APPGCW CWIS2 Inquiry Report
21st September 2021
The APPGCW has big plans and ideas for active travel.
Read about the APPGCW CWIS2.
Cycling in Yorkshire
Cycling in Yorkshire
20th December 2022
The Information Commissioner has ruled that the DfT must provide figures showing the cut in car use needed to achieve its net zero goals, but the DfT has appealed against the ruling.
Read about DfT Refuses to Release Emissions Figures Behind Transport Decarbonisation Plan.
11th December 2022
The Chief Medical Officer's report on air pollution, and how it relates to planning and active travel.
Read about Reversing the Decline in Active Travel Would Have Substantial Health Benefits - CMO.
4th December 2022
Contraflow cycling on one-way streets does not increase crash rates, researchers have discovered. Making it the default would be a low-cost way of improving cycle networks.
Read about Contraflow Cycling Does Not Increase Crash Rates.
28th November 2022
Research by Imperial College London shows that Islington Low Traffic Neighbourhoods reduce traffic and pollution within the LTN and on boundary roads.
Read about Islington LTNs Reduce Traffic and Air Pollution.
24th November 2022
Former government special advisor on transport Andrew Gilligan takes aim at critics of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods for using misleading propaganda.
Read about Gilligan Blasts LTN Critics.
21st November 2022
Cambridge plans to become a city that prioritises people over cars, with a charging zone for drivers and radical improvement to bus services.
Read about Greater Cambridge Making Connections 2022.
24th October 2022
Sir Chris Whitty has joined Active Travel England's advisory panel, saying that its mission is shared by the NHS.
Read about Sir Chris Whitty Appointed to Active Travel England Advisory Panel.
19th October 2022
There is an irreconcilable contradiction at the heart of DfT policy, it emerged today at the Transport Select Committee.
Read about Growth vs Green - a Contradiction at the Heart of DfT Policy.
18th October 2022
Journey times by car in three English cities are now slower at weekends than during week day rush hour.
Read about Weekend Congestion Slows Drivers.
11th October 2022
51% of car drivers speed in 30mph zones, according to DfT figures for 2021. Amongst the reasons are pressure from other drivers behind.
Read about 51% of Car Drivers Speed in 30mph Zones.
4th October 2022
Worcestershire have got a lot of sauce but no bottle when it comes to active travel. That's the view of Active Travel England.
Read about the Worcestershire County Council Given Level 0 Rating by Active Travel England.
29th September 2022
The DfT's road traffic estimates for 2021 suggest that CO2 from transport - already the biggest emitting sector - increased by 10% from 2020 to 2021.
Read about the CO2 from Transport up 10% in 2021.
8th September 2022
Chris Boardman and Active Travel England CEO Danny Williams appeared in Parliament before the Transport Select Committee yesterday, and gave great insight into how they intend to work.
Read about Active Travel England at the Transport Select Committee - Part 1.
2nd September 2022
Cycling rates in England were down in the year to November 2021, although other more recent figures have shown a more cheerful picture.
Read about Post-Pandemic Dip in Cycling.
12th August 2022
Active Travel England is to focus on political will and technical capability, in distributing funds to local authorities. It has around £710 million in total over 3 years - significant, but how many miles of M74 do you think that buys?
Read about Active Travel England to Focus on Political Will and Technical Capability.
10th August 2022
Cycling was up 47% in England on weekdays between March and July 2022 as petrol prices rose, but Cycling UK says people need more and better cycle infrastructure.
Read about Cycling Up 47% in England.
8th August 2022
Active Travel England is asking local authorities to self-assess their performance on active travel. Councils will be awarded a Level between 0 and 4, and this will affect the funding they receive.
Read about Self-Assessment for Active Travel England.
12th July 2022
There's a new government road safety campaign, Travel Like You Know Them, as part of the wider THINK! initiative. It's to promote recent changes to the Highway Code.
Read about Travel Like You Know Them.
7th July 2022
The government has published its second Cycling & Walking Investment Strategy, which reaffirms its commitment to making cycling and walking the natural choice for short trips.
Read about CWIS2.
