Many traffic-calming measures have been put in place in various cities around the country to try and get more people cycling for the benefit of their health and to help the environment. But the AA said this week that such measures could actually be increasing C02 emissions.
That was the view of AA president Edmund King at an energy, environment and transport forum in London this week. The AA thinks congestion can be eased through simpler means, like encouraging cycling and introducing more efficiently phased traffic lights.
Improving the fuel efficiency of cars may be more effective at cutting carbon emissions than ‘grandiose projects’ like the London Congestion Charge, said King, who also warned that some 20mph zones are being introduced without a proper assessment of their impact on CO2 emissions.
King said: “If we are smart about urban transport we can reduce CO2 and congestion without spending millions. Congestion and CO2 can be reduced by improving traffic flow through co-ordination of road works, phasing of lights and good parking policy.
“If we continually obstruct traffic with excessive traffic calming, we will increase congestion and CO2. New technology to improve fuel efficiency will be the biggest contribution to reducing CO2 from road transport.'
New 20mph speed limits have recently been introduced in parts of Oxford and Bristol to improve road safety an encourage cycling and walking in both cities, as well as reduce the number and severity of accidents, while places such as Leicester, Newcastle, Portsmouth, Islington and Glasgow all have a default 20mph limit.
Councillor Jon Rogers, Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability, said of the scheme in Bristol: “We will be monitoring the effects of the 20mph areas in a number of ways, including emissions and noise pollution. The other criteria will be road safety and injuries, speeds, resident feedback, levels of cycling and walking before and after.”
Having participated in workshops with kids at risk of joining gangs etc and ex-offenders, I can tell you for sure that nobody has more credibility...
Seems like a case for additional safety measures e.g. at least some feedback if you try to cross into a lane with oncoming vehicles. Although...
One way to find out is to put a member of the driver's family on the bike and ask them to repeat the manoeuvre.
I wasnt sure if the picture of the of the tunnel was a picture of a local canal somewhere or not......
The legal position has been pretty much settled since DDA in 1995 - reasonable adjustments. Though LTN 1/20 and Inclusive Mobility helpd determine...
This was in my local park and dogs are allowed off-lead. Cyclists are required to ride slowly and give due care and attention as it happens.
Something worth pointing out that's not mentioned in the article is with the Di2 buttons - the functions are not restricted to single presses, each...
My Cyclic Fly6 3 Gen is now 2 years old and the battery has continued its decline, it lasts just over 1 and a half hours, no light, no audio etc.,...
I've since learned that universal, inflatable roof racks are a thing and apparently work well. Going to try that next time, just getting a standard...
I thought it was everyone else that are the snowflakes, they certainly don't waste any time in being offended by everything and anything then wang...