On the cost of cycling, if anyone wants to start and doesn't have the kit
ask if your workplace is eligable to be part of the 'bike to work scheme'.
This scheme allows you to claim money back if you buy a bike
(+accessories...helmet, lights etc.) to get to work on.
Jon
>From: Mark Paterson <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Mark Paterson <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: geographers and air travel
>Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2007 01:27:28 +0100
>
>hilary
>
>i completely agree with your analysis of the economics of public
>transport. but there is a big difference between rural bus services like
>you experienced (and where my parents live in East Anglia it's the same) -
>relatively expensive and unbelievably infrequent, taking the passenger on
>tours of new housing developments on the edges of previously tiny villages
>in a circuitous route before getting to an average-size market town; and,
>on the other hand, city bus services that are expensive, not frequent
>enough, run by the Stagecoach monopoly, and driven by aggressive morons
>who think they're driving racing cars and then cause accidents. like the
>old lady knocked down in Broadmead in Bristol last year. unlike most
>European countries there is no transfer scheme, so if you need to take 2
>buses to cross town then you must double your fare, lowering the whole
>average distance/ cost ratio further.
>
>oh, and every time there's been a female bus driver, the ride was
>unbelievably smoother and less aggressive to other road users. but there
>are far too few of them.
>
>so i have boycotted all buses in Bristol and walk or cycle. but then you
>have to take the cost considerations of stolen bikes and muggings*. even
>so, average cost per mile probably still lower! health benefits too
>(despite a few bruises/ wounds). and actually takes less time on a bike
>than driving directly, because of jams, traffic lights, etc.
>
>>In fact passenger numbers would grow and costs per mile fall some more,
>>enabling cheaper fares and/or more frequent buses. Tesco and other
>>supermarkets realised long ago the virtuous cost reduction circle of
>>cheapness and more customers and lower average unit costs - why can't
>>Stagecoach et al do the same?
>
>because Stagecoach is a monopoly, and yet still relies on government
>subsidies for late-night services - the worst of both worlds.
>
>*and yes, not being flippant, two muggings + 2 bikes stolen in one year,
>2001. is that a record?
>
>ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø
>
>Dr. Mark Paterson
>Lecturer in Human Geography
>School of Geography, Archaeology and Earth Resources,
>University of Exeter
>
>http://www.sensesoftouch.co.uk
>
_________________________________________________________________
The next generation of Hotmail is here! http://www.newhotmail.co.uk
|