NATIONAL BIKE WEEK has run all of this week and ends tomorrow. It is a
week that celebrates and promotes the benefits of cycling. As a long time cyclist, I am fully convinced of the benefits.
For me, commuting by bike is both faster than other modes of transport
and helps me fit exercise into a busy schedule. I also (mostly) enjoy cycling; it can reduce my stress levels and improve my mood.
In addition to the personal health and wellbeing benefits from cycling,
there are also huge environmental benefits. This week, scientists are
warning that temperatures are likely to temporarily rise above the
threshold 1.5 degrees in the next five years.
It also emerged this week that Ireland was one of only four EU countries where green house gas emissions rose in the final quarter of 2022, and
our 12.3% year-on-year increase was the highest of these four countries.
Although most of this increase can be attributed to airlines domiciled
here, our 2021 emissions per capita were already the second highest in
the EU, almost twice the EU average. To have any hope of meeting our emissions reductions targets we clearly need a modal shift away from our car dependency.
Although the electrification of vehicles can play a part in reducing transport emissions, particularly in rural areas, it is not a panacea.
Even Norway, a world leader in electric car adoption, has accepted that rather than simply replacing combustion engine cars currently in use with electric, we need to move people out of cars and encourage active travel. Increasing the numbers cycling, especially in urban areas, could lead to significant emissions reductions.
Our love affair with the car
In Ireland, more than half of journeys under 2km are made by car, and in
the Dublin metropolitan area, 38% of people travel by car five or more
days a week. Switching from driving to cycling, even just for short
trips, would reduce individual transport emissions by about 75%.
Given the volume of people travelling short distances frequently,
there are substantial emissions savings to be made. For example, recent TUDublin research estimates that currently 5% of students and 16% of
staff cycle to campus, but there is potential to support 40% and 46% respectively, given the distances they travel.
As an economist, I think about how people make decisions. People will
cycle if the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs. There is a monetary cost saving to be made if you switch from other modes of transport to cycling, but there are also non-monetary costs to consider.
The risk of being knocked off your bike is a cost that can be greatly
reduced with the provision of good cycling infrastructure and segregated cycling lanes. Although investment in better infrastructure is needed to encourage motorists to switch to carbon neutral options, that alone is unlikely to be sufficient.
A few weeks ago, I was cycling home from work and a van trying to turn
left from a side road into the standstill traffic had stopped across the cycle lane. With no room to squeeze through the cars, I calmly pointed
out to him that he had blocked the cycle lane and I couldn’t get past.
I was met with a tirade of abuse; he shouted, cursed, and
gesticulated at me until the traffic started to move and I could cycle away.
I can’t imagine another setting in which simply pointing out an error to
a stranger would result in such aggression in response. Yet this was not
the first time I’ve been on the receiving end of verbal abuse while on my bike, and cyclists will tell you that encounters of this kind are far
from uncommon. For many considering cycling, the risk of threatening behaviour from drivers means the costs are too high.
To reduce these costs, we need to re-frame the narrative to change
attitudes and behaviours. Transport modes do not define us, and the categories of cyclist and motorist are not mutually exclusive. It is not
a binary choice to own a bike or to own a car, the majority of cyclists
are also motorists who pay tax and insurance but have in this instance
left their car at home.
We don’t need to eliminate car use to reduce transport emissions, simply reducing the number of car journeys, and switching to cycling where
feasible would make a big impact. The false dichotomy of cyclist or
motorist leads to the ‘othering’ of cyclists and levels of hostility not encountered to the same extent in other settings. This has allowed an anti-cycling culture to develop in Ireland, one that is perpetuated by certain media organisations and commentators. Recognising that as a vulnerable minority group cyclists need to be respected and protected, is
a first step in changing that culture, increasing the number of people cycling, and shifting social norms.
