The War on Cars

Riding the UK's Cycle Network with Laura Laker

43 snips
Mar 11, 2025
Laura Laker, a London-based freelance journalist and author of "Potholes and Pavements," shares her adventurous year cycling through Britain’s National Cycle Network. She discusses the myriad benefits of cycling, from health to community engagement, and emphasizes the importance of infrastructure for safer routes. Laker also tackles road safety, advocating for better media reporting to change public perceptions. Her experiences highlight grassroots efforts advocating for safer cycling, alongside a critical view of London's evolving transport policies.
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ANECDOTE

NCN's Hidden Nature

  • Laura Laker's first encounter with the UK's National Cycle Network (NCN) was underwhelming.
  • It involved a pedestrian crossing with a small blue sticker, highlighting the network's hidden nature.
ANECDOTE

Cornwall Adventure

  • Laura Laker cycled across Cornwall on a pink e-bike, wearing dresses and delivering a shrub to her sister.
  • This whimsical journey highlighted the network's adventurous side, even with Cornwall's challenging hills.
INSIGHT

NCN Origins

  • The NCN's history reveals its origins in grassroots activism, driven by volunteers concerned about car-centric infrastructure.
  • John Grimshaw, a founder, and others surveyed old railway lines, securing initial funding from a shoe company.
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