News Archives - urbanism

Let it rain; the umbrella that promises blue skies

However you travel, what better way of sheltering from blustery conditions than an umbrella emblazoned with a promise of blue skies? The umbrella is standard issue for any journey in Britain – however one travels and whatever the time of year. Its design has remained largely unchanged for thousands of years, but the risk of losing one has not diminished…

Let’s tackle noisy car and motorbike exhausts once and for all

Noise pollution from roads is a serious and under-reported environmental problem. The din created by cars and motorbike exhausts with excessively loud exhausts isn’t just illegal, it’s a blight on countless communities up and down the country. And yet very little action is taken to curb this anti-social behaviour. Police can issue a modest £50 on-the-spot fine, but this kind…

David vs Goliath: Could e-bikes defeat the urban car?

As the auto industry weans itself off fossil fuels and seeks reinvention via electrification and driverless tech, might the car lose its personal mobility crown to the humble e-bike? E-bikes might be cheaper to buy, run, park, insure and maintain than cars, but their widespread uptake faces an uphill battle that even the most powerful electric motor would struggle to…

Cycle to Work scheme; a safer bet than Santa

There’s no doubt about it; Santa discriminates against grown-ups. By the time you’ve entered the world of work, it doesn’t matter how many letters you write, or how well you behave; it’s unlikely you’ll be surprised by a bicycle under the tree. Luckily, there’s a more dependable way to treat yourself to the bike of your dreams. The Cycle to…

Should we pay commuters to cycle to work?

If you’re lucky enough to cycle as part of your work, your employer can pay you a tax-free mileage allowance of up to 20p per mile. Unfortunately, the commuting journeys between your home and permanent workplace don’t qualify. However, one of our nearest neighbours permits commuters to claim an allowance for cycling to and from work every day. Cyclists in…