Cycling funding undermined by car dependence
A £250 million active travel fund was announced last month as part of a £2bn package for cycling and walking for the next five years.
Local authorities have been investing in cycle paths, designated road space, making streets and town centres more accommodating for walking and streets closed to motor traffic. All of which is very encouraging and, although a shame that it took a pandemic-enforced lockdown to prompt change, much needed.
Rachel White has written a piece on the topic for the magazine, which you can read on page 12. In it she explores the government’s ‘intent that public transport and active travel will be the natural first choice for our daily activities’.
It is concerning then to read new research which suggests that, with the public discouraged from using public transport for social distancing reasons, a million more cars could be on roads in England and Wales each day if public transport commuters with cars switch to driving. Worryingly, it is possible that the percentage of people who drive to work will increase from 60 per cent to 70 per cent, meaning an estimated 1.06 million more cars on the road.
Funding is always welcome and councils should be commended on the work they are doing to encourage active travel. But safety, infrastructure and, above all else, less reasons to drive must be made clear.
Michael Lyons, editor
