Active Travel is part of the solution, not part of the fight
Andrew says - The only barrier that prevents me from cycling places, very often, is in my head. When you switch from car to bike, it’s about rethinking your routes from a cyclist’s perspective.
Andrew Gibson, of Garden Village, has swapped from car to bicycle for his daily commute between Garden Village to the east of Hull, and Princes Avenue in west Hull.
Andrew says: “The only barrier that prevents me from cycling places, very often, is in my head. When you switch from car to bike, it’s about rethinking your routes from a cyclist’s perspective, instead of thinking about them from a driver’s perspective. For example, to get from Princes Avenue to Hessle Road flyover, I allowed 30 minutes, because I was still thinking as a driver. On my bike, the journey took me 10 minutes. If you can, find a confident cycling buddy to take you places, or even just suggest routes that you may not have known about.
“The wanded areas and segregated cycle lanes on Hessle Road flyover felt a lot safer. And they allow people in cars to see people travelling on bikes, which is very important. You are more visible, which makes you feel safer.
“My daily cycle commute between Garden Village and Princes Avenue is less than
15 minutes and guaranteed to be this time period every day. It is not particularly about saving time, but knowing that you will arrive on time. This, along with health, the environment and cost reduction are my reasons for cycling. I’ve lost weight and definitely noticed a reduction in fuel usage and parking fees.
“The new cycle lanes have been a big help but probably for me the closure of Chapman Street bridge to motor vehicles was the big game changer. This safe east-west crossing point has reduced vehicles on both sides of the roads, which has made the journey very easy.
“With the option for e-bikes and these improvements that have been made in the city, I see little reason why we cannot see 20 per cent of the city’s road users take to cycling at least one day a week to reduce congestion, improve health and work towards a carbon-neutral economy by 2030.
“I appreciate that many trades and deliveries must use motor vehicles and this must be recognised in the reestablishment of the city’s economy, but active travel is part of the solution and not part of the fight.”
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