Aina J Khan
Noise-detecting traffic cameras will be trialled in four areas in England in an attempt to crack down on “boy racers” who rev engines and use illegal exhausts, the Department for Transport has announced.
The so-called noise cameras will be installed on the roadside in Bradford on Tuesday, before a rollout in Bristol, Great Yarmouth and Birmingham over the next two months.
A video camera will photograph vehicles and several microphones will record sound to help identify road users who break the law by revving their engines unnecessarily or use illegal exhausts as they drive by.
The technology – in which the government has pledged to invest £300,000 and tested on a private track – will be used to create a digital package of evidence that can be used by police to fine drivers.
Make public transport free for under 25s, says Wales future – transport xtra
In a bid to future-proof against cost of living emergencies, public transport should be made free for under 25s, says the future generations commissioner for Wales Sophie Howe.
Other measures proposed by Howe include expanding the basic income pilot to pay more people enough to meet their daily needs.
Howe urged the Welsh Government to explore how it can offer short and long-term protection against the cost of living and the climate and nature emergencies.
Campaign win: Natural England is going to consider opening the next National Trail to horse riders and cyclists – Twitter – Cycling UK
Jeremy Hunt to impose UK {“} road tax {“} on electric cars for first time – ft.com
Jim Pickard, George Parker, Peter Campbell
Electric cars are to be subject to vehicle excise duty for the first time under measures to be introduced by Jeremy Hunt, the UK chancellor, in this month’s Autumn Statement.
People briefed on Hunt’s plans said that applying road tax to electric vehicles was the first sign of a chancellor “dipping a toe in the water” to address the fall in motoring tax revenues caused by the transition to battery-powered vehicles, as their owners also avoid paying fuel duty.
Yesterday, we were treated to another statistics masterclass from anti-Low Traffic Neighbourhood journalist Andrew Ellson, of @thetimes – Jon Burke FRSA – Twitter
@jonburkeUK
1/ Yesterday, we were treated to another statistics masterclass from anti-Low Traffic Neighbourhood journalist Andrew Ellson, of
@thetimes . Since I’m mentioned in the piece – a weird fixation – which cherry-picks DfT data to falsely imply LTNs increase mileage, this is my reply.
Cycling UK calls for end to driving ban loophole – TransportXtra
More than 83,000 drivers in the past 10 years have escaped disqualification due to “mitigating circumstances”, the charity estimates.
Cycling UK said the legal loophole has resulted in the death and serious injury of other road users.
In October 2020, the Sentencing Council issued guidance for magistrates, which was intended to reduce the number of offenders with totting up offences who avoided disqualification.
However, the Sentencing Council said that some magistrates and legal advisers have suggested that courts are too often imposing short discretionary disqualifications (of less than 56 days) where people have received 12 or more points.
Wandsworth is first council in the country to have the power to issue 20mph speed fines – Simon Hogg – Twitter
@CllrSimonHogg
Wandsworth is first council in the country to have the power to issue 20mph speed fines. Making sure drivers stick to our 20mph limit improves pedestrian safety. It also encourages more people to walk or cycle – and helps to reduce harmful emissions
Active Travel worth £36.5 billion to UK economy in 2021 – Cycling Industry News
Mark Sutton 20 October 2022
Sustrans’ Walking and Cycling index has demonstrated the ongoing economic benefits of active travel to the UK economy, calculating walking, wheeling and cycling to be worth £36.5 billion.
The Walking and Cycling Index is the largest survey of active travel, undertaken across 18 urban areas in the UK and Ireland. The latest assessment of 17 of those areas tallies the benefit to the UK economy to be £6.5 billion in those places alone and extrapolates the findings to reach the larger nationwide estimate.
London hospital deploys nurses on e-bikes | Cycling Weekly
Guy’s and St Thomas’ neighbourhood nurses using e-bikes in effort to improve staff health and wellbeing
Tom Thewlis20 October 2022
Nurses from Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital in London are using e-bikes to visit their patients as part of an initiative to improve sustainability and improve staff health and wellbeing.
Members of staff within the Mawbey Brough neighbourhood nursing team usually drive, walk or use public transport to get to their patients in Lambeth, South London.
Although they can now sign up to a pilot project using an e-bike featuring a cargo hold for any equipment they need.
As well as reducing emissions and congestion on London’s road, the e-bike also involves fewer parking restrictions meaning the nurses can operate within the capital more quickly and efficiently.
Low Traffic Neighbourhood opponents love to perpetuate the myth that everybody with mobility issues needs a car – Jon Burke FRSA –
@jonburkeUK
Low Traffic Neighbourhood opponents love to perpetuate the myth that everybody with mobility issues needs a car. Safe active travel conditions through LTNs and cycle lanes is an act of liberation, which allows those with physical disabilities to participate fully in society.