Re-Cycling

Excellent news that former Olympic champion, Chris Boardman, is to become Head of Active Travel England (https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/jan/22/chris-boardman-to-lead-new-walking-and-cycling-body-in-england). Boardman is obviously strongly motivated to make short-distance walking and cycling as safe and pleasurableas possible in English towns and cities. Walking or biking are healthier as a) they provide exercise and b) reduce damaging emissions from vehicles. In many instances, it can even save time by reducing traffic jams. Boardman's main lever seems to be Active Travel England's ability to rate councils on how well they make space for walking and cycling. So, shaming councils, for poor provision, seems to be the main tool that can be employed. It is worth commenting, however, that providing safe travel facilities for walking/cycling costs money (which many councils don't have). Safe storage of bicycles at destinations is also not without cost. Central government needs to supply cash and make legal changes to facilitate active travel. There will, no doubt, be intensive counter-lobbying from motoring interests. Some people, on their daily short commutes, will have to pass through areas controlled by more than one council. Connectivity is consequently very important. Otherwise, provision by one council may not facilitate viable walking or cycling on even a relatively short journey. Boardman also needs to remember that some people can neither walk nor cycle. We would not want such people to be 'marooned' in their homes or to be unreachable by ambulance/services. We can hope that Boardman can deliver. This change of focus in transport provision, in England, is long overdue. English schemes should obviously be connected to those in neighbouring parts of Scotland and Wales.