The fear of getting hit by speeding motorists is stopping us from getting on our bikes, says a new survey by Brake, a charity which supports victims of road accidents.
In a survey last month, respondents said they would be more likely to cycle, if cyclists were given priority on the roads to reduce the risk of collisions with motor vehicles.
The survey by Brake of 800 adults which revealed that:
- 71% of respondents never cycle on roads and more than half (59%) never cycle at all.
- However, 34% of people who don't currently cycle would cycle between home and local amenities if there were cycle paths and trails connecting them.
- This means that with investment in safe cycling facilities, an additional of 20% of adults could be persuaded to get on their bikes to improve their health and reduce carbon emissions and congestion, improving the likelihood of children cycling more too.
The benefits to cycling are numerous. In a country with an increasing obesity rate, cycling is a great form of exercise. In a climate of financial crisis, cycling is cheap. There are no fuel costs, no need to wait for buses in the rain or sweat it out on the underground. And it is great for the environment.
Grant Shapps, the Local Government minister, announced in May that he is calling for the removal of restrictive cycling by-laws which endanger pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.
He said: “There have been some crazy by-laws in place from the year dot stopping cycling from taking place. This should enable local people to scrap laws stopping people from getting on their bikes.
“Everyone is interested in looking after themselves and their health, as well as the environment, and cycling succeeds on both of those fronts.”
At the end of last year, the Localism Bill was introduced to Parliament in order to shift power from central government back into the hands of individuals, communities and councils and therefore would not need permission from Whitehall to implement new laws.
The Localism Bill:
This Bill will shift power from central government back into the hands of individuals, communities and council.
It includes a number of important packages:
- decentralisation and strengthening local democracy
- Non-Domestic Rates
- community empowerment
- a radical re-boot of the planning system including neighbourhood planning
- changes to social housing policies
- devolving powers to the Mayor and London Boroughs
There have been many reports in the news of cyclists that have been killed by collisions with cars. Recently, Christine Fager, 69, was killed instantly on a busy road in Scarisbrick on a dangerous stretch of road.
Julie Townsend, campaigns director of Brake, said: “We need more traffic-free and segregated cycle paths, especially on commuter routes and connecting homes with local facilities, and widespread 20mph limits in communities.”
The other side of the argument is the denouncement of cyclists in the press. “Lycra louts” is generally the preferred term to describe unruly cyclists jumping red lights or cycling on pavements.
The Pedestrian’s Association are delighted with the new fines for cyclists, who ride on public footpaths, especially as one of the key targets are cycle couriers, who get from A to B the quickest way then can, whether it be pavement, road, or busy shopping precincts.
In March, Conservative MP, Andrea Leadsom introduced a 10-minute Rule Bill, called Dangerous and Reckless Cycling (Offences).
Mrs. Leadsom said “At the moment, the punishment for cyclists falls far short of the crime, and I believe we need to update the law so that all road users are equally protected and take equal responsibility for their actions.”
The UK’s National Cycling Organisation – CTC, feels that the bill is unnecessary because fatal collisions involving cyclists are rare compared with deaths involving motor vehicles. During 2009, no pedestrians were killed by cyclists but 426 pedestrians were killed by motor vehicles.
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| Jason Howard |
The bill is in response to the killing of teenager Rhiannon Bennett in 2008, by cyclist Jason Howard, 36, of Buckingham, convicted of dangerous cycling in the town. The family were outraged that Howard was only fined £2,200.
Mr Bennett, 52, a roofer from Finmere in Buckinghamshire, said: “If anything positive can come out of this awful situation, it would be a change in the law.
“This man has ruined our lives. He headed straight at our beautiful daughter and she stood no chance. He cut her down in the prime of her life and all he gets is a fine. We will still have the agony of watching him cycle around town on that flash bike of his.
“He should have got an eight to ten year prison sentence.”
But, a CPS spokesperson said: "It was decided that the charge of dangerous cycling was the appropriate charge and there was insufficient evidence for more serious charges, such as manslaughter, to be pursued."
Stop At Red is a campaign to improve the status of cycling in the eyes of the public and policy makers alike and to tackle the attitudes of those cyclists whose behaviour perpetuates the image of cyclists as a low-status social ‘out group’ on wheels.
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, has introduced a great many schemes to get the population on their bikes. He says: "No form of transport is 100 per cent safe but cycling is safer than most and we are doing all we can in London to make it even safer and ever more enjoyable."
Two out of the 12 superhighways leading from greater London into central London have been built so far, to make cycling into the city safer by separating cyclists from motorists. There are no obvious barriers as such, but the path is blue with signs showing when the route finishes and estimated journey times.
Hiring bikes is much easier now with bike racks in obvious areas – outside hospitals and tube stations, on the high street and near supermarkets.
Even employers are getting in on the act with the Cycle To Work Scheme. Cyclists can buy tax free bikes, with the payments being deducted from their gross monthly salary.
Local authorities which have already taken the step to give cyclists more rights include:
- Canterbury: cyclists are allowed on to the promenade around Herne Bay as part of the National Cycle Network
- Worthing: the council has opened the promenade to cyclists
- Harrogate: cyclists can use designated routes across the Stray, open land in the town centre, following changes to by-laws that came into effect earlier
At present, it appears that the separation of cyclists from pedestrians and motorists is imperative for road harmony.
With the number of cyclists on our roads growing in number, there remains a great deal more to be done to improve cycling conditions, making it not only safer for cyclists, but also pedestrians and motorists alike.
Cycling case studies:
Gavin Davis, 25-year-old, from London
How often do you use your bike? Daily
Do you wear a helmet? Yes
“Recently, in South London, there was a queue of traffic at a red light where cyclists can filter through. A car pulled out of a side street and without looking (I was watching him to see where he was going) he drove right through.
“He then stopped, wound down the window, when I thought he was going to apologise and check if I was ok. Instead he shouted “f*ck you!” and drove off.
“My advice is to avoid hotspots like roundabouts and take safer cycle routes where available.”
George Mitton, 26-year-old journalist
Bike: Apollo racing bike
How often do you use it? Daily
Do you wear a helmet? Yes
“I suffered an accident where it was the motorist's fault, but he redeemed himself by stopping, giving me a lift home (with my damaged bike in the boot) and paying me £80 for repairs.
Scratched and bruised but nothing broken. Both he and his girlfriend, who was in the front seat, were very shaken up.
“It happened as I left Highbury Corner, going up St Paul's Road (London). The traffic was moving slowly and I was overtaking the traffic on the inside when the car turned left into Corsica Street, without signalling.
“The bike needed a new wheel but was all right otherwise. The driver was genuinely apologetic and at the end we shook hands and I said it was a shame we had to meet under those circumstances.
“The accident was a timely reminder to be more careful. Because I was commuting on that route I was very used to it and that probably made me more reckless - I should have slowed down more before overtaking the slow moving traffic.
“But it didn't put me off cycling. I still think it's a great way to get around: much better to be in the open air getting some exercise than crammed in a sweaty tube carriage.
“My advice for novice cyclists would be: take time to build up your confidence. Get practice riding on quieter roads where you feel more comfortable. If you want to cycle to work, plan your route in advance and leave plenty of time so you're not in a rush. For most people (me included) this confidence doesn't come naturally so you've got to build it up. You've just got to make yourself seen, so wearing high-vis clothing is a good idea, especially if you're a novice.”
Tower Hamlets’ Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, who campaigned for the EDL march to be banned, has welcomed this decision.
