There has been much research into the benefits of cycling to underpin cycling strategies adopted by government at various levels. It is carried out by government, advocacy groups and health professionals as well as others. This research variously shows that cycling has many economic benefits, is good for our health, will reduce congestion on the roads, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase agreed upon emissions targets, will save people money and so on. Yet, every time the possibility of spending significant amounts of money on new infrastructure projects is mooted, another study is promised or actually carried out. Interestingly, the findings of such studies do not change, the outcome are always there that cycling improves individual health and the liveability of cities.
The research is already out there: the benefits to society are many and they are real and if the government would commit to spending some dollars on cycle paths instead of more roads, they would go a long way to solving the above problems and save money at the same time. So why is it not happening?
Petrol sales, car rego and the entire automotive retail and repair industry are all areas which generate large revenues for the government. If cars lost their dominance, or even part of their dominance, this would have severe economic consequences for the government coffers. It is more economically feasible to carry out another research project which will find a way to enable cycling but not encourage it to the point where cars lose traction. New roads and highways are constructed all the time without the agonising over the many more millions or even billions that they will cost. Stupendous amounts compared to the cost of a cycling path.
-
Recent posts
Archives
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- October 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011