Strategic Rail Authority - New Cycling Policy

I received a printed copy of the new SRA Cycling Policy today. Looking
through briefly it looks very disappointing. It seems to have lots of
encouragement for facilities at and around stations, but it seems very weak
on the bikes-on-trains issue. It also seems very weak generally on any new
standards - wherever the word 'must' appeared it was followed by 'consider'.
I can't see there is anything in it which would prevent a Train Operating
Company abandoning cycle provision completely.

It strongly repeats assertions about bicycle loading causing delays -
omitting to mention the difficulties faced when trying to work out where on
the platform bicycle loading will take place from when the trains arrive.

Anyone with any more detailed knowledge of the issues see any real advances
here? Did the consultation change anything from the draft ?

I'll need to scour the policy in more detail but first impression is that it
seems like a real wasted opportunity - it is simply a re-assertion of
Britains anti-cycling rail policy.

Paul

On Mon, 22 Nov 2004 16:11:58 -0000, Paul wrote:

I received a printed copy of the new SRA Cycling Policy today.

Available he

http://www.sra.gov.uk/publications/strategy_default

--
Michael MacClancy

www.macclancy.demon.co.uk
www.macclancy.co.uk

In message
"Paul" wrote:

I received a printed copy of the new SRA Cycling Policy today. Looking
through briefly it looks very disappointing. It seems to have lots of
encouragement for facilities at and around stations, but it seems very weak
on the bikes-on-trains issue. It also seems very weak generally on any new
standards - wherever the word 'must' appeared it was followed by 'consider'.

Agreed - really the only positive feature is the extensive list of benefits
of cycling and the very limited costs especially off peak. Makes the "TOCs
must decide" conclusions look even more pathetic.

another Paul


--
CTC Right to Ride Representative for Richmond upon Thames