To CTC RTR Group
Chester Cycling Campaign


I feel this email from Bob Laing CTC Cymru and Cardiff Cycling Campaign
deserves wider circulation.

Thanks Bob

Roy
CTC RTR Denbighshire/Conwy


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bob Laing [SMTP:bob.laing@...]
> Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2003 3:36 PM
> To: Cardiff Cycling at Topica (E-mail)
> Subject: Cycling Research Review
>
>
>
> The following is the press release being used to publicise the report of a
recent review of cycling research for the
> DfT ... please visit the following url to learn more about it:
> http://www.york.ac.uk/org/satsu/Projects/whitehall/ [note: this url is
case-sensitive]
> "REPORT CALLS FOR NEW CYCLING RESEARCH"
> The results of a review of research on cycling have been launched today by
the Science and Technology Studies Unit
> (SATSU) at the University of York. The review's objective was to determine
how well the research base has been
> supporting national priorities to increase cycling since the publication
in 1996 of the National Cycling Strategy
> (NCS). The report published today recommends that the Department for
Transport (DfT) adopt a strategic research
> programme for cycling, covering the full range of research priorities
identified in the Strategy. Dr Paul Rosen, the
> author of the report, said: "Cycling research provides excellent value for
money by generating crucial background
> knowledge to inform those making and implementing decisions about cycling
policy and facilities. However, there are
> some gaps in the knowledge base that need to be filled, and the university
sector in particular should be investing
> more in cycling research."
> The review examined the research priorities of stakeholders in cycling
such as the National Cycling Strategy Board for
> England (chaired by Steven Norris), campaigning organisations such as the
CTC and the London Cycling Campaign, the
> cycle routes charity Sustrans, the AA and local highway authorities
including Transport for London. The following are
> some of the main research priorities:
> * understanding the cycling market better
> * understanding how to promote and market cycling
> * the need to ensure the integrity of data on cycle usage
> * and understanding best practice with regard to engineering and
infrastructure design.
> The review found these priorities to be for the most part well-balanced in
the research portfolio, but identified some
> areas for future effort.
> These include:
> * improved understandings of the cultural dynamics that affect people's
willingness to cycle
> * exploring the links between utility cycling and leisure cycling
> * how can more new people be brought to cycling  both adults and
children?
> * research on the health dimensions of cycling is currently focused too
heavily on safety issues - more work is needed
> on the health benefits of cycling
> * cycling research findings need to be disseminated more widely and more
effectively.
>
> The review identified almost 170 research projects conducted in the last 8
years, about half of them funded by the
> Department for Transport at a cost of ?5 million. Other projects have been
funded by the university research councils,
> charitable trusts, cycling organisations and other voluntary sector
bodies. The average cost of cycling research
> projects is ?125,000, which compares very favourably with the ?181,000
average cost for all DfT research projects. The
> review was conducted by SATSU's Dr Paul Rosen, and funded by HM Treasury
under its competitive Summer Placements in
> Whitehall Scheme. This scheme provides support for academic researchers
conducting two-month policy-relevant projects
> within government departments. Six of these were awarded in 2002.
> Dr Rosen is the author of Framing Production: Technology, Culture and
Change in the British Bicycle Industry (MIT
> Press, 2002), and a member of the English Regions Cycling Development Team
managed by AEA Technology Environment for
> the DfT.
>
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