An economic principle in how people make decisions is that they respond
to incentives; when benefits or costs change, the choice made will likely change. Lowering the risk of accidents and lowering the risk of
encountering aggressive behaviour both incentivise cycling by reducing
the costs. Another way to incentivise cycling is to increase the benefits.
Many countries in Europe pay people to cycle to work. In some schemes,
this is a direct payment, paid by the employer but tax deductible, per km cycled up to a capped amount. In other schemes, the cyclist can claim personal tax credits for each km cycled, again up to a yearly cap. A
pilot scheme of this type involving 18 companies in France showed a 50% increase in the number of employees cycling to work.
Given the urgency of the climate crisis and our high levels of rising emissions, we need to do everything we can to reduce our carbon
footprint. A combination of building cycling infrastructure, addressing
our anti cycling culture, and giving monetary incentives to cyclists
would significantly increase the number of people cycling and help to
move our emissions downwards.
The resulting reduction in congestion would decrease journey times for motorists who need to drive and for those who take public transport. For those individuals incentivised to take up cycling, they could find
themselves fitter, happier, and even more productive too.
https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/cyclists-and-motorists-6070935-May2023/
QUOTE:
I was met with a tirade of abuse; he shouted, cursed, and gesticulated at
me until the traffic started to move and I could cycle away. ENDS
These cowardly drivers attack and abuse lone women - it masks their pathetic inadequacy.
QUOTE:
I was met with a tirade of abuse; he shouted, cursed, and gesticulated at me until the traffic started to move and I could cycle away. ENDS
These cowardly drivers attack and abuse lone women - it masks their pathetic inadequacy.
swldx...@gmail.com <swldxer1958@gmail.com> wrote:
QUOTE:
I was met with a tirade of abuse; he shouted, cursed, and gesticulated at
me until the traffic started to move and I could cycle away. ENDS
These cowardly drivers attack and abuse lone women - it masks their pathetic inadequacy.
Yet you cheered the video of a woman cyclist that criminally damaged a vehicle before scarpering.
Funny sense of right and wrong, it would seem.
Remember "clown takes a pratfall"?
It is indeed a strange trail of logic to go from “Our airlines are the cause of the rise in the country’s emissions” to “In order to deal with
this, we will have to give up cars and travel by bicycle”.
On some planet somewhere, that might make sense. Just not here.
Worried about a 1.5degC rise in global temperature?
Fear not, at the start of this interglacial period, some 11000 years ago, the planetary temperature was 2.5 to 3.0 degC warmer than now.
And there were very few people about, no industry at all. Funny, that. swldx...@gmail.com <swldx...@gmail.com> wrote:
NATIONAL BIKE WEEK has run all of this week and ends tomorrow. It is a week that celebrates and promotes the benefits of cycling. As a long time cyclist, I am fully convinced of the benefits.
For me, commuting by bike is both faster than other modes of transport
and helps me fit exercise into a busy schedule. I also (mostly) enjoy cycling; it can reduce my stress levels and improve my mood.
In addition to the personal health and wellbeing benefits from cycling, there are also huge environmental benefits. This week, scientists are warning that temperatures are likely to temporarily rise above the threshold 1.5 degrees in the next five years.
It also emerged this week that Ireland was one of only four EU countries where green house gas emissions rose in the final quarter of 2022, and
our 12.3% year-on-year increase was the highest of these four countries.
Although most of this increase can be attributed to airlines domiciled here, our 2021 emissions per capita were already the second highest in
the EU, almost twice the EU average. To have any hope of meeting our emissions reductions targets we clearly need a modal shift away from our car dependency.
Although the electrification of vehicles can play a part in reducing transport emissions, particularly in rural areas, it is not a panacea. Even Norway, a world leader in electric car adoption, has accepted that rather than simply replacing combustion engine cars currently in use with electric, we need to move people out of cars and encourage active travel. Increasing the numbers cycling, especially in urban areas, could lead to significant emissions reductions.
