Sustrans' Manifesto for London 2020
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Sustrans’ manifesto for London 2020 Towards a healthier, happier city Foreword London is a world city and a global leader. is ‘sustainable, efficient, beautiful, An open, tolerant, thriving, diverse metropolis and invigorating to the human with a proud history of innovation, creativity soul’.2 A lofty ambition to transform and being at the forefront of change. London into a more active, better connected, healthier, fairer city. But these are deeply uncertain times. A global climate emergency, air pollution, obesity crises, and a growing divide and disconnect between the richest and poorest There is overwhelming evidence in society create significant challenges. The way people that where radical changes are and goods move around our city can either exacerbate or mitigate these debilitating issues. The evidence shows introduced to streets, and the that Londoners are moving away from a dependence on barriers to walking and cycling are private cars and are beginning to experience the benefits to health, economic vitality and community cohesion that reduced, local communities thrive. this brings. But the ambition and pace of change must accelerate given the scale of the challenges we face. In Waltham Forest, bold changes to the public realm, which prioritise people over motorised vehicles, have Walking and cycling provide simple, immediate solutions increased levels of walking and cycling and led to to improve public health, strengthen community cohesion, an increase in life expectancy of 7-9 months.3 We’ve reduce serious injuries on our roads, ensure public seen increases of up to 200% in people cycling along space is used more efficiently and equitably, reduce the new cycleways,4 demonstrating the appetite of carbon emissions and make mobility more affordable Londoners to take up active travel, where high quality to Londoners. Newer technologies, such as electric infrastructure is provided. With the challenges our city or autonomous vehicles, have a role to play but we faces, these measures are more urgent than ever. should not focus on them to the detriment of what can be done here and now with existing, low-cost methods. London’s most deprived residents are more likely to This is especially true where the new tech does not suffer higher traffic levels that contribute to poor air tackle our congestion, social inequality and growing quality and an increased likelihood of being injured health challenges, and when 67% of our electricity by cars. At the same time, many women, black and is still generated from non-renewable sources.1 minority ethnic groups, disabled people, the elderly and those on lower incomes are less likely to cycle In this document we set out the pledges that we ask than others. All must feel welcome and safe on our Mayoral candidates to adopt. These pledges will streets – we need the political will, backed by the accelerate the change London needs, for the benefit of investment – to ensure inclusion and accessibility for all. all and will help create a healthier, happier city, one which Matt Winfield, Sustrans London Director Radical action transforms neighbourhoods and people’s use of their spaces. 2 Sustrans’ manifesto for London 2020 Towards a healthier, happier city 3 Executive summary In May 2020, Londoners will elect their Mayor for Raise the ambition for Create places that prioritise Create a world-class walking the next four years. This Manifesto outlines three pledges with nine associated policies that Sustrans walking and cycling: people over traffic: and cycling network: invites the Mayoral candidates to commit to delivering by 2024. These will help London maintain its world- leading economic position while improving the health of Londoners, making efficient and equitable use 1. Increase the number of daily 4. Transform 32 traffic-dominated 7. Double the kilometres of of space, reducing congestion, supporting growth, trips walked, wheeled or cycled town or district centres into cycleways that meet the improving air quality, tackling the climate emergency and creating safer, liveable neighbourhoods. by 1 million every four years. traffic-free places for people. cycleway quality criteria. 2. Implement a London-wide 5. Create 100 new liveable 8. Invest £5 million per year in the road user charging scheme. neighbourhoods. National Cycle Network in London to make it an internationally- 3. Introduce a holistic behaviour 6. Create 500 school streets. renowned Network for Everyone. change programme to identify and tackle the barriers preventing 9. Eliminate all known high risk walking, wheeling and cycling. road danger issues on the Safer Junctions Programme. 