tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post5676810795114455622..comments2023-10-31T08:49:14.757+00:00Comments on Cambridge Cyclist: Gilbert Road - RevisitedCab Davidsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09019615820672574343noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-45268682661011875602012-10-29T00:33:32.651+00:002012-10-29T00:33:32.651+00:00I forgot to add that the reason cycling levels are...I forgot to add that the reason cycling levels are stagnating in Cambridge is because the authorities have not seriously taken any steps towards the development of any significant cycle infrastructure (Step 5), with the result that people are riding on the pavement in Gilbert Road, and also with the result that councillors are getting peeved off about it.<br /><br />Introducing a network to a minimum level of functioning will only get you so far, and the development of cycle lanes, such as at Gilbert Road, will only get you a little bit further. If you want to go all the way, you have got to properly develop segregated routes, and you've got to make it progressively more difficult to drive around by car (by removing rat runs). Unless Cambridge is prepared to take these decisions, cycling levels are never likely to become impressive.<br />bikemapperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16902775699101288384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-44205493264269986432012-10-28T15:04:04.050+00:002012-10-28T15:04:04.050+00:00I was directed to your blog by a posting from Free...I was directed to your blog by a posting from Freewheeler. I do absolutely agree with a lot of what you say. However, I am trying to encourage people not simply to take a bottom-up approach to the development of an amenable cycle environment, but perhaps more importantly, a top-down approach as well. <br /><br />You can see what I mean by looking at this <a href="http://data.mapchannels.com/mc4/18420/ccn1_18420.htm" rel="nofollow">simple map</a> (best viewed with the terrain box ticked). For a more detailed account of my proposal, please click <a href="http://bikemapper.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/a-strategic-cycle-network.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>.<br /><br />Many thanks.bikemapperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16902775699101288384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-1222434688123356202012-10-26T11:12:35.700+01:002012-10-26T11:12:35.700+01:00I think we need to learn lessons from overseas. I&...I think we need to learn lessons from overseas. I'm not one of the out and out advocates for doing things the Dutch way, but there are some things that the Netherlands got right. <br /><br />Dutch politicians didn't wake up one day in the '70s and say 'lets make this a nation great for cyclists', they bowed to pressure from actually quite loud and vocal protestors who were 'shouting from the sidelines and being grumpy'. <br /><br />Look also at London - massive demos by cyclists lately, which haven't made as much progress as they need to YET, but they've had an impact and at least the Capital is starting to move in the right direction.<br /><br />Here in Cambridge we've got a cycling campaign group who sit on the sidelines and rubber-stamp poor facilities. Try getting grumpy and County and City Councils point to Cambridge Cycle Campaign and their cooperation therewith, and they can effectively sideline protests. Cambridge doesn't have a Critical Mass movement. It doesn't have a 'claim the streets' movement. Its got a cycling campaign who I'm afraid oppose the kind of actions that could very rapidly and very effectively change conditions on the roads of Cambridge.<br /><br />Yes, in some ways, we get things better here than elsewhere. We're not getting it right though. We don't even get gritting on routes like Kings Parade, arguably the most cycled route in the UK. And we've got a narrow, ancient road network - bluntly, any cycle campaign group could effectively own these streets. And Cambridge Cycle Campaign resolutely will not do so. Cab Davidsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09019615820672574343noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4031352915519488668.post-62475724574992590982012-10-25T16:49:05.362+01:002012-10-25T16:49:05.362+01:00I would agree with a lot of what's written her...I would agree with a lot of what's written here, but if you're not going to "play nice", what are you going to do instead? And what evidence do you have that it will bring better results?<br /><br />Believe me, I'm as frustrated as anyone by the frankly pathetic efforts made to allegedly encourage cycling around here. Anyone who has a responsibility for making decisions regarding road\cycling infrastructure in the UK should look at Dutch cycling, compare modal share, and be ashamed. I sit here watching video of the Netherlands and dreaming of doing a Hembrow.<br /><br />So I understand the indignation, but to quote the Cambridge Cycling Campaign, where does "shouting from the sidelines and being grumpy" actually get us?<br /><br /><br /><br />Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12957616409432299713noreply@blogger.com