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Fair concerns from some people now living in an LTN or SFP area about the increased distance they need to drive.
The three I've seen are:
1. It takes longer.
2. It creates more pollution.
3. More fuel more cost.
Let's look at these in turn, shall we?
1/16
The three I've seen are:
1. It takes longer.
2. It creates more pollution.
3. More fuel more cost.
Let's look at these in turn, shall we?
1/16
From a "it takes longer" perspective. The SFP schemes I've seen where traffic has been/will be redirected has added 0.5-1.5 miles of additional driving.
At 20mph, rounding up, this is an additional 5 minutes, 10 if coming back. You're reading this, so you can spare 10 mins. 2/
At 20mph, rounding up, this is an additional 5 minutes, 10 if coming back. You're reading this, so you can spare 10 mins. 2/
There will be more on travel time later in the thread, but for now assume I'm thinking of A-B commuters who do the shop on the weekend.
Point two: more pollution.
A car generates ~0.158kg of CO2 per mile. So rounding up, 0.5kg extra C02 per return trip - a 216% increase! 3/
Point two: more pollution.
A car generates ~0.158kg of CO2 per mile. So rounding up, 0.5kg extra C02 per return trip - a 216% increase! 3/
Please don't take that 216% out of context. We've got 50 Billion tonnes of CO2e to get to net zero.
The .5kg CO2 accounts for 0.000000001% globally.
Scale up to a year, a car journey a day - 182.5kg extra CO2 and we come forward a few decimal places 0.000000365%. 4/
The .5kg CO2 accounts for 0.000000001% globally.
Scale up to a year, a car journey a day - 182.5kg extra CO2 and we come forward a few decimal places 0.000000365%. 4/
Let's pause here for a second.
If the argument of "it creates more pollution" came from a place of genuine concern the proponents of it should consider: driving less trips, getting an EV and investing in carbon offsets.
Check out https://ecologi.com/about 5/
If the argument of "it creates more pollution" came from a place of genuine concern the proponents of it should consider: driving less trips, getting an EV and investing in carbon offsets.
Check out https://ecologi.com/about 5/
182.5kg of additional CO2 is roughly what 9 trees can draw down a year.
I'm sure the folks at @GrowingTheTrees can check my numbers. Worth checking them out too btw, a great org planting new woodland all over the UK
Back to our 3 arguments, up next: it costs more. 6/
I'm sure the folks at @GrowingTheTrees can check my numbers. Worth checking them out too btw, a great org planting new woodland all over the UK
Back to our 3 arguments, up next: it costs more. 6/
Okay, supermarket petrol is 121.1p a litre.
Some back of the tweet maths:
• avg miles per gallon is 36
• ~4.6 litres in a gallon
• avg miles per litre 163.7
• 1.5 miles costs 0.01p
A return trip a day, ÂŁ7.30p extra a year or 3 lattes and change at Costa. 7/
Some back of the tweet maths:
• avg miles per gallon is 36
• ~4.6 litres in a gallon
• avg miles per litre 163.7
• 1.5 miles costs 0.01p
A return trip a day, ÂŁ7.30p extra a year or 3 lattes and change at Costa. 7/
So it will take longer, about 10 minutes per return trip. It will generate a bit more pollution, about 180kg of CO2 a year, a minute fraction. And yes, it will cost more, a bit south of a tenner.
Now let's consider the hard to see side effects of LTNs & SFP: the modal shift. 8/
Now let's consider the hard to see side effects of LTNs & SFP: the modal shift. 8/
In 2020, Scotland saw a 43% increase in cycling.
SFP have linked up existing cycle paths, making it easier for people to opt for environmentally better options.
Get just one person choosing to bike a daily journey instead of driving it, your 182kg is more than covered. 9/
SFP have linked up existing cycle paths, making it easier for people to opt for environmentally better options.
Get just one person choosing to bike a daily journey instead of driving it, your 182kg is more than covered. 9/
It's all about creating options for people to make different travel choices, and right now the better choice for the environment is blocked due to poor infrastructure.
It needs to be direct, it needs to be safe and it needs to be joined up.
So who should we look to convert? 10/
It needs to be direct, it needs to be safe and it needs to be joined up.
So who should we look to convert? 10/
Well, I said to assume my person is an A-B commuter who does their shop at the weekend.
This only describes a small subset of the population, but they would be the low hanging fruit and arguably the easiest to convert. Here's looking at you financial services of the Gyle. 11/
This only describes a small subset of the population, but they would be the low hanging fruit and arguably the easiest to convert. Here's looking at you financial services of the Gyle. 11/
But what about the traders, carers, young families, and everyone else who need their car?
Do LTNs disproportionately add more travel time and cost to them?
It does, probably.
When you're on the clock and have a number of people to see, 10mins quickly become 1hr. 12/
Do LTNs disproportionately add more travel time and cost to them?
It does, probably.
When you're on the clock and have a number of people to see, 10mins quickly become 1hr. 12/
If your playing environmental activist bingo, here's a good one: just transition.
Tackling transport isn't just about how people move around, it's about why they move around.
LTNs and SFP can (and in some cases have) impacted the lives of folk who already have it tough. 13/
Tackling transport isn't just about how people move around, it's about why they move around.
LTNs and SFP can (and in some cases have) impacted the lives of folk who already have it tough. 13/
We can't bring in change without listening and considering the impacts on people.
For many, change is just something they'll get used to and get over, but for others it can have huge side effects.
Take care work, a vital service and underfunded. How do LTNs impact them? 14/
For many, change is just something they'll get used to and get over, but for others it can have huge side effects.
Take care work, a vital service and underfunded. How do LTNs impact them? 14/
Well, let's say they've got 6 people to visit across a large area.
If all 6 now live in LTNs maybe we've inadvertently introduced an hour of additional driving to their day. This could result in the carer working longer hours or spending less time with people in need. 15/
If all 6 now live in LTNs maybe we've inadvertently introduced an hour of additional driving to their day. This could result in the carer working longer hours or spending less time with people in need. 15/
That's not a good outcome for the carer or their patients.
But should it mean we scrap LTNs and SFP?
No, it really shouldn't.
It means we should look at our care system, provide greater funding and spread the load a bit.
As always, climate is social justice problem! 16/16
But should it mean we scrap LTNs and SFP?
No, it really shouldn't.
It means we should look at our care system, provide greater funding and spread the load a bit.
As always, climate is social justice problem! 16/16
There's way more I can and want to cover. Like does personal choice matter that much?
Yes it does! But that's for another thread. In short: the best thing most people can do is write to their representatives! For help on this check out @walkwheelcycle or http://walkwheelcyclevote.scot/
Yes it does! But that's for another thread. In short: the best thing most people can do is write to their representatives! For help on this check out @walkwheelcycle or http://walkwheelcyclevote.scot/
Time to get out for a bike ride and some cake.
Please retweet and consider following.
If you want to ask questions please do, I love a bit of climate discourse.
You can check out my blog for more https://abeardwalks.uk
Please retweet and consider following.
If you want to ask questions please do, I love a bit of climate discourse.
You can check out my blog for more https://abeardwalks.uk
