blog: Pedalling Forward - ITP welcomes Dan Fox to the Team!
Thursday 19th September 2024
ITP recently welcomed Dan Fox into our Influencing Behaviour team. Based in our Nottingham office, Dan brings 15 years of experience in public engagement focussing on the barriers cyclists face, offering a unique perspective in transport planning. With a degree in Psychology, Dan specialises in delivering behaviour change initiatives aimed at making active travel more accessible and appealing for everyday journeys. Before ITP, Dan was a Senior Project Officer for Cycling UK and owned his own cycle shop. Get to know more about Dan in the latest of our ‘New Starter Q and A’s’.
What inspired you to pursue a career in transport planning?
What inspired me to pursue a career in transport planning is the opportunity to be part of an industry where we can truly make a difference by promoting sustainable travel. I’m motivated by the chance to collaborate with like-minded individuals who are eager to develop solutions, concepts, and designs that integrate transport systems, enabling seamless multi-modal travel. Working together to build a supportive and efficient transport network that benefits communities is what drives my passion for this field.
How has your background in cycling influenced your approach to transport planning projects?
My background in cycling, especially having spent 15 years engaging with people about the barriers cyclists face, offers a unique and valuable perspective in transport planning. The insights I’ve gained, particularly regarding safety concerns and infrastructure gaps, will hopefully give me an insight on any cycle related projects.
When working on transport projects at ITP, my understanding of behaviour change in cycling and active travel will hopefully help to impact the way initiatives are designed and implemented. My experience can offer practical insights into how communities perceive cycling, the psychological and physical barriers they face, and what motivates them to adopt sustainable transport options.
By integrating these insights, I hope to influence projects to focus more on community-driven solutions, such as promoting safer cycling infrastructure, creating awareness programs, and ensuring that transport planning includes the real, on-the-ground needs of cyclists. I hope to utilise my background in cycling to help shape policies that make cycling more accessible and safer, ultimately contributing to broader sustainability goals.
Given your background in cycling, what do you think are the biggest challenges in promoting cycling as a sustainable mode of transport?
There are several significant challenges to promoting cycling. The most pressing issue is the underfunding of cycling and walking infrastructure, which pales in comparison to the investment in car-centric planning. Another major hurdle is changing public perceptions of cyclists, who are often unfairly stereotyped due to the actions of a few, such as those who jump traffic lights or ride in large groups, blocking traffic. Shifting these ingrained attitudes can be incredibly difficult.
In addition to this, there are deep-rooted social and cultural norms that discourage cycling as a mainstream form of transport. Addressing these barriers will require consistent, long-term investment, rather than the short-term funding cycles we currently see. There also needs to be policy-driven support and a cultural shift towards embracing active mobility to create lasting change, and a collaborative approach to promote cycling and walking as an effective tool to battle some of the issues we face as a society such as health, mental health, air quality and congestion.
What projects have you enjoyed the most in previous roles and can you share any successful behaviour change initiatives you’ve been involved in?
The projects I've most enjoyed in previous roles include the development of Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) and behaviour change programs, especially those where the impact on individuals' lives is truly tangible.
One behaviour change initiative that stands out is a program I was involved with during COVID where donated bikes were repaired and serviced and then distributed to NHS staff and charitable organisations. This effort enabled key workers to commute safely and reliably. Over several months, we repaired and redistributed around 150 bikes locally. The feedback received was heartwarming; with many beneficiaries so appreciative of a bike to allow them to get to work, with some reporting that they went on to purchase better bikes and continued their commutes after COVID.
What strategies do you think are most effective in encouraging people to cycle more?
The most effective strategies begin with understanding why people don’t cycle and identifying the key barriers they face. For some, it could be a lack of confidence or simply not having access to a bike—both relatively simple challenges that can be addressed with minimal investment.
Another crucial strategy is providing safe and supportive cycling environments. This involves delivering accessible, wide, segregated, and well-maintained cycling lanes, off-road cycleways, and quiet streets. Inclusive infrastructure is a powerful motivator for those who are less likely to cycle, as it helps create a sense of safety and accessibility, encouraging more people to give cycling a try.
What do you most enjoy about working in transport planning and what are you most looking forward to?
What I enjoy most about working in transport planning is the variety of projects you get to be involved in and knowing that the work we do directly improves people's daily lives. Collaborating with professionals from various fields also brings fresh perspectives and makes each project unique and exciting.
I’m especially excited about the opportunity to work on some cycling-related projects—although that’s probably no surprise! Tackling complex transportation challenges is incredibly rewarding, especially when you see the positive impact on communities. The field is also full of innovation, with opportunities to explore cutting-edge technologies and creative solutions, making every project a new learning experience.
Now for the more fun questions…
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Outside of work I enjoy playing cricket and hockey as well as cycling, surprise surprise! I also enjoy spending time with my family, music and DIY.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
If I had any superpower, it would be the ability to fly, as there are so many places I would like to visit and what can be more sustainable than self-powered flight?!
Where is the most interesting places you have cycled?
It’s not the most interesting, but the most beautiful place to cycle is the French alps, the scenery is just stunning. Although I would love to cycle across Asia, maybe next year!!
Please join us in welcoming Dan to the ITP team! To learn more about the exciting projects led by our Influencing Behaviour team or to get in touch with us, please visit our 'Influencing Behaviour' page or head over to our 'Get in Touch' section. We'd love to hear from you and explore how we can collaborate to improve the way the world moves.