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Friday 10 February 2012

Cities Fit for Cycling




Having read about the Times Cycling Campaign, I expect, like me, you will have wondered "What happens next?".
Well here it is .......................


Whilst 23,000 people sounds a lot, it is but a tiny per centage of the county's cycling population, and we should be seeing at least ten times that number supporting the campaign if it is to have any impact on our politicians.
So, if you haven't already done so, please add your support to the campaign and write to your MP as requested. We have to convince Government that cycling in cities is a large factor in sustainable transport and there should be better provision to make it more popular and much safer.

As a reminder, these are the proposals in the manifesto.
  1. Lorries entering a city centre should be required by law to fit sensors, audible turning alarms, extra mirrors and safety bars to stop cyclists being thrown under the wheels.
  2. The 500 most dangerous road junctions must be identified, redesigned or fitted with priority traffic lights for cyclists and Trixi mirrors that allow lorry drivers to see cyclists on their near-side.
  3. A national audit of cycling to find out how many people cycle in Britain and how cyclists are killed or injured should be held to underpin effective cycle safety.
  4. Two per cent of the Highways Agency budget should be earmarked for next generation cycle routes, providing £100 million a year towards world-class cycling infrastructure. Each year cities should be graded on the quality of cycling provision.
  5. The training of cyclists and drivers must improve and cycle safety should become a core part of the driving test.
  6. 20mph should become the default speed limit in residential areas where there are no cycle lanes.
  7. Businesses should be invited to sponsor cycleways and cycling super-highways, mirroring the Barclays-backed bicycle hire scheme in London.
  8. Every city, even those without an elected mayor, should appoint a cycling commissioner to push home reforms.

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