A recent circular starts:
"The University of Reading is pleased to announce the launch of its Cycle to Work Scheme. University staff can now take advantage of the Government’s tax initiative scheme aimed at encouraging more people to cycle to work."
The circular goes on to explain how we can make savings buying bikes and cycling equipment. I fell the initiative misses the point, it is not lack of bikes or the wherewithal to buy a bike that stops people cycling into the University, it is primarily the fact that it is not very safe to cycle on the roads round the outside edge of the campus, particularly between 8.00 and 9.00 am and 5.00 and 6.00 pm when there is a lot of traffic.
What would really make a difference is cycle ways that separate the cyclists from the cars, buses and lorries. If the university introduced cycle ways that could get cyclists safely along Pepper Lane and Wilderness Road then I would be much more willing to cycle. The provision of showers would also help people who were prepared to cycle longer distances.
Keywords: Bike, cycle, traffic
Comments
Shirley - having bought three bikes to date through the government cyclescheme, I'm a great fan of the initiative. But you're totally right - workplaces should take more responsibility for enabling healthy and environmentally sensitive methods of getting to work. Showers, secure (and dry) cycle storage facilities, and facilities for cyclists to store their sweaty gear/dry their towels etc should be given at least equal importance to facilities for car drivers. Most worksplaces charge an annual fee for convenient car parking facilities, and the majority of cyclists I know would be happy to pay a fee for the services listed above. However, most employers do not offer any of this. Imagine the uproar if Universities suddenly decided to turn all their car parks into playing fields...
On the subject of road safety, I doubt the university has much muscle in terms of the creation of traffic-free cycle routes... I can offer you a morsel of hope in the form of Dr Ian Walker's research, which concludes that best way to avoid being knocked off your bike by a car is to wear a long, blonde wig.
Lindsay Jordan on Friday, 06 November 2009, 14:05 GMT # |