Busting Myths

Busting Myths about Cycling

Taken from a Guardian article 16/7/07 by Emily Thornberry MP called "Freewheeling"

1. “But won’t I be killed?”
The Department for transport’s own statistics show that, over the last three years, cycling is – per mile travelled - safer than walking . Indeed, the more people who cycle, the safer it becomes, because diverse get used to seeing cyclists on the road. As more people have taken to their bikes in Lonodon, so there has been a 50% drop in cycling casualities per mile ridden since the mid 1990s.

We all need regular exercise and the truth is that most people do not get enough. Cycling is much more convenient than joining a gym or going swimming, and is a regular exercise that can be slotted fairly easily into most of our lives. I discovered in February that I have the cardiovascular fitness of someone almost 20 years younger.

2. “Don’t I need lots of gear?”
All you need is a bike, a lock and some lights. With a few outstanding exceptions, Lycra really doesn’t do justice to the figures of most people over 30. If you feel most comfortable wearing a suit, then wear one and cycle slowly. You are going to work, not climbing Mont Ventoux.

Helmets aren’t compulsory and their benefit isn’t proven outright. Indeed, recent evidence suggest that wearing a helmet may encourage drivers to overtake more closely – putting you at greater risk.

3. “Won’t my bike get stolen?”
A good lock and a secure area to park your bike will help. More enlightened employers will often provide the latter. Forming a bicycle user group in your workplace can improve your chances of obtaining decent facilities.

Most police forces have started offering people bike registration schemes. They’ll be able to enter details of your bike onto a database – this will help to recover it if it’s stolen.

4. “I haven’t done it for years”
The Government recently launched Bikeability, a series of three levels of cycle competency, which teaches children the skills and confidence to ride oon the road. Local authorities – especially those in London – now offer a free or heavily subsidised adult version of Bikeability.

Even if you think you are a good cyclist, professional cycle training will greatly help boost your confidence and can pro vide tips and skills to staying safe. I’ve had cycle training myself and, even though I have felt very confident beforehand, I’m certainly a better cyclist because of it.

5. “The weather in Britain is too bad”
In many cities in northern Europe, up to 30% of all journeys are taken by bike – often in places with wetter, colder weather than the UK. Some of the cities in this country have similar levels of bike friendliness; a quarter of commuters in part of York, Cambridge, Oxford and Hull cycle to work.

In my city, Transport for London claims that the average cycle commuter will only be caught in the rain 12 times in the average year. This is, as any cyclist will tell you, quite obviously a lie – but you’d be surprised how infrequently it does rain. My policy is – if it rains, the bike stays at home. No one wants their MP turning up looking like a drowned rat.

6. “I live in a hilly area”
You can’t tackle hills without gears. The worse the hill, the more serious the gears needed. But frankly, no one is going to blame you if you get off and push. And then you’ve got a free-wheel downhill.

7. “There’s too much pollution”
Pollution levels for cyclists are lower than you might think. – on hot days when pollution levels are highest, cyclists are exposed to less pollution than commuters sitting in their cars.

8. “Bikes are expensive”
There’s now a tax incentive, which means that you could buy a bike for a substantial discount through your employer. Find out about the scheme here: http:// tinyurl.com/zob7I

9. “I can’t carry anything on a bike”
Some people have moved house by bike, and transported furniture – even pianos – by bike. Modern panniers are adapted for files and laptops. You can buy huge panniers and removable baskets that can carry shopping – and even David Cameron’s shoes!

10. “There are other reasons.”
No there aren’t. Get on a bike and give it a week. Chances are you’ll soon join the ranks of converted cycle commuters: green ,healthy and just a bit of smug.




Busting Myths about Public Transport

It’s too expensive
This is a common perception but you may want to consider the cost saving of not using your car, such as saving on the cost of petrol and paying for car parking.
Also you are saving on stress on a public transport journey, you can sit back and enjoy the ride!

There are no buses or train routes that go where I want to go.
We can look at the local public transport services with you and see if there are any services that cover that journey. We can also suggest using a combination of different forms of transport, such as walking or cycling to a bus stop or train station.

Buses and trains are dirty and smelly
Our experience is that the local bus and train services are very good at maintaining buses to a high standard.

I would like to leave my car at home but I live ‘out in the sticks’.
You may find that you could drive, cycle or get a lift to a train station or bus stop. The train or bus is already scheduled to make the journey so you won’t be adding to congestion or pollution. Consider car sharing – this can be particularly useful for journeys to work as many workplaces have a large number of potential car sharers who might live close to you or on your way to work. You don’t have to car share everyday or always with the same person.

