Paris smog is caused by cars not cycles

In April 2014 I blogged about Paris smog; it's back!  Wikipedia has a good piece on the Eiffel Tower which virtually disappeared in last week's smog.

Free public transport, a 20kph speed limit, and banning cars with registration plates ending in an even number [very French that] were used to cut down on pollution.  Converting roads to cycleways would have been even better.  Various lanes would allow for a variety of speeds.

Imagine making that a permanent solution in Paris, or London, or Beijing, or anywhere.  We would be fitter, happier [conversations are possible between cyclists], and have cleaner lungs.

Here's to good design for cyclists,
Elder Adok

Designing out pollution

The Guardian has an article on avoiding pollution. Surprise surprise, keeping away from exhaust fumes [particularly diesel] helps, as their picture so aptly demonstrates. 

Being in the open is a huge advantage over sucking in fumes from the vehicle ahead straight into your own private space.  But what options do cyclists have?  Back streets are suggested but they are slow with many junctions.

Imagine cycling in purpose designed infrastructure supplied with clean air.  That what I call the bronchs, the lungs of the city.

Here's to clean airways, Elder Adok

SkyCycle + Bronchs is best

Why so little mention of SkyCycle in cycle-friendly infrastructure design searches?  It's the only idea complementing existing passenger flows; the rest amount to different coloured cycle tracks!

Foster + Partners, Exterior Architecture, and Space Syntax produced first class information for the SkyCycle launch in January 2014; an extract is shown above.  Since then the project seems to have been killed off by Boris Johnson.

Real cycleways must include dedicated infrastructure allowing cyclists to travel uninterrupted and at different speeds.  We need the motorway equivalent for cyclists, not coloured cycle tracks.

Imagine a step further ... as in this chapter from Serpent Dove.

Here's to real cycleways,
Elder Adok

Environmental benefits squared

I commend ADULTBICYCLING.com for their succint blog on the environmental benefits of biking but believe we should also be thinking about an environment that benefits biking.

Because cyclists don't pollute the atmosphere they deserve clean air. Imagine real investment in cycleways which were not fancy coloured lanes alongside polluting traffic. SkyCycle is a step in the right direction.

We need wise politicians to make a real commitment to cycling. 

I imagine a world where that has happened. 

Elder Adok