Huppert Secures Debate To Promote Safer City Cycling

MP Julian Huppert has secured a three hour Parliamentary debate in support of a national newspaper campaign to promote safer city cycling.

Julian will lead the backbench business committee debate in Westminster Hall on The Times cycling campaign on February 23.

He secured the debate as the government announced a £15 million boost to cycling with £8 million for transport charity, Sustrans to enhance cycle routes and £7 million to make it easier for cyclists to use the railways.

Julian has been in discussions with the rail industry in the hope that some of the cycle rail money will be spent in Cambridge.

The investment announcement, by Liberal Democrat Transport Minister, Norman Baker follows Julian’s Commons Early Day Motion endorsing The Times ‘Cities fit for cycling’ campaign and calling on the government to do more to promote road cycling and improve road safety.

Julian, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Transport Committee said: “Promoting cycling and green transport is the right thing to do and I am delighted Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government are taking action.

“This comes at a crucial time. Just five days ago The Times launched a cycle campaign in response to the shocking increase in fatalities among cyclists on our roads.

“It is absolutely essential people should be able to walk to work or cycle to school in a safe environment. The extra £8m for Sustrans will go a long way to achieving this. And the £7m for improved rail-cycle links will ensure that we continue to build a transport network which puts passengers first. I hope that some of the cycle rail money will be spent in Cambridge and I have already been in discussions with the rail industry about this.”

“I am pleased that I have been able to secure the Westminster Hall debate. We must keep this issue high on the government’s agenda. Only by promoting cycling and improving riders’ safety will we be able to give people the confidence they need to try it for themselves.”

Note to editors:

Julian’s Westminster Hall debate will take place between 2.30pm and 5.30pm on February 23.

The full wording of his EDM reads as follows:

This House believes that cycling is an extremely efficient form of transport which is good for health and the environment; supports successive Governments’ commitment to encourage the use of bikes and reduce the number of cyclist-related accidents; notes with concern that the number of cyclists killed on Britain’s roads rose by 7 per cent between 2009 and 2010;  notes that a disproportionate number of cycling accidents involve vans and lorries; supports The Times’ 'Cities fit for Cycling' campaign; and calls on the Government to take further action to improve cycling infrastructure and reduce the number of casualties on our roads.