Congestion in the UK cost £37bn in 2017. These costs are calculated from the lost time and fuel as well as the adverse effect on pollution.1 The government have again been criticised this week by the High court for failing to protect its citizens from air pollution in many cities. The advent of the motor car […]
In a survey of 1,360 cities in 38 countries, Los Angeles claimed 1st place as the most congested city, with over 100 hours a year wasted per person per year. The cost of this congestion is calculated as $19 billion. With 77% of people choosing their car, and only 5% on public transport. This is […]
Took a ride in the new Nissan Leaf 2 today. Probably the most important car release this year in the world of city mobility. It’s 7 years since the original car’s release, which I was fortunate to experience when I worked for Nissan. My 1st impressions then were the incredibly quiet ambience. It was like […]
The benefits of electrifying our cars are well known as the media arms of the big car manufacturer’s start to educate us on how they are solving the problems of pollution. Well electric cars make up about 1% of all car sales at the moment. Electric bikes make up about 20% of all bike sales, […]
The car industry was borne primarily from the cycle industry. William Morris, Armand Peugeot and the Grabowski brothers (GM), were bike builders before they were car makers. Car manufacturing and cycle making have since separated. The car has met our needs, and created a few too. Cars are now safe, comfortable, quiet, and after a […]
We are all trying to find that balance of work and play, such that we can feel we are contributing, but not to the detriment of our health. During the last year we have seen many forces at play changing our societies. Perhaps we can see some tends to foretell the future. The world is […]
Ride Sharing is cheap, and utilisation rates are higher than standard taxis, from 4-40%.1 However, if the journey wouldn’t have been taken, or been by a different mode, then perhaps it would have been less polluting and congesting. Only if it increases the occupancy in an already planned trip does it constitute an improved outcome […]
There are no international standards (ISO or ECE) for rear cycle carriers. However, there are UK regulations to keep lights visible and ensure a safe load. ECE 48 defines requirements for lights and their visibility. Reverse, fog, stop, indicator, brake and number plate lamps are mandatory on all vehicles. The Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989, […]
Oxford’s radical plan to ban Internal Combustion engine vehicles from an ever-expanding area has gained positive feedback from its residents and now London is planning to ’rebalance’ its transport system. In Oxford, the Zero Emissions Zones received support, with 71 per cent “strongly supporting” or “supporting” the 2020 proposals, 69 per cent the 2025 proposals, […]
Regulation is a key driver for towbar design. In Europe, ECE 55 defines most aspects of towbar design; from the height of the ball in respect of the ground, to the durability testing of the assembly. It runs to 72 pages. In America they have SAE J684, which has similar aims but a lighter approach. […]
