Category Archives: Transport policy

The problematic philosophy of ‘shared use’ footways

Posted on September 8, 2017 by aseasyasriding

An old post from Joe Dunkley that resurfaced yesterday in the wake of some comments about Christopher Chope – a former transport minister in the Thatcher government and helmet law enthusiast – has prompted me to reflect on some of … Continue reading →

Posted in shared use, Transport policy | 8 Comments

Taking responsibility for social safety

Posted on January 20, 2015 by aseasyasriding

Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, iniichael Dugher, gave an interview with the Mirror in December, which attracted a fair bit of attention, principally because it resembles a transparent attempt to court the ‘motorist vote’ (whatever that may be) – presenting Labour … Continue reading →

Posted in Absurd transport solutions, Infrastructure, Social safety, The Netherlands, Transport policy, Walking | 18 Comments

Thinking outside the box

Posted on January 8, 2015 by aseasyasriding

Urban Design London have recently released some new guidance (in draft form), entitled the ‘Slow Streets Sourcebook: designing for 20mph streets’. This manual – like other ones I have commented on recently – has revealing design recommendations for ‘cyclists’. These are the kinds of … Continue reading →

Posted in History, London, Subjective safety, Sustainable Safety, The Netherlands, Transport policy | 16 Comments

Natural character

Posted on December 17, 2014 by aseasyasriding

What is ‘natural’? The word, formally, means something that is not made, or caused, by humans. But this strict definition is very rarely employed. We use the word ‘natural’ to describe all kinds of things that are not ‘natural’ at … Continue reading →

Posted in Absurd transport solutions, Car dependence, Dual network, Horsham, Horsham District Council, Infrastructure, Mobility, Natural character, Safety, Southwater, Sustrans, The Netherlands, Town planning, Transport policy | 100 Comments

Crumbs

Posted on May 12, 2014 by aseasyasriding

At the Leeds Cycle City Expo, the keynote speech was given by Robert Goodwill, the Under Secretary of State for Transport, with special responsibility for cycling. It was full of pleasant soundbites and encouraging noises, but when he had to depart … Continue reading →

Posted in Cycling policy, Horsham, Infrastructure, Transport policy, Uncategorized, West Sussex County Council | 22 Comments

As if we didn’t already know, a cycling revolution won’t happen by itself

Posted on March 27, 2014 by aseasyasriding

There is a curious opinion that often manifests itself in government and in councils – that a serious commitment to cycling as a mode of transport in its own right can’t be made, precisely because very few journeys are currently … Continue reading →

Posted in Cycling policy, Department for Transport, Infrastructure, London, Subjective safety, The Netherlands, Transport policy | 39 Comments

Ben Hamilton-Baillie and motor traffic

Posted on October 17, 2013 by aseasyasriding

Last night I attended a talk given by Ben Hamilton-Baillie in Eastbourne. I didn’t really learn very much, because the talk was very similar to the ‘stock’ talk he has presumably given on numerous occasions before – the one you … Continue reading →

Posted in Car dependence, Infrastructure, Shared Space, Subjective safety, The Netherlands, Town planning, Transport policy, Uncategorized | 30 Comments

Who drives in Britain?

Posted on September 27, 2013 by aseasyasriding

The current population of Great Britain stands at around 63.2 million people. From the way transport is presented by much of the media and by politicians, you would think that every single one of these people is a ‘motorist’. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Car dependence, Transport policy | 17 Comments

Accessibility versus amenity – how the bicycle can solve the dilemma

Posted on May 10, 2013 by aseasyasriding

Yesterday I gave a brief presentation at a Town Centre Opportunities event in London; the theme of the conference was on revitalising urban space and keeping ‘The High Street’ thriving. I was invited to talk in a supposedly provocative capacity, … Continue reading →

Posted in Car dependence, Cycling Embassy Of Great Britain, Department for Transport, Infrastructure, Parking, Pedestrianisation, Subjective safety, Sustrans, The Netherlands, Town planning, Transport policy | 14 Comments

Enough is enough

Posted on December 21, 2012 by aseasyasriding

Dave Horton’s excellent Cycling Struggles series continued on Thursday, taking a look at pavement cycling, and how conflict has been created between two user groups that really should co-exist quite harmoniously. I urge you to read it (indeed, read the whole set, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cycling policy, Evening Standard, Go Dutch, Infrastructure, LCC, London, Subjective safety, Transport for London, Transport policy, Walking | 47 Comments