Safe Routes Get Children on to Their Bikes

By Will Bramhill

"Safe routes to schools" is set to become a buzz-phrase in the U.K., not just among planners but with parents, too.  Researchers found that traffic calming not only increases safety but also the perception of safety, so that mums and dads allow their children more freedom — more children cycle and walk under their own steam.

In one study, the number of children allowed to travel independently to school rose from 22 per cent to 33 per cent, and the number allowed to visit local shops rose from 27 per cent to 33 per cent.

The DoT set aside £31 million to put in more 20mph zones and reduce child casualties. One target is the busy A27 in Fareham, Hants, which is being narrowed to one lane each way.  They hope for results like in Winchester where traffic calming cut speeds in two shortcuts near schools from 45mph to an average of 12mph.

The government is also to put more emphasis on drivers responsibilities, encouraging them to be more aware of children. The charity Sustrans believes that once the success of its various pilot schemes is proven then there will be a huge demand from schools nationwide for Safe Routes.

As a guide for parents and teachers wanting to see if their route is suitable, Sustrans published a 7-point checklist:

1. Safe routes should follow those used currently by pupils as far as possible. Savings in distance and time are as important for children as adults.
2. Reducing conflict with traffic is crucial; with traffic calming or traffic-free routes, or a combination of the two.
3. Routes should be as wide as possible. Children prefer to travel in company and the short times of peak school travel means pavements and cycle lanes are likely to be crowded.
4. Measures which deter cars from using safe routes tend to make safe routes safer and also serve to reduce school escort trips.
5. The location and design of specific safety measures should take into account children's and parents' fears.
6. Routes need to be continuous and extend far enough from the school in several directions to serve the majority of pupils.
7. Routes should be designed to permit secondary and older primary school pupils to walk or cycle along them unaccompanied.

Further information:  Sustrans homepage: www.sustrans.org.uk/webcode/home.asp

Bicycle Friendly Community

"Bicycle Friendly Community" is a project of the League of American Bicyclists, The purpose is to increase awareness and acceptance of bicycling as a means of transport, recreation, and fitness, and to promote bicycle safety both on and off the road.

The program achieves its purpose by:

• Encouraging local governments to make a continuing commitment to developing and maintaining safe on and off street bicycling facilities.
• Requiring communication between local government and the bicycling community on cycling related issues.
• Promoting bicycling events and bicycle safety.
• Recognizing communities meeting bicycling related criteria.

For the complete program description and qualification process contact:  LAB, 1612 K St NW #401, Washington DC 20006 USA. Email: bikeleague@aol.com.  Internet: http://www.bikeleague.org/

Copenhagen Presents First Bicycle Balance Sheet

By Ernst Poulsen [Bicycle News Agency]

For years the concept of green accounting has been discussed and developed. Now Copenhagen pushes the concept further. The city - which is a member of both the "Cities for Cyclists"- and the "Car-Free Cities" clubs - has presented the worlds first bicycle balance sheet, the newspaper Berlingske Tidende reports.

As all normal balance sheets - the bicycle balance sheet is to be presented once a year - with the clear aim of achieving better and better bottom lines.

This first year, 63% of the cyclists found Copenhagen to be a good or fairly good city for cyclists, 54% are satisfied with the number of bicycle paths, but only 26% find the maintenance of the bike paths to be anywhere near good. A similar low number of cyclists find the snow clearing in winter-time satisfactory.

Moving Right Along: Lessons From Transportation and Healthy Communities Advocates

As advocates, we spend much of our time and energy sustaining the daily momentum of Campaign work. We could strengthen our efforts, if only we had more time to research the lessons learned by colleagues who are striving toward similar goals. "Moving Right Along," is a series of case studies that details how advocates have been effective, and what has not worked so well in their struggle for healthier communities communities with cleaner, more efficient transportation systems that serve all people equally. For a copy of the series, send $2.50 to the Gas Guzzler Campaign, c/o International Center for Technology Assessment, 310 D St. NE, Washington, DC 20002 USA. icta2@clark.net .

Model Bicycle Plan

Ben Gomberg recently prepared a "Model Bicycle Plan" to assist towns preparing or revising their plans. The plan has gives suggestions for bicycle-friendly policies relating to; planning, engineering, encouragement, education and enforcement. For your free copy write to: Ben Gomberg, 601 William St., London, ON N6B 3G1 CANADA.

Comprehensive Bicycle Policy

The Government Affairs Committee, Cascade Bicycle Club in Seattle has written a "Comprehensive Bicycle Transportation Policy and Advocates Handbook." The book covers more than eighty topics that affect bicycling from Air Quality to Zoning Codes. The advocacy section of the handbook gives tactics, instructions and a comprehensive list of local contact essential for success with local government. IBF is a consultant on the project. Copies ($5 plus postage) are available from CBC, PO Box 31299, Seattle, WA 98103-1299 USA.

Cycling In Denmark

Danish bicycle activist has produced an eight part slide show about the Danish experience in bicycle planning. The package includes a text, a book and 45 quality slides mounted in frames. The price is DkK500. Contact: Idþv'rkstedet De Frie Fugle, NY Adelgade 5A,3, 1104 Kobenhavn K, DENMARK.

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