MPs on the Transport Select Committee have urged the road haulage and construction sectors to make more progress on improving their safety record and reducing collisions with cyclists.
Launching a report examining how roads can be made safer for cyclists, Louise Ellman MP, chair of the Transport Committee said today: “Last year 109 cyclists were killed on our roads, and over 3,000 seriously injured. Cyclists have told us the dangers they face every day from a lack of cycling infrastructure, poorly-designed junctions and aggressive driving.
“Spending on cycling is currently estimated to be just £2 per head. To make the necessary improvements to cycling infrastructure and training, we call for spending to be increased to £10 per head by 2020.
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She added: “The road haulage and construction sectors must pursue best practice to improve their road safety record. It’s vital they curb the high number of big vehicles – such as concrete and tipper lorries – involved in fatal collisions with cyclists.”
The committee called for a cultural change across government, so that all departments work together to facilitate support for cycling. The report’s conclusions include:
- Road safety measures should aim to curb the number of cycling casualties while increasing the overall number of cyclists on the road.
- The disproportionate number of HGVs involved in collisions with cyclists demonstrates that the industry must improve its road safety record.
- Central government, regional and local authorities, should use all the tools at their disposal to promote the safer sharing of the road between drivers and cyclists.
- Safe cycling should be made an integral part of the design for all new infrastructure projects. Local authorities should be required to demonstrate that cycling was considered and incorporated into the design of new roads at the earliest stage, and that local cyclists were consulted as part of this process.
- Cycle training should be available to all cyclists: children in primary and secondary school, adults seeking to gain confidence, and those looking to refresh their road skills.
- DVSA must ensure that drivers are tested – in the practical test if possible, and certainly via the theory test – on their approach to sharing the road with cyclists.
- Government should consider amending the Highway Code to promote cycle safety and ensure that it reflects the rights of cyclists to share the road with drivers.
