Monthly Archives: December 2013

Not dangerous

Posted on December 31, 2013 by aseasyasriding

In 2013, we’ve heard a lot about the dangers of cycling. So, as the year comes to end, it’s time for a brief reminder of some things that aren’t dangerous. Riding a bike without a helmet is not dangerous. Riding … Continue reading →

Posted in Subjective safety, The Netherlands | 103 Comments

Some statistics from the latest Travel in London Report

Posted on December 26, 2013 by aseasyasriding

Transport for London’s latest Travel in London report was released just before Christmas, and, as always, it is packed full of statistics. One of the most telling graphs comes early in the report – The distance travelled by motor vehicle has … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Gilligan, Cycling policy, Infrastructure, London, Road safety, Transport for London | 15 Comments

How failure to design properly makes death more likely

Posted on December 20, 2013 by aseasyasriding

Back in late 2011, I wrote a post about how the TfL policy of ‘smoothing traffic flow’ is antithetical to the creation of space for cycling. Creating ‘smooth flow’ means attempting to push as many motor vehicles through a green … Continue reading →

Posted in HGVs, Infrastructure, London, Safety, Space for Cycling, Transport for London | 10 Comments

The Nag’s Head scheme – are TfL paying any attention at all?

Posted on December 16, 2013 by aseasyasriding

On 6th August 2011, Samuel Harding was killed on Holloway Road in north London. As he passed a parked car, the driver opened his door without checking, striking him, and sending him into the path of a passing bus, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Car dependence, Infrastructure, London, Space for Cycling, Subjective safety, Transport for London | 44 Comments

Not culture, not history – physical change

Posted on December 13, 2013 by aseasyasriding

I was struck by two details from yesterday’s blogpost by Mark Wagenbuur, about early protests for child-friendly streets in Amsterdam in the 1970s – details that highlight the importance of the quality of the physical environment for enabling cycling, over … Continue reading →

Posted in Car dependence, Infrastructure, Permeability, Subjective safety, The Netherlands | 52 Comments

The opinions of a TfL board member

Posted on December 11, 2013 by aseasyasriding

A question from TfL board member Eva Lindholm at today’s board meeting. Posted without comment. Something struck me when I was reading [item] 2.2 on cycling accidents. Now this may be more of a philosophical point, and not fit for … Continue reading →

Posted in Stereotyping, Transport for London | 63 Comments

How about you just don’t injure me?

Posted on December 9, 2013 by aseasyasriding

Spotted in a local newspaper – I remember a debate on cycling helmets. People were writing to the Times newspaper stating that, statistically, helmets were not effective in the reduction of injuries. And then one correspondent cut through all the crap … Continue reading →

Posted in Helmets | 40 Comments

The difference between walking and cycling safety

Posted on December 5, 2013 by aseasyasriding

At the end of my last post about ‘dangerising’, I mused about why, despite the presence of many pedestrians – and speeches from pedestrian campaigners – at the Die In last Friday, nobody appeared to voice any concern that people … Continue reading →

Posted in Infrastructure, London, Subjective safety, The Netherlands, Walking | 29 Comments

Dangerisation

Posted on December 3, 2013 by aseasyasriding

The subject of ‘dangerisation’ – the idea that we are discouraging people who might be tempted cycle in London from doing so by talking about danger and safety – is back on the agenda, following the ‘Die In’ outside TfL … Continue reading →

Posted in HGVs, Infrastructure, London, Safety, Subjective safety, The media, Transport for London, Walking | 22 Comments