Round-up On Parliament

The biggest story of the week has to be the second outing for Pedal on Parliament (POP2) with Scotland's cyclists descending en masse to Holyrood demanding a fair piece of the transport pie. POP2 is happening today and we will likely hear more about it in next week's round-up, but if you can't wait that long you can always check Twitter for coverage. This is also why Sally isn't doing the round up this week.

Sustrans' addresses the issue of the gender imbalance in cycling, resulting in interesting and lively discussions around the blogosphere. Elsewhere, the issue of cycling and the law was being discussed around the world this week, thanks in part to this succinct letter to the Montreal Gazette, with Buffalo Bill in agreement. Similarly, Cambridge Cyclist considers when and if following the rules matters and also shares his thoughts about a video about Pinch Points in Cambridge.

Road.cc warns that the recently announced Mayor's Vision for Cycling in London may already be under threat from bean counters who don't seem to understand what 'investment' means. Cyclists in the City finds an interesting video showing what The Germans, who are decades ahead of us in cycle infrastructure terms, think of it all. Meanwhile, Pedestrianise London continues outlining his own vision for 'Going Dutch' in Twickenham

Bicycle Dutch takes a look at Nijmegan Bridge, and also on the theme of bridges The Upright Cyclist discusses the issues affecting cycle infrastructure around Salem's bridges. Elsewhere in the USA, berniceradle shares thoughts on Boston's Bicycle Share, Lovely Bicycle takes a look at the US-made Bike Friday Tikit and our own Cycalogical takes a look at the recent growth in cycling in the USA.

Downfader shares his maintenance experiments with cassette removal, something I can sympathise with - what's wrong with a circlip? On the subject of things I can personally sympathise with, Mad Cycle Lanes of Manchester documents his troubles with a set of gates on the River Irwell path which bafflingly are closed by Salford City Council each night - despite being fully accessible from either direction.

Thinking About Cycling takes a ride through the spring vegetation and considers what road cycling means to different people, whilst Cycling South Tyneside thinks about the implications and limitations of a Vehicular Cycling approach to cycle provision and As Easy As Riding finds that we are still fighting the same battles thirteen years on. On a related note, Copenhagenize takes a pop at the concept of a bicycle culture in a place where bicycles are treated like appliances.

As Easy As Riding discusses the desire for quiet and how it relates to the desire for safety, whilst ibikelondon shares pictures taken on the Regents Canal on a sunny day which, for a moment, almost make the UK look like a place with a rational transport strategy. On the subject of comparisons, (Drawing) Rings takes a look at modal split for journeys based on length in Amsterdam and London. Elsewhere in London, Kennington People on Bikes laments the prioritising of construction lorries over safe routes for children.

And finally, there is this sign, spotted by Twitter user @Tradescant which shows we still have a long way to go:

Sally will return next week.

 

Comments

Thanks for linking to my blog. One thing needs clarifying though. The Sustrans article you've linked to is new. They had an earlier article and it was that which provoked the discussion. The earlier article was pulled and replaced with the piece by Melissa Henry. Henry's piece would not have provoked a particularly strong reaction. The original piece told women that waterproof trousers would help keep them dry in the rain, gloves keep your hands warm and that you can take a comb with you to revive your style. That's why people got annoyed with Sustrans.

Helen

Sustrans original ding dong bike belles article is replicated here. I took a copy before they changed it. http://katsdekker.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/bike-ding-dong.html