Whilst it would be tempting to be all topical and talk about British Cycling's questionable decision to partner with one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, Shell, I just can't bring myself to do it today. Instead, we're going to continue the theme of cargo bikes and look at a video by GCN, who... Continue Reading →
#Hamishing – finding ever more creative ways to use a cargo bike
Just a quick one to say, if you're on Twitter, a hashtag to keep an eye out for is #hamishing. Inspired by Hamish (@bikewalkscoot) who gets around Cardiff on a Tern HSD and has been finding creative ways to move large and unusual loads around the city. https://twitter.com/BikeWalkScoot/status/1575604399384117248?s=20&t=rNvv1r7L2AR_1x5ohaMPqw I find this tremendously inspiring --cargo bikes,... Continue Reading →
A few months later…
It doesn't feel all that long ago that I put the fear to one side and just got back to riding my bike again, but it has been a few months. Going from very little exercise to something resembling a training plan has been quite profound and...I have thoughts. Where I was... I won't beat... Continue Reading →
Bike locks tested to destruction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfZ-S63AsPQ This is a very entertaining, albeit sobering video from Francis Cade. Here he tests a variety of locks, from the cable locks I keep asking you not to use, to the Sold Secure Gold rated alternatives. Most locks will be defeated with time, but a good lock just buys you more of it. Whilst... Continue Reading →
Balancing Safety with Biodiversity
We all want to feel safe when out and about, whether we are cycling or walking. We may ask for routes to be created to facilitate that, but we need to be mindful of not just where they are and where they go, but also how they work with the biodiversity of the areas they... Continue Reading →
Something to read: Revised Active Travel Act guidance
Good news everyone, a revised version of the Active Travel Act guidance has been published. Weighing in at 476 pages; a whole 42 MegaBytes of guidance includes best practice on infrastructure design and gives guidance on how to provide related facilities such as cycle parking. This revised guidance provides the mandate to act on this... Continue Reading →
The Canal Quarter and Cardiff East Transport Scheme – Oooh, yes…
Let us take you back in time, to the days of Cardiff's industrial past. Barges brought coal, iron and steel up and down the valleys to the port and out into the wide world. But then at the turn of the 20th century the world changed. The barges started to disappear, the canals were paved... Continue Reading →
How to sell bicycles…
Some time ago we had a little chat about marketing. We talked about how car manufacturers had become experts at selling people the lifestyle, but conveniently gloss over the realities of motoring. However, we also came to the depressing realisation that nobody is really trying to sell us utility cycling, or the benefits of seeing the cycling as a mode of transport. Even the pro cyclists on our screens were selling us cars. Until now that is...
Well, that escalated quickly… – Modal Shift in Unusual Times…
If and when the world does start to return to something resembling 'normal', chances are it is going to look very different to the one we've just left. No longer will it be acceptable for trains and buses to resemble the mosh pit of a Pantera gig, with people eager to maintain a safe distance from each other. Furthermore, the road network is unlikely to cope with a surge of new drivers on the morning commute. Some of us are going to have to find a new way to get to work.
Catching up…
Wow, I completely missed February. It's funny, time just seems to fly by these days. It could be a side effect of my advancing years, but more likely having so much going on that there's barely any time to take stock. The truth is, things have been rather hectic out in the real world, away... Continue Reading →