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by ChrisPeck
17 Apr 2014, 1:28pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Space for Cycling - the nationwide campaign
Replies: 68
Views: 10777

Re: Space for Cycling - the nationwide campaign

Thanks to Lizzie for her eloquent explanation!

In short, the idea behind the campaign is to

  • maintain pressure on local politicians through constituent pressure;
  • identify the councillors that are likely to be helpful;
  • forge links between local campaigners and those politicians;
  • strengthen local cycling campaign groups by alerting people of their existence, and finally
  • encourage those people them to join groups or become campaigners themselves.

Does that help?
by ChrisPeck
15 Apr 2014, 9:14am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Space for Cycling - the nationwide campaign
Replies: 68
Views: 10777

Space for Cycling - the nationwide campaign

CTC, in conjunction with local campaign groups around the country, including Sheffield,http://www.space4cycling.org.uk Newcastle, Greater Manchester has launched the national http://www.space4cycling.org.uk campaign challenging councillors across Britain to make space for cycling.

This follows on from the highly successful launch of LCC's Space for Cycling campaign in London last week - which is aimed at the London local authority elections, with specific asks in each of London's 624 wards.

Thousands of councillors from across the country have already been asked to create the conditions where anyone can cycle anywhere - you can do the same at http://www.space4cycling.org.uk
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by ChrisPeck
21 Feb 2014, 5:03pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Bedford turbo roundabout - it is done
Replies: 433
Views: 77563

Re: Bedford turbo roundabout

Bicycler wrote:Other than that I actually share a lot of your doubts in that I don't think it's much of a cycle safety scheme and it certainly wouldn't be where I wanted such money to be going. I will add that nobody did supply any figures about motorists not stopping for zebra crossings upthread, though there was an assertion. A couple of us said we hadn't encountered many problems with zebras and preferred them to waiting at signalled crossings. I'd also add that if your preferred option would be a dutch-style cycle path priority over exiting traffic (it would be my preference too) then we could still expect the same problems of poor driver discipline and traffic backing up onto the roundabout that you predict with the zebras.


I'd agree. FWIW (and this is entirely anecdote), my experience with cycling on zebras is that even on a road with over 20,000 vehicles a day pouring down what is essentially the South Circular Road in London, drivers will stop at the zebra crossing. That location is here: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.460072,-0.156524,3a,75y,197.59h,71.4t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sBFleqU_sKJ86yGDmnns7ZA!2e0
by ChrisPeck
21 Feb 2014, 1:25pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Bedford turbo roundabout - it is done
Replies: 433
Views: 77563

Re: Bedford turbo roundabout

kwackers wrote:
Bicycler wrote:what he's actually suggesting is that cyclists currently using the roundabout will be made safer by the new layout allowing a primary position to be taken through the roundabout along the single lane.

That's how I'd see it but there's a presumption that motorists won't try to over/undertake by moving out of their lanes, it might even be that some will think it OK to do so. Could be fixed with education and the occasional policing - but then so could lots of bad behaviour and that doesn't happen.
Overall I think it's worth a go though.


Which is exactly why this is an interesting experiment. It may not work, but on the other hand it may prove beneficial. When the Fund was set up we (CTC) wanted to see more trials of interesting approaches, but this was one of the very few that wanted to try something new. I would agree that the schemes benefits pedestrians the most, confident cyclists next and less so for less confident pavement cyclists, who will have to put up with negotiating priority at junction, but at least can now legally use the footway, as 40% of them already do. I think I've already explained a few times why high quality cycle tracks weren't considered possible.
by ChrisPeck
21 Feb 2014, 9:40am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Bedford turbo roundabout - it is done
Replies: 433
Views: 77563

Re: Bedford turbo roundabout

drossall wrote:Presumably, a PR officer who is paid to put a good spin on things has come up with the "goes Dutch" heading, and Patrick Lingwood, who does actually explain the true Dutch approach in his interview, isn't allowed to undermine it. Thus, a less than accurate picture is spread across his colleagues nationally, and if that is repeated then "Dutch" infrastructure here may become something unrecognisable by our friends across the water.
...
I was interested that the Poynton video mentions fears of reducing capacity at that busy intersection, by reducing the approach lanes to one, which seems comparable to Bedford. However, in Poynton they went ahead, knowing that reduced speeds would allow vehicles to be closer to each other, and so compensate by increasing capacity. Overall, the video suggests that the effect has been neutral, as intended. Anyone know whether this was considered?