6th July 2022
The big oil companies are upping their rhetoric on climate change and Net Zero, but do their actions and plans match?
29th June 2022
The Climate Change Committee has published its June 2022 assessment of the UK government's progress on cutting greenhouse gas emissions. What are the implications for transport?
Read about Tell Councils How to Achieve 50% Active Travel Target - CCC.
27th June 2022
Many of us were concentrating on other things when the IPCC published its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). I thought it would be useful to do a short summary of the findings.
Read about IPCC AR6.
1st June 2022
In order to become carbon neutral by 2030, Bristol will need to cut vehicle miles by 40%. A very similar reduction in car trips is likely to be needed in other UK towns and cities - but how many people are aware of the scale of change required?
Read about Bristol - 40% Reduction in Vehicle Miles Needed.
23rd May 2022
Be bold if you want funding for cycling and walking, is the message from the Active Travel Fund Tranche 3 allocations.
Read about Lack of Ambition & Failure to Follow Guidance Main Reasons for Failed ATF3 Bids.
17th May 2022
Active Travel England has swung into action - sort of. On Saturday, there was a semi-announcement of the ATF3 allocations, and some effective advocacy by Chris Boardman.
Read about Active Travel England Swings into Action (Sort Of).
4th May 2022
64% say it's too dangerous to cycle on the roads, according to an Ipsos survey. How many people would like to cycle more, and do people support LTNs?
Find out in 64% Say It's Too Dangerous to Cycle on the Roads.
22nd April 2022
There's a possibility that HS2 access roads could be turned into high-quality walking and cycling paths. What would be Benefit-Cost Ratio of the paths be compared to the railway?
Read about Possibility that HS2 Access Roads Will Become Walking & Cycling Paths.
20th April 2022
The DfT has published new active travel guidance for local authorities, including four actions they should be taking, and a toolkit.
Read about Local Authority Toolkit for Active Travel.
15th April 2022
DEFRA has launched two air quality consultations. Could the measures proposed have a significant effect, or is it a case of tinkering around the edges and trying to palm off responsibility onto local authorities?
Read about Air Qaulity Consultations.
18th February 2022
The government has launched a THINK! road safety campaign to publicise changes to the Highway Code. Tweets and other materials lead back to a DfT page outlining 8 main changes.
Read more about THINK! Highway Code Changes Campaign.
16th February 2022
Sustrans has published a progress report on its Paths for Everyone master plan to improve the National Cycle Network. It wants to connect every community of at least 10,000 people.
Read more about Sustrans Paths for Everyone 3 Years On.
9th February 2022
A trial of 'Give cyclist space' signs in Scotland has been a success.
Find out more in 1.5m Signs Half Close Passes.
7th February 2022
Developers should stop building 'cowpat developments', according to a new report from Transport for New Homes. What does this mean?
Find out in Don't Build Cowpat Developments - Transport for New Homes.
2nd December 2021
Amendments to the Highway Code include provisions on a Hierachy of Road Users, pedestrian priority at side roads, people riding bikes next to each other, passing distances, and more.
Read about Amendments to the Highway Code Laid Before Parliament.
27th October 2021
The Climate Change Committee has published its assessment of the UK government's Net Zero Strategy, including on transport. What are their conclusions?
Read about a CCC - Government Plans to Reduce Car Travel Lack Measurable Targets & Credible Policy.
23rd September 2021
The 2020 Walking and Cycling Statistics have just been published by the DfT.
There was a modest increase in cycle trips and stages, and a big increase in distance cycled.
Read about Walking
and Cycling Statistics 2020.
21st September 2021
The APPGCW has big plans and ideas for active travel.
Read about the APPGCW CWIS2.
10th August 2021
Shall we try to make sure Earth remains habitable, or not bother? The IPCC has something to say about it.
Read about a IPCC Report 2021.
30th July 2021
The DfT's Gear Change One Year On document reaffirms the government's commitment to its cycling and walking policies originally published in Gear Change. It also highlights an increase in active travel funding this year and contains a defence of LTNs.
Read about the Gear Change One Year On.
