Originally Posted by MHardman
Hi everyone im currently in my last year of university and Im currently carrying out my stupid disertation research into New Labours Transport Policies concerning cycling.
Part of my research invovles interviewing cyclists so If you would be kind enough to answer a few questions (see below) I would be most grateful.
Thanks Mike
Originally Posted by MHardman
Name
John Eldon
Originally Posted by MHardman
How often do you use your bike?
several times / week
Originally Posted by MHardman
Why do you use your bike?
recreation, transportation, exercise
Originally Posted by MHardman
What is it that you enjoy about cycling?
freedom, mechanicals, exercise, aesthetics, efficiency
Originally Posted by MHardman
How safe do you feel cycling on the roads within your local borough?
reasonably
Originally Posted by MHardman
Have you noticed any significant differences/changes in other road users attitudes towards you when cycling on the roads in your local borough?
Some motorists have become more aggressive or rude, but no strong trend.
Originally Posted by MHardman
Have you noticed any changes in road design/layout over the years?
Bike lanes have become more common in some areas, have been deleted in others.
Originally Posted by MHardman
Do you see these changes as a step forward for encouraging more people onto their bikes or a hindrance?
Bike lanes are controversial, but they can help calm traffic and encourage more cycling, if properly designed and implemented.
Originally Posted by MHardman
How confident are you when it comes to riding amongst other road users – e.g. cars, motorbikes, buses lorries and so on?
I am confident of MY skills, but I do have some reservations about the skills of a small percentage of motorists. This is by far my greatest safety concern.
Originally Posted by MHardman
What suggestion for changes would you want to see being made to the current road networks in your local borough?
Calm traffic at high-speed free merges and diverges.
Originally Posted by MHardman
How cycle friendly would you say the current situation is on a scale of 1-5 with 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest?
In my city, 4. In the surrounding county, 3.
Originally Posted by MHardman
How would you describe your day-to-day experiences of riding in the roads?
Usually pleasant and uneventful.
Originally Posted by MHardman
Have you or any other cyclists, cycling organisations, cycling clubs in your area been involved in council plans to improve the roads?
Yes, several times.
Originally Posted by MHardman
If ‘no’. Would you like to see the council getting the people directly affected by these changes involved more, basically would like to have a say in providing for cyclists in the future?
I have suggested that our (citizen volunteer) traffic commission should include at least one advocate for cyclists and pedestrians.
Originally Posted by MHardman
What would you like to see happen in the future?
Greater education of all road users. Greater individual accountability for all road users, particularly motorists. Improved transportation options for those who cannot or should not drive.