Our love affair with the car
In Ireland, more than half of journeys under 2km are made by car, and in the Dublin metropolitan area, 38% of people travel by car five or more days a week. Switching from driving to cycling, even just for short
trips, would reduce individual transport emissions by about 75%.
Given the volume of people travelling short distances frequently,
there are substantial emissions savings to be made. For example, recent TUDublin research estimates that currently 5% of students and 16% of
staff cycle to campus, but there is potential to support 40% and 46% respectively, given the distances they travel.
As an economist, I think about how people make decisions. People will cycle if the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs. There is a monetary cost saving to be made if you switch from other modes of transport to cycling, but there are also non-monetary costs to consider.
The risk of being knocked off your bike is a cost that can be greatly reduced with the provision of good cycling infrastructure and segregated cycling lanes. Although investment in better infrastructure is needed to encourage motorists to switch to carbon neutral options, that alone is unlikely to be sufficient.
A few weeks ago, I was cycling home from work and a van trying to turn left from a side road into the standstill traffic had stopped across the cycle lane. With no room to squeeze through the cars, I calmly pointed
out to him that he had blocked the cycle lane and I couldn’t get past.
I was met with a tirade of abuse; he shouted, cursed, and
gesticulated at me until the traffic started to move and I could cycle away.
I can’t imagine another setting in which simply pointing out an error to a stranger would result in such aggression in response. Yet this was not the first time I’ve been on the receiving end of verbal abuse while on my
bike, and cyclists will tell you that encounters of this kind are far
from uncommon. For many considering cycling, the risk of threatening behaviour from drivers means the costs are too high.
To reduce these costs, we need to re-frame the narrative to change attitudes and behaviours. Transport modes do not define us, and the categories of cyclist and motorist are not mutually exclusive. It is not
a binary choice to own a bike or to own a car, the majority of cyclists are also motorists who pay tax and insurance but have in this instance left their car at home.
We don’t need to eliminate car use to reduce transport emissions, simply reducing the number of car journeys, and switching to cycling where feasible would make a big impact. The false dichotomy of cyclist or motorist leads to the ‘othering’ of cyclists and levels of hostility not
encountered to the same extent in other settings. This has allowed an anti-cycling culture to develop in Ireland, one that is perpetuated by certain media organisations and commentators. Recognising that as a vulnerable minority group cyclists need to be respected and protected, is a first step in changing that culture, increasing the number of people cycling, and shifting social norms.
An economic principle in how people make decisions is that they respond
to incentives; when benefits or costs change, the choice made will likely change. Lowering the risk of accidents and lowering the risk of encountering aggressive behaviour both incentivise cycling by reducing
the costs. Another way to incentivise cycling is to increase the benefits.
Many countries in Europe pay people to cycle to work. In some schemes, this is a direct payment, paid by the employer but tax deductible, per km cycled up to a capped amount. In other schemes, the cyclist can claim personal tax credits for each km cycled, again up to a yearly cap. A
pilot scheme of this type involving 18 companies in France showed a 50% increase in the number of employees cycling to work.
Given the urgency of the climate crisis and our high levels of rising emissions, we need to do everything we can to reduce our carbon
footprint. A combination of building cycling infrastructure, addressing our anti cycling culture, and giving monetary incentives to cyclists
would significantly increase the number of people cycling and help to
move our emissions downwards.
The resulting reduction in congestion would decrease journey times for motorists who need to drive and for those who take public transport. For those individuals incentivised to take up cycling, they could find themselves fitter, happier, and even more productive too.
https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/cyclists-and-motorists-6070935-May2023/
--
Spike
On Saturday, 20 May 2023 at 22:35:14 UTC+1, Spike wrote:
It is indeed a strange trail of logic to go from “Our airlines are the
cause of the rise in the country’s emissions” to “In order to deal with
this, we will have to give up cars and travel by bicycle”.
On some planet somewhere, that might make sense. Just not here.
