfully and be aware that there will be families out cycling.

Nobody is suggesting you are denied anything Tizer.

You can't divert if your road is one of the ones where cars are banned though?

Obviously there would need to be access exemptions for residents.

It would cause more traffic on surrounding roads as people take alternative routes

It's not too tricky to understand.

Of course. I would hope the majority of people would comply with just a polite request to keep off the roads for community cycling hour
For the ones who can't, we would understand that sometimes having to use your car is necessary.
However even if the traffic was reduced by half, it would be a massive improvement in getting people out into the outdoors.

@StScholastica It’s the usual abuse of anyone daring to drive a suv. They are the majority of cars sold. I often find people who don’t drive lose their objections when they want a lift.

So fed up of do gooders trying to make people's lives as difficult as possible. Go live in your own fifteen minute village where the government watches your every move and fines you at will...

So if my road is closed and I need to get to work, an event, church, how do I get out? Urban design should have more play areas and communal spaces yes, but not on roads. I find actually the more rural you are there is often less accessible green space than in suburban areas (lots of farm land and windy country lanes without pavements to be same to get to the public green spaces without a car)

I don't think it would actually.
I think a lot of people might join in, or decide to go out and hour earlier or later than planned.

Yes, I think quite a lot of replies are rather ‘I’m all right, Jack’ .

Unless the deterrent is a fine, then very very few people will comply... people just want to come and go as they please.

And yes it does cause more traffic... ltns have caused havoc in my area despite the right on brigade claiming they haven't

There would be no ban, you could still go out to anything you considered necessary. Just an informal arrangement to let families enjoy cycling.

Which makes it all a bit pointless, really.

Maybe we should be campaigning for permanent car-free roads in all towns instead of trying to shut random roads at random times.

How do you know that people wouldn't join in? It might be good to trial it? People might actually like it.

YANBU

Your Council meeting might have a scheme already - worth checking their website.

Playing Out has been mentioned - they have loads of advice. From memory people are allowed to drive in if they want to access the streets so it doesn't really inconvenience residents.

We did some unofficial playing out years ago because our council didn't have a good scheme. It was lovely for the DC & our older neighbours enjoyed the social side too. It does need to someone to organise it though.

It's much easier for DC who live in a cul-de-sac or near a green space etc to play out, so I don't think it's unreasonable for DC who live on older streets to have some time at the weekend etc to do the same.

If you don't have a scheme you could complain to councillors as I don't understand why there aren't standard schemes for this & school streets drawing on best practice from councils who do this successfully. (However, I have complained & got nowhere).

Sunday mornings are a good time. I think it’s a good idea.

Where we used to live, you could access one of local school playgrounds at weekends to do things like cycling safely.

Maybe something like that would be better?