Indeed, Patrick Lingwood was using the turbo roundabout only in as much as it would still work for the 60% of cyclists who are choosing the use the road at present. As I explained, the priority cycle track option (which would have been used in NL and could accommodate all users if well designed) was contemplated, but was ruled out for traffic capacity reasons: this is a crucial point. In most Dutch towns there are very few two-lane entry roundabouts because traffic levels are lower (often because so many trips are being made by bike!). Politically, it is difficult for a cycling officer in Bedford to persuade his colleagues (let alone councillors!) to remove one lane from a roundabout which has 25,000 vehicles a day using it in favour of bikes, of which there are currently around 500.

So we are left with the infamous dual network, but a dual network which is a bit better for both: pavement cyclists now share legally, and test the resolve of drivers at zebras until the regs change, while on-road cyclists get slower speeds and a clearer indication of how to 'take the lane'. Not, by any means perfect, but a reasonable interim measure given regs and restrictions.


On Poynton, yes, this is a fascinating scheme but:

a) it cost £4m - this one is costing 10% of that
b) the benefits for cyclists are far from clear cut, with evidence that many children are still using the pavement, and that the critical width approach lanes are uncomfortable for cyclists to use.
by ChrisPeck
21 Feb 2014, 9:07am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Bedford turbo roundabout - it is done
Replies: 433
Views: 77563

Re: Bedford turbo roundabout

drossall wrote: Is there an official comment from the CTC anywhere?


Yes - I linked to it earlier, but here it is again: https://www.ctc.org.uk/blog/chris-peck/cycle-safety-fund-and-bedford-turbo-roundabout-some-facts

mjr wrote:Chris claimed future funding may be cut if it went unspent; others feel future funding may be cut because it was spent largely ineffectively.


Like all the applications to the 'Cycle Safety Fund', this scheme is designed to improve 'safety', not volumes of cyclists, thus if any monitoring takes place it will be focused on safety. Reducing speeds will make this junction safer for all, including cyclists. I have little doubt that if the funding had been recommended by the panel to be turned down the Department would either have a) simply allocated it themselves or b) cancelled future funding schemes, such as the Cycle Cities funding.

You also questioned the speeds associated with the curve radius, quoting p 66 of Manual for Streets.

Bedford CC say that reducing the deflection curve radii to 15m (from 20m) will reduce speeds, making priority crossings easier to achieve as and when they come along. Note that deflection curve radius (although no longer used for calculating roundabout speed) is different from t-junction kerb radius.

"an idealist with a keyboard" who doesn't get out on the streets...


A flippant comment not aimed at you :)

PaulCumbria wrote:Chris Boardman


Chris Boardman is a brilliant speaker and articulates well what needs to change. However, British Cycling were also involved in the Cycle Safety Fund and cleared this scheme - as well as dozens more that are far ropier - for funding.
by ChrisPeck
20 Feb 2014, 3:07pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Bedford turbo roundabout - it is done
Replies: 433
Views: 77563

Re: Bedford turbo roundabout

BSRU wrote:CTC have done themselves no favours with this an their attitude to concerned cyclists.
Basically stating they agreed because of fear of loosing budget next year, glossing over the fact that money for cycling has been appropriated for spending on a project to help drivers to the detriment of cyclists.


Only if you think that going from this:

Image

to this...

Image

...will be to the detriment of cyclists. I suspect most people who walk and cycle through the roundabout once it is built will disagree with you.
by ChrisPeck
20 Feb 2014, 2:22pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Bedford turbo roundabout - it is done
Replies: 433
Views: 77563

Re: Bedford turbo roundabout

Here is an attempt at an explanation what the Cycle Safety Fund is and why CTC was on a panel that supported it:

https://www.ctc.org.uk/blog/chris-peck/cycle-safety-fund-and-bedford-turbo-roundabout-some-facts

I hope this helps.

Incidentally, Patrick Lingwood, the designer of the scheme, is an incredibly thoughtful and intelligent guy, who has been at the forefront of good design for a decade. I don't think that what is proposed is perfect (by any stretch of the imagination - the post explains why perfect can't be done) but it is worth giving it a go.
by ChrisPeck
3 Jun 2013, 4:42pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: 30kmh – making streets liveable
Replies: 159
Views: 10401

Re: 30kmh – making streets liveable

Phil_Lee wrote:I'm disgusted that CTC isn't among the organisations listed as supporting this initiative though.
Why on earth not?
Cycling and walking organisations from all over the EU are supporting it, but the CTC is leaving it to 20s Plenty to argue the UK perspective.
We should at least all be signing the petition at This Location individually.


