HedgehogCycling.co.uk

Online cycling magazine

MPs debate investment in cycling

7th February 2016

MPs debated funding for cycling, at Westminster Hall, on Wednesday 3rd February, on a motion by Chris Green, Conservative MP for Bolton West. 

After the debate, CTC's Policy Director Roger Geffen said, 'It's heartening that once again MPs from across the political spectrum have spoken up for the investment needed to make cycling a safe and normal activity for grandparents and grandchildren, male and female alike. I hope the government will now listen, find the funding, and put in place the design standards needed to ensure it is well spent.'

In the debate, Chris Green said that the preceding online digital debate had reached 2.1 million Twitter accounts. He referred to Sustrans research which shows that investment in cycling returns £9.76 for every £1 spent. He spoke about traffic congestion: 'Cycling also alleviates congestion and will help us cope with the forecast pressure on our roads due to population growth, particularly in northern cities - current estimates suggest a 55% increase in road congestion by 2040.'

Green said that 'the splitting of funding between initiatives can make it difficult to be clear about the total budget for cycling. It was initially estimated at £2 per head, but with further investment it is now £4 per head of the population, compared with an estimated £75 per head for motorised transport.'

He also mentioned pavement cycle lanes. 'Badly designed cycle lanes force cyclists to use the road. Too often, they are just half a path, and many cyclists choose to use the road because it is dangerous to weave in and out of pedestrians. Such paths also tend to stop at every junction, but cyclists want to maintain their momentum and not stop and start all the time.'

Alex Chalk (Conservative, Cheltenham) stressed the need for physical protection for cyclists. 'Cyclists need that physical separation to feel truly safe. There is no way I would take my children out in a cycle trailer without one, and that is a shame. We need to look at segregation and at 20-mph speed limits in residential areas if possible.'

Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrats Campaigns Chair, referred to the Leeds Bradford Cycle Superhighway. 'When that route is completed, it is expected that 9,000 trips will be made on it every single day. The coalition government put in £18 million towards it. Again, that shows the change that such investment can make.'

Robert Goodwill, minster in the Department for Transport with responsibility for cycling, said that the government wants to create conditions where cycling and walking become the norm for short journeys or as part of a longer journey. He referred to the cycling and walking investment strategy. He claimed that spending on cycling is currently around £6 per person in England, and £10 per person in London [but if you take England without the boost from London, it is £1.39]. 'In future, long-term funding will be available from a wide range of sources, including the new access fund, the integrated transport block, the highways maintenance block and the local growth fund. That means that everywhere that wishes to invest £10 per head will be able to.'

CTC's Sam Jones believes that Goodwill's stance amounts to '...a lack of leadership on cycling...' and passing the buck to local authorities. 

Helmets may increase risk-taking

Researchers from the University of Bath's psychology department have published a study showing that wearing a helmet may increase risk-taking. Read more about helmets may increase risk-taking...

Increase in cyclists in central London

The number of cyclist entering central London during rush hour tripled between 2000 and 2014. Read more about increase in cyclists in central London...