Worried about a 1.5degC rise in global temperature?
Fear not, at the start of this interglacial period, some 11000 years ago,
the planetary temperature was 2.5 to 3.0 degC warmer than now.
And there were very few people about, no industry at all. Funny, that.
swldx...@gmail.com <swldx...@gmail.com> wrote:
NATIONAL BIKE WEEK has run all of this week and ends tomorrow. It is a--
week that celebrates and promotes the benefits of cycling. As a long time >>> cyclist, I am fully convinced of the benefits.
For me, commuting by bike is both faster than other modes of transport
and helps me fit exercise into a busy schedule. I also (mostly) enjoy
cycling; it can reduce my stress levels and improve my mood.
In addition to the personal health and wellbeing benefits from cycling,
there are also huge environmental benefits. This week, scientists are
warning that temperatures are likely to temporarily rise above the
threshold 1.5 degrees in the next five years.
It also emerged this week that Ireland was one of only four EU countries >>> where green house gas emissions rose in the final quarter of 2022, and
our 12.3% year-on-year increase was the highest of these four countries. >>>
Although most of this increase can be attributed to airlines domiciled
here, our 2021 emissions per capita were already the second highest in
the EU, almost twice the EU average. To have any hope of meeting our
emissions reductions targets we clearly need a modal shift away from our car dependency.
Although the electrification of vehicles can play a part in reducing
transport emissions, particularly in rural areas, it is not a panacea.
Even Norway, a world leader in electric car adoption, has accepted that
rather than simply replacing combustion engine cars currently in use with >>> electric, we need to move people out of cars and encourage active travel. >>> Increasing the numbers cycling, especially in urban areas, could lead to >>> significant emissions reductions.
Our love affair with the car
In Ireland, more than half of journeys under 2km are made by car, and in >>> the Dublin metropolitan area, 38% of people travel by car five or more
days a week. Switching from driving to cycling, even just for short
trips, would reduce individual transport emissions by about 75%.
Given the volume of people travelling short distances frequently,
there are substantial emissions savings to be made. For example, recent
TUDublin research estimates that currently 5% of students and 16% of
staff cycle to campus, but there is potential to support 40% and 46%
respectively, given the distances they travel.
As an economist, I think about how people make decisions. People will
cycle if the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs. There is a monetary >>> cost saving to be made if you switch from other modes of transport to
cycling, but there are also non-monetary costs to consider.
The risk of being knocked off your bike is a cost that can be greatly
reduced with the provision of good cycling infrastructure and segregated >>> cycling lanes. Although investment in better infrastructure is needed to >>> encourage motorists to switch to carbon neutral options, that alone is
unlikely to be sufficient.
A few weeks ago, I was cycling home from work and a van trying to turn
left from a side road into the standstill traffic had stopped across the >>> cycle lane. With no room to squeeze through the cars, I calmly pointed
out to him that he had blocked the cycle lane and I couldn’t get past. >>>
I was met with a tirade of abuse; he shouted, cursed, and
gesticulated at me until the traffic started to move and I could cycle away.
I can’t imagine another setting in which simply pointing out an error to >>> a stranger would result in such aggression in response. Yet this was not >>> the first time I’ve been on the receiving end of verbal abuse while on my >>> bike, and cyclists will tell you that encounters of this kind are far
from uncommon. For many considering cycling, the risk of threatening
behaviour from drivers means the costs are too high.
To reduce these costs, we need to re-frame the narrative to change
attitudes and behaviours. Transport modes do not define us, and the
categories of cyclist and motorist are not mutually exclusive. It is not >>> a binary choice to own a bike or to own a car, the majority of cyclists
are also motorists who pay tax and insurance but have in this instance
left their car at home.
