Britain is 50 years behind the Netherlands

Perhaps it's an island mentality, but it's unusual to hear British politicians make reference to best practice in other countries. For example, when it comes to a systematic reduction of road danger, Britain is 50 years behind the Netherlands...and counting.

https://vimeo.com/379013924

According to Erik Teteroo, a transport planner who advises the Dutch ministry of transport and environment; "The UK is, in some sense, 50 years behind the Netherlands. If you look at what we've achieved over those 50 years and what you're facing now. You're still facing a very high number of casualties, but you're also facing, as we had in the 70s with the oil crisis, a global problem with the climate. The climate issue urges for less carbon dioxide, less car use and more alternative like cycling."

The Netherlands is now regarded as a world leader in transport planning, but it wasn't always that way. Although the there is a strong cycling tradition among the Dutch, by the late 1960s, buildings in Amsterdam were being bulldozed and canals filled with concrete to make way for new roads. Watch our crowdfunded documentary to hear first hand from the activists who helped turn the tide.

https://vimeo.com/361286029

Stop Killing our Children examines how road danger damages us all, whatever our age and however we travel, and questions our collective blindness to both its cause and remedy.The 40-minute, crowdfunded film is narrated by the BBC’s John Simpson and features interviews with Chris Boardman, Dr Rachel Aldred, Dr Ian Walker, George Monbiot and the founders of the Stop de Kindermoord movement amongst others. Please watch and share our film. Please help turn the tide against road danger.

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The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. 29 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance, travel insurance, breakdown cover and home insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.