Cycling Safer Than Walking

People in the UK travelled a total of 508 bn miles in 2007, compared with 475 bn in 2001 and 260 in 1971, according to Social Trends 2009 from the Office of National Statistics. Not surprisingly most of this is due to increased car journeys, 194 bn miles in 1971, 266 bn in 2007, with bus and coach travel falling from 37 bn miles to 31 bn.

The total distance covered by bike remained more or less constant over the same period at 2-3 bn miles. In 2006 each person travelled an average of 201 miles/year on foot and 39 miles by bike... which equates to a rather depressing 0.65 miles/day of human powered transport vs. 15.5 miles/day in a car.

Despite all the noises made by the Government on tackling climate change the evidence it seems like the long trend of doing the opposite is set to continue. From 1987 to 2008 the Retail Price Index (RPI) increased 110% whereas the cost of motoring incresed by just 95%. In contrast bus and coach fares rose 183%, and rail fares 172%.

Road deaths dropped 7% from 2006 to 2007, though as might be expected much of this was probably due to increased car safety standards since deaths amongst car used decreased 11%. Interestingly the death rate for cycling in 2006 (31.5 deaths/bn km) was less than that for walking (35.5 deaths/bn km). Nowhere near as "safe" as cars (2.5), but still useful information if you're trying to persuade someone that cycling isn't as dangerous as it's made out to be.

Project 365 / Project 366

Just over a year ago (30 Jan 2008) I started a photo-a-day project, the idea being to take one photo each day for a year. It seemed easy enough at first, though it quickly becomes difficult to think up new ideas. I missed a few days (so had to take an extra photo the following day), and quite a few were hurriedly taken shortly before midnight. I'm now in the habit of carrying my camera (canon Ixus 60) everywhere, and can't help thinking "oh, that would make a good daily photo", so my next Project 365 is on the way.

London Critical Mass Wins

Back in September 2005 the police handed out a leaflet claiming that the Critical Mass bike rides in London were illegal. Des Kay, supported by Friends of the Earth, challenged the Metropolitan Police in court and won, though only on the grounds that London CM was a "customary procession". The police went to the Court of Appeal and won, but Des Kay was given leave to appeal to the Law Lords.

Three years after the original leaflet the Law Lords have finally ruled (5-0) that London Critical Mass does not require advance notification to the police under the Public Order Act.

At some point I might get round to reading the probably impenetrable full judgement.

First Post Of The Year

An old story from a month ago, but it pretty much sums up the silly season. Someone printed out a copy and stuck it on the office wall (and no-one else noticed until yesterday).

Christmas Ghost

I've got a Viva tomorrow. So naturally instead of preparing for it I went to a Manics gig last night :). And it was good. Plenty of old hits, and James and Nicky seemed to be in particularly good spirits.

But now I've got a ringing in my ears, and it's getting annoying... probably shouldn't have stood right in front of a speaker stack.