CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.

SPOKES MEETING ON LINE – Mon 21 Feb 7:30-9:30pm - TRAFFIC REDUCTION

(7 posts)

  1. Rosie
    Member

    SPOKES MEETING ON LINE: TRAFFIC REDUCTION COMMITMENTS IN SCOTLAND & EDINBURGH

    Mon 21 Feb 7.30-9.30pm

    • Link to register:- https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8367858952972625168 (The registration page has a sentence about payment – ignore this, the meeting is free)

    The Scottish Government has made a remarkable “commitment” to reducing car-kilometres by 20% over the 2019 pre-covid figures, by year 2030 – primarily as a response to the climate crisis, although with many additional side-benefits for public health and community. Edinburgh City Council has followed this up with a 30% ambition – albeit a “target” rather than a commitment.

    Our online public meeting on Monday 21 February brings together Scottish Government Minister Patrick Harvie MSP, responsible for active travel policies and Cllr Lesley Macinnes, the City’s Transport Convener, to explain, debate and be challenged on the route to achieving these very tough ambitions.

    Dr Caroline Brown, member of Spokes and of the Transform Scotland policy forum, will critique the government and council approaches; and this will be followed by our usual hour of debate between the panel members, prompted by your questions. The QA/debate will be chaired by Dr Sam Gardner, head of the Edinburgh Climate Commission.

    .
    Minister Patrick Harvie MSP and Cllr Lesley Macinnes will each introduce their traffic reduction ambitions and policies

    Dr Caroline Brown will then offer a critique of the policies
    Our 45/60-minute QA session will then be chaired by Dr Sam Gardner

    The meeting is expected to end no later than 9.30pm
    We are using GoWebinar software (kindly supplied and operated by Cycling UK Scotland). Your own microphone and video are automatically muted, and there is no chat function.

    Questions can be submitted in advance by emailing spokes@spokes.org.uk with subject line Spokes meeting question. You can also submit questions during the meeting, using the questions box in the webinar’s Control Panel.
    More information and background on Spokes website.
    http://www.spokes.org.uk/2022/02/spokesmtg-traffic-reduction-commitments-in-scotland-edinburgh/

    Posted 2 years ago #

  2. Rosie
    Member

    Belated bump.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  3. neddie
    Member

    Is there a recording to watch?

    Posted 2 years ago #

  4. ejstubbs
    Member

    The web page Rosie linked to does say: "The meeting will be recorded and available later on our YouTube channel". I can't see it there yet but the meeting only happened last night so a bit of patience is probably in order.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  5. Arellcat
    Moderator

    They also acknowledged that they weren't able to put all the questions asked to the panel and would provide responses in the meeting debriefing, so that will take some time.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  6. Rosie
    Member

    Report here:-

    http://www.spokes.org.uk/2022/02/achieving-traffic-reduction-spokesmtg-report/

    Posted 2 years ago #

  7. chdot
    Admin

    From link

    Cllr Macinnes

    “

    Public engagement is vital but can be difficult. Surveys show that most people want action, but some get very vocal in opposition when existing arrangements change. Example is the hostility from some to Lanark Road cycle lanes (which lead to nurseries, schools, etc as well as into the city) even though the great majority of houses have driveways

    Many other cities are moving quickly on this agenda, demonstrating the benefits and the public approval. For example, Paris

    Barriers to rapid progress must be removed, including rethinking antiquated government procedures such as how traffic orders are approved

    EVs are “a thorny issue.” They have many benefits for fleets, car clubs, taxis, etc. However in a congested city, whilst we need to eliminate fossil vehicles, swapping every personally owned car for an EV (with very cheap running costs) means worsening congestion, road danger; another tranche of roadside infrastructure (for charging); and significant, albeit reduced, pollution. Instead, new patterns of mobility are crucial.

    “

    Easy to agree with that, but shows how it’s still dependent on SG action both with major policies and messaging - particularly to change/promote understandings so that any/most objectors are more clearly ‘wrong’ or at least defending a status quo that isn’t in the interests of most people.

    Posted 2 years ago #

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