Happy city: transforming our lives through urban design

cycling, walking is barely noticed as an activity, particularly in more deprived locations, and so its status is less recognized. Findings confirm many of the campaigns and messages from organizations such as mine (Living Streets) about poor environments taking away the enjoyment from walking, the need to focus on very local factors in the environment, and to understand motivations and concerns across demographic groups – particularly relating to safety. The authors can only conclude that utility cycling has a very low status in the UK, as a marginal activity undertaken by a committed few. I was surprised to read the negative connotations, with personal accounts associating cycling with drug dealers, or with being embarrassing. While the image of cycling is very low in most places, it has a high profile in others, and policy and investment seems to have an impact. While the book busts some myths by demonstrating that in other parts of Europe cycling numbers are high, often partly due to lack of public transport, it does illustrate the effort that will be required for our towns and cities to achieve higher numbers of cyclists. To do so, the authors focus their attention towards segregation rather than traffic speeds. There is much in this book to digest and use for a range of audiences. Indeed, with current unprecedented investment in segregated cycling provision in the UK’s major cities, perhaps this book has already reached those making decisions. For practitioners, it will suffice to focus on the testimonials, results and conclusions in the book. For academics, the multi-method approach to the subject is impressive. The book leaves little question about the extent of challenges faced. While conclusions provided may seem overly optimistic in the context of quite a bleak picture painted for walking and cycling – particularly given the lack of support from public and politicians alike when set against the voice of motorists – it is true that policies are shown to have an effect, momentum being gained and that different measures delivered as a package can be successful.