People have always wanted to reach destinations quickly, safely and efficiently. But as the UK transport environment has become increasingly complex, transport’s impact on health has become unnecessarily harmful – to the point where it is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.
Read article | Download full report
Nothing new here for likely readers of this blog, but good to see the BMA flying the flag.
… and another IT article on lack of exercise
Some situations seem far more dangerous to us than others, but the perceived risk is often quite far from the truth, writes NIAMH DORNAN … If we look at the numbers only, a different picture can emerge. The lifetime risk of dying in an air crash is 1 in 7,178, according to the National Safety Council of America. This is far lower than the 1 in 98 chance of dying in a car crash or the 1 in 701 chance of being killed as a pedestrian. Cyclists face a 1 in 4,381 chance of dying on their bicycles over their lifetime. Read article
Twelve UK cities and urban areas may have to ban or fine heavily polluting traffic from their centres within months after the European commission refused to allow Britain more time to reduce dangerous exhaust emissions, according to air quality campaigners Read more
Initiative will lead to a more cycle friendly culture across the country
Public Transport Minister Alan Kelly has today announced over €4.5 million funding for walking and cycling infrastructure as part of the ‘Active Travel Towns’ Programme.
The initiative sees eleven successful Irish towns granted funding for local cycling and walking strategies – including new cycle-lanes, provision of walkways and behavioural change initiatives in local schools and workplaces to encourage people to switch their transport mode. Continue reading Minister Kelly announces €4.5m funding for 11 ‘Active Travel’ towns
New York City’s chief fiscal officer seems to think he’s a road safety expert. But did he even look at the numbers? … [ … more confusion over Helmets – see links under Cycle Helmets ]. Read article
What? Dublin Cycling Campaign Conference 2012
Three years into the National Cycle Policy Framework (NCPF), this conference will assess its progress in bringing positive change to cycling in Ireland. It will emphasise the necessity of focusing on women and young people to achieve the target of 10% cycling participation by 2020. Papers will be presented from Irish and European perspectives with new initiatives and ideas. It will provide essential guidelines for officials, professionals and practitioners. Read more
Do 57% of UK cyclists jump red lights? (or Irish ones?)
One motoring organisation claims so – on very flimsy evidence.
Survey finds that just 10% use their bikes as their main form of transport, but 35% would switch to cycling if roads were less dangerous. Read article
It would be surprising if the perception in Ireland was much different
A white ghost bicycle parked at Kings Cross in London
A tiny proportion of accidents involving cyclists are caused by riders jumping red lights or stop signs, or failing to wear high-visibility clothing and use lights, a government-commissioned study has discovered. Read article
Cyclists’ lobby group CTC said the report needed to focus on driver behaviour rather than issues such as cyclists wearing helmets.
It is (just about) possible to find bikes that are British-made in part, but is it a pointless exercise or a good use of your money? If you owned a bike before the 1980s in the UK, the chances are it was British-made. If you own one today, it most likely isn’t. Read article
No much chance of an Irish one either, but check out Men’s Sheds; they’re doing work on second-hand bicycles …