Sean Scatchard Geography Teacher, Cheney secondary
Description: Sean Scatchard Geography Teacher, Cheney secondary school, Headington Resident, Cumnor Cycle commuter and e-bike enthusiast Parent Getting to and from school Children Parents Teachers and support staff Common observation: quieter streets
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slide1. Sean Scatchard Geography Teacher, Cheney secondary school, Headington
Resident, Cumnor
Cycle commuter and e-bike enthusiast
Parent<br>
slide2. Getting to and from school Children
Parents
Teachers and support staff
Common observation: quieter streets during holidays!<br>
slide3. Key point 1: I wouldn’t let my kids cycle to Cheney! Too dangerous because there are too many cars sharing the space they’d cycle in
Many parents feel the same – so what if they live too far away to walk and/or they’re not on a reliable bus route? Answer: they drive
Result: more cars on the roads = more danger
Our experience as a school: children being injured by cars near the school on an annual basis
If we want to get kids actively travelling to school (good for their physical and mental health as well as good for the planet), we MUST break this cycle
To do so, cars either need to be barred altogether, or cyclists need to be separated from other traffic by more than a white line<br>
slide4. Key point 2: the transport crisis is linked to the housing crisis House prices prevent many teachers from living within walking or cycling range
Result? They drive from out of Oxford, despite knowing that this is harmful
E.g. colleague drives in from Farringdon. Means well but concerned about proposed workplace parking levy + inconvenience caused by LTNs
Without affordable housing, Oxford will struggle to recruit good teachers
Same for many other professions (e.g. nurses)
Temporary solution: e-bikes
IF there was secure storage and charging available at park and rides, and
IF the P&R was free for key workers, and
IF roads were safe enough to make cycling attractive<br>
slide5. Key point 3: methods to reduce car traffic voluntarily won’t work LTNs cause resentment but…
If streets become relatively car-free by other means, driving becomes more attractive. This leads to more cars again!
The only way to solve this conundrum: ban cars
This is justified: we’re in a climate emergency, as well as a health emergency caused partly by sedentary lifestyles and air pollution
BUT: alternatives must be provided. E.g. bus prioritisation and increased subsidies in conjunction with LTNs<br>
slide6. “In my position, faced with your question, trying to find solutions that work for everyone affected in Oxford, my advice would be…” Keep LTNs, but provide more alternatives as well
Children should be prioritised: they are vulnerable, and driving cars excludes them. We need to be as inclusive as possible
Pupil Premium children should be given bicycles
Schools should be supported with School Streets as standard, enforced with cameras and barriers
Because of safety concerns, the current car-based school run will ONLY stop if other car use is also stopped or traffic separated from cyclists
Allow exceptions: disabled, key services…<br>
Resident, Cumnor
Cycle commuter and e-bike enthusiast
Parent<br>
slide2. Getting to and from school Children
Parents
Teachers and support staff
Common observation: quieter streets during holidays!<br>
slide3. Key point 1: I wouldn’t let my kids cycle to Cheney! Too dangerous because there are too many cars sharing the space they’d cycle in
Many parents feel the same – so what if they live too far away to walk and/or they’re not on a reliable bus route? Answer: they drive
Result: more cars on the roads = more danger
Our experience as a school: children being injured by cars near the school on an annual basis
If we want to get kids actively travelling to school (good for their physical and mental health as well as good for the planet), we MUST break this cycle
To do so, cars either need to be barred altogether, or cyclists need to be separated from other traffic by more than a white line<br>
slide4. Key point 2: the transport crisis is linked to the housing crisis House prices prevent many teachers from living within walking or cycling range
Result? They drive from out of Oxford, despite knowing that this is harmful
E.g. colleague drives in from Farringdon. Means well but concerned about proposed workplace parking levy + inconvenience caused by LTNs
Without affordable housing, Oxford will struggle to recruit good teachers
Same for many other professions (e.g. nurses)
Temporary solution: e-bikes
IF there was secure storage and charging available at park and rides, and
IF the P&R was free for key workers, and
IF roads were safe enough to make cycling attractive<br>
slide5. Key point 3: methods to reduce car traffic voluntarily won’t work LTNs cause resentment but…
If streets become relatively car-free by other means, driving becomes more attractive. This leads to more cars again!
The only way to solve this conundrum: ban cars
This is justified: we’re in a climate emergency, as well as a health emergency caused partly by sedentary lifestyles and air pollution
BUT: alternatives must be provided. E.g. bus prioritisation and increased subsidies in conjunction with LTNs<br>
slide6. “In my position, faced with your question, trying to find solutions that work for everyone affected in Oxford, my advice would be…” Keep LTNs, but provide more alternatives as well
Children should be prioritised: they are vulnerable, and driving cars excludes them. We need to be as inclusive as possible
Pupil Premium children should be given bicycles
Schools should be supported with School Streets as standard, enforced with cameras and barriers
Because of safety concerns, the current car-based school run will ONLY stop if other car use is also stopped or traffic separated from cyclists
Allow exceptions: disabled, key services…<br>