Do busy roads put off cyclists with disabilities, women or older people? And if so, could local authorities be made to improve cycle infrastructure under equality legislation?
It’s fair to say that, for all the government promises of a “cycling revolution”, not a vast amount has happened in recent years to improve the lot of cyclists on British roads. Campaigns, pestering MPs, direct action – nothing seems to have worked.
So how about just taking legal action under equalities legislation, forcing local authorities to provide proper cycle infrastructure?
The results confirm that transport policy and research should cover planning for inclusive cycling, as it addresses issues of public transport accessibility and provision for disabled car users. This means studying engineering constraints (like a handcycle’s turning radius), but also research asking people with different disabilities what they would need to cycle.
We find that most people believe disabled people don’t cycle. This census data puts this misconception to rest. Many disabled people cycle with impairments which are not visible as they whiz past. In fact, many people use their cycle as a mobility aid. It does not make them less disabled and it is crucial that transport planners, cycle infrastructure designers etc. take the needs of disabled cyclists into account.
I handcycle to work. I am lucky to be able to take my cycle all the way into my office but many who cycle non-standard cycles are stopped from cycling by the lack of secure cycle parking at their destination for their bike, trike or handcycle, not by their impairment.
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via Bike blog | The Guardian http://ift.tt/169DdcB
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