30th July 2021
The DfT today issued a press release about an increase in funding for cycling and walking, as well as polling showing active travel schemes are popular; it also trails changes to the Highway Code.
Read about the DfT's July 2021 Announcement.
18th July 2021
Prepare to be underwhelmed. It's not 100% awful though.
Find out about the DfT's Transport Decarbonisation Plan.
20th June 2021
How much money is being made available from the Active Travel Fund this year, and by when must councils submit their bids?
Find out in Active Travel Fund 2021.
2nd June 2021
What level of support is there for dedicated cycle lanes? And what reasons do people give for not cycling?
Find out in Support for Dedicated Cycle Lanes.
8th May 2021
Cycling was up by 46% in 2020 due to lockdowns. What happened to motor traffic?
Find out in Cycling Up 46% in 2020.
11th April 2021
Narrow, painted cycle lanes invite drivers to make dangerous close passes.
Read about Why Narrow Painted Cycle Lanes Cause Danger.
26th March 2021
Lockdown rules are changing on Monday 29th March 2021. What does it mean for cycling?
Read about Lockdown Rules After 29th March 2021.
2nd February 2021
Academics from the University of Westminster have calculated the return on £80m of investment in active travel at the Mini Holland schemes in Outer London.
Find out the economic benefit or Return on Active Travel Investment.
5th January 2021
No club rides. You can ride on your own, but how far can you go? And can you meet a friend for a bike ride?
Find out in Impact of 2021 Lockdown on Cycling.
16th December 2020
Advisory cycle lanes increase the risk of injury to cyclists, as compared to no infrastructure. That's one of the findings of a new academic study of the effects of different types of road and infrastructure on risk.
Read about Advisory Cycle Lanes Increase Risk of Injury by 34%.
25th November 2020
'Dishonest' is a strong word, but how else can you describe the government's justifications for its road-building programme?
Read about Dishonest Justifications for Road Building Programme.
24th November 2020
Opponents of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) believe there is a fixed volume of traffic which must be accommodated, and that restricting through traffic in residential streets increases traffic on main roads. Are they right?
Read about LTNs Don't Cause Congestion.
22nd November 2020
Cycling UK have put together a very good video to counter the idea that bike lanes are unpopular, and put forward the benefits of active travel infrastructure. It includes contributions from a number of transport academics.
Read about Cycling UK Video.
22nd November 2020
The majority support Active Travel Fund schemes, but do they think other people agree with them?
Read about Support for Active Travel Fund schemes.
13th November 2020
Additional Statutory Guidance from the DfT stresses that there should be consultation with local communities before EATF schemes are implemented.
Read about Consultation on EATF Schemes.
13th November 2020
Measures to reduce road traffic and reallocate road space to active travel are highly popular with the public, research for the government shows.
Read about Public Support for Active Travel Measures.
11th November 2020
England and Northern Ireland have excellent new standards for Cycle Infrastructure Design. What does it say about designing and building cycle routes?
10th September 2020
Stopping sales of SUVs as soon as possible is one of the top recommendations of the UK Climate Assembly - a group of people from all walks of life who were asked to consider the best ways of reaching net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.
Read about stop selling SUVs - UK Climate Assembly.
10th August 2020
66% of adults in England say it's too dangerous for them to cycle on the roads, according to new figures from the DfT. Is cycling making progress and increasing modal share?
Read about 66% of adults say it's too dangerous to cycle on the roads.
28th July 2020
The government's plans to boost cycling and walking are announced today, with a press release and a document called 'Gear Change, A bold vision for cycling and walking'. Plans include new standards for cycle infrastructure and an inspectorate to enforce them, Active Travel England.
Read about Gear Change vision for cycling and walking.
9th May 2020
Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps today announced £250 million for pop-up bike lanes. He promised further money, and measures including a National Cycling Champion.
Read about the Grant Shapps announces £250m for pop-up bike lanes.
6th May 2020
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan today announced the capital's Streetspace plan, aimed at accommodating increased walking and cycling as lockdown is lifted and public transport capacity reduced.
Read about the London Streetspace plan.
