We asked local residents in Derby and surrounding areas their views on the current state of active travel infrastructure and what they would like to see in place in the near future. Here’s what they had to say.
As a mother of two young children I don’t cycle nearly as much as I would like to due mainly to safety concerns. Cycling on a road without proper space is just not a risk I’m willing to take. It’s such a shame that so many miss out for such simple reasons.
Katie Gibson, Long Eaton resident
I am raising my children to take the best options for their planet and the healthiest options for their body but it is extremely challenging when the infrastructure isn’t in place.
Most of the road network was laid down long before the inception of cars—yet cars have assumed ownership of the roads despite many of our streets being far to narrow to accommodate the increasingly ludicrous size of modern vehicles, let alone the ballooning volume of traffic.
Tim Saul, Derby resident
Enough is enough—we need to demonstrate that bicycles are the most superior and sustainable form of transport in the urban environment and take back control of our streets and roads. Viva Critical Mass!
Sometimes it feels like I am a second class citizen on the road, whether I am commuting, going shopping or on a Sunday morning ride into the peaks. It is disgraceful that in 2023 cyclists are made to feel this way.
Simon Dutfield, Derby resident
Western and northern europe have set the bar for cycle infrastructure and the UK has not even reached halfway to that bar. Our economy is one of the strongest on the globe yet our government fails to give its people safe active travel infrastructure.
I have always enjoyed the freewheeling sense of community and empowerment provided by Critical Mass events. Cycling is the environmentally responsible, everyday human powered transport of choice for millions of people. Road infrastructure and irresponsible use of private fossil fuelled powered vehicles puts many people off from enjoying the massive benefits of cycling.
Dr Bill Whitehead, Derby resident
Critical Mass claims the road back for cyclists as we have the numbers and coordination to reclaim the streets. These monthly events help to give people the confidence to take the roads back for people from cars in their everyday life.
As a lifelong everyday cyclist, cycling advocate and supporter of the massive public health benefits of cycling and all active transport, I will, of course be supporting this latest initiative in Derby. See you there on the last Saturday of the month.
How does Critical Mass address this?
Critical Mass is a demonstration of cycling. Many who attend wouldn’t normally cycle on the roads at all. Critical Mass aims to represent how many people would be cycling in Derby if the infrastructure was up to scratch.
Let your voice be heard by submitting your short testimonial to info@criticalmassderby.org.uk. Please make it as unique to yourself as possible.