West Midlands Cycling & Walking Strategy David Kinshuck & Dene Stevens Pushbikes Campaigns David Kinshuck …ophthalmologist treating diabetic retinopathy; member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists public health group members of the West Midlands Cycling Walking Coalition 28/08/2019
Strategy aims By 2020 to enable ~20% of journeys to include cycling Increase walking Cycling should be safe for young (>12y) and inexperienced 20mph limits or less on all residential roads Cycle training and related support Cycle lanes by busy roads 28/08/2019
Also needs slower speeds… …walking… Also needs slower speeds… 20mph limits (or less) would make both walking and cycling safer 28/08/2019
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Savings: 25% cycling & slower speeds 50% reduction road accidents.. 10mph slower speeds 50% reduction in obesity and diabetes 30% fewer mental health problems with regular exercise 30% less crime with regular exercise 10% increase in academic achievement 30% less drug use / risk taking behaviour £100+m….new investments, as the city becomes more pleasant 28/08/2019
Savings: 25% cycling & slower speeds £60m…..fewer road accidents (50% reduction .. slower speeds, now £120m) £62m…..…..less obesity/diabetes (Health is £1b/year/city, obesity costs 25% =£250m, if 25% cycle there will be 25% less obesity) £8m………...improved mental health (mental health is £100m/year/city, if 25% cycle they will have 33% fewer problems…£8m) £25m……....less crime (crime is £1b/year/city, if 25% cycle they will commit 10% less crime) £25m…….….higher academic achievement (education is £1b/year/city, if 25% cycle they will have 10% greater academic achievement, a gain of £25m) 10% less drug use and £100+m….new investments, as the city becomes more pleasant see here See here online 28/08/2019
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Problems Councils now have to set their own targets, rather than being bound by a national one. Cllrs might think they can forget about cycling 95% Councillors responding support our aims All local MPs support Central Government is not providing incentives…it supports congestion reduction Current levels of funding are enough to train about 3% of children thoroughly to national standard. NO large scale speed reduction/traffic reduction/cycle training/cycle lanes. 28/08/2019
Ideal Short term…London style cycle network Long term…Amsterdam or Hull style provision Tackling equality in cycling…few women/ Asian cyclists 28/08/2019
Dangers are the main deterrent An RAF Tornado pilot… ” Cycling across Birmingham is much more scary that flying a Tornado Jet” 28/08/2019
Related issues Lost basketball pitches to developers Several informal football pitches to developers 28/08/2019
We Need Your support What can this group do? What can we do next? Cycling and walking are ‘Joined up thinking’ 28/08/2019