How York can become the ‘healthiest, happiest’ city in the UK
A new manifesto puts forward radical changes that campaigners claim would make York ‘the healthiest, happiest and most equitable city in the UK’.
The document, entitled 42 Ways To Transform York, was launched by York Cycle Campaign at a meeting last night (Wednesday).
Members of the campaign have spent the last year identifying what they believe are the crucial steps required to set the city on a better path.
They say York’s “over-dependence on the car” is at the root of a transport system that is “a total mess”.
The answer is to make cycling and walking the priority. “People often say to me ‘I’d love to cycle in York, but it just feels far too dangerous’,” writes Robyn Jankel, chair of the campaign, in the introduction to the document.
“Lack of safe, accessible, direct routes, and no segregated cycle lanes all make cycling in our city a daunting prospect. But it really shouldn’t be.”
Many of the suggestions in the manifesto are not directly linked to cycling, and consider aspects such as the way in which decisions are made, and how to put people first.
Here are some of the recommendations.
Start with a strategy
“York’s policymakers have let us down. For far too long, politicians and council officers have been winging it when it comes to transport in York. This needs to end.
“It’s time to be brave and to think big. It’s time for politicians, not the officials, to come up with an actual transport strategy – one that puts people first and not vehicles. It is the job of the officers to implement it.”
Make York a 15-minute city
“People are happiest in cities where they are able to reach everything they need – shops, schools, workplaces, libraries, sports centres, surgeries, friends and family – in 15 minutes or less.”
For cycling that means everything within two or three miles, connected with separated cycle routes and plenty of bike parking.
Allow bikes in and through the city centre
“As things stand, cycling is banned in the pedestrianised area which creates serious problems for expanding cycle use in this city…
“We should be making active travel the natural choice and welcoming cyclists into our city, not banning them.
“We are not asking for unrestricted cycle access, but direct north-south and east-west cycle routes running through the city centre.”
Adopt cycle freight
“By replacing motor vehicles with cycle couriers, cargo bikes and strategically placed transhipment hubs throughout the city, we can cut down on the unnecessary lorries, creating less pollution, less noise and a generally lovelier atmosphere for everyone.
“Electric cargo cycles are now used by all the big delivery companies in lots of cities and can carry up to 300kg of all sorts of goods. So why not in York?”
Learn from Belgium
“Ghent in Belgium is a city of similar size to York. By 2017, they were suffering from the same problems as us with traffic congestion.
“In response, they took decisive action by dividing the city into sectors and limiting the ability to drive between them. But you can walk, cycle and take public transport everywhere you want!
“This was hugely controversial at the time with naysayers predicting traffic chaos. In the event, within a single weekend, this radical move achieved everything that it set out to do which ultimately improved the quality of life for everyone in the city.
“We call on City of York Council to look to Ghent as model of how this inspiring example can be reproduced in York.”
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“Our starting point was to understand what was needed to create a cycle-friendly city,” says Robyn Jankel about the manifesto.
“But, because movement is about so much more than getting from A to B, the end point is a city where everyone in York – residents, businesses and visitors alike – is able to lead better lives and to thrive.”
Where to get a copy
The cycle campaign intends its manifesto to be a constructive aid to decision makers in York.
“We hope that 42 Ways to Transform York will spark ideas and help everyone to focus on the bigger picture – a liveable city that is happier, healthier and more equitable, where everyone can thrive,” says cycle campaign member Kate Ravilious.
42 Ways to Transform York has four distinct themes:
- the need for a holistic and coherent transport plan
- the added benefits that cycling brings
- the importance of making York accessible to everyone
- prioritising people in every decision.
You can download and read the full document below.