Cities where people walk and cycle are healthier and richer.

esuhl

brat wrote: »

About 7 years ago they closed our town's main shopping thoroughfare to most traffic. Only taxis buses and cyclists are allowed through now, and all must give way to pedestrians as the road is now classed as a 'pedestrian zone'

Traffic doesn't seem any busier elsewhere, and the town centre has added vitality, and the opportunity to host fetes and other events in the pedestrian zone that was not possible before. It feels much cleaner, and the sound of the town has changed from traffic noise to chatter. There's still a lot of work to be done to make the town more cycle friendly, a decent by pass would help, but it's a work in progress.
We need research such as this to further empower those who have the vision and enthusiasm to drive change.

About a decade ago they started similar improvements to a town centre nearby. Cars were banned from the main shopping street, which was turned into a pedestrian/cyclist-only zone. Previously, at 5pm, the noisy, polluted, rush-hour environment meant that the shops emptied as people left the area. Now, it becomes busiest after 5pm as people leave work and spend time relaxing there. More and more restaurants and cafes have opened with European-style outdoor areas. Drivers are no longer able to litter the area by throwing junk food containers out of their car windows.

Despite concerns, allowing cycling throughout the pedestrian zones has resulted in not one single reported incident between pedestrians and cyclists in the decade since the changes began. And that's despite the town being plastered with signs asking anyone involved in such an incident to report it.

It's been incredible how much demand this has driven in cyclists. Previously the town had a handful of cycle racks in "out of the way" areas with low footfall, no CCTV, etc. Since racks have been installed in the middle of the pedestrian zones, more and more people seem to be cycling. Every few months they add another few racks. There must be 20 to 30 times as many racks now as a decade ago, and they are often full to capacity instead of barely used.

It's clear that there's a big demand for cycling facilities... or at least there is when the town is made to accommodate cyclists.

I'm still puzzled by the anti-cycling design of another nearby town. A national cycle (the cycle equivalent of a motorway) route passes down the High Street. But... the High Street is closed to all traffic (including cycles) from about 8am to 6pm. Can you imagine if a new motorway was built and pedestrianised during peak hours?! It makes no sense!

esuhl

Bollotom wrote: »

And the photo on the right shows a cyclist in the car lane riding against the traffic.;) (Couldn't resist.)

Really?! Where? I can't see that at all... :-/

Bollotom wrote: »

Pollution also has to be tackled. You only have to walk down some city streets and you end up gasping for breath. For London it really is a health hazard.

Definitely. When I visit friends out in the country, I'm amazed at how clean and fresh the air is. You almost get used to the slight wheeze in your lungs... and that's in leafy Surrey. I'd hate to live in London where air pollution is even more out-of-control.

pendragon_arther

Denmark has been designated as the happiest country in the world.