CYCLING

Cycling in the UK



Literature Review4

Introduction4

Issues in Promoting Cycling4

Dutch Cycling System6

Attitude towards Cycling7

Cycling Policies in the UK7

Key Issues in Developing Cycle Policies in United Kingdom8

Design and Methodology of Research9

Introduction9

Purpose of Research9

Volker Highways Case Study9

Assumptions10

Theoretical Framework10

Methodological Design11

Data Analysis12

Quantitative Data Analysis12

Qualitative Data Analysis12

Resources and Time Frame13

Research Type and General goal13

Required Outcomes of the Research14

Maintaining Reliability14

Conclusion15

Cycling in the UK

Literature Review

Introduction

The contemporary economic outlook of the UK does not promise growth in the nearby future. The stagnant economic growth rate for the past few years has created social tensions in the form of unemployment and a hike in inflation rate which damaged government's capability to provide adequate social and economic security to its citizens.

One of the foremost issues government and the people are facing is in terms of energy crises. The high demand of energy is causing citizens to spend a substantial portion of their hard earned money into non-renewable energy resources, which is not only costing them economically, but also degrading global eco-system.

In order to improve the environment of UK and make it a sustainable country, the government is trying to increase the use of cycles (Topham, 2013). The British public perceive cycling to be a healthier mode of transportation, and believe that it has a capacity to provide social and economic benefits to the community. However, this perception is insufficient in terms of persuading citizens to choose cycles over cars. Although, there are cities such as London, Manchester, Portsmouth and Leicester that have witnessed tenfold increase in cycling in the recent years, the rest of the country still lags behind.

Issues in Promoting Cycling

The community blames lack of funding, inadequate road space for cycles, and the absence of a proper legal system for cyclist as the main reasons for the current trend. Therefore, people are continuously pressuring the government to take constructive steps to create an eco- friendly environment in the United Kingdom. The government on their part try to promote the use of cycles, but due to the lack of political will at the leadership level, they fail to take adequate measures.

There are people who use bikes in their daily lives, but others are not able to do so because of various social reasons and lack of proper infrastructure. It is the duty of the government to provide citizens with the basic facilities so that they may begin to use cycles instead of motor vehicles. For instance, in the Netherland, companies are creating facilities for employees who come to work on cycles (Cycling embassy of Great Britain). They offer them segregated parking lot, showering facilities and other economic benefits that encourage them to use cycles. However, in United Kingdom, there is hardly any organization that provides similar services to its employees. Many of the employees suggest that they want to come to the office on their bicycles but are not offered any facilities or benefits.

However, there are some groups that claim that cycling will increase the traffic on the road and will eventually lead to traffic jams, and problems for the general ...