28th March 2020
The DfT has started the process of devising a plan to decarbonise transport. Their consultation document accepts that we'll have to use our cars less, and states that public transport and active travel will become the natural first choice for our daily activities. There's still a reluctance to accept reality in some areas of transport decarbonisation, with an insistence on airport expansion.
Read about about DfT transport decarbonisation.
22nd March 2020
Velo Birmingham have told their customers that they are cancelling the cycle sportive event scheduled for 21st June 2020, but keeping all the money. Is there a way of getting your money back?
Read about about Velo Birmingham refunds.
12th March 2020
The Budget presented yesterday by Chancellor Rishi Sunak is a high-carbon splurge on a massive road-building programme, while active travel is totally ignored. As the climate goes haywire, are the Tories the wrong people to be in government?
Read about about the budget failure on cycling & climate.
13th February 2020
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Cycling and Walking (APPGCW) has launched a manifesto for cycling and walking, setting out the key funding and policy priorities needed to increase active travel.
Read about the APPGCW manifesto.
12th February 2020
Boris Johnson yesterday re-announced a tiny cycling fund, with money for infrastructure which amounts to a miserly £1.18 per person per year. He described the fund in a different way, so it wasn't immediately obvious that there was nothing new in what he said.
How do these plans compare with the other parties' pledges on cycling investment? Find out in Johnson re-announces tiny cycling fund.
1st February 2020
76% of people in England think we should all use our cars less for the sake of the environment. That's according to the National Travel Attitudes Survey.
Read about the National Travel Attitudes Survey.
31st January 2020
The latest instalment of Chris Boardman & Andy Burnham's active travel plans for Greater Manchester, in the new Cycling & Walking Investment Plan called Change a Region to Change a Nation.
Read about the Change a Region to Change a Nation.
27th January 2020
I rode Birmingham's Cycle Superhighways, by the A38 and the A34. Are they bodge jobs, or proper, quality cycle infrastructure?
Read about the Birmingham Cycle Superhighways.
5th December 2019
Ambitious plans from all the parties - but one - to tackle the climate crisis, pollution, inactivity and obesity by funding walking and cycling. No vision or ambition from the other party - no interest and next-to-no funding.
Read about parties' election promises on cycling.
14th November 2019
Sustrans has produced its own manifesto for the General Election 2019. It is asking all parties to commit to more investment in walking and cycling, as a solution to the climate crisis.
Read about Sustrans Election Manifesto.
1st July 2019
Bradford Council have linked Shipley to Bradford, by adding the Canal Road Cycleway onto the existing Greenway.
The result is a usable route. It's generally safe and convenient. The Cycleway has priority over drives and side roads, except in places where the route designers lost their nerve, and made it give way.
Read about the Canal Road Greenway & Cycleway.
26th March 2019
Sustrans surveyed teachers about air pollution outside schools, as part of their Big Pedal event.
Read about Sustrans school run survey.
13th March 2019
Public Health England have reported on what local authorities and national government can do to improve air quality.
Read about Public Health England on air pollution.
27th February 2019
Chair of Parliament's Cycling group Ruth Cadbury says the government will miss its target to double cycling by 2025. She is calling for more investment.
Read about Ruth Cadbury calls for cycling & walking investment.
16th February 2019
The West Midlands region has set out plans for new cycle routes, to help tackle health, congestion, and pollution problems. New routes are to be a step up in quality, with segregation from moving traffic.
Read about West Midlands cycle routes.
5th February 2019
Speaking today as part of British Cycling's One in a Million campaign, Sarah Storey called for high-quality, segregated cycle routes in all towns and cities.
Read about Sarah Storey, One in a Million campaign.
5th February 2019
A £3.5m project called Levenshulme Bee Network is bidding to replicate London's mini-Holland schemes, and create a fully filtered local neighbourhood conducive to walking and cycling.
Read about Levenshulme cycle scheme.
29th January 2019
NICE recommendations on physical activity have some truly revolutionary ideas in them, about reallocation of road space, and priority for active travel over private cars.
Read about NICE physical activity recommendations.
