THINK BIG: THINK BIKE

In this talk I will be using ‘bike’ as a symbol to cover a whole panoply of alternative lifestyle features often associated with cycling, such as: walking, the allotment, and care for one’s fellow creatures.  It will be argued that this alternative culture, of which cycling is a vital component, should be central to the organisation and management of the sustainable city region.

Cities and the urban lifestyles they foster account for much of the pollution that endangers the environmental ecosystems which sustain life on earth.  How can we make cities healthy, more sustainable and less polluting?  That is the major question facing humankind in the next few decades.  Conventional wisdom sees the sustainable city as one of mixed land uses, at greater density.  In this ‘densified’ city, it is argued that there would be less need for movement, particularly in cars, therefore a lower per capita use of petrol.  In such a model city there would also be a saving in land for building.  But there is a downside to increasing urban densities.  As population densities increase in urban areas, home food production decreases and with it the ability to recycle organic waste.  There are many fine sentiments about sustainable development expressed in official documents such as “Towards an Urban Renaissance”, but in practice the hard reality is of a British Government, with a professed concern about climate change, still promoting car travel through its transport policies.  The cycle lane is provided, sometimes as a guilty afterthought.

“Bike Culture” fits well within the traditional British low density suburb, which will remain a feature of the city for at least the next sixty years.  The ‘bike street’ in this sustainable city will remain the leafy suburban avenue, beloved by the British public, the big difference being, that vehicular movement will be at speeds no greater than that of the electric milk float.  It is not the physical structure of the city that must necessarily change; it is how people use the city that must change, if cities are to become sustainable.

	Warrington Cycle Campaign has over 200 members and is committed to making better use of the roads for all sectors of the community. Our main objectives are:- A safer environment by the adoption of a 20mph speed limit in all urban areas On-road cycle training for all children Better account taken for the needs of cyclists at road junctions and roundabouts Responsible cycling - using lights at night and respecting pedestrians Take a look at their website to view topical issues, etc
	20's Plenty For Us provides a wide range of resources, information and material for local 20's Plenty campaigners. These include many mixed groups where cyclists and pedestrians are working together for lower speed limits where people live.
	Cyclenation (formerly Cycle Campaign Network) works to create a nation of cycle friendly communities and is the federation of local cycle campaigns with nearly 90 such campaigns throughout the UK.
	CTC - the UK's national cyclists' organisation, are the country’s largest group of people on bikes. Their mission is to make cycling enjoyable, safe and welcoming for all. Their work includes high-profile campaigning on behalf of all cyclists.

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