When MCA started more than seven years ago, we chose our groups based on the issues that we thought related most closely to climate change. Upfront among these was Transport, as emissions from domestic transport were, and are increasingly, major producers of greenhouse gas emissions.
When we started our actions, we organised a mass cycle ride through Leek, liaised with the 20’s Plenty Campaign and disseminated information about active and holiday travel without recourse to cars or planes. We also supported the Moorlands Connect community bus, running a survey on reasons for use or non-use, as well as promoting the service wherever possible.
There is a lot happening elsewhere in the country to make us feel optimistic - rail fares frozen, better bus stops, fairer motoring taxation, protected bus services, train ticketing improvements, targeted bus funding and even greater taxation of private jets. The recent plan from Birmingham City Council to introduce a 20 mph limit on all local roads to save lives is hugely encouraging, especially as they see it also promoting greater use of active travel. It was also cheering to see the results of research on children’s health in London, which showed that their lungs grew bigger and stronger after the introduction of Ulez.
However, despite all of this good news, we still find it difficult to get traction on improving public transport in the Moorlands or indeed in encouraging more active travel. There have been positive developments, such as the increased use of electric bikes and cars and the improved provision of car charging points. But there is still insufficient provision for those without off-road parking and bus services seem to be getting less frequent, certainly at night.
Bikes still seem to be used primarily for leisure rather than as a means to get around within towns. It would be interesting to know the main constraints for potential cyclists, now that the old excuse of too many hills is less relevant. Existing cyclists have learned to navigate via the least car-busy and least polluted parts of town but is this easy for newcomers? How often do they have to resort to pavement cycling (not ideal) and should we consider closing off some shopping streets to cars during the working day to minimise exposure to air pollution? That may be an aspiration for some time in the future but still worth bearing in mind. If Paris can make major changes from car use to active travel, why not Leek, Cheadle or Biddulph?
For now, we could maybe work to improve the cycling experience for those not used to cycling in towns. Should we run a survey to find out the constraints affecting those who have yet to take the plunge? Would they like to see town centre cycle maps, both in print and digital? Or should we maybe campaign for better bus services?
If you have any ideas or would like to get involved, please e-mail us via