Tough times amidst the recession are apparently forcing commuters to ditch their cars and public transport and switch to using their bikes to get to and from work.
Undoubtedly, opting to cycle rather than drive does bring financial benefits but what often go undersold are the environmental and long-term health benefits.
All too often the debate on tackling congestion focuses on aspects such as penalising drivers financially or improving local bus services, but little is said about what can be done to boost cycling rates in local areas.
It is now time that councils are empowered to make significant changes locally to make cycling the easiest and most practical transport option. Over the past few months, the LGiU has led an inquiry in partnership with Cycling England to look at some of the obstacles to change and to identify practical ways in which councils could encourage more people to cycle.
The inquiry has found that transport regulations should be reviewed to give councils greater control over cycling routes. The inquiry report, Active Communities: Cycling to a better quality of life, calls for councils to be empowered to create designated streets that favour cyclists over cars.
According to research conducted by Cycling England, for every car driver converted to a bike, the UK economy saves around £400 a year through reduced medical bills, congestion and pollution. Furthermore, a project costing £1m would only need 109 additional cyclists to cycle three times per week over the life of a 30-year project to cover the costs of the investment.
If we’re really serious about getting more people out of their cars, cycling should be a focus for all transport professionals. And this can only really be achieved if we ensure that highway schemes and road inspections include a cycling audit. The inquiry has provided a useful platform for debate and an opportunity for local authorities to look at what initiatives have worked and why.
We need to use the ambitions of local government as a driving force to make local communities more sustainable and to get government to commit to making cycling a national priority.
By Gemma Roberts, LGiU Centre for Local Sustainability policy analyst
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