SUSTRANS

'Sustrans' is a British charity which promotes sustainable transport. The charity is currently working on a number of practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport, to give people the choice of "travelling in ways that benefit their health and the environment".^[1] Sustrans' flagship project is the National Cycle Network, which has created 16,000km (10,000 miles) of signed cycle routes throughout the UK, although about 70% of the network is on previously existing, mostly minor roads where motor traffic will be encountered.
As well as the National Cycle Network, Sustrans is working on Safe Routes to Schools, Safe Routes to Stations, Home Zones (liveable neighbourhoods) and other practical responses to transport and environmental challenges.^[2] Sustrans administers over 1500 volunteer Rangers who monitor over 60% of the National Cycle Network and contribute to the maintenance and promotion of the routes. Sustrans also works to promote cycling both for recreational and utility purposes, for example, by working with local authorities to organise cycling events and holding information and merchandise stalls at fairs and festivals.^[3]

Contents

History

Funding

National Cycle Network

See also

External links

References

History

Sustrans was formed in Bristol in July 1977 as ''Cyclebag'' by a group of cyclists and environmentalists, motivated by emerging doubts about the desirability of over dependence on the private car, following from the 1973 oil crisis, and the almost total lack of any specific provision for cyclists in most British cities, in contrast to some other European countries.Sustrans, 2002. ''The Official Guide to the National Cycle Network''. 2nd ed. Italy: Canile & Turin. ISBN 1-901389-35-9. Relevant section reproduced here.
A decade earlier the Beeching Axe had closed many British railways that the government considered to be underused and too costly. One such railway was the former Midland Railway line between central Bristol and Bath, which had been closed in favour of the more direct, former Great Western Railway between the cities. Sustrans leased part of this route with the help of Avon County Council (Bristol and Bath were then part of the County of Avon) and turned it into their first route, the Bristol and Bath Railway Path.
In the early 1980s when unemployment rose, the organisation took advantage of government schemes to provide temporary employment to build similar 'green routes'. British Waterways collaborated with Sustrans to improve towpaths along some canals and this resulted in greatly increased use of the towpaths, especially by cyclists.
In 1983 the charity Sustrans was founded, which currently has eleven directors who are also the trustees, members, and board members of the charity, and are chosen by the existing board. There is also an Executive Board currently composed of the Chief Executive and one of the two Company Secretaries.^[4]
By the early 1990s Sustrans had a growing supporter base and the Network of national routes was emerging. In 1995 they were granted UK£43.5 million from the Millennium Lottery Fund^[5] allowing them to extend the National Cycle Network to smaller towns and rural areas, as well as launch the Safe Routes To Schools project, based on earlier state projects in Denmark.
The organisation is now working to introduce Safe Routes to Stations and Home Zones among other projects.

Funding

The National Cycle Network was the first project to receive Millennium Commission funding in 1995. Sustrans currently has many sources of funding, and in the 2004/05 financial year Sustrans income was £23.6 million. Of this, £2.1 million came from the donations of supporters. £8.5 million came from the Department for Transport, and a further £2.5 million from the National Opportunities Fund, specifically for the Safe Routes projects. Additional funding comes from charitable grants and trusts, local government and income from the sales of maps and books.^[4]

National Cycle Network

Main articles: National Cycle Network

The National Cycle Network was officially opened in June 2000,Cycle-n-sleep, 2005. "Sustrans." Accessed 2005-12-20. though 5000 miles had already been completed, and some routes had been open for over a decade. In 2005 the network reached 10,000 miles.^[5] In urban areas almost 20% of the network is free from motor-traffic, though these sections can account for up to 80% of use. The more rural parts of the network see less motor traffic and are used primarily for leisure cycling. Sustrans has a few opponents within the heritage railway movement and those promoting the expansion of the modern railway network to reduce motor travel. Some within these movements suggest that users of these rural routes actually increase motor travel in gaining access to these routes with cyles carried on vehicle roof racks etc. Evidence exists that these organisations and Sustrans can co-exist amicably if early communications are established.
Sustrans estimate that in 2005 the network carried 232,000,000 journeys by all classes of non-motorised users.^[8] The data collected by Sustrans to compile their monitoring reports, from traffic counters and user surveys, shows that National Cycle Network usage is predominantly urban, and mainly on traffic-free sections. Furthermore, the surveys show that only 35% of usage on urban sections of the NCN is for leisure purposes.

See also

★ Bicycle commuting & transport

★ Bicycle touring

★ Bike trials riding

★ Challenge riding

★ Cyclebag

★ Cyclist

★ List of cycleways

★ Mountain biking

★ Offroad cycling

★ Road bicycle racing

★ Segregated cycle facilities

★ Sustainable transport

★ Track cycling

External links

★ Sustrans Official Home Page

★ Safety of cycle paths

★ Sustrans' aims and constitution
Websites for specific routes:

★ Bristol and Bath Railway Path photographs (NCN 4)

★ The Taff Trail (NCN 8)

★ Valley Rides By Tony Gibbs (NCN 8)

★ The Pennine Cycleway NCN 68 Derby to Berwick by Dik Stoddart

References

1. Sustrans, 2005. "About Our Work." Accessed 2005-12-20.
2. Sustrans, 2005. "Our Projects." Accessed 2005-12-20.
3. Sustrans, 2005. "Events." Accessed 2005-12-20.
4. Sustrans Ltd. & PriceWaterHouseCoopers LLP, 2005. "Annual Report for the year ending March 2005." Accessed 2005-12-20.
5. Sustrans, 2005. "Celebratory Events in 2005." Accessed 2005-12-20.
6. Sustrans Ltd. & PriceWaterHouseCoopers LLP, 2005. "Annual Report for the year ending March 2005." Accessed 2005-12-20.
7. Sustrans, 2005. "Celebratory Events in 2005." Accessed 2005-12-20.
8. Sustrans, 2006. "National Cycle Network Route User Monitoring Report to end of 2005." Accessed 2007-05-03.