dom Natlomtl Cycle
p., 197a !ho cycling group In Bristol, In south-west England, decided the best way to encourage local Sjbple to walk and cycle more was to build a short traffic-free route on a section of the disused railway
between Bristol and Bath They persuaded local companies to give materials and to: lend their construction machines, and over a serlesof weekends constructed the first few kilometres of path.
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The result was a success beyond their wildest dreams, Local people appeared with their children, dogs, bicycles and baby strollers even as the path was being created. Some of those people came back to join In the construction effort. It was obvious that there was a strong suppressed demand to walk and cycle and that when the conditions were safe and attractive people would leave their cars and travel by their own power.
From that small beginning grow Sustrans and tho National Cycle Network, as well as a number of other sustainable transport projects In tho UK.
Cycling has declined as motor traffic, arid with it the unpleasantness of the road environment,, has Increased. Cycling has become about 10. times more dangerous per distance travelled than In Denmark for example.
There are a few towns where cycling accounts for 10-20% of all trips, such as York and Cambridge, -but these until recently have been tho exception, with the vast majority of councils having done very little to cater for people who might like to cycle at least some of their journeys. This ihcludos the school trip: children's preferences have been largely ignored and so only 2% of children cycle to school (compared with 60% in Denmark), However, bicycle ownership amongst primary and secondary school" children remains high (90%) and In a survoy of 10,000 children many expressed their frustration at not. being, able to cycle.
For questions 1-6 decide whether the statements are true or false,
1. In 1970 cycling group In Bristol decided to build a long traffic-free route.
2. Cycling has declined as motor traffic has Increased.
3. About 60% of children.cycle to school in England.
4. Children are frustrated at not being able to cycle.
5. Majority of councils have done very little-to satisfy the need of people to cycle.
■.-■In this listening activity you will hear what Sustrans Is. Listen carefully and fill in the gaps In tho ;-" text with tho words you hoar,
■■What Is Sustrans?
Sustrans Ltd, is now registered as a Charity, a non profit-making organisation under UK law, with tho remit p to promote environmentally sustainable forms of 1.________in tho UK.
Sustrans owns about 400km of disused railway and havo numerous legal agreements for ...........
along canal towpaths and forest roads, through public parks and across private land.
From 1979-1994 Sustrans worked steadily at building traffic free paths wherever it. could,Ail these palhs .
are designed for the equal and shared use of 3._______„____for people using wheelchairs, and In some
cases also for the use of horses,
4._____sculpture was Introduced at an early stage In order to punctuate the route and to help give
it a strong sense of place, to win the affection and support of the local public.
Sustrans publishes a range of materials for the use of the public and the guidance of practitioners working
on the development of S.„_._____. These include a guide to traffic-freo path construction and
Guidelines and Practical details covering details on roads,
In conclusion, Sustrans believes that national and international projects are key to 6.._............_______the
who/o public to participate In travefllng more flghtly through our world and Info tho noxt contury,