CTC has suggested that people sign the petition, but I'm afraid it was an ill-conceived idea to begin with. It needs a million signatures across Europe. This seemed virtually impossible at the time; indeed, only 25,000 people have signed, with half the allotted time gone. That's 2.5% of the way to the target...

You'll notice that not only is CTC not listed, but neither are Sustrans or Living Streets - both of which are running current 20 mph campaigns nationally.

One of the flaws of the 30km EU petition is that there is precious little that can be done at EU level to increase take-up of 20 mph. Indeed, there is little the UK government can do to force local authorities to implement 20 mph on the roads and streets they control - sure, there are things they can do, but this government claims it prefers a 'localism' approach when it comes to these sorts of decision making. The subsidiarity principle in Europe also dictates that decisions should be devolved as much as possible to the smallest unit of government. The text of the initiative claims to abide by this principle, but I'm not sure how many would agree with that.

It would be much better to focus efforts into local petitions and grassroots organising, than on international petitioning.
by ChrisPeck
10 May 2013, 12:57pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: A place to record lenient sentencing for motorvehicle....
Replies: 631
Views: 316306

Re: A place to record lenient sentencing for motorvehicle...

CTC has joined the family of Audrey Fyfe in demanding an appeal on the sentence of Gary McCourt, who received 300 hours community service and a 5 year driving ban for her killing. He had killed another cyclists 26 years ago.

http://www.ctc.org.uk/news/demand-prope ... lled-twice
by ChrisPeck
29 Apr 2013, 1:34pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Royal Mail ditches bicycles for delivery - CEO responds
Replies: 47
Views: 23039

Re: Royal Mail ditches bicycles for delivery - CEO responds

CJ wrote:... As I recall they did conduct thorough trials with electrically-assisted cycles of various descriptions, but those which scraped under the UK weight restrictions came from firms with insufficient manufacturing capacity to meet Royal Mail's demands.
...
It is the usual British disease: of seeing pedal cycles as a problem, to be controlled and regulated, rather than an opportunity to be encouraged.


Even worse, Chris, Royal Mail conducted their electric vehicle trials with Cycles Maximus trikes, which are massively over the limit.

Royal Mail had to cancel the trials because the vehicles are illegal. This is according to the TfL study (a copy of which is here), which anonymises RM as 'Company One', but it is clear whom they are discussing.
by ChrisPeck
25 Mar 2013, 9:09am
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Census Data - Cycling Cities
Replies: 21
Views: 2019

Re: Census Data - Cycling Cities

Malaconotus wrote:Chris, do you exclude working from home from modal share percentage calculation? And is there a standard, so that modal share is comparable between cities internationally?

Also, is daytime population or resident population the standard, and why?


Good questions. I didn't exclude working from home, though I know some people do. I don't know if there is any comparison between cities internationally. This database of modal split in different countries is built up out of local and national surveys but isn't at all robust. Sometimes international figures even exclude walking!

The choice between daytime and resident rather depends on your perspective, I suppose. Obviously if you are Transport for London you wouldn't want to look at only the resident population travel figures for the City of London!

I know that there are workshops that try to reconcile differences between categorisation of road traffic injury and death (you'd have thought a death was a death, but it's more complicated than that!) but I've never heard anything about usage data or modal split. This is typical of the overall problem of road safety, which is essentially the ongoing failure to analyse and assess risk in any meaningful way (as opposed to counting numbers of casualties).
by ChrisPeck
22 Mar 2013, 2:13pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Census Data - Cycling Cities
Replies: 21
Views: 2019

Re: Census Data - Cycling Cities

As well as the highway authority commuting level which is published on the CTC website (as Pete Owens mentioned), I've also looked at data at a district authority level which also shows the change in cycle commuting over the 2001-2011 period:

https://www.google.com/fusiontables/emb ... =2&tmplt=2

No legend yet, but I will be publishing it on the CTC website at some point.
by ChrisPeck
5 Dec 2012, 4:13pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: The War on Britain's Roads
Replies: 417
Views: 26674

Re: The War on Britain's Roads

FWIW, Roger has blogged at length on this, explaining the background to our involvement and his impressions of the film.
by ChrisPeck
30 Nov 2012, 2:45pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: War on Britain's Roads - BBC1 documentary
Replies: 1
Views: 2469

War on Britain's Roads - BBC1 documentary

This programme airs next Wednesday - early indications aren't good.