Chesterfield Cycle Campaign

Following the encouraging response to our Bike Week Film Festival collection of short cycling clips, the Campaign has now produced a shorter DVD of similar cycling advocacy videos.

The DVD shows how greater investment in infrastructure can make cycling a viable mode of transport used by people of all ages.

One of the key messages is that mass cycling can only happen if people feel safe riding their bikes, and this is particularly true for women and children.  In successful cycling countries, this is mostly achieved by some degree of segregation from traffic combined with lowered vehicle speeds.

Convenience is another key factor, and facilities must be well-designed so that they are quick and easy to use.
We hope to be able to inspire the local Councils and Health Services of the tremendous value to be gained by investment in cycling. Compared with investment in motoring, much can be achieved with relatively small amounts of money and the benefits are far-reaching … reduced traffic congestion, cleaner air, more active lifestyles and friendlier streets.

The DVD contents are as follows:

1. Cycling Copenhagen, Through North American Eyes

The reactions of US and Canadian advocates, planners and transportation officials to Copenhagen's cycling environment and how it compares with their own cities.

2. Bicycle Policy in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands

How a Dutch city's ambition to raise modal share from 33% to 44% is being achieved by improvements to the infrastructure.

3. Beauty & the Bike

A project established in Darlington to find out why girls stops cycling in the UK, unlike many of their European counterparts.

4. Bikes 4 All

A bike recycling scheme in Leicester which reclaims and fixes old bikes, providing free bikes to local residents and cycle maintenance training to youth offenders and refugees. (Not available online)

5. Free by Amsterdamize

A snapshot of cycling in Amsterdam, showing the range of different people using a mode of transport that is considered normal in the Netherlands.

6. Bicycling is Up Again in the Big Apple

New York's recent investment in cycling infrastructure has resulted in a rise in cycling of 66% between 2007 and 2009.