"Numbers seeking 'last chance' weight operations rocket"
Prevention better than cure and all that.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Debate!
Why the NHS should encourage cycling...
(20 posts)-
Posted 13 years ago #
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Just cycling or active travel?
Posted 13 years ago # -
Well yes, but.
Think there has already been some work on/funding for walking and almost none for cycling.
There are plenty of people in the NHS wanting to do more 'preventative' things, there are always the usual structural problems and vested interests.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Sorry I may be being thick here, however are you saying there's been "funding" for "walking"?
Posted 13 years ago # -
http://www.pathsforall.org.uk/find-a-health-walk/edinburgh-city/walk-edinburgh.html
And others. (Not saying there had been no funding for cycling).
Not saying that such initiatives are the answer either - or that it's just the NHS that should be responsible.
However 'health' is currently one of the few things that isn't getting significant cuts and it ought (flying mammals) to be possible to spend a bit more on 'prevention' that would save money in the long run.
Oh yes, that's the problem - short-termism of politicians and many large organisations.
Check the Scottish budget next month for the balance between the mid-term view and expediency for next May's election.
Though of course we already know that most of the money will be spent on increasing the number of ways of driving to/from Fife - 'it's about the economy stupid'.
Posted 13 years ago # -
kaputnik: "Sorry I may be being thick here, however are you saying there's been "funding" for "walking"?"
Whether there has or not I think some of the ways we are encouraged to take up cycling or walking seem like a waste of money. I'd hate to think that anyone thought I cycled because I'd been told to by a leaflet. Maybe that's one of the reasons some drivers appear to dislike cyclists - they think we're just doing as we're told.Posted 13 years ago # -
"I'd hate to think that anyone thought I cycled because I'd been told to by a leaflet"
Unlikely - do leaflets work?
Posted 13 years ago # -
About two years ago Glasgow council advertised for walk leaders to take people out walking at lunch time or after work.
I didn't volunteer for that and for reasons we have covered before I don't help them with cycling either.
Posted 13 years ago # -
I don't expect the state to subsidise or reward me for walking, cycling, hiking and keeping myself healthy. I do it for me, not out of altruism for my fellow man. That said, it would be nice if my employer recognised that I cost less to employ as they don't need to subsidise a car or parking space for me and I take less sick days and am less often late to work than my driving colleagues. When you reach a certain seniority at work you get an extra Z% to invest in the company car scheme on the German executive cruiser (MINI) of your choice. I don't see why it shouldn't be extended to
subsidising my vanityremunerating me for my troubles accordingly :)Posted 13 years ago # -
chdot, with the exception of Spokes leaflets of course which are pitched at the already committed and therefore are effective I would agree that leaflets encouraging people to try cycling are money wasters. But then that's nothing new. How much is each Boris Bike? Over £4,000 isn't it? That's 16 Edinburgh Bike Co-op Couriers.
kaputnick, that's the issue exactly. So many schemes seem to be aimed at non-cyclists. There should be much more done to encourage existing cyclists to continue. VAT off helmets was a pathetic acknowledgement that cycling requires more than just a bike - it should have been extended to all cycling related purchases.Posted 13 years ago # -
@kaputnik
As you point out one person's subsidy is another person's perk!
The 'problem' with the NHS is that it has evolved to tackle issues after they occur more than to discourage them in the first place.
Of course it's not that simple!
Personal health is not the responsibility of the NHS in the same way that 'education' doesn't just happen at school.
As you graphically point out, some employers are locked into a cycle (no pun intended) of rewarding people with things that may damage their health - and in turn the company's profitability.
How many companies are willing to not employ people who want/expect bigger cars.
Would you work harder/smarter if the carrot was new car OR top line MTB/racer??
Posted 13 years ago # -
"How much is each Boris Bike? Over £4,000 isn't it?
Well that figure will include docking stations and logistics.
[ cyclestreets: Brilliantly efficient #borisbike redistribution system at Waterloo, very exciting thing to watch! cyclestreets.net/location/26323 ]
The point of Ken Bikes is that they are 'public transport' so cost comparison should be with a bus.
ALSO they really are getting more people cycling. AND the scheme is projected to make a profit!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Boris Bikes are a brilliant idea, nicely executed, and were very well used. It wasn't uncommon to see a rack of 20 bike stands with all the bikes in use.
I hope that they're a case of "build it and they will come", and not popular simply because of their relative novelty.
Posted 13 years ago # -
"I hope that they're a case of "build it and they will come", and not popular simply because of their relative novelty."
Well the scheme is still not open to casual users.
One future issue will be to balance the benefits of more docking stations further out with the prospect of lower use and/or higher cost of 're-balancing'.
I wonder if there are plans for a parallel scheme in, say, Richmond or Bromley. A few people would cycle all the way into the centre, but it would be a whole new 'local market'.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Once you get to a certain managerial level at my work you get the option of going into the company car scheme or taking a additional cash "car allowance", which is a slug of cash that in theory is there to cover the expense of owning your own car. However, in reality it's just an additional bit of income that isn't pensionable - you can spend on anything you like, carbon bikes, MTBs, recumbents included...
The company car scheme is not much of a perk anymore - it's a taxable benefit and no cheaper than buying your own car (in fact, if you don't use a car that often, it's probably considerably more expensive than buying your own). People tend to use it just because there's less hassle involved than sorting out your own car lease/purchase.
Posted 13 years ago # -
chdot: "The point of Ken Bikes is that they are 'public transport' so cost comparison should be with a bus." Are buses still subsidised? I don't have a problem with subsidised public transport so in that light I can see that the
BorisKen Bikes are part of a more complex equation - one which has to factor in the likelihood that the people using them are less likely to be in the queue for the 'last chance' weight operations. Doubt they are seen like that by govt. though.Posted 13 years ago # -
chdot - that site is not going to get anyone cycling. It's so prescriptive. A good comparison would be my mother who sees lots of ads suggesting that she should learn to use a computer because it's not that difficult. The difficulty or otherwise is irrelevant. She doesn't see a reason to learn.
I think it's a really tough nut to crack.Posted 13 years ago # -
"Personal health is not the responsibility of the NHS in the same way that 'education' doesn't just happen at school."
Mmmm, but it is generally agreed that the NHS should be doing more health promotion so that further down the line there won't be as much need for treatment.
Posted 13 years ago # -
All depends if it's the National Health Service, or the National Ill and Broken Service
Posted 13 years ago #
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