Cyclists call for safer spaces, and drivers to happily share the road
A new survey from the Cycling Action Network reveals the biggest concern among more than a thousand cyclists is safety.
68 percent said drivers are not prepared to ‘share the road’ with people on bikes.
67 percent are concerned about the lack of safe cycling networks.
A record 18 people on bikes were killed in 2017 and more than 700 injured.
Cycling advocate Jan Nisbet (pictured), who just received a Lifetime Achievement Award said, “Most cyclists are also car drivers. If you just think about slowing down, it makes it easier for everyone”.
The survey also showed the reason people cycle differs by age:
30-65 year olds cycle for exercise, fun and commuting
Under 30s cycle to save money, out of concern for the planet, for exercise and for commuting.
Half of all those surveyed do it to save money.
The survey showed more people want to cycle, but it’s not seen as safe.
So what would make it safer?
Patrick Morgan from the Cycling Action Network would like to see protected cycleways, with concrete kerbing separating motor vehicles from people on bikes.
The Network is calling on people to sign its petition demanding that Government and councils:
Build more bike lanes in our cities and towns
Educate drivers and cyclists about sharing the road
Slow traffic on urban streets and rural roads.
“I know it’s hard retrofitting bike lanes, but where there’s a will there’s a way”, Ms Nisbet said.
When people cycle there’s less congestion. Central London now has more people cycling during rush hour than travelling by car. In Copenhagen, 50 percent of people travel to work by bike.
The petition will be presented to Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter at the Road Safety Summit on April 9.
Contact Patrick Morgan
Cycling Action Network
tel 027 563 4733