We don’t need to eliminate car use to reduce transport emissions, simply >>> reducing the number of car journeys, and switching to cycling where
feasible would make a big impact. The false dichotomy of cyclist or
motorist leads to the ‘othering’ of cyclists and levels of hostility not
encountered to the same extent in other settings. This has allowed an
anti-cycling culture to develop in Ireland, one that is perpetuated by
certain media organisations and commentators. Recognising that as a
vulnerable minority group cyclists need to be respected and protected, is >>> a first step in changing that culture, increasing the number of people
cycling, and shifting social norms.
An economic principle in how people make decisions is that they respond
to incentives; when benefits or costs change, the choice made will likely >>> change. Lowering the risk of accidents and lowering the risk of
encountering aggressive behaviour both incentivise cycling by reducing
the costs. Another way to incentivise cycling is to increase the benefits. >>>
Many countries in Europe pay people to cycle to work. In some schemes,
this is a direct payment, paid by the employer but tax deductible, per km >>> cycled up to a capped amount. In other schemes, the cyclist can claim
personal tax credits for each km cycled, again up to a yearly cap. A
pilot scheme of this type involving 18 companies in France showed a 50%
increase in the number of employees cycling to work.
Given the urgency of the climate crisis and our high levels of rising
emissions, we need to do everything we can to reduce our carbon
footprint. A combination of building cycling infrastructure, addressing
our anti cycling culture, and giving monetary incentives to cyclists
would significantly increase the number of people cycling and help to
move our emissions downwards.
The resulting reduction in congestion would decrease journey times for
motorists who need to drive and for those who take public transport. For >>> those individuals incentivised to take up cycling, they could find
themselves fitter, happier, and even more productive too.
https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/cyclists-and-motorists-6070935-May2023/ >>>
Spike
And in the days following 11/9 global temperatures increased due to lack
of aircraft contrails reducing insolation.
Mike Collins <cmik...@gmail.com> wrote:
On Saturday, 20 May 2023 at 22:35:14 UTC+1, Spike wrote:
It is indeed a strange trail of logic to go from “Our airlines are the >> cause of the rise in the country’s emissions” to “In order to deal with
this, we will have to give up cars and travel by bicycle”.
On some planet somewhere, that might make sense. Just not here.
Worried about a 1.5degC rise in global temperature?
Fear not, at the start of this interglacial period, some 11000 years ago, >> the planetary temperature was 2.5 to 3.0 degC warmer than now.
And there were very few people about, no industry at all. Funny, that.
swldx...@gmail.com <swldx...@gmail.com> wrote:
NATIONAL BIKE WEEK has run all of this week and ends tomorrow. It is a >>> week that celebrates and promotes the benefits of cycling. As a long time--
cyclist, I am fully convinced of the benefits.
For me, commuting by bike is both faster than other modes of transport >>> and helps me fit exercise into a busy schedule. I also (mostly) enjoy >>> cycling; it can reduce my stress levels and improve my mood.
In addition to the personal health and wellbeing benefits from cycling, >>> there are also huge environmental benefits. This week, scientists are >>> warning that temperatures are likely to temporarily rise above the
threshold 1.5 degrees in the next five years.
It also emerged this week that Ireland was one of only four EU countries >>> where green house gas emissions rose in the final quarter of 2022, and >>> our 12.3% year-on-year increase was the highest of these four countries. >>>
Although most of this increase can be attributed to airlines domiciled >>> here, our 2021 emissions per capita were already the second highest in >>> the EU, almost twice the EU average. To have any hope of meeting our
emissions reductions targets we clearly need a modal shift away from our car dependency.
Although the electrification of vehicles can play a part in reducing
transport emissions, particularly in rural areas, it is not a panacea. >>> Even Norway, a world leader in electric car adoption, has accepted that >>> rather than simply replacing combustion engine cars currently in use with
electric, we need to move people out of cars and encourage active travel.
Increasing the numbers cycling, especially in urban areas, could lead to >>> significant emissions reductions.
