ETA Newsletter - 11/9/09
Cycle lanes can make roads more dangerous for cyclists.
It will come as little surprise to anyone who rides a bike, but a study by Leeds university has come to the conclusion that ‘cycle lanes do not appear to provide greater space for cyclists in all conditions’. Our own feeling is that too often cycle lanes end up little more than a cheap and nasty way of promoting cycling. Read more
New superlight McLaren may herald greener cars
The latest offering from McLaren claims to have the lowest carbon emissions per tonne than any other car on the market, including hybrids. Read more
Carbon tax announced
France has stolen a march in the fight against climate change by announcing a new carbon tax on the use of oil, gas and coal. The new tax will be introduced gradually from 2010 and will charge
householders and businesses the equivalent of £15 per tonne of emitted carbon dioxide. What could a similar tax shape the type of car we drive? Read more
Road noise contributes to high blood pressure
Living near a noisy road may increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, a new study suggests. A team of researchers from Lund University team found the risk increased when average daily exposure was 60 decibels – the level of sound produced by conversational speech at a distance of 30cm. A quarter of people in western Europe are exposed to this level of sound from traffic. Read more
London roads closed for 40,000 cyclists
Although its name appears to change on an almost annual basis – it was launched two years ago as the Freewheel, but has since been rebranded as the Skyride at the new sponsor’s request – the mass-participation bike ride that takes place in London on Sunday 20th September looks set to attract over 40,000 cyclists. 14km of central London roads closed to motorised traffic is something not to be missed and there is no need to register – simply turn up with your bike. Read more
Old phone boxes answer call for electric car charging points
As mobile phones become widespread so the need for telephone boxes dwindles, but resourceful town planners in Madrid have found a new use for them as re-charging points for electric
vehicles. Read more
The school run lowers congestion
The popular belief that without the school run traffic would always run as freely as in the holidays is false, and far from adding to congestion, the school run reduces it in cities. Read more]
Cyclists need not settle for second best
For too long, motorists have enjoyed levels of insurance cover superior to anything on offer to cyclists. If your bike is stolen, some companies pay out less than you insured it for because they say it will have lost value over time and they charge extra for additional benefits like race event cover or bicycle breakdown recovery service – if such things are offered to you at all. If your own policy does not include everything you see listed here perhaps you are with the wrong people.
Twenty is plenty
The AA fears that the spread of 20mph zones could be environmentally damaging, according to an article in the Daily Telegraph this week. Nonsense, replies the ETA. Read more
