In 1996, the UK Government published its first ever National Cycling Strategy. Central to the strategy were targets to increase the number of cycle trips. These amounted to a doubling of cycle trips by 2002 and a quadrupling by 2012. However, progress to date has been extremely disappointing. Far from achieving the desired increase, levels of cycling have actually decreased, and the initial target for 2002 was abandoned. This paper suggests that an infrastructure-centred approach, although welcomed by existing cyclists, will never succeed in facilitating a mode switch. This paper looks at the measures which have actually brought about an increase in cycling in the UK in recent years. Although there has been no country-wide increase, there have been increases both locally, and at certain times, in relation to specific events. However powered two-wheelers look set to achieve an increase on the scale of that envisaged for pedal cycles, and this is taking place in a national and local policy-vacuum. There is no national motorcycling strategy and there have been no specific initiatives aimed at increasing the levels of motorcycling. This paper suggests how this has taken place and the lessons that can be learned for bicycle planners. For the covering abstract see ITRD E126595.
Abstract