BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Sustrans has called for greater ambition in encouraging Londoners to be active for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
A London Assembly Report revealed today said more accurate forecasting is required for what transport demands will be during the Olympic Games next summer.
Just one per cent of journeys to the Olympic Park are expected to be made by bicycle, leading Sustrans to call for more emphasis on completing walking and cycling routes connecting local communities to the Olympic greenways to remedy that low prediction.
Sustrans said the predicted proportion is well below the current proportion of cycle trips in that area of London. Since levels opf cycling are increasing year-on-year across much of London, by 2012 a one per cent cycle share of jourenys to the Olympic Park appears to be a significant under estimation.
Eleanor Besley, Sustrans policy advisor said: “Current projections suggest that the number of trips made in London during the Games could be higher than originally expected, which means walking and cycling will become necessary means of travelling rather than simply offering an enjoyable alternative to bus or train.
“Current plans also disincentivise active travel to the Games by including a travel card in the price of a ticket. It’s a commendable attempt to ensure maximum use of public transport during London 2012, but it is important that ways to encourage walking and cycling are considered too, either through ticket pricing or other incentives.
“Additionally, continued encouragement for Londoners to walk and cycle more in the build-up to London 2012 will be an important part of ‘leading by example’ when visitors arrive for the Games.”
Sustrans supports the Active Travel Advisory Group (ATAG) recommendation that more ambitious targets for active travel methods to the London venues should be adopted, with a ‘more appropriate’ target for walking and cycling to account for five per cent of journeys.
