General news about cycling
20 is Plenty for Us is a UK based organisation, campaigning for 20mph to be the default speed limit in residential and urban streets.
One of its officers, Rod King, MBE presented at the Road Safety Authority’s conference about children and road safety in Dublin last Thursday 2 April. 20 mph in UK is our equivalent of 30 km/h. Recent presentation
See also the radio interview on the Ray D’Arcy show, 11 minutes in
Martin Mannering “stumbled across” the Irish vintage bicycle business when someone brought a rusty old High Nelly into his workshop in Cappamore, Co Limerick. Now he has a successful export business. Video: Enda O’ Dowd. Watch video.
Dr. Mike McKillen (Chair of Cyclist.ie), Damien Ó Tuama (National Cycling Coordinator, Cyclist.ie & An Taisce) and Nuala Kelly (Dublin Cycling Campaign rep from the Dublin Central / Phibsborough area) met Minister Paschal Donohoe and his officials today. The purpose of the meeting was to press the Minister in regard to giving everyday (utility) cycling much greater priority within his portfolio.
Europe: The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF) has put out a growth plan detailing how the cycling community can contribute to economic growth in Europe.
The ECF’s Kevin Mayne said: “We can create more jobs for Europeans through investment in cycling, not only because it has a proven record for creation of green and sustainable jobs, but because of the huge contributions it makes to the EU’s wider objectives. Our partners, our businesses and policy makers are ready to build on cycling’s current 650,000 jobs and €217bn per year contribution to the EU economy.”
There are three main focus points for the ECF: great investment in cycling through provision of EU subsidies; integration of cycling into growth plans; and provision of fiscal benefits for cyclists.
The report stresses that 650,000 full time jobs are linked to cycling in Europe today. It argues that this figure could increase to up to one million by 2020, should cycling’s modal share double.
According to the ECF, over €2bn can be utilised from the EU up to 2020 to invest into cycling resources.
The cycling organisation argues that its plan fits into the European Commission’s pushing of a €300bn investment strategy, saying that cycling can play an important role in the future of Europe and should receive adequate investment.
From the UK
It’s fair to say that, for all the government promises of a “cycling revolution”, not a vast amount has happened in recent years to improve the lot of cyclists on British roads. Campaigns, pestering MPs, direct action – nothing seems to have worked.
So how about just taking legal action under equalities legislation, forcing local authorities to provide proper cycle infrastructure?
OK, it’s probably not going to happen soon, even if you could find somebody rich and patient enough to fund a fairly speculative test case.
But the idea, floated by Rachel Aldred, a sociologist and transport expert at the University of Westminster, is nonetheless fascinating as it highlights one of the lesser-aired arguments for a more cycle- and walking-friendly world: the issue of social justice.
Cyclist.ie – The Irish Cycling Advocacy Network, in collaboration with An Taisce and Dublin Cycling Campaign has made a detailed submission on the NTA proposals to build a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line from Swords to the City Centre.
Cyclist.ie has responded to the public consultation process associated with the publication by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport of their Review of the National Land Transport System. The submission is here. Overall, we are alarmed at how little attention is being given to health, quality of life and climate change issues by DoTTAS.
Department of Transport Tourism and Sport – Statement of Strategy 2015-2017: call for submissions
The Cyclist.ie submission
The next Cyclist.ie submission will be in response to a review of Strategic Framework for Investment in Land Transport
There’s a long tradition of Cambridge University students cycling to their studies. With the new term in full swing we celebrate the morning pedal to lectures. View
North American bike culture is changing; fast; and a big part of that shift is in the type of bicycles people are choosing to ride. Traditional upright city bikes have seen an explosion in popularity in recent years, with real implications to the way we design and experience cities. Read article
