Latest news with #ChrisBoardman
Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Telegraph
It will take more than the threat of harsher sentences to tackle antisocial cycling
SIR – I am pleased that dangerous cyclists will be subject to harsher penalties (' Cyclists face life in prison for killing pedestrians ', report, April 25). This move is long overdue. However, more needs to be done. On Thursday, while I was queuing at a red traffic light, a cyclist simply ignored it and shot through, disregarding the stationary traffic. Without a proficiency test, insurance, registration plates or even (in many cases) a bell, such people will continue to be a menace on our roads. Nigel Williams Aston Rowant, Oxfordshire SIR – I welcome the proposed changes to the penalties for causing death by dangerous cycling. These are entirely compatible with the desire of Chris Boardman, the former Olympic gold medal-winner, that no one should be put off cycling. To imply that deterring cyclists from breaking the law – which they do whenever they go through a red light, or cycle on pavements or around pedestrians on zebra crossings – is somehow an obstacle to responsible and considerate cycling is counterintuitive and ultimately counterproductive. In memory of Kim Briggs and other victims of dangerous cycling, and in recognition of the risk that those with mobility or visual impairments run every time they cross the road (especially in central London), Mr Boardman should use his powerful voice to warn cyclists that the greatest threat they face is not from the car. It is from a backlash against reckless and illegal cycling behaviours. Lord Shinkwin (Con) London SW1 SIR – The changes to the penalties faced by irresponsible cyclists are long overdue and very welcome. Not surprisingly, Chris Boardman – who is reluctant to place any blame at cyclists' door – opposes the measures. He claims that more people are killed by cows and lightning than by cyclists. Quite possibly – but those deaths are pretty much unavoidable, whereas deaths caused by the reckless behaviour of people on bikes are not. Vincent Hearne Chinon, Indre-et-Loire, France
The Independent
27-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
More than a third of adults inactive in most deprived places
More than a third of adults living in the country's most deprived areas are not getting enough physical activity, according to new research by Sport England. The public body warned of a 'postcode lottery' as its findings showed 34% of less affluent adults fell within the category, compared with only 20% from the least deprived areas. It comes as Sport England announced plans to invest in activity levels in more than 50 new places currently struggling to provide it, including major cities such as Liverpool, Nottingham and Southampton. Women, people from lower socio-economic groups and black and Asian people still remain less likely to be active than other adults, while less than half of children currently meet the Chief Medical Officer's guidelines for daily physical activity. A Sport England report published last year found healthy, active lifestyles save the health and care system £10.5 billion a year by relieving pressure on the NHS, preventing chronic illnesses and saving money through reduced use of health services such as mental health support. The body will partner with local organisations and leaders in 53 places who understand what facilities are available to support people to play sport and get active in their respective communities. It has been testing its 'Place-based approach' since 2018 by taking a bespoke approach to each area, identifying the major barriers to activity that each place faces and working to dismantle them. Recent examples include using football, gardening and walking to integrate refugees into the communities, influencing housing plans in Exeter and providing gentle dance classes for older people to help them rehabilitate after a fall. Sport England chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: 'It is unacceptable that for many children and adults, their postcode, background and income dictate how active and healthy they can be – even affecting how long they might live. ' Inequality in activity levels damage health and undermine growth; we want to end the postcode lottery for physical activity. 'Uniting the Movement's mission is to make sure we all have the opportunity to lead an active life, which is essential for the growth agenda too. Sport and physical activity are not just good for health; they are acts of economic contribution.' Chair Chris Boardman said health inequalities had 'become embedded in our communities' and that rising levels of inactive children were 'a ticking time bomb for the long-term health and wealth of the country' that must be addressed urgently. Sport England invests up to £300 million of National Lottery and Government money annually into projects and programmes that help people get active and play sport. The full list of places securing new investment was: – Ashfield– Barnsley– Barking and Dagenham– Blackpool– Boston– Brent– Castle Point– Cheshire East– Cheshire West and Chester– Cumberland– Darlington– Derby– Dudley– East Lindsey– Erewash– Fenland– Gateshead– Gravesham– Great Yarmouth– Harlow– Hartlepool– Ipswich– King's Lynn & West Norfolk– Kingston upon Hull– Kirklees– Knowsley– Leicester– Liverpool– Milton Keynes– North East Lincolnshire– North Northamptonshire– Nottingham– Peterborough– Portsmouth– Rotherham– Sandwell– Sefton– Slough– Southampton– South Tyneside– Spelthorne– Stockton-on-Tees– Stoke-on-Trent– Swindon– Thanet– Thurrock– Tower Hamlets– Walsall– Warrington– West Northamptonshire– West Suffolk– Wirral– Wolverhampton
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
More than a third of adults inactive in most deprived places
