Happy Birthday National Cycle Network
by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
On September 11, 2010 the National Cycle Network celebrates its 15th Anniversary. The Network is the flagship project for Sustrans - the sustainable transport charity behind its creation and development.
The National Cycle Network was officially launched on September 11, 1995 when it received £43.5million from the National Lottery Millennium Commission the check for which rock legend Meatloaf handed over on national television.
To-date the Network now extends over 12,600 miles and carries 1 million walking and cycling journeys every single day.
There are now more miles of National Cycle Network routes in the UK than there are of motorways, and the Network is the most widespread construction project since the building of the motorways and the Network passes within 1 mile of over 57% of the population.
Per mile an average motorway costs a staggering £29.9 million (Hansard, 30 October 2006), whereas the National Cycle Network costs around £45,000 per mile to build – not only more sustainable but cheaper too.
Urban traffic routes account for only 26% of the Network but carry an astonishing three quarters of all trips – showing that the Network is a key way that people make local everyday journeys.
Almost 3000 volunteers help Sustrans maintain and promote the Network.
But we do not just need a network such as this; we need safe cycle routes along each and every major street and traffic calming on the side street in order to make cycling a safe option of alternative transportation.
Then again, once the cheap oil has come to an end, which could be sooner rather than later, the street should be rather safe for cyclists anyway, as motorists will then very few and far between. Fifteen to twenty pounds a gallon of gas will see to that very soon and I can see bicycle mechanics being very busy as people will be dusting off their old bikes that have been sitting in their garages, sheds and attacks for years and year.
So, once again “Happy Birthday, National Cycle Network”!
© 2010
