A transport expert has recommended that cyclists, as well as motorists, should be subject to any congestion charge introduced in Cambridge – the British city with by far the highest proportion of people riding bikes for everyday journeys.
Cambridgeshire County Councillor Roger Hickford made the revelation today at a meeting of the Greater Cambridge City Deal, of which he is vice-chair.
Local campaigner and citizen journalist Richard Taylor was present, and relayed the councillor’s comments on Twitter.
At present, the identity of the expert, who apparently made the recommendation during the consultation process, is unknown; road.cc has looked through the responses that have so far been made public but we have been unable to find any such reference.
Another county councillor, Noel Kavanagh – who is Cambridgeshire County Council’s cycling champion – described the suggestion as “ludicrous.”
Jon Vale, politics correspondent for the newspaper Cambridge News, was also at the meeting, which he described as both “fascinating and bonkers.”
Mr Taylor also made his views on the issue clear.
The Greater Cambridge City Deal, established under a government initiative to invest in the regions, covers the Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council areas.
Focusing on innovation-led economic growth, issues it is addressing include provision of housing and other services for a part of the UK that is expected to see some of the strongest population growth over the next couple of decades, plus how people will move around to get to work and places of study.
Part of that has included consultation on whether Cambridge should join London and Durham in introducing congestion charge, and if so, which model should be adopted.
As to the issue of which mode of transport is most responsible for congestion, an iconic photograph commissioned by the German city Münster in 1991 (see Bikehub for the background) reveals it isn’t those who travel by bicycle or on the bus.
Think you have hit the nail on the head. These allegations are fabrications by people who don't care about horses but just want everyone else out...
3m wide cycle lane hard shoulder less danger from close passes than many other rural roads....
Uh oh! TfL had best watch out, they'll have the taxi men on to them again....
and for the price of a sportive entry you can probably get a very nice pub lunch AND afternoon tea in a cafe
Do you have any add-ons in your browser? One of those might be causing an issue or some script is running that is slowing it down.
What's the speed limit on a freeway?...
Mark is still trying though and this youtube podcast from 56 mins tells the history of it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak_KTR5ZhsY&t=56m30s
Is it pile-on time?...
Bingo. I live in a hot climate and have pretty much given up on short-sleeved jerseys. I've got one of these (in a different print) and wear it on...
What's the overall weight of the bike as tested? Sorry if I've missed that, just couldn't see it! Many thanks, Fraser