Printable PDF version - Cambridge Cycling Campaign

ONE.. Why Cycling?Cycling...C2020:Why Cycling?The benefits of cyclingThe benefits of cycling are numerous.It’s a cheap and reliable way of providingmobility for thousands of people and moneyspent on providing better cycling conditions has abeneficial effect on all transport users. Top-qualitycycle routes can be built for a fraction of the priceof many road schemes.Cycling makes efficient use of space, whichis at a premium in Cambridge. Road capacityis increased perhaps tenfold if bikes are usedinstead of cars and some ten cycles can beparked in one car space.Cycling is good for the environment. With theincreasing concern over climate change, energyconservation is now a priority in most countriesand it’s worth noting that a cyclist can travelabout 500km on the energy equivalent of a litreof petrol. Furthermore the fuel a cyclist uses –food – can be locally grown and cycles use verylittle fossil fuel – just a little oil from time to time!Of course, food production does involve fossilfuels, as does manufacturing cycles, but less thanin manufacturing motor vehicles. A cyclist also“...is just as much a legitimate form oftransport as cars, buses, and motorbikes.Cyclists are just as much road users asthose behind the wheel.As such, the needs of cyclists are asimportant as the needs of motorists andshould be given increased status whentraffic schemes are being designed.This means, for example, that anythingwhich seems silly to a motorist is likelyto seem silly to a cyclist and anythingwhich holds up a cyclist or makes theirlife difficult should be considered asseriously as if a motorist were beingdisadvantaged. Yet, as we demonstratelater, this is often not the case.Obstructions, lack of continuity andso on are the norm and do nothing toencourage more people to get on theirbikes.Cycling has so many benefits,from being an efficient use ofspace to helping combat climatechange. Not to mention the fact thatpeople who cycle regularly havean average fitness of someone 10years youngerproduces far fewer carbon emissions, is almostnoiseless and produces no pollution.Cycling is good for the body. Regular cyclingreduces body weight, tension and the risk of heartdisease. The average cyclist lives longer than theaverage non-cyclist. It also makes people moreefficient at work. People who cycle regularlyhave an average fitness level of someone 10years younger.Cycling is a faster means of transport,particularly in Cambridge. The vast majority ofurban journeys can be made faster by bike thanany other way.SECTIONONE.. page2“