People love hearing what their peers are working on and what’s worked well for them. We’re lucky enough to work with some brilliant transportation professionals across the globe, so we pulled together 4 questions to ask them. Each month we’ll be sharing their responses with you. this time we're lucky enough to share the answers of Zia Brucaya (USA), Deborah Fox (UK), Lauren Reichelt (USA) and Iain Watson (UK).
Zia Brucaya, Transportation Options Program Manager, Greater Madison MPO
What are you focussing on right now?
Preparing for our regional Bike Month challenge; organizing public engagement for the regional transportation planning process that we (Greater Madison MPO) lead every five years; developing a new website and materials for our TDM program; preparing for our annual TDM program marketing campaign
What’s something you’ve implemented recently that has worked well?
We organized a successful bike-shop-based food drive with partners during our last bike challenge, Cycle September, and gathered 236 pounds of food.
What’s something that you’ve seen implemented in another city/region that you would like to implement locally?
I don’t have a specific program in mind, but I love the idea of leasing or rent-to-own programs for low-income families to access bikes, especially electric cargo bikes.
If you were a bike, what would you be and why?
A city bike with baskets and fenders, so that I’m prepared for anything!
Deborah Fox, Head of Demand Management, Transport for West Midlands
What are you focussing on right now?
Keeping the West Midlands moving during a huge programme of transport investment. Making sure that 100,000 school students could go back to West Midlands education sites safely in March. Mobilising ways to help people walk and cycle in the West Midlands Active Travel Fund programme. Learning from the £2.65 million Network Resilience Live Lab.
What’s something you’ve implemented recently that has worked well?
I would have to say the new West Midlands Love to Ride platform! It was built on foundations provided by a Love to Ride platform for Birmingham. I was astounded that 54 workplaces took part in Cycle September 2020 and 962 people logged a ride during the month-long campaign. In March 2021, Ride it Out attracted 66 workplaces and 793 participants to take part. The ‘all-time’ stats for West Midlands is now 278 workplaces and 3,514 individuals. It is great that 754 individuals are new riders. To date, West Midlands riders have avoided a staggering 395,906 lbs CO2, which is awesome.
What’s something that you’ve seen implemented in another city/region that you would like to implement locally?
During lockdown there has been a limited opportunity to see things in practice, other than in pictures online. These may not tell the whole story. I like that Highways England is adding value through its designated funds around the country. It is restoring cycle paths in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, among other projects.
If you were a bike, what would you be and why?
A secondhand Marin Shoreline Trail - bags of style, a chunky set of tyres and great gear changes. In fact, that’s the bike I’ve got!
Lauren Reichelt, Clean Transportation Director, Blue Planet Foundation and Coordinator, Sustainable Transportation Coalition of Hawaii
What are you focussing on right now?
Blue Planet Foundation is a Hawaii-based non-profit working to clear the path for 100% clean energy. Our transportation team is currently all-hands-on-deck for outreach and recruitment of participants for the upcoming Hawaii Bike Challenge. We are leveraging the Love to Ride platform to encourage all Hawaii residents to get out and ride a bike in May and we’ve structured the challenge to incentivize certain types of trips— like those for transportation, which might replace car trips.
What’s something you’ve implemented recently that has worked well?
There’s nothing quite so effective as a personal phone call and conversation— especially in Hawaii. These one-on-one conversations have been the driving force behind our Bike Challenge outreach and have helped us steadily build out our network of participants. When I talk to someone on the phone, I can help draft personalized communications for their needs, to help bridge the gap between verbal commitment and actual recruitment.
What’s something that you’ve seen implemented in another city/region that you would like to implement locally?
We’d love to see the Love to Ride Hawaii platform embraced by a public agency and leveraged for ongoing TDM work in the state the way it is in some other regions of the world. We are currently discussing with our local and state governments how they could best see it being integrated.
If you were a bike, what would you be and why?
If I were a bike, I would be an electric bike. Work smarter, not harder.
Iain Watson, Senior Road Safety Officer, Suffolk County Council
What are you focussing on right now?
As part of my team’s work with schools across Suffolk, we are looking at ways in which we can encourage more upper/high school students to ride for their commute, and to ride for their health and for fun. As a “Road Safety” team we realise that there is a significant chance that messages can end up being more about the potential risks than about empowering cyclists, so we spend a lot of time giving guidance on how to ride positively and as part of traffic, and how to enjoy the trip.
What’s something you’ve implemented recently that has worked well?
After my car became too expensive to repair, my wife and I have decided to see if we can function as a no-car household! One month in and we seem to be managing! I live in Bury St Edmunds, close enough to easily walk to the town centre shops and (with a little more effort) to cycle to the supermarket. I quickly discovered that the late-night “I fancy some ice cream!” thoughts that would have seen me jump into the car and pop to the shop, are now only acted upon if it’s a necessity (and it rarely is!) We plan our food shopping better - I shop with a rucksack or a trailer (note: ruck acks with a frame, whilst being brilliant for walking journeys, can interfere with your cycle helmet as you ride!), and we make far fewer impulse purchases. Wine, unfortunately, now falls into the “heavier and more awkward than I thought” category. So, as I say, one month in and we seem to be managing!
What’s something that you’ve seen implemented in another city/region that you would like to implement locally?
There is a project that is being developed by Hertfordshire University and Hertfordshire County Council’s Cycling team that involves riders giving live feedback on their routes, whether it be that they feel unsafe or that there is a defect in the road. It helps to identify how cycling confidence/experience affects the perception of risk on the road, and the particular nature of the concern, which can inform the support and education/training that is offered. It also identifies routes that are used, routes that are preferred, and routes that are avoided. By getting a wide range of cyclists - different ages, backgrounds, experience, etc. - involved, it allows real people to give feedback about real concerns that they have, and to be a part of a process that might improve the cycling experience for all. I’m looking at getting Suffolk involved with this and using it to work with specific upper schools to increase their cycle commuting, and with communities that are keen to improve their local riding links.
If you were a bike, what would you be and why?
There are days when I feel like a rusty old bike that’s been dragged out of a pond! As I developed a ‘problematic’ hip, I realised that to keep cycling I might need a bit of extra help. If I were a bike I think I would be the bike that I bought – an electric-assisted road bike. It is sleek and stylish (which is my long-term aim!), it can cope with hills and long journeys and, when needed, there is always a bit of assistance to get through the difficult times.
Want to share your answers to our 4 questions?
4 Questions With… is a great way to share information with your peers. Just answer the following questions and email them to claire@lovetoride.net
What are you focussing on right now?
What’s something you’ve implemented recently that has worked well?
What’s something that you’ve seen implemented in another city/region that you would like to implement locally?
If you were a bike, what would you be and why?