I was talking to a motorist today discussing a junction where the
council have installed traffic lights where they are not required
resulting in long peak hour tailbacks. I learned she spent 25 minutes
in her car on a journey of 2 miles every morning. So I suggested why
not cycle. From the look I got I might as well have suggested cycling
to the moon.
Her journey would involve largely a well lit and well surfaced
cycle path and canal bank or quiet streets. Would be 10 minutes
maximum. No big hills. And be less than half the time taken in her
car. And would not involve the parking problems at work she had also
complained about.
So if people are prepared to sit in their cars for twice as long
as it would take to cycle the goverment might as well forget targets
for cycle use. It's not going to happen.
Iain