Huppert Wins Commitment From Government For Safer Cycling

Cambridge MP Julian Huppert has won a commitment from the Prime Minister to make cycling safer and promote it ahead of his Westminster Hall debate tomorrow (Thursday, February 23).

David Cameron claimed that cyclists “take their life in their hands” riding in cities and he praised The Times ‘Cities fit for cycling campaign’ which will be supported by Julian during his debate.

Julian asked Mr Cameron during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons: “Will the Prime Minister commit the government to supporting the Times campaign, increase investment in cycling and take much greater steps to promote cycling across the country?”

Mr Cameron replied: “The Times campaign is an excellent campaign and I strongly support what they are trying to do.

“Anyone who had got on a bike, particularly in one of our busier cities knows that they are taking their life in their hands, so much so that we do need to do more to make cycling safer.

“The government is making it easier for councils to install mirrors at junctions, has invested £11 million for training for children and £15 million for better cycle routes and facilities across the country.

“If we want to encourage the growth we have seen in cycling in recent years we have got to get behind a campaign like this.”

Later Julian said: “I am delighted that the Prime Minister has given a commitment to make cycling safer.

“This government has gone a long way by investing in cycling but there is still much more that can be done. And there is no better time than in this year of the Olympics to take radical steps to promote cycling as our most efficient form of transport.”

During his debate tomorrow Julian will tell Parliament that for a long time cyclists have despaired at government policy which focuses on safety without improving it.

“With increasingly congested cities, more competition for resources and our health deteriorating - the need for investment in cycling has become more acute,” he says.

“We cannot miss this golden opportunity to create a safe, sustainable transport network. For too long cycling has been utterly undervalued and forced into decline.”

Julian is calling for:

• a substantial Increase in national spend on cycling infrastructure and good planning to ensure cycle facilities are integral to new developments;
• training and education for cyclists and drivers, particularly those driving heavy goods vehicles;
• rail franchise agreements to pay much closer attention to cyclists with secure cycle-parking, showers and proper ramps;
• a review of sentencing and prosecution with respect to accidents involving cyclists, and consider new measures such as proportionate liability;
• devolve powers regarding signage to local authorities as soon as possible.

And Julian will call on companies to play their part by installing showers and lockers which go a long way to promoting cycling which, in turn improves general wellbeing and productivity.

He said the cycle to work scheme works well but it should be extended and tax problems resolved.

“For years cyclists have worked from the bottom up to promote cycling and put it on the national agenda,” he says. “But the government must also do its part and take further action to promote cycling now.”

The full wording of Julian’s question read as follows:

Tomorrow, Members of this House will have the chance to debate the importance of cycling, following the Times 'Cities fit for cycling' campaign.

The Minister for Cycling, the Member for Lewes, has made some welcome announcements and investment, but there is much more still to do.

Will the PM commit the government to supporting the Times campaign, increase investment in cycling and take much greater steps to promote cycling across the country?

Julian’s debate will take place tomorrow (Thursday, February 23) between 2.30pm and 5.30pm.

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.

Free Cycle Safety Training For Thousands Of Cambridgeshire Youngsters

Cllr Pellew at a Bikeability event
at the Grove Primary School in
King's Hedges

A bid for government funding and reductions in spending elsewhere will mean that thousands of Cambridgeshire youngsters will get free cycle safety training thanks to the County Council.

The spending savings which have resulted in an extra £10,000 boost from the County Council budget and the grant from DfT will see 4,000 training places during 2012/13, 4,500 the next year and 5,000 the following year - a total of 13,500 youngsters who will receive the training in primary schools at no cost - currently the training costs £15 a head.

The Bikeability training grant bid of £540,000 will be used by the County Council to provide the road safety education sessions which will be delivered in partnership with School Games Organiser Host Schools (formally known as School Sports Partnerships).

Cambridgeshire County Councillor for King's Hedges Andy Pellew said "It's fantastic news that the County Council has finally recognised the folly of charging youngsters for this sort of necessary training. It was always very frustrating that despite being in receipt of Government money the Conservative-Controlled County Council had decided to place a charge and it's good to see it going from the start of the next academic year."

"Given the importance of Cycling to the general health and well-being of youngsters not to mention the nett benefit to removing school-run cars from the roads I look forward to as many youngsters as possible benefiting from this change of heart as quickly as possible."

During the last 12 months for which figures are available, 355 pedal cycle casualties were reported on Cambridgeshire's roads.

Cambridgeshire County Council pioneered on-road practical cycle training for 10/11 year olds, during the late 1970s, which eventually became the benchmark for all such schemes nationally. Since then the County has trained thousands of children every year.

The County Council will receive a Bikeability payment retrospectively from DfT for every young person who undergoes the training and the free training sessions will be introduced from the beginning of the next academic year.