There’s hardly been a corner of the county that hasn’t been walked on, jogged across or cycled over in the past few months as we locked down, avoided the trains and left our cars on the drive.
And there’s growing impetus behind attempts to ensure that continues, thanks to a £2bn government initiative driven – ifI can use the term – by Transport Secretary and keen cycle enthusiast, Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps.
The first £250m of funding which is currently being shared among councils nationwide is for ‘emergency active travel’ plans – among other things, pop-up bike lanes, wider pavements, safer junctions, some streets closed to traffic and a voucher scheme for cycle repairs to encourage people to stick to two wheels.
Government trials of e-scooter hire were also brought forward to see if they are a viable way for people to make short journeys in towns and cities. Reflecting on the rapid pace of events around the pandemic, legislation came into effect on July 4 allowing local
authorities to run or give licenses for e-scooter hire as part of the 12-month trials. The vehicles are banned on pavements, limited to 15.5mph and it is recommended riders wear helmets. Riders must also be 16 or over and need a provisional car, motorcycle, or moped license. The use of privately-owned e-scooters in public will remain banned.
Such announcements have been broadly welcomed by local cyclists and conservationists alike after months in which a combination of furlough and fine weather saw an unprecedented boom in riding and running.
Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av Hertfordshire Life.
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Denne historien er fra August 2020-utgaven av Hertfordshire Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Explosive history
With bonfire night this month, author Harry Smee recounts the explosive story of his family’s firework company, Brock’s, creators of wonders and war-changing weapons
A Day In The Life Of... A Jewellery Designer
Laurie McGrath, senior designer at Harriet Kelsall bespoke jewellery in Halls Green, gives an insight into her working day
Sniffig out clues in THE ASHES
Meet the fire investigation dogs securing convictions against arsonists and murderers who otherwise may go free
The greatest traveller
Exploring ancient civilisations and rising powers, Violet CressyMarcks became the most travelled woman of her age. Fifty years after her death we look at her incredible life
Return of the Queen of Romance
Twenty years after the death of record-breaking novelist Dame Barbara Cartland, Gillian Thornton talks passions, plots and a new audience with her son at the family home in Essendon
In bed with CELEBS
Marking its 70th year, Welham Green soft furnishings company Ashley Wilde has grown from a pile-it-high, sell-it-cheap business into an industry leader with A-list partnerships
Roam with a view
We may not have coastline or mountains, but Herts has beautiful views all the same, if you know where to look
Saving Mrs Tiggy-Winkle
The secret life of a much-loved British mammal and simple steps we can take at home to stop its extinction
A walk down Surreal Street
Paul Crowley draws on his graphic designer’s eye to capture scenes from the country to the street, all tinged with surreality
5 minutes with
Carole Spiers, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce member and founder of International Stress Awareness Week