More than a third of adults living in the country's most deprived areas are not getting enough physical activity, according to new research by Sport England. The public body warned of a 'postcode lottery' as its findings showed 34% of less affluent adults fell within the category, compared with only 20% from the least deprived areas. It comes as Sport England announced plans to invest in activity levels in more than 50 new places currently struggling to provide it, including major cities such as Liverpool, Nottingham and Southampton. Women, people from lower socio-economic groups and black and Asian people still remain less likely to be active than other adults, while less than half of children currently meet the Chief Medical Officer's guidelines for daily physical activity. A Sport England report published last year found healthy, active lifestyles save the health and care system £10.5 billion a year by relieving pressure on the NHS, preventing chronic illnesses and saving money through reduced use of health services such as mental health support. The body will partner with local organisations and leaders in 53 places who understand what facilities are available to support people to play sport and get active in their respective communities. It has been testing its 'Place-based approach' since 2018 by taking a bespoke approach to each area, identifying the major barriers to activity that each place faces and working to dismantle them. Recent examples include using football, gardening and walking to integrate refugees into the communities, influencing housing plans in Exeter and providing gentle dance classes for older people to help them rehabilitate after a fall. Sport England chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: 'It is unacceptable that for many children and adults, their postcode, background and income dictate how active and healthy they can be – even affecting how long they might live. 'Inequality in activity levels damage health and undermine growth; we want to end the postcode lottery for physical activity. 'Uniting the Movement's mission is to make sure we all have the opportunity to lead an active life, which is essential for the growth agenda too. Sport and physical activity are not just good for health; they are acts of economic contribution.' Chair Chris Boardman said health inequalities had 'become embedded in our communities' and that rising levels of inactive children were 'a ticking time bomb for the long-term health and wealth of the country' that must be addressed urgently. Sport England invests up to £300 million of National Lottery and Government money annually into projects and programmes that help people get active and play sport. The full list of places securing new investment was: – Ashfield– Barnsley– Barking and Dagenham– Blackpool– Boston– Brent– Castle Point– Cheshire East– Cheshire West and Chester– Cumberland– Darlington– Derby– Dudley– East Lindsey– Erewash– Fenland– Gateshead– Gravesham– Great Yarmouth– Harlow– Hartlepool– Ipswich– King's Lynn & West Norfolk– Kingston upon Hull– Kirklees– Knowsley– Leicester– Liverpool– Milton Keynes– North East Lincolnshire– North Northamptonshire– Nottingham– Peterborough– Portsmouth– Rotherham– Sandwell– Sefton– Slough– Southampton– South Tyneside– Spelthorne– Stockton-on-Tees– Stoke-on-Trent– Swindon– Thanet– Thurrock– Tower Hamlets– Walsall– Warrington– West Northamptonshire– West Suffolk– Wirral– Wolverhampton
BBC News
14-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Plan to link cycle lanes and footpaths with £12.8m fund
A £12.8m funding pot has been announced to help join up cycle lanes and footpaths across a North East will get the cash as part of the government's Active Travel England (ATE), with about £9.5m going to the North East Combined Authority and £3.3m to the Tees Valley Combined Adams from charity the Sustrans, which looks after the main cycle and walking routes across the country, said the funding was a "good start".He also said that although there were good sections of road network for pedestrians and cyclists in the region, they were "very disjointed" and the money would help link them. He added that the £9.5m for the North East Combined Authority would pay for about nine km of new said: "We need a steady stream of much more than this over the course of 10 years before we can really go from the coast to the town - every direction - Sunderland to Newcastle, Cramlington to Blyth, Newcastle to Sunderland to Durham, so there's a lot to do, but this is a good start." Health benefits Mr Adams said cars were a more popular mode of transport because of the way towns were designed."The car is the safest and easiest way to get around, but it's not the fault of the drivers, it's the way we've built the place," he government said it hoped the scheme would help improve people's health, reduce sick days and ease pressure on the Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman said: "Making it simple and safe to walk, wheel or cycle to schools, shops and workplaces is one of the most effective actions we can take to improve the nation's health, economy and get to net zero, all in one." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas here.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
New funding for cycle lanes and canal towpaths
Yorkshire has been awarded £29m to build cycle lanes and crossings and improve footpaths, the government has announced. The funding will also help to upgrade canal towpaths and traffic management measures. West Yorkshire has received £17m, while £6.5m has been allocated to South Yorkshire and £1.5m each to North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire. The funding is part of a national package of almost £3m from Active Travel England (ATE), an agency sponsored by the Department for Transport, to build 300 miles of walkways and cycle lanes across England. ATE has also published guidance to help councils ensure that local residents and businesses are consulted during the changes. Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "We're already making great progress in improving walking, cycling, and wheeling in the region, and this funding will help us do even more. "Active travel plays a key role in my plans for an integrated transport network across a better-connected West Yorkshire. "By making it easier and more appealing to get around more actively, we're promoting healthier lifestyles, improving safety and helping to tackle the climate emergency." Chris Boardman, National Active Travel commissioner, said: "Free exercise, zero emissions and no risk of getting stuck in traffic are benefits already being enjoyed as standard by our European neighbours and it's time we had the same life-improving choices. "This funding will help make our towns, cities and villages happier, healthier and greener places to live." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here. Rewards app could offer perks for green travel Cycle route linking city universities unveiled Cycle superhighway sees 800 users a day - data