Our love affair with the car
In Ireland, more than half of journeys under 2km are made by car, and in >>> the Dublin metropolitan area, 38% of people travel by car five or more >>> days a week. Switching from driving to cycling, even just for short
trips, would reduce individual transport emissions by about 75%.
Given the volume of people travelling short distances frequently,
there are substantial emissions savings to be made. For example, recent >>> TUDublin research estimates that currently 5% of students and 16% of
staff cycle to campus, but there is potential to support 40% and 46%
respectively, given the distances they travel.
As an economist, I think about how people make decisions. People will >>> cycle if the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs. There is a monetary
cost saving to be made if you switch from other modes of transport to >>> cycling, but there are also non-monetary costs to consider.
The risk of being knocked off your bike is a cost that can be greatly >>> reduced with the provision of good cycling infrastructure and segregated >>> cycling lanes. Although investment in better infrastructure is needed to >>> encourage motorists to switch to carbon neutral options, that alone is >>> unlikely to be sufficient.
A few weeks ago, I was cycling home from work and a van trying to turn >>> left from a side road into the standstill traffic had stopped across the >>> cycle lane. With no room to squeeze through the cars, I calmly pointed >>> out to him that he had blocked the cycle lane and I couldn’t get past. >>>
I was met with a tirade of abuse; he shouted, cursed, and
gesticulated at me until the traffic started to move and I could cycle away.
I can’t imagine another setting in which simply pointing out an error to
a stranger would result in such aggression in response. Yet this was not >>> the first time I’ve been on the receiving end of verbal abuse while on my
bike, and cyclists will tell you that encounters of this kind are far >>> from uncommon. For many considering cycling, the risk of threatening
behaviour from drivers means the costs are too high.
To reduce these costs, we need to re-frame the narrative to change
attitudes and behaviours. Transport modes do not define us, and the
categories of cyclist and motorist are not mutually exclusive. It is not >>> a binary choice to own a bike or to own a car, the majority of cyclists >>> are also motorists who pay tax and insurance but have in this instance >>> left their car at home.
We don’t need to eliminate car use to reduce transport emissions, simply
reducing the number of car journeys, and switching to cycling where
feasible would make a big impact. The false dichotomy of cyclist or
motorist leads to the ‘othering’ of cyclists and levels of hostility not
encountered to the same extent in other settings. This has allowed an >>> anti-cycling culture to develop in Ireland, one that is perpetuated by >>> certain media organisations and commentators. Recognising that as a
vulnerable minority group cyclists need to be respected and protected, is
a first step in changing that culture, increasing the number of people >>> cycling, and shifting social norms.
An economic principle in how people make decisions is that they respond >>> to incentives; when benefits or costs change, the choice made will likely
change. Lowering the risk of accidents and lowering the risk of
encountering aggressive behaviour both incentivise cycling by reducing >>> the costs. Another way to incentivise cycling is to increase the benefits.
Many countries in Europe pay people to cycle to work. In some schemes, >>> this is a direct payment, paid by the employer but tax deductible, per km
cycled up to a capped amount. In other schemes, the cyclist can claim >>> personal tax credits for each km cycled, again up to a yearly cap. A
pilot scheme of this type involving 18 companies in France showed a 50% >>> increase in the number of employees cycling to work.
Given the urgency of the climate crisis and our high levels of rising >>> emissions, we need to do everything we can to reduce our carbon
footprint. A combination of building cycling infrastructure, addressing >>> our anti cycling culture, and giving monetary incentives to cyclists
would significantly increase the number of people cycling and help to >>> move our emissions downwards.
The resulting reduction in congestion would decrease journey times for >>> motorists who need to drive and for those who take public transport. For >>> those individuals incentivised to take up cycling, they could find
themselves fitter, happier, and even more productive too.
https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/cyclists-and-motorists-6070935-May2023/ >>>
Spike
And in the days following 11/9 global temperatures increased due to lack of aircraft contrails reducing insolation.So we have jet aircraft to thank for keeping the planet cool. One wonders what the greenies make if that.
