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news
London cyclist in traffic (picture copyright Simon MacMichael).PNGPotential cyclists being put off by traffic conditions and potholes
A YouGov poll of 2,000 British adults has revealed that close passes, potholes and large vehicles are the top reasons why more people don’t cycle.
In March, the Department for Transport (DfT) launched a consultation calling for “help, ideas and evidence” on how to make cycling safer and more appealing. The YouGov poll was commissioned by Cycling UK to coincide with the charity’s submission.
Head of campaigns, Duncan Dollimore, commented: “The Government wants more and safer cycling, but as Cycling UK’s research shows, people who don’t currently cycle need change if they’re going to choose to cycle short distances rather than drive.”
The poll found that more than half of respondents (57 per cent) are worried about sharing the road with lorries and large vehicles; almost as many (56 per cent) are worried about being subjected to close passes by vehicles; while a further 56 per cent said poor road conditions, such as potholes, are the main reason they are put off travelling by bike.
Respondents were also asked what would encourage them to cycle more. 45 per cent said separate cycle paths away from roads (e.g. cycle tracks in woodlands and parks); 45 per cent said segregated bike lanes (e.g. cycle lanes which use posts or kerbs to separate the road and cycle lane); and 42 per cent said better road conditions.
Dollimore continued: “The Government is being taken through the courts for failing its air quality commitments, casualties on our roads are going up, and our NHS is struggling with the burden caused by an inactive nation. More people cycling is part of the solution to all these problems.
“Cycling is still a minority activity in the UK with only two per cent of all journeys made by bike. Those who do cycle put up with the potholes and dangerous traffic conditions daily and still continue. However, it’s not always pleasant and it’s no surprise most people do not consider cycling for their short everyday journeys.
“In England in 2016, 64 per cent of all trips between one to two miles were driven. Making cycling more accessible and safer will give people the alternative transport solution they need. Cycling UK’s ‘Cycle safety: make it simple’ explains how this can be achieved, simply and cost effectively, and we look forward to working with the Government to help bring about the long awaited cycling revolution the UK desperately needs.”
Cycling UK is calling on the Government to make fundamental changes in six areas, which the charity believes will help give more people the confidence to cycle more often.
- Changes to the Highway Code
- Safer vehicles, especially lorries
- Road and street design
- Enforcement
- Road traffic offences and penalties review
- Funding
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
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loads of parking
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12 comments
What happened to kids toting comically large sports holdalls? (Head bags perferred)
I think this research ignores basic laziness. A rather large percentage of the population will always find a good excuse not to do anything that involves any effort or slight discomfort.
I work with people who habitually drive less than 1/2 mile to work every day. One of them says she has to bring the car in case she gets called to the school. Another on account of they may need to go shopping.
It's all well and good teaching the driving instructors, but there needs to be more focus on driving around vulnerable traffic in the test as well. Then there's also the problem that most drivers forget what they've been taught and focus instead on 'real-world' driving, so I'd propose mandatory re-tests every 10 years or so. Some public education on cyclists and their rights would be appreciated too.
Hawkinspeter, good point but all the governments seem to dance to the car industry's tune. There's always some inventive to prop them up going on, like demonizing petrol over diesel which is now reversed and we all need to buy hybrids or small cc turbo petrol stuff. Don't use your perfectly good car, buy a new one!
I think it's a combination of the oil industry, car manufacturers and a population that is partly obsessed by cars.
(56 per cent) are worried about being subjected to close passes by vehicles
This stat would imply that on average only 44% of vechicles that pass me are too close due to the mentioned 56% being concerned enough about the issue that they will leave ample room when passing. Sadly we all know that is not true.
The same people who take their little darlings to school in the car where the school is less than ½ a mile away.
My lads school is on the way to my work so there's not really any point walking to school, walking back to my car and then driving to work.
Schools don't even make it easy to cycle to school as if he did, he's got take his stupid book bag, his PE bag as they now can't be left at school and his lunchbag. Doesn't work out unless I cycled down with him and stuck all that stuff in my backpack, which would be a very tight fit.
I don't imagine the government wants us all to abandon the car anyway. Tax on petrol, ved. tax on running a car, tax on buying a new car, tax off all the people connected to the car industry. Imagine the hole in the budget if we all only did 3000 miles a year and our cars lasted 20 years. It's like smoking - keep telling us how bad it is whilst not actually banning it.
It makes sense to give your kid a lift if you're going that direction anyway, so I don't see a problem with that.
However your comment about the various taxes on motor vehicles is a good example of the Broken Window Fallacy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parable_of_the_broken_window
There is; exercise, quality time with your son, less chance of you running anyone over, no need to park and make it more awkward/dangerous for others - I could go on...
I appreciate, this would make you somewhat a saint in a world full of sinners but it's hard to be an outraged cyclist bemoaning the roads if we* are amongst the offenders.
* The royal we, helmeted republic of lycria
No no no! Its all these fucking white males and their dastardly monoculture that are keeping everyone off the road, innit?
"64 per cent of all trips between one to two miles were driven"
That's just crazy! I don't like walking (too slow) but for one lousy mile it's hardly worth getting the bike out the cellar, let alone firing up the car! Who are these people?!