Boris Johnson uses call with regional leaders to stress importance of keeping cars out of city centres Published on Fri 1 May 2020 16.52 BST Boris Johnson has told regional leaders to encourage people to commute on foot or by bike to help avoid a dramatic increase in car use when lockdown restrictions are partially… [Read More]
Archives for 2020
Bicycling Booms During Lockdown—But There’s A Warning From History – Forbes
Carlton Reid |May 1, 2020, Motorists of the world beware, the all-powerful bicycle lobby (were it to exist, except as a parody on Twitter) is coming for your cars. Bicycle sales are going gangbusters; space for motorists is being reclaimed overnight by global cities installing pop-up cycleways; and 1950s levels of motor traffic mean more… [Read More]
Au Revoir Les Automobiles: Paris Closes Rue De Rivoli To Cars – Forbes
Carlton Reid Apr 30, 2020, Paris is to close one of the city’s principal streets to cars to allow more space for cyclists and pedestrians during the lockdown. Along the three-kilometer length of the Rue de Rivoli are iconic shops such as the belle époque Angelina patisserie, the five-star Le Meurice hotel, and the world-renowned… [Read More]
The Ranty Highwayman: Rush Job
OK, so last week’s post was a bit whiney about the lack of action from the Government on traffic orders in the face of Coronavirus and so this week, I thought something a bit more positive and helpful was in order. I’m going to mention things I have before, but it’s probably useful to have… [Read More]
Are we witnessing the death of the car? – BBC Future
As global lockdowns keep most people at home, congestion-riddled, pollution-choked streets around the world have transformed into empty, eerily silent spaces. The most conspicuous absentee is the car, as personal vehicles remain parked in driveways and side streets. This lack of cars has contributed to a sudden drop in emissions of carbon dioxide, pollutants like… [Read More]
“We’ve only got weeks” to change UK’s cities for the better, warns Chris B oardman | road.cc
Appeal comes as AA survey suggests a third of drivers may cycle, walk or run more once lockdown eases Chris Boardman has warned that time is running out to harness the changes that the COVID-19 pandemic has wrought on the way we move around the UK’s cities to ensure a lasting benefit. His appeal comes… [Read More]
Mayor’s Streetspace Plan could see cycling increased tenfold post-lockdown | BikeBiz
1/5/2020 As the UK lockdown heads into its second phase, Mayor of London’s walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman outlines how London could adapt to enable socially-distanced travel… With London’s public transport capacity potentially running at a fifth of pre-crisis levels, up to eight million journeys a day will need to be made by other… [Read More]
Could e-bikes be about to get even more eco-friendly? Researchers develop rechargeable graphene batteries | road cc
Swedish researchers Graphene Flagship have developed a rechargeable battery made from graphene that they say could greatly improve the eco-friendly credentials of current e-bikeswith lithium-ion batteries. Bosch developing new tech that they say will bring “a giant leap forward in e-mobility” As graphene is non-toxic, Graphene Flagship say it’s already a better choice than a… [Read More]
Lockdown is showing how our car-jammed streets can change for the better | Greenpeace UK
If you’ve been out on foot recently, you might have found yourself wishing you had a bit more space. Most pavements in our towns and cities are too narrow for people to pass each other while staying two metres apart, and all too often you’re often forced to step into the road – or hold… [Read More]
France offering €50 to get your bike fixed with registered mechanics – Cycling Industry News
Jonathon Harker1 May, 2020 France is tackling the travel challenges of the pandemic lockdown directly by offering its citizens €50 to spend getting their bicycles repaired. Members of the public can spend up to €50 at registered mechanics as part of a €20 million scheme. That cash total will also be used for cycle training… [Read More]