I think Birmingham seems to be the worst place to bike. Lots of 40 mph roads (like mini motorways almost) that you have to merge to get where you want to go. There are lots of driving situations that you just don't have the power you need on a bicycle. To be honest if you don't know where you're going, you feel rushed in a car there. London seems comparatively calm as it's usually ground to a halt. Hereford has a few busy roads but the speeds are generally lower compared to Birmingham.
“Almost on par with Amsterdam”?.? …way out. Have a look at any Dutch city…see Amsterdam railway station bike park…. but a great start. Well done Cambridge.
Even when I grew up in Cambridge in the 1970's it was cycling city on a par with Amsterdam. Nice to see these new initiatives to keep it that way. Good work!
So smart. With luck and perseverance, the city will approach Dutch levels of bicycle happiness. Good luck to Cambridge. Ottawa is way behind, although we are way ahead of a lot of places. Clearly it is the Netherlands who have figured out the pattern, psychology, and legal framework to make a sensible, affordable, and enjoyable future. One which includes a lot of bicycles.
The place is not safe as a pedestrian. A large proportion of cyclists need to learn the highway code and a low percentage invest in lights. You take you life in your hands walking in Cambridge.
As the Cycling Officer for Cambridge City Council for the latter part of the 20th Century, I can take some pride in what we achieved during that period.
Starting from net zero cycling infrastructure, but a much higher than normal level of cycle usage, we pioneered the development of cycleways in ways that were unprecedented in the UK.
Yes, it was more on the lines of evolution than revolution, but central government highway regulation was extremely resistant to change.
Nonetheless we got permission to trial features and facilities that were very successful, and which subsequently became standard practice.
Cambridge became known as the most progressive cycling city in the UK, and delegations came from all over the world to see what we were doing.
It is true that, by comparison with the Dutch example, we lagged far behind. However, Cambridge is an ancient, densely populated city with narrow, winding streets; Amsterdam, on the other hand was much destroyed in WW2, and rebuilt on a modern, open street plan.
Given its history and geography, I believe that Cambridge can be proud of what it has achieved in catering for cyclists, and its success in encouraging modal change in local transport.
cycling wan*ers.what a bunch of sad sad individuals you lot are.the car is king ,and not some looser on a bike.thank god i dont live near cambridge,i sure in hell would rather die a slow painfull death before i would be sad enough to ride a cycle ,you sad people.
Ex pat brit here in Bogo City Cebu Philippines. I have been here since 2005. I lived and worked in Peterborough for the ambulance service in and out of Addenbrookes weekly if not daily – Wow Cambridge almost un recognizable! Wonderful! At 68 i still ride my MTB daily! The drivers here are manic, but with care and defensive riding i survive!
It is sad that despite the popularity of bicycles in Cambridge, the city or the UK still does not think it is necessary to protect bike lanes and intersections/junctions when cars, lorries, buses use the same road. The attitude of the authority is shocking.
Why do all these procycling videos always show cyclers on their bikes in the lovely , dry sunny weather? Never the reality of the UK weather, cold wet and windy which is a major hurdle to get people on a bike. Not all UK cities are flat, Belfast where I am is hilly and have of it is up a mountain. Cycling isn't always the solution for most people.
I can only hope Cambridge has got a hold on bike theft, they're a lot of money washing around there. I remember day's when term time started and hundreds of young adults some who had never ridden a bike since being a toddler suddenly entering the roads, cycling 3 or abreast, wrong way up one-way streets, amazing how more didn't get injured or worse. Great place but, not utopia.
32 Comments
I think Birmingham seems to be the worst place to bike. Lots of 40 mph roads (like mini motorways almost) that you have to merge to get where you want to go. There are lots of driving situations that you just don't have the power you need on a bicycle. To be honest if you don't know where you're going, you feel rushed in a car there. London seems comparatively calm as it's usually ground to a halt. Hereford has a few busy roads but the speeds are generally lower compared to Birmingham.
“Almost on par with Amsterdam”?.? …way out. Have a look at any Dutch city…see Amsterdam railway station bike park…. but a great start. Well done Cambridge.
