Why slow speeds?

Slow speeds on residetnelial roads (10-20moph) together with cycle paths by the side of busy roads would allow an inexperienced cyclist to cycle from anywhere to anywhere, without cycling along a busy road, as In Amsterdam

• slow speeds on all residential roads 10-20 mph ...this would allow cyclist to cycle safely along any residential road; the only modification would be traffic calming such as road humps or chicanes or road design to slow traffic down
• 30mph max on all roads, including Middleway-like roads; if a cyclist did stray onto such a road, it would be safe. Slower speeds make walking much safer.

• cycle lanes by busy roads..these could be on the pavement, or a wide painted lane on the road itself
• less car use and slower cars....traffic density and speeds is a major deterrent to cycling (apart from the environmental effects).....congestion charging or road-use charging would reduce traffic and encourage cycling
• a comprehensive and efficient bus-lane network; buses are an alternative to cycling; many people use a combination of transport means for longer journeys...eg bus, cycle, and walking
• safer walking...more walking (more people walking promote security), pedestrian priority at road crossings ...not strictly part of a 'cycle network', but cyclists and others do need to walk, and it must be safe
• cycle training for those who are inexperienced in road cycling. This is the most cost-effective measure, but cycle lanes and slow speeds are still needed.
• driver education ...not to drive close to cyclists; to keep a distance in case they make a mistake; not to drive fast; not to drive on the phone or drive thorough a red light
• an efficient means of detecting speeding/dangerous driving and having sanctions ...any slower speeds would have to be policed
• a police force that takes speeding seriously ..many would say this is not the case in Birmingham
• with all these measures cycling rates will only increase gradually...it would take 25y to achieve the same number of cyclists as Amsterdam
• these measures are described in detail here EU Cycling in Towns and Cities...1.5mb