It is estimated that there has been an increase of cycling in the UK by a significant five times amidst the Coronavirus outbreak.
As cycling experiences a growth of popularity in the present, the Department for Transport has indicated that cycling will have a far greater role to play in the future of the British commute. However, much like motorists, road surfaces are a roadblock for many cyclists, with potholes a source of despair up and down the land.
Whilst these unavoidable menaces meant the average compensation payout per motorist was around £340, councils paid on average £8,800 per cyclist for incidents involving potholes.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps provided insight into the future of cycling, determining that pop-up bike lanes with protected space for cycling, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-only corridors will be created in England within weeks as part of a £250 million emergency active travel fund – the first stage of a £2 billion investment.
Furthermore, Vouchers will be issued for cycle repairs, to encourage people to get their old bikes out of the shed, and plans are being developed for greater provision of bike fixing facilities. Many more will take up the Cycle to Work Scheme, which gives employees a discount on a new bike.
With the continual trend of British cycling being in influx, Roadmender Asphalt provide their top tips to ensure that the future of commuting is safe for British workers.
1. Utilise Sustrans
Sustrans is a charity that helps people cycle and walk in safety. On their website, you can view the whole National Cycle Network and prepare a perfect route using both on and off road cycle routes. It is a great resource for new and experienced cyclists to avoid busier junctions or roadways.
2. Cycling UK’s fill that hole
Cycling UK has launched a tool called ‘Fill That Hole.’ It is an online form for cyclists to raise hazards with their local authorities. It is a great way to report any road issues with the appropriate institutions to help sort the issues as quickly as possible.
3. Road insurance
No cyclist is legally obliged to have insurance to ride their bike and while some organisations such as British Cycling offer insurance through membership, they do not feel it should be compulsory for all cyclists to have insurance cover.
However, unfortunately incidents do happen, and they can vary a lot in terms of seriousness and which party is at fault. Be sure to look at some options as they can start at a few pounds a month.
4. Innovative road repair solutions
Filling potholes is a slow process that often needs repeating 12 to 24 months later due to the materials used. Roadmender Asphalt, a Sheffield-based bitumen technology company have recently come up with a novel approach to pothole repairs designed around a new materials specifically designed for pothole repairs.
Rather than having to spend time square cutting and excavating potholes before filling them; potholes can now be filled with a purpose designed flowable repair material that’s made from sustainable recycled materials, is heated on site, welds itself to the existing road and delivers a totally waterproof permanent repair.
By avoiding excavating the patch the process requires on average 80% less material with no waste to carry away meaning contractors are able to complete five times more patches per day at significantly reduced cost.
This means that roads can be repaired faster with long-lasting results, meaning safer highways for all users, especially cyclists.
Harry Pearl, CEO of Roadmender Asphalt, would available to provide expertise and insights on the following:
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How Elastomac should deliver permanent pothole repairs
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What these repairs would mean for cyclists in the UK
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How new asphalt technologies are more sustainable and environmentally friendly
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The council-led initiatives that have facilitated for innovation within the road repair sector
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The successful trials that Elastomac has enjoyed with numerous local authorities across the UK
Find more details on Roadmender at here: