Walking & cycling in winter - gritting pavements

We're being encouraged to walk & cycle more. This is good. But, from my experience as a regular walker (to get to work), this becomes a big problem once we hit the colder months, due to icy pavements. Currently roads seem to get priority for gritting. Can this be looked at? E.g. I live in a small hamlet a couple of miles from local village and public transport, and we are therefore low priority. If we even had access to a lot more grit bins then neighbours are happy to grit pavements etc themselves. Perhaps a way to report and request additional gritting/grit bins and finance for councils for this?

Why the contribution is important

To allow people to continue walk and cycle SAFELY in the winter months. (Therefore lessen risks of injury, which puts pressure on NHS at a time when they'll be dealing with seasonal flu, let alone potential resurgence of Covid-19 in the winter) This is particularly important in Scotland with our colder weather, and particularly in out of city & town locations.

by KathrynT on May 09, 2020 at 07:53AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 4.6
Based on: 10 votes

Comments

  • Posted by GraemeBrown May 09, 2020 at 09:02

    Totally agree. However, we need to look at the solution they use in Europe with the chemical grit, which is not salt and does not damage bikes in the same way, and does also not leave horrible brown grit everywhere.

  • Posted by lmg1612 May 09, 2020 at 13:44

    We need a substance that can be safely used. Also discourage just dumping large piles. Current grit also major irritant to dogs skin and other animals.

  • Posted by Snavo May 09, 2020 at 19:44

    NWe live in a cold climate. It's not the government or council's responsibility to wipe down the spot for every footprint we are going to take. There are simple things you can do. Like the correct type of footwear to wear in winter conditions for a start. Let's be honest. NONE of use do this! Look, I get where you're coming, from but it's simply not possible to grit every single road and every single path 24hrs a day. Weather is predicable to a degree but still can change in a second. We can't plan for that. Accept that we live in a cold climate and that conditions are harsh in winter. We, as adults, need to take more responsibility and care in the climate that we live in.

  • Posted by JohnED May 11, 2020 at 17:41

    There will be a moral obligation to look after all those people who have taken up cycling as their main means of transport during the winter months. There is a focus on gritting and clearing roads. However Copenhagen clear the cycle ways and footpaths first and ensure that they are safe to travel on. As we hopefully move to a nation that focuses on Active Travel we should have a winter maintenance policy to reflect this.
Log in or register to add comments and rate ideas