Not a traffic warden in sight …
Pre-Budget 2015 submission from Cyclist.ie – The Irish Cycling Advocacy Network
Cyclist.ie, the network of the cycling campaigns and bicycle festivals on this Island, makes this Pre-Budget Submission 2015 in an attempt to encourage fresh thinking about the purpose of a taxation system in relation to decreasing the societal impacts and latent costs to the Exchequer from motorised transport use and unhealthy lifestyles. Budgets should be striving to support healthier, cost-effective modes of transport with benefits across health, community and the environment sectors. Investment in cycling promotion is one of the most cost-effective actions that any government can make.
Dublin needs more benches, less pandering to cars, says expert
Prof Jan Gehl said Ireland and other former British colonies “have allowed traffic planners to exert undue influence, with silly ideas like every time a pedestrian approaches a crossing, they have to ‘apply’ to cross the street when it should be a human right”. Read article
Message sent to Road Safety Authority
Message sent on Wednesday 6 August to Road Safety Authority by Cyclist.ie – The Irish Cycling Advocacy Network in response to RSA press release issued Friday 1 August regarding rise in vulnerable road user fatalities
Michael Rowland (Director of Research)
Brian Farrell (Director for Communications)
Dear Michael and Brian
As a leader of a group of vulnerable road users, who are at all times in traffic (unlike pedestrians, and who generally choose when, where and how they cross our roads) could I plead with the RSA to alter its ‘blame-the victim’ approach to getting its message across. While I commend you for the generally better content and tone of the latest press release issue last Friday the RSA could do more to place the main responsibility on motorised drivers, particularly those who drive large vehicles – buses, coaches, HGVs, SUVs/4x4s.
Let’s be blunt about the fact: it’s the one tonne plus metal projectile with its driver that is the killer and maimer. We know from the international research literature that in the case of cyclists the majority of RTCs take place at junctions. The causal factor is driver miscalculation/error in approx. 90% of those analysed in Europe. Continue reading Message sent to Road Safety Authority
Jersey’s compulsory cycle helmet law: based on emotion, not evidence?
The Channel Island’s politicians insist compulsory bike helmet use for under 14s will improve public health. But the evidence does not seem to be on their side … read article
Transport for London (TfL) reveals London cycle safety plan
Transport for London plans to cut the number of lorries during peak hours and to test equipment on buses to help drivers spot cyclists and pedestrians.
TfL is aiming to cut by 40% the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads by 2020.
Last year 132 people, included 65 pedestrians and 14 cyclists, were killed on London roads. Read article
Nantes – Velo-City 2015, 2 – 5 June
After Seville in 2011 and Vienna in 2013, Nantes Métropole has been chosen by ECF to host the 2015 Velo-City conference at La Cité, Nantes Events Center. Nantes was selected for its investment in terms of cycling policy. Nantes will seek to meet four key objectives:
- Create a replicable model dedicated to regional cities
- Build on the strengths and weaknesses of the Nantes experience and other French cities
- Reach out to the world
- Create a future inspired by cycling
More information: Velo-City 2015 website and Conference Information
Irish Bike Importers / Industry Supporting Cyclist.ie
Cyclist.ie – the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network, wishes to acknowledge the generous support of cycling business / importer Eurocycles
Cyclist.ie’s work is succeeding in changing transport policy and practice so that the bicycle sits centre-stage in the thinking of transport planners and traffic managers. See Report to ECF for more information on our work. But we have much more to do! We look forward to collaborating with more players in the Irish cycle industry over the coming months and years.
Vehicular riding or Segregation?
The road less travelled: one family ditches the car
After our 1996 Toyota went kaput, we decided to go without. Commuting, ferrying kids, shopping and holidaying abroad? It’s all possible with a little ingenuity. Read article