Reduce - another easy answer to traffic congestion

[Luke Briner]

I was thinking of the Reduce/Reuse/Recycle way of removing the levels of rubbish we send to landfill and the same model can be used to describe traffic reduction. Reduce might mean less journeys but also smaller vehicles and cycling instead of driving. Re-use and Re-cycle might be car-sharing and public transport, all of which helps.

I started cycling again the other day, it had taken a year to remember to buy a new pump so I could inflate the tyres. Then I realised why I didn't enjoy cycling. Going through Cheltenham is a pain for 3 reasons. Firstly there are loads of one-way routes around the town and the powers-that-be don't seem to like people cycling through the pedestrianised High Street, secondly, the road surfaces are mostly horrific and I ride a racer so it feels every bump, thirdly, the ever obstructive traffic lights mean that you either keep stopping and starting, something very tiring/inefficient on a bike and the other problem with playing cat-and-mouse with other vehicles.

I got to wondering that shared space is one way to help but assuming that never takes off, wouldn't it be better to put cycle paths on the pavement or at least put a curb to stop people encroaching or parking there?

Another example of the extremely obvious being missed by Councils everywhere.

[Martin Cassini]

A useful analogy. I'd add Reform to the list: reform of the system, starting with a culture change from priority to equality to eliminate the "need" for lights (they only exist to break the priority streams of traffic!). Elimination of one-way systems, to calm traffic and make streets more sociable. Sustainable savings would allow expenditure on improving surfaces. Meanwhile, I'd get a hybrid bike with a spring in the saddle to help soak up bumps.