The elements to increasing the takeup of active transport choices in our city are simple:
Political Will, Infrastructure, Public Awareness
It's happening in Ireland: which reflects a
number of measures introduced in the past six years to promote cycling
in the city. This includes the Dublinbikes bike rental scheme, new
cycle lanes, public awareness campaigns to promote cycling and the
introduction of the 30kph city centre speed limit." | "In
Europe, the biggest trigger was political will. Once that is achieved,
first focus on making cycling safe in the city. Develop a decent and
safe network of cycle paths and other bicycle infrastructure, such as
parking. And finally, promote it through several campaigns." |
In Berlin, 13% of all local journeys are already made by bike (1.5million trips daily). The city is planning to have a 830km bike network in place by 2020 to include 12 orbital routes and eight routes running into and out of the centre.
Probably the most astonishing feature of the Berlin plan is the "Pedelec Corridor" out into the suburbs (note these suburbs are outside Berlin, which means joined up thinking with the neighbouring government). The plan is to build a fast bike route, specifically designed to attract long-distance cycling on electric-bikes. There are already over a million e-bikes in Germany and there is serious money being spent to encourage people to swap from car to e-bike.
It is completely within the HCC's capacity to improve conditions for cyclists soon.
The Sandy Bay Walking and Cycling Project is the test this May-June 2013...