It costs too much to use public transport.
If you only ever buy a single or return for your journey you may well find that it is expensive. Savings can be made if you buy a weekly, monthly or annual ticket. Some employers offer interest free loans for annual season tickets that also help to spread the cost of travel. Does yours? Ask.

I would use public transport but it isn’t reliable / comfortable.
Ask yourself when you last used a train or bus. If you haven’t used them lately you may be surprised that they are more comfortable and accessible than you thought. The average bus could take the drivers of 50 cars off the road and help reduce congestion, which is often the cause of late buses.

It’s cheaper to drive.
People consider that once they have bought a car it is always cheaper to drive. However the more you drive the greater wear and tear and maintenance costs. Car insurance can be cheaper if you drive less. The RAC and AA calculate the average cost of driving is between 40p and 50p a mile. If you include all the costs of owning a car (purchase, running and maintenance costs). Think the value of your time. Often useful work can be done on a train or coach.

I would cycle but it’s difficult to take my bike on the train at peak times.
If you find it difficult to take your bike on the train you might want to consider the following options. Train stations are increasingly providing cycle parking areas where you could leave your bike. Alternatively, you could keep a second bike at your destination if you need to cycle at the other end. You could also consider purchasing a folding bike, which most rail companies will allow on trains at peak times.




Busting Myths about Climate Change

I don’t think it’s really happening!
There is a large and growing body of evidence to show that that the climate is changing now. Eleven of the last twelve years (1995–2006) rank among the 12 warmest years in the instrumental record of global surface temperature (since 1850). Observations since 1961 show that the average temperature of the global ocean has increased to depths of at least 3000 m and that the ocean has been absorbing more than 80% of the heat added to the climate system. Such warming causes seawater to expand, contributing to sea level rise. Mountain glaciers and snow cover have declined on average in both hemispheres. More intense and longer droughts have been observed over wider areas since the 1970s. There is observational evidence for an increase in intense tropical cyclone activity in the North Atlantic since about 1970.

It doesn’t affect the UK/ me
Unfortunately it is affecting us and now – In the UK, we are seeing annual droughts in southern England, and mini-tornadoes. Between 4 and 13 August 2003, over 2,000 people in the UK died as a result of the heat. The autumn and winter floods in 2000 in the UK were the worst for 270 years in some areas. Flooding on farmland cost the farming industry nearly £500 million.

It’s just part of a natural cycle
It’s true that the earth’s climate has always changed and these changes are often attributed to sunspot activity and volcanic activity not humans. However this current change in climate, a net warming, correlates to increased carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere and that in turn correlates with our increased reliance on fossil fuels to heat our homes, power our gadgets, create our consumables and fuel our cars and planes. The broad scientific consensus is that humans are influencing the climate and that current change is outside the natural cycle.

But there was that TV programme that said it was just a con!
The great global warming swindle. There were 6 arguments in this. Climate change is nothing to do with humans, carbon dioxide follows temperature not the other way round, computer models are unreliable, it is due to the sun not carbon dioxide, the negative affects of climate change are overstated. Response: The sun and volcanoes play a part in our complex climate but the increase of three-quarters of a degree centigrade (0.74°C) in average global temperatures that we have seen over the last century is larger than one would expect based on natural factors alone. This change is linked to increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which are in turn attributed to human activities. Observations and temperature records show that the climate is changing and computer models are predicting further changes with increasing reliability. The effects of climate change are not all negative – warmer summer in the UK could lead to higher tourist levels and increased spending on gardening, cooling and outdoor consumables, they could also decrease winter deaths. However they could lead to increased pressure on land as people are forced to move inland and immigration increases, increased pressure on water, increased flooding and transportation delays due to heavy downpours, and increased heat related deaths.

But I’m just one person – anything I do won’t make a difference!
One person can reduce their own reliance on fossil fuels and then help others to do so. One person can join their voice to thousands of others and make change happen through votes, peaceful protests and through the power of social pressure.

But there’s nothing I can do to help this huge problem
There is – transport leads to 20% of our carbon emissions. Reducing car use will directly help tackle climate change. A Cycle has ZERO carbon emissions ;-). Energy use is the other major factor in climate change - you can help by saving energy and re-using and recycling goods.