Bigger than Snow Patrol!

We beat them to the idea (thanks Laura!) with the Six Streets Snow Patrol but York definitely have bigger equipment!

This year York council are running a pilot scheme, using special “baby-gritters” to keep 22km of York’s walk/cycle network ice-free. Although it’s been a mild winter so far, when they have had icy mornings it’s been a joy to pedal off and to see the riverside paths just as busy as on a summer’s day. And the evidence suggests that York’s progressive decision may save the city money too.

Statistics from Sweden show that when conditions are icy, pedestrians are three times more likely to be injured than motorists. Back in 2012 the town of Karlskoga in central Sweden switched the order of the snow-clearing schedule to prioritise foot and cycle paths. This simple change resulted in significantly fewer injuries, and consequent savings in healthcare and fewer days taken off work.

York is using the sopsaltning method rather than grit, where warm salty water is sprayed onto paths as grit can pose a hazard for bikes.