70% of us want residential street speed limits dropped, says survey; Parliamentary debate on cycle safety takes place tomorrow
Ahead of tomorrow's (Thursday Feb 23rd) Parliamentary debate on cycle safety, Sustrans has published the results of a survey revealing the level of trepidation of potential cyclists over riding on urban roads.
More than half (56 per cent) of the respondents said they fear urban roads are unsafe to cycle on and 70 per cent wanted residential speed limits to be dropped to 20 miles per hour to make them safer.
The survey also said that sixty five per cent of those that don’t cycle regularly would be more likely to cycle on the roads if they were made safer through changes like lower speed limits, more marked cycle lanes and more care taken by drivers and other cyclists.
Cyclist safety has been thrust into the headlines by The Times newspaper (search for #cyclesafe on Twitter). As mentioned above, a Parliamentary debate on cycling safety is taking place tomorrow.
“People shouldn’t have to feel they’re taking a risk when they travel on two wheels in our towns and cities," said Sustrans chief executive Malcolm Shepherd. "This is yet another wake-up call for politicians who must act now to save lives and take the fear out of everyday journeys.
“People want to cycle more for every day journeys and they want a twenty miles per hour speed limit in their neighbourhood. Ministers must invest in making our streets safer for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers.”
Advertisement
The Times has a link enabling voters to encourage their MPs to take part in tomorrow's debate. That link is here.
Add a new comment
You need to be logged in to post comments. If you do not have an account then please register.
Comments
4 comments
I have a dream of what we could see for cyclists in York and other cities I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; "and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together." I hold these truths to be self evident, that all humans are made equal, that the needs of the most vulnerable of road users will become the most potent reasons for changing priorities. That no more deaths of sweet sixteens will need to occur before we look closely, and listen with all of our hearts and minds to what the people say. Cycling infrastructure that works in The Netherlands did not come about by the will of politicians, it came about because too many Dutch children were killed by cars and the people took to the streets in outrage, then an enlightened politician did what it takes to move mountains, the infrastructure was funded and away from the other traffic Why is it that so many clever, articulate, competent cyclists are ignored. Why do we get infrastructure that is frankly laughable Why are we not consulted in any real way Why are we at risk of death most days when we cycle and all of us including our children arrive home saying, I was nearly taken out by a car, a bus, and soon it will be a motorbike in the cycle lane !!! Why do we tolerate it? Because we feel impotent to change anything. It has taken one of the nearest and dearest from the Times newspaper to be put in a coma by a lorry for there to be serious debate in parliament on how to create proper cycling cities There are always solutions where there is the inclination, this is personal and it is political; do we want to have more deaths before we act or is now the time to seize the day I demand real consultation, I demand that someone asks my daughter what she finds hard about cycling to school, I demand to know how you have the temerity to dump me back into the traffic when it's no longer convenient to provide a cycle lane and I want to know why you haven't yet been taken to court for negligence. I have a right to the road I do not need a licence to be there and yet I am treated as a foul irritation. I demand to know how the planners know where I nearly die every day, you have never asked me? I demand that you tackle the difficult not the soft options that require more than white lines or is that white wash. If we want a cities where transportation works for all, If we truly want intelligent travel let's get the intelligence from those who have the solutions, the users ! then find the will and the money to do what's needed. I see no reason to put up with incompetence any longer I want my money spent where it makes the difference I want to see happen. I demand a map that red flags the body bags waiting to happen, nothing less will do!! Bernie Cullen, Bike Rescue, York
Bernie Cullen Feb 22nd 2012 at 3:02PM
0 0I can understand fully that learning how to stay safe on today's roads can be quite a leap of faith for many people. Bikeability is a resource I will be doing my level best to encourage people to make use thereof. Defensive riding is not going to always be 100% effective, but by being observant, anticipating potential dangers and even doing simple things like using quieter routes, you will maximise your chances of avoiding conflict with other road users. I've been riding for what must be 8 years now and I've only ever had to be worried on four occasions and one of those was my fault. None resulted in me coming off my bike, probably due to a combination of observation, road position and, one the one occasion it was my fault, a small amount of luck!
Stefan Holmes Feb 22nd 2012 at 9:43PM
0 0Let's hope that terms like 'defensive riding' never get into the wider UK dialogue, it won't do anything for the sector, perhaps we can kill driving by calling driving tuition 'defensive driving lessons'?
billy hunt Feb 22nd 2012 at 10:07PM
0 0When will cycling become a normal integrated part of driving lessons and the test? It would be so much better if all drivers experienced being on a bike riding through traffic so that they can get an appreciation of cycling and cyclists, and how much space is needed by a cyclist. It is already successfully happening with HGV drivers and bus drivers.
Tom Lynch Feb 23rd 2012 at 2:22AM
0 0