Peter Walker’s terrific piece (How a myth about London bike lanes & congestion took off, 13 Dec) reminds us that the anti-cycling lobby, replete with right-leaning columnists, aggrieved drivers and fossil-fuel interests, is perhaps the most bizarre coalition in modern politics. And it’s certainly the most misguided. The most frustrating aspect of this motley crew is that they vigorously defend interests they imagine they have. The reality is that our historical emphasis on cars has encouraged sedentary and isolated lifestyles. Older people defend a status quo that leads to their own isolation and immiseration.
The research is overwhelming: active transport, low-traffic neighbourhoods and green space improve wellbeing. The anti-cycling lobby opposes measures that are not just necessary to meet climate goals, but which can also make the lives of all generations happier and healthier. Those who lament “eco-obsessed” councils are lamenting the possibility that we could encourage sustainability while making people’s lives quantifiably better. Jude Wilkinson
Two in three drivers unaware of forthcoming changes to Highway Code, says AA | road.cc
SImon Macmichael Dec 16, 2021
Two in three drivers – at the very least – are unaware of new Highway Code rules due to come into effect at the end of next month and which are aimed at protecting vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians, says the AA, which polled 13,000 of its members on the subject. Telegraph.co.uk reports that the motoring organisation has said the new rules could lead to “confusion and dangerous situations.”
Never mind nudge theory, the majority understand the logic of trade-offs use – transportxtra
:excerptstartA survey conducted by Lucy Farrow and Tom Cohen exploring attitudes to Low Traffic Neighbourhoods revealed that most people are willing to accept slightly longer journey times in exchange for wider benefits16 December 2021Despite their seemingly benign nature, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) are continuing to generate opposition, support and media coverage. While It’s tempting to laugh off incidents like the… [Read More]
Crucial Antarctic ice shelf, Thwaites Glacier, could fail within five years, scientists say – The Washington Post
Sarah Kaplan December 13, 2021
Scientists have discovered a series of worrying weaknesses in the ice shelf holding back one of Antarctica’s most dangerous glaciers, suggesting that this important buttress against sea level rise could shatter within the next three to five years.
Until recently, the ice shelf was seen as the most stable part of Thwaites Glacier, a Florida-sized frozen expanse that already contributes about 4 percent of annual global sea level rise. Because of this brace, the eastern portion of Thwaites flowed more slowly than the rest of the notorious “doomsday glacier.”
But new data show that the warming ocean is eroding the eastern ice shelf from below. Satellite images taken as recently as last month and presented Monday at the annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union show several large, diagonal cracks extending across the floating ice wedge.
Government urged to act on pavement parking – transportxtra
:excerptstartMark MoranCycling and walking organisations write public letter to transport secretary26 November 2021Research commissioned by Living Streets, found that 87% of parents with children aged 4 to 11 have had to step into the road because of vehicles parked on the pavementLiving Streets calls on the government to issue its response to the Pavement Parking in England… [Read More]
Tranter is West Midlands cycling and walking czar – TransportXtra
17 December 2021
The West Midlands now has a cycling and walking commissioner. Adam Tranter has taken up the new role to support the planning and delivery of the region’s Starley Network of
As commissioner he will work with Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), local council partners and the DfT.
Tranter’s new role includes:
Working with stakeholders to plan and develop the business cases for at least 10 major safe cycle routes on the Starley Network.
None Of Top Five Congested Roads In U.K. Feature Adjacent Cycleways – Forbes
Carlton Reid
Traffic congestion is caused not by cycleways but by too many cars, trucks and vans. This, one would assume, is patently obvious. But not according to many trusted news sources which are today blaming cycleways for making London the most congested city in the world. The ill-researched stories are based on a press release from the automotive traffic data service Inrix.
The American company has released its 2021 INRIX Global Traffic Scorecard. This matrix identifies and ranks congestion and mobility trends across more than 1,000 global cities. London is now ranked by Inrix as the world’s most congested city, partly because it was the first to bounce back economically after Covid lockdowns.
Drivers in the U.K. “lost” 148 hours this year in traffic, states a press release from Inrix. The Inrix scorecard report does not blame cycleways for traffic congestion. The report only mentions cycleways once, and German ones to boot.
How a myth about London bike lanes and congestion took off | Cycling | The Guardian
Analysis: delving into news stories linking congestion with cycle lanes shows how troubling myths can escape into the wild
Peter Walker
Fairly early on Monday morning last week I got a call from a radio station: could I come on to discuss a study showing London is the world’s most congested city, and this is because of cycle lanes. Hang on, I replied – say all that again?
As it turned out, I never appeared (someone else got the part). But, intrigued, I looked into the research which supposedly showed all this. And that was when things started to get strange.
Environment Secretary criticises Bushy Park traffic reduction scheme | teddington.nub.news
Ellie Brown
Environment Secretary George Eustice MP has criticised a traffic reduction trial in Teddington’s Bushy Park, stating that he would “prefer to see the park re-opened.”
The Conservative MP said closing the roads in the park to traffic has “increased congestion and associated problems around surrounding roads” and expressed his scepticism of the scheme.
But he agreed that the decision is in the hands of The Royal Parks, the charity which manages Bushy Park.
Mr Eustice, who lives not far from Bushy Park, made the comments in an email to a local resident.
The email was reported on by local news station Radio Jackie this morning.
A spokesperson for the Royal Parks defended the scheme.
“the planet isn’t “failing.” It is being actively destroyed, irreversibly, by the fossil fuel capitalists.” – Peter Kalmus – Twitter
The Stopped Clock’s Ghost Ⓥ Retweeted
Peter Kalmus @ClimateHuman
No, @nytimes the planet isn’t “failing.”
It is being actively destroyed, irreversibly, by the fossil fuel capitalists.
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