--
Spike
On Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 6:21:55 AM UTC+1, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
QUOTE:
I was met with a tirade of abuse; he shouted, cursed, and gesticulated at me until the traffic started to move and I could cycle away. ENDS
These cowardly drivers attack and abuse lone women - it masks their pathetic inadequacy.
Remember "clown takes a pratfall"?
On Saturday, 20 May 2023 at 22:35:14 UTC+1, Spike wrote:
It is indeed a strange trail of logic to go from “Our airlines are the
cause of the rise in the country’s emissions” to “In order to deal with
this, we will have to give up cars and travel by bicycle”.
On some planet somewhere, that might make sense. Just not here.
Worried about a 1.5degC rise in global temperature?
Fear not, at the start of this interglacial period, some 11000 years ago,
the planetary temperature was 2.5 to 3.0 degC warmer than now.
And there were very few people about, no industry at all. Funny, that.
swldx...@gmail.com <swldx...@gmail.com> wrote:
NATIONAL BIKE WEEK has run all of this week and ends tomorrow. It is a--
week that celebrates and promotes the benefits of cycling. As a long time >>> cyclist, I am fully convinced of the benefits.
For me, commuting by bike is both faster than other modes of transport
and helps me fit exercise into a busy schedule. I also (mostly) enjoy
cycling; it can reduce my stress levels and improve my mood.
In addition to the personal health and wellbeing benefits from cycling,
there are also huge environmental benefits. This week, scientists are
warning that temperatures are likely to temporarily rise above the
threshold 1.5 degrees in the next five years.
It also emerged this week that Ireland was one of only four EU countries >>> where green house gas emissions rose in the final quarter of 2022, and
our 12.3% year-on-year increase was the highest of these four countries. >>>
Although most of this increase can be attributed to airlines domiciled
here, our 2021 emissions per capita were already the second highest in
the EU, almost twice the EU average. To have any hope of meeting our
emissions reductions targets we clearly need a modal shift away from our car dependency.
Although the electrification of vehicles can play a part in reducing
transport emissions, particularly in rural areas, it is not a panacea.
Even Norway, a world leader in electric car adoption, has accepted that
rather than simply replacing combustion engine cars currently in use with >>> electric, we need to move people out of cars and encourage active travel. >>> Increasing the numbers cycling, especially in urban areas, could lead to >>> significant emissions reductions.
Our love affair with the car
In Ireland, more than half of journeys under 2km are made by car, and in >>> the Dublin metropolitan area, 38% of people travel by car five or more
days a week. Switching from driving to cycling, even just for short
trips, would reduce individual transport emissions by about 75%.
Given the volume of people travelling short distances frequently,
there are substantial emissions savings to be made. For example, recent
TUDublin research estimates that currently 5% of students and 16% of
staff cycle to campus, but there is potential to support 40% and 46%
respectively, given the distances they travel.
As an economist, I think about how people make decisions. People will
cycle if the benefits of doing so outweigh the costs. There is a monetary >>> cost saving to be made if you switch from other modes of transport to
cycling, but there are also non-monetary costs to consider.
The risk of being knocked off your bike is a cost that can be greatly
reduced with the provision of good cycling infrastructure and segregated >>> cycling lanes. Although investment in better infrastructure is needed to >>> encourage motorists to switch to carbon neutral options, that alone is
unlikely to be sufficient.
A few weeks ago, I was cycling home from work and a van trying to turn
left from a side road into the standstill traffic had stopped across the >>> cycle lane. With no room to squeeze through the cars, I calmly pointed
out to him that he had blocked the cycle lane and I couldn’t get past. >>>
I was met with a tirade of abuse; he shouted, cursed, and
gesticulated at me until the traffic started to move and I could cycle away.
