Earl Aelfheah

For anyone interested, please read the research for yourself. Rockets conclusions are at odds with those undertaking the research. But he’s probably far more qualified than the academics who actually did the study right? It is of course just one piece or research, but one in an ever growing and consistent body of research showing that LTNs are being effective in cutting car use, journey mileage, increasing active travel and reducing road casualties. on the other side of the ‘debate’ there is no academic research I have seen supporting the arguments of the pro car dependency brigade. At this point if you still maintain that LTNs increase traffic or car use, or somehow reduce active travel, you have to dispute *all available evidence*, rely on anecdote, and / or believe in a vast conspiracy.

Great that you’re commenting on the methodology and findings without actually reading the research. You can read about it (if you feel there is any point) here: https://findingspress.org/article/75470-the-impact-of-2020-low-traffic-neighbourhoods-on-levels-of-car-van-driving-among-residents-findings-from-lambeth-london-uk alternatively you can continue to refute the methodology and findings based purely on the fact that you don’t like LTNs so they mustn’t work. Either way, I’m sure it’ll confirm exactly what you already believed.

There is an ever growing and consistent body of research showing that LTNs are effective. There is no peer reviewed research I have seen supporting the now debunked arguments of the car dependency brigade. At this point if you still maintain that LTNs increase traffic or car use, or somehow reduce active travel, you have to dispute *all available evidence*, rely on anecdote, and / or believe in a vast conspiracy. Failing that, there is (the perhaps more honest) argument of ‘feck off, I like driving my car’.

I've had big problems with this in the past, but recently it seems to have improved a little where I am.

That's a total misrepresentation of the research again Rockets. Evidence suggests that LTNs lead to drops in number of journeys and (now also) vehicle miles driven. Separately there is data showing increases in walking and cycling and reductions in road casualties. For those interested... https://love.lambeth.gov.uk/ltn-study/ Here is the summary from the latest study (which adds to a growing and consistent body of evidence suggesting that LTNs work): "In summary, our findings suggest that residents in Lambeth started driving less once their area became an LTN. Notably, our outcome measure captures total past-year driving, including trips that the Lambeth LTNs are less likely to impact (e.g., inter-city trips, or travel outside London). It is plausible that for shorter and more local trips the relative decrease in LTN residents’ driving would be greater than the estimated 6% decrease in total past-year driving. This suggests that, in Lambeth and other similar inner-city areas, widespread roll-out of LTNs could make an important contribution towards reducing how much residents drive, and towards reducing local volumes of motor traffic."

Why the plural in the subject heading by the way? Were there multiple e-bikes being ridden on multiple pavements? Or did you just see a person behaving carelessly?

No one should be cycling on the pavement, especially on a (generally faster and heavier) e-bike. But "I saw an individual behaving carelessly" does not a thread make; So in comes the group attribution bias and the 'you can't criticise it, because 'they' will silence you' strawman. It's as predictable as it is boring. The individual probably behaves badly however he's travelling, or even when he's not. Great post though. Let's have more 'things I saw today' threads please.

Yes, a bike, or much more commonly, a car. Do write to them asking for the removal of more on-street car storage and wider pavements.

Maybe the new bays are starting to work? If we could also do something about all the wheelie bins and swap some of the free on street car storage for wider pavements, ED would be a lot more pedestrian friendly.

Some people park them inconsiderately. I tend to move them if I see this - just lift the back wheel and roll it off the pavement onto the road. Like said above, I think some of it is kids. The on road bays are a great improvement. If we could also address the bins and generally prioritise pavement widening over car storage, that would be even better.

I agree. They're great. You can get to Brixton tube in 10-15 minutes without braking a sweat.

'false flag' 🤪

“Using anecdotes to cast doubt on the evidence? Check. Focusing on single datapoints while ignoring the weight of evidence from more comprehensive studies? Of course. Making appeals to social justice that conveniently ignore the available evidence on equity? Yes. Painting problems with current solutions as insurmountable barriers to action? Naturally. Trying to undermine the credibility of data collection methods, by highlighting flaws that scientists are well aware of and already take into account? You bet! Launching personal attacks on scientists carrying out the relevant research? Inevitably, yes. Uncritical reporting of claims pushed by campaign groups that refuse to reveal the source of their funding, while ignoring alternativeevidence and explanations? Tick. Platforming small protest groups as if they are representative of wider views? That too.”

Why do you say that?

Good article in the Guardian today on LTNs and some of the tactics being adopted by the pro car growth lobby: https://amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/may/18/how-opponents-of-ltn-are-adopting-the-climate-sceptic-playbook

Looking forward to Souvlaki wraps moving in to blue mountain (although it was sad to see the former go after all this time).

We need suburban railways to be brought under tfl control https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/london-suburban-rail-tfl-transport-mayor-city-hall-assembly-southeastern-b1071524.html

The raw traffic count data has been made available as I understand it. The problem is that people who don't like LTNs, don't believe the data. There is absolutely nothing that could be done to satisfy them, except to publish made up numbers showing an increase in traffic. Anyway, there is a thread on all this in the Lounge for the usual suspects to talk ad nauseum about how it's all a conspiracy and how making driving as easy as possible somehow reduces car use.

Finally got to try the bread from Eric's today. I can confirm that it is very good.

Yes. If you restrict motor vehicles and put in cycle infrastructure, you get more cycling and fewer cars. This is literally the point you've been railing against previously. That's not what the council data on LTNs show, people can look it up for themselves. Happy to discuss on the LTN thread if you want. Yes, a 2% increase over the pandemic, despite the number of people commuting into the office dropping overall. A resumption of the 40% increase in pre-pandemic growth (plus 2%).

... and cyclists now outnumber motorists in the City of London https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2023/03/01/cyclists-now-outnumber-motorists-in-city-of-london/

Have to say, I personally don't like the cycleway around Bellenden (Southwark's 'flagship' cycle route.. the 'Spine'). It's badly designed. That said, I see loads of people using it daily, especially during the rush hour.

No, I don't accept that Rockets. According to TFLs most recent 'Travel in London' report, levels of cycling remain 40 per cent higher than levels before the pandemic. Cycling on weekdays last autumn were typically around 20-25 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels, despite less commuting, and around 90 per cent higher at weekends. They put this increase down the increase in the number of people living near to high quality cycling infrastructure. The report also highlights substantial improvements in air quality, with estimated reductions of 20 per cent in NO2 concentrations.

My bad. Shouldn't have mentioned LTNs. This isn't the thread for that. Re. free parking - Ultimately it’s a trade off. Pedestrians, cyclists, buses and private cars compete for limited space. At the moment, huge amounts of public land are being prioritised for parked cars. If you want better public realm - wider pavements, more seating and planting, more room for bike parking and faster / unobstructed bus routes, then some of that space will have to be reallocated.

He's refused to answer questions on it and the press have obviously decided they're not interested in pursuing it.