4 Sustrans’ manifesto for London 2020 Towards a healthier, happier city 5 Raise the ambition for walking and cycling 1. Increase the number of daily trips walked, wheeled or cycled by 1 million every four years – increasing the walking and cycling mode share to 36% by 2032 The Mayor should set a target for the percentage of walking share in Paris-Ile de France is already 38%.5 journeys in London made by walking, cycling and public And the current cycling share in Tokyo is 15%,6 13% in 36% of journeys could transport to be 80% by 2032 – three mayoral terms from Berlin (with an 18-20% target),7 41% in Copenhagen now. This is earlier than under current plans, but can be (trips to work or education only),8 and 48% in Amsterdam be walked, wheeled or met with the measures outlined in this document and (trips to work only).9 So this is achievable in London. cycled in London by 2032. the existing planned improvements to public transport. Of the 6.8 million private vehicle trips made each day Explicit targets should be set in the Mayor’s Transport by Londoners, up to 4.2 million could be walked or Strategy (MTS) for active modes of travel: 36% for cycled, demonstrating the huge potential for a shift from walking and cycling by 2032, up from 27% in 2017. The private automobility to active travel.10 So there is huge Specific mode share targets need to be set to ensure that everyone potential for increasing walking, and cycling in particular. feels safe and comfortable walking or cycling, regardless of their background or ability. This will shine a light on areas where greater effort is required to remove barriers to entry. Targets should include: ndicatie ondon ode share – what can e achieed ndicatie ondon ode share – what can e achieed • Outer London – cycling has been declining as a • People on the lowest 25% of incomes make share of trips since 2014 – this trend needs to be up just 15% of cyclists – this should be 25%. reversed, and the share of trips cycled needs to Women should make up 50% of cyclists, but be more than trebled from 1.4% to 5% by 2024. • ey indicatie ode share currently only make up 37% – infrastructure ey indicatie ode share • A quarter of weekday morning peak car trips and support should be designed to ensure are for school drop-off. Trips walked or cycled to women are equally represented. school should increase from 54%11 to 70%. • Black and ethnic minority (BAME) Londoners • Leading by example, the Mayor should cycle make up only 25% of people who cycle, to work regularly, and make 80% of trips while the proportion of BAME Londoners 13 Indicative mode share by walking, cycling or public transport. is 37% – the barriers preventing this gap Indicative mode share from being reduced should be tackled. • 13% of disabled people use a bike to get around, Projected compared to 20% of non-disabled people12 – this gap • London needs to increase the number of daily should be reduced to its lowest practicable level. walking and cycling trips by 1 million every four years. 6 Sustrans’ manifesto for London 2020 Towards a healthier, happier city 7 Why? Meeting these targets requires significant leadership from the Mayor, but are essential to: Tackle the climate emergency Improve air quality With the UK government now having declared a climate Toxic fumes from vehicles cause thousands of premature emergency, and London becoming more susceptible deaths every year and lead to young Londoners growing to extreme weather events such as high summer up with stunted lungs and suffering from asthma.23 Road temperatures,14 we need to support measures which traffic contributes 60 per cent of particulate matter (PM) can make an immediate reduction in greenhouse gas and 47 per cent of nitrogen oxides (NOx)24 in London. emissions. Unlike many solutions to this emergency, increased walking and cycling are simple, low-cost Create vibrant, safe, fun, liveable activities that can deliver emissions reductions today. neighbourhoods for people and businesses Creating places where people are prioritised over Over the past 20 years, road transport cars is critical to an area’s success as a place to live, greenhouse gas emissions in London work, enjoy and spend time. In many parts of London, people are deterred from socialising and playing on have proven to be the hardest of the their streets, or allowing their children outside without major emission sources to reduce.15 them, for fear of being hit by motorised vehicles. 68 pedestrians and cyclists were killed in traffic collisions in London in 2018, and 196 children were seriously Improve the health of Londoners injured.25 The World Health Organization has identified Londoners need to get active. Just 30% of Londoners noise as the second greatest environmental cause walk or cycle for 20 minutes each day.16 Regular of health problems after poor air quality.26 Improving active travel can reduce the risk of many chronic our streets will improve the wellbeing of Londoners, conditions, including coronary heart disease, stroke, reduce social exclusion by allowing everyone to access Type 2 diabetes, cancer, obesity, mental health and enjoy public spaces, and create economically problems and musculoskeletal conditions.