Even when I grew up in Cambridge in the 1970's it was cycling city on a par with Amsterdam. Nice to see these new initiatives to keep it that way. Good work!
Way to go Cambridge! Keep up the good work.
Great to see elderly cycling!
Isnt helmet compulsory in the UK?
Everyone’s got the Netherlands style bicycles
Ebikes allow even more people to ride now
What do you call a bakfiets in English?
Helmets are so unnecessary
When you invading amurkeiaywhoahao?
So smart. With luck and perseverance, the city will approach Dutch levels of bicycle happiness. Good luck to Cambridge. Ottawa is way behind, although we are way ahead of a lot of places. Clearly it is the Netherlands who have figured out the pattern, psychology, and legal framework to make a sensible, affordable, and enjoyable future. One which includes a lot of bicycles.
How about Oxford?
With how good the infrastructure is in cambridge I'm thinking of moving there in a few years. Seems like a lovely place
Amber Frye?
To ride my bike safely, I need to strap it on my car and drive 20 minutes to a bike path that goes in a 9-mile circle.
The place is not safe as a pedestrian. A large proportion of cyclists need to learn the highway code and a low percentage invest in lights. You take you life in your hands walking in Cambridge.
horribly dangerous when compared to the Netherlands
Does anyone know if there is a specific term for the type of road/street at 2:29? Is it called a 2-1 road?
As the Cycling Officer for Cambridge City Council for the latter part of the 20th Century, I can take some pride in what we achieved during that period.
Starting from net zero cycling infrastructure, but a much higher than normal level of cycle usage, we pioneered the development of cycleways in ways that were unprecedented in the UK.
Yes, it was more on the lines of evolution than revolution, but central government highway regulation was extremely resistant to change.
Nonetheless we got permission to trial features and facilities that were very successful, and which subsequently became standard practice.
Cambridge became known as the most progressive cycling city in the UK, and delegations came from all over the world to see what we were doing.
It is true that, by comparison with the Dutch example, we lagged far behind. However, Cambridge is an ancient, densely populated city with narrow, winding streets; Amsterdam, on the other hand was much destroyed in WW2, and rebuilt on a modern, open street plan.
Given its history and geography, I believe that Cambridge can be proud of what it has achieved in catering for cyclists, and its success in encouraging modal change in local transport.
7:30 I live the speed camera with the marks on the road. Very effective.
Cambridge has won the Netherlands look a like award 🏆🥳 well done
cycling wan*ers.what a bunch of sad sad individuals you lot are.the car is king ,and not some looser on a bike.thank god i dont live near cambridge,i sure in hell would rather die a slow painfull death before i would be sad enough to ride a cycle ,you sad people.
What about security when parking a bicycle in Cambridge . theft had become a huge issue .
Ex pat brit here in Bogo City Cebu Philippines. I have been here since 2005. I lived and worked in Peterborough for the ambulance service in and out of Addenbrookes weekly if not daily – Wow Cambridge almost un recognizable! Wonderful! At 68 i still ride my MTB daily! The drivers here are manic, but with care and defensive riding i survive!
As a Dutchie i loved cycling in Cambridge!
Cambridge discovered the bakfiets
Almost like Amsterdam…Huh? Cambridge should aim like Groningen or Leiden…
I just hope the rest of the UK will follow in Cambridge's footsteps someday.
It is sad that despite the popularity of bicycles in Cambridge, the city or the UK still does not think it is necessary to protect bike lanes and intersections/junctions when cars, lorries, buses use the same road. The attitude of the authority is shocking.
Why do all these procycling videos always show cyclers on their bikes in the lovely , dry sunny weather? Never the reality of the UK weather, cold wet and windy which is a major hurdle to get people on a bike. Not all UK cities are flat, Belfast where I am is hilly and have of it is up a mountain. Cycling isn't always the solution for most people.
I can only hope Cambridge has got a hold on bike theft, they're a lot of money washing around there.
I remember day's when term time started and hundreds of young adults some who had never ridden a bike since being a toddler suddenly entering the roads, cycling 3 or abreast, wrong way up one-way streets, amazing how more didn't get injured or worse. Great place but, not utopia.