I can’t imagine another setting in which simply pointing out an error to >>> a stranger would result in such aggression in response. Yet this was not >>> the first time I’ve been on the receiving end of verbal abuse while on my >>> bike, and cyclists will tell you that encounters of this kind are far
from uncommon. For many considering cycling, the risk of threatening
behaviour from drivers means the costs are too high.
To reduce these costs, we need to re-frame the narrative to change
attitudes and behaviours. Transport modes do not define us, and the
categories of cyclist and motorist are not mutually exclusive. It is not >>> a binary choice to own a bike or to own a car, the majority of cyclists
are also motorists who pay tax and insurance but have in this instance
left their car at home.
We don’t need to eliminate car use to reduce transport emissions, simply >>> reducing the number of car journeys, and switching to cycling where
feasible would make a big impact. The false dichotomy of cyclist or
motorist leads to the ‘othering’ of cyclists and levels of hostility not
encountered to the same extent in other settings. This has allowed an
anti-cycling culture to develop in Ireland, one that is perpetuated by
certain media organisations and commentators. Recognising that as a
vulnerable minority group cyclists need to be respected and protected, is >>> a first step in changing that culture, increasing the number of people
cycling, and shifting social norms.
An economic principle in how people make decisions is that they respond
to incentives; when benefits or costs change, the choice made will likely >>> change. Lowering the risk of accidents and lowering the risk of
encountering aggressive behaviour both incentivise cycling by reducing
the costs. Another way to incentivise cycling is to increase the benefits. >>>
Many countries in Europe pay people to cycle to work. In some schemes,
this is a direct payment, paid by the employer but tax deductible, per km >>> cycled up to a capped amount. In other schemes, the cyclist can claim
personal tax credits for each km cycled, again up to a yearly cap. A
pilot scheme of this type involving 18 companies in France showed a 50%
increase in the number of employees cycling to work.
Given the urgency of the climate crisis and our high levels of rising
emissions, we need to do everything we can to reduce our carbon
footprint. A combination of building cycling infrastructure, addressing
our anti cycling culture, and giving monetary incentives to cyclists
would significantly increase the number of people cycling and help to
move our emissions downwards.
The resulting reduction in congestion would decrease journey times for
motorists who need to drive and for those who take public transport. For >>> those individuals incentivised to take up cycling, they could find
themselves fitter, happier, and even more productive too.
https://www.thejournal.ie/readme/cyclists-and-motorists-6070935-May2023/ >>>
Spike
And in the days following 11/9 global temperatures increased due to lack of aircraft contrails reducing insolation.
Remember "clown takes a pratfall"?
On 21/05/2023 11:23 am, swldx...@gmail.com...
...pretending not to answer Spike, said:
On Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 6:21:55 AM UTC+1, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
QUOTE:
I was met with a tirade of abuse; he shouted, cursed, and gesticulated
at me until the traffic started to move and I could cycle away. ENDS
These cowardly drivers attack and abuse lone women - it masks their pathetic inadequacy.
Remember "clown takes a pratfall"?
Yes!
Who could forget it?
<https://tinyurl.com/p8dxn55m>
Clowns don't come any more clownish than that do they?
JNugent <jenningsandco@mail.com> wrote:
On 21/05/2023 11:23 am, swldx...@gmail.com...
...pretending not to answer Spike, said:
On Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 6:21:55 AM UTC+1, swldx...@gmail.com wrote:
QUOTE:
I was met with a tirade of abuse; he shouted, cursed, and gesticulated >>>> at me until the traffic started to move and I could cycle away. ENDS
These cowardly drivers attack and abuse lone women - it masks their pathetic inadequacy.
Remember "clown takes a pratfall"?
Yes!
Who could forget it?
<https://tinyurl.com/p8dxn55m>
Clowns don't come any more clownish than that, do they?
The common factor in those crashes, apart from the self-righteous cyclists themselves, is the fact that they just don’t look where they are going.
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