CTC urges MPs to demand action and funding to ‘Get Britain Cycling’
The inquiry was called following a horrific spate of 6 cyclists’ deaths in London within 13 days last November and has called for evidence from CTC, British Cycling and AA president Edmund King.
In response to the Prime Minister's call last summer for a 'cycling revolution' CTC is reiterating the need for top level leadership, made by Jon Snow during the Select Committee’s original road safety inquiry in April 2012.
Speaking prior to representing CTC at the inquiry, Campaigns & Policy Director Roger Geffen said:
"Words are not enough to ‘Get Britain Cycling’. We need leadership, commitment to consistently high cycle-friendly design standards, and consistent funding of at least £10 per head annually to achieve these.
“The risks of cycling are lower than most people imagine –yet they are deterred from cycling in Britain due to fear. You are less likely to be killed in a mile of cycling than a mile of walking. If we are to maximise cycling’s health and other benefits, we must enable people to cycle in conditions that are as inviting as they are in countries like Denmark and the Netherlands. Britain now has 40 years of catching up to do; it is time for action.”
CTC’s evidence also calls for the following:
Targets which encourage more as well as safer cycling.
Lower speed limits. 20mph speed limits should become the norm for urban streets, with highway authorities having the freedom to identify appropriate exceptions. Zones of 40mph or lower limits should be widely introduced for rural lane networks.
Cycle-friendly design standards that allow cyclists of all ages and abilities to use roads and streets safely and comfortably with particular attention paid to cyclists’ safety and priority at junctions where 75% of cyclists’ collision injuries occur.
Training and awareness campaigns to promote safety awareness among drivers and cyclists alike with ‘Bikeability’ available for people of all ages.
Strenghtened road traffic law and enforcement with roads policing given greater priority. Driving which causes obvious ‘danger’ should never be dismissed as merely ‘careless’ driving offences.
Improved lorry safety, through collaboration between covernment, EU and industry, to deliver mandatory cycle awareness training, safer lorry designs and equipment and fewer lorries on busy streets.
Notes to editors
Background info on the previous inquiry sessions can be found here:
CTC’s evidence as given to the enquiry can be found here, including the recommendations:
https://www.ctc.org.uk/sites/default/files/1311_rg_transcom_cycle-safet…
CTC, the UK’s largest cycling charity, inspires and helps people to cycle and keep cycling, whatever kind of cycling they do or would like to do. Over a century’s experience tells us that cycling is more than useful transport; it makes you feel good, gives you a sense of freedom and creates a better environment for everyone.
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