Rod King, founder of the ‘20’s Plenty for Us’ campaign, has been awarded an MBE in recognition of his services to road safety.
Rod King has been campaigning for the safety of vulnerable road users since 2000. In 2004, on a visit to Hilden in Germany, he identified the introduction of a 30km/h limit as the basis of a successful walking and cycling strategy in the town, which led to 23% of all trips in the town made by bicycle.
The visit inspired him to launch a personal campaign, in his home town of Warrington and nationally, to canvass for 20mph limits on most residential streets.
In 2007 Rod set up 20’s Plenty for Us in order to support communities that want to lower speeds on their roads. The voluntary organisation now has 200 local campaigns and has been influential in the ‘Total 20’ policies already adopted by local authorities which serve 12 million residents.
Rod King said: “To be honoured with an MBE for ‘Services to Road Safety’ is significant, not only as recognition of my personal efforts but also of the enormous progress which has been made in establishing lower speeds as the norm on community roads.
“We are moving from a past tradition of accepting that motor vehicles could dominate where people lived, worked and shopped into one where we share the streets more equitably and enable people to choose to walk or cycle without fear of fast traffic.
“It acknowledges the aspiration and efforts of individuals, communities, councillors and council officers around the country who simply want to make their places better places to be.
“It really is “Time for 20” and this honour is very gratefully received. Perhaps most of all it signifies that 20’s Plenty for Us is much more than a campaign for change, but is a movement towards a more civilised way of sharing our streets.”
For more information contact Rod King on 07973639781.
Pro supporters seem to forget that residents are drivers as well! People should drive at the appropriate speed for conditions, enforcing 20mph speed limits at night when 99% of the population are asleep in their beds is just social engineering. Millions of older people do not have the physical capability to cycle/walk long distances and are being condemned for still wanting realistic mobility along with the rest of us. Rod King has got this award because all political parties support his views publically, but have no intention to give up their cars or taxis when travelling.
Terry Hudson
+2
Hugh says “I see it as a recognition of someone actually trying to do something for the greater good. Nothing wrong with that.”
Hugh seems to forget that history is littered with people who were motivated by the belief that they were doing something for the greater good. The acid test is whether their aims actually resulted in the greater good. I delight in those who get recognised for significant contributions to the greater good (see Dr Mary Groves MBE, a close friend of mine) but Rod King is not in that category.
Eric Bridgstock, Independent Road Safety Research, St Albans
+1
Rod has managed to bring to the public’s attention about excessive speeding, but I think slapping blanket 20mph speed limits in inappropriate places (eg. entire towns/cities) is not the answer. A more constructive approach would be to evaluate whether a 20 mph speed limit is needed before implementing it (including rural single track/very narrow roads with severe bends).
Phil, Kent
0
Rod is a brilliant champion for wide 20mph limits and road danger reduction. He deserves this recognition.
Anna Semlyen, York
0
Yes it’s easy to mock isn’t it? Perhaps the detractors could come up with a campaign of their own? Congratulations to Rod. I see it as a recognition of someone actually trying to do something for the greater good. Nothing wrong with that.
Hugh Jones, Cheshire
0
I would like to congratulate Rod on achieving this most amazing award for all his political campaigning. Politics seems to be all about the art of persuasion and, having met Rod and seen his presentation, he clearly possesses the skill to persuade and influence those in control of us.
It is a concern that the evidence suggests the implementation of his politics has caused the opposite of the intended result but his isn’t the first political campaign where that has happened. I would appeal to Rod to use his considerable influence and skills to recommend implementing 20mph speed limits within scientific trials which could bring him and his opponents together to agree on what effect his policies are actually having.
Dave Finney, Slough
0
For once, words fail me.
Idris Francis Fight Back With Facts Petersfield
0
Tom Lehrer said that political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
This is bad news for all who make road safety, as opposed to experiments in social behaviour, their priority.
Eric Bridgstock, Independent Road Safety Research, St Albans
+2