Save Our Cyclists!!

I was delighted - and frankly more than a little amazed to see that The Times have launched their own cycling safety campaign. Yesterday's front cover was emblazoned with "Save our Cyclists" and the faces of six British cycling Olympians supporting the cause. Very sadly, the impetus for starting the campaign was a serious accident outside The Times' offices between one of their reporters and a large lorry. That reporter, Mary Bowers, is still unconscious three months on. Her recovery, if and when it comes, will be a long and difficult one.

I am however delighted that a national newspaper is taking this issue seriously as it is indeed a national issue. Countries where levels of day-to-day cycling are high - like Denmark and The Netherlands - are also places where cycling infrastructure is legislated from central government. In an interesting parallel, The Netherlands made a conscious decision in the early 70s to reduce the dramatic rise in road accidents and deaths involving cyclists (due largely to the rapid increase in car ownership). Legislation was brought in to ensure cycling infrastructure was there for all journeys. Road rules were also changed to favour cyclists over motorised traffic. Where traffic density is heavy, the use of purpose-built cycle paths is compulsory. Denmark took a different approach with the emphasis being on safe cycling routes to schools. The end result was the same, cycling as a means of getting from A to B is far higher in those two countries than in the UK. For school children around 50% of children regularly cycle to school in both these countries compared with 1% of Primary and 2% of Secondary school children in the UK.

Beyond infrastructure, training is also important. Drivers need to know how to handle cyclists - including this in the Driving Test is part of The Times manifesto - and cyclists would also benefit from advice and training. The safest place to be around a large vehicle, for example, is out in front of it. Children are taught this as part of their road cycle (Bikeability) training but many current adult cyclists are unaware of this basic cycling safety fact. Funding for Level 2 (on road) Bikeability training is available for all Year 5, 6 and 7 children in the UK from the Department of Transport and yet a large number of Councils don't bother to take this money or offer the training to their school children. For me, this is a tragedy and actually a bit of a dereliction of care. These councils are essentially depriving their children of a skill that will make them fitter, healthier and happier for no other reason than they themselves can't be bothered to organise it.

Kids enjoy cycling and it is undoubtedly good for them. If you knew the route was safe, wouldn’t you want your child to cycle to school?

Find out more about The Times' manifesto and support the campaign at http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3307439.ece