Yay! More money being spent on encouragement!
(Posted in "Infrastructure" section ironically)
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure
New active travel funding
(9 posts)-
Posted 6 years ago #
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New money though, they're not spending council cash on it. Does this ever work at all though? I guess to use cycling infrastructure you have to know it's there maybe?
Posted 6 years ago # -
You do need both, realistically. First you need infrastructure, then you need to normalise using it, especially if you want to reach beyond the fit male demographic. Even the Dutch run cycle training courses. What's a waste of time is spending money on encouragement when the conditions aren't right
Posted 6 years ago # -
“Edinburgh often leads the way with its innovative practice to promote active travel and we look forward to continuing to work with them and the many other Scottish local authorities working towards making Scotland a healthier, happier place to live.”
Brow furrows.
"There's a great line-up of events planned right across the city and the funds will enable in-depth research towards three major projects aimed at making life better in the Capital..."
Heart sinks.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Jesus. Built some bloody bike lanes! That's it. Simple. Honestly.
Posted 6 years ago # -
At present don't have my JPG/PDF material in form to post here but research in London indicated that many who currently do not consider cycling on a routine basis would do so if they had a 'safety net' for the times when they become 'stranded' of perceive and fear this.
Roll out the facility to have the option of putting a bike in a taxi with a 100% certainty that the driver will take you. Not only for novices though - instead of the dilemma of driving to rural pub and then having to keep the driver sober, the drunk cyclist can get into a cab with the bike to go home.
Expand that slightly and you'll see the opportunities already being secured informally where people take bikes on buses - the journey from Hamilton to Strathaven late at night not unlike Edinburgh to Penicuik, or Haddington, with the bus far from full, and avoiding the ride on an unlit road or path
Posted 6 years ago # -
Well it’s all useful stuff (in theory), but it all seems a bit bitty.
“
and work to encourage compliance with Edinburgh's 20mph speed limits now that the 18-month citywide rollout is complete“
More posters on lamp posts?
This could be very useful - or a complete waste of time.
“
Meanwhile market research into three inter-related projects is being developed collectively using SCSP funding, aimed at understanding stakeholder and public views on how the projects should take shape.
The three projects aim to improve the quality of life of those who live, work, and visit Edinburgh by helping to create safer and more attractive streets and spaces and improve air quality and access for all
They are: Edinburgh’s Local Transport Strategy, which is being reviewed to determine fit-for-purpose transport and mobility policies and actions for our city; the Central Edinburgh Transformation project which concerns the future development of central Edinburgh and its public realm; and the development of a Low Emission Zone as a proactive move towards protecting Edinburgh's citizens and visitors from the harmful effects of poor air quality. All three contribute towards the developing 2050 Edinburgh City Vision, by improving mobility and creating better places.
“
This could be read as ‘other money too’, anyone know?
As for 2050, wonder how many people planning ‘the future’ back in the 80s would have predicted the compromised timid mess we are in today?
A high proportion of 2050’s “stakeholders” aren’t born yet. I bet they’ll want good food, fresh air, nice places to hang out, enough money to pay for whatever is deemed essential, some sort of agreeable job/occupation/purpose, safe and convenient ways of getting around -all in a sustainable environment of course without too many wars, too much inequality etc. etc...
I suppose that’s all beyond the scope of this funding.
Posted 6 years ago # -
Without a breakdown in this funding, it's hard to know what it means. On a gut level though, I reckon guided buggy walks and the like cost hee-haw to organise. However, three market research exercises for Council strategies will cost a fortune - I imagine the chaps at Aecom and the like have now departed for the pub.
Fundamentally though, Harts is right - just get on with it.
Posted 6 years ago # -
NB - the news release says this is SCSP cash. That is Scottish government money which is basically for promotional/ educational activity/ info/ research to get people out of single-occupant cars (not necessarily onto bikes) and is not allowed to be spent on cycling infra.
It is distributed for the govt by Paths for All, unlike the (much larger) govt sums which go to Sustrans and are largely for infra.
Examples of how SCSP cash is used here.
Posted 6 years ago #
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