17.11.2014
The Department for Transport published its draft Cycling Delivery Plan on October 16th, which has been followed by a period of consultation.
CTC's initial response was that the plan was "derisory" as it lacked ambition and did not make sufficient commitments to funding. Particular criticism centred on the statement that the department had "aspirations…to explore" ways in which funding of £10 per person per year could be delivered.
The charity stated that it backed the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group's Get Britain Cycling Report, which had more ambitious targets for the future. In particular, it sought to achieve a greater increase in journeys made by pedal power than the government target to double the number of journeys made by bike by 2025 - a figure it pointed out did not really amount to a 100 per cent increase because the population will be higher by then.
At this rate of increase, Britain would only reach current Dutch levels of cycling by the 23rd century.
In its submission, CTC called for a range of measures, including not just funding, but more ambitious targets, better provision of cycling safety initiatives when building new roads and more promotion of riding.
The body is also seeking to help cyclists through changes to another piece of government business. Working in concert with the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Campaign for Better Transport, British Cycling, Living Streets and Sustrans, it is seeking to have an amendment to the Infrastructure Bill introduced in the House of Lords when it has its third reading on November 19th.
CTC has noted the consultation on the Cycling Delivery Plan has generated so many responses that the final date for the consultation period has now been pushed back to November 27th.
CTC Responds To Department For Transport Consultation
Cycling lobby group CTC has repeated its call for firm government commitments to increasing funding for riding safety and facilities, in order to help greatly increase the number of journeys being made by bike.The Department for Transport published its draft Cycling Delivery Plan on October 16th, which has been followed by a period of consultation.
CTC's initial response was that the plan was "derisory" as it lacked ambition and did not make sufficient commitments to funding. Particular criticism centred on the statement that the department had "aspirations…to explore" ways in which funding of £10 per person per year could be delivered.
The charity stated that it backed the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group's Get Britain Cycling Report, which had more ambitious targets for the future. In particular, it sought to achieve a greater increase in journeys made by pedal power than the government target to double the number of journeys made by bike by 2025 - a figure it pointed out did not really amount to a 100 per cent increase because the population will be higher by then.
At this rate of increase, Britain would only reach current Dutch levels of cycling by the 23rd century.
In its submission, CTC called for a range of measures, including not just funding, but more ambitious targets, better provision of cycling safety initiatives when building new roads and more promotion of riding.
The body is also seeking to help cyclists through changes to another piece of government business. Working in concert with the Campaign to Protect Rural England, Campaign for Better Transport, British Cycling, Living Streets and Sustrans, it is seeking to have an amendment to the Infrastructure Bill introduced in the House of Lords when it has its third reading on November 19th.
CTC has noted the consultation on the Cycling Delivery Plan has generated so many responses that the final date for the consultation period has now been pushed back to November 27th.
Expert Opinion
The number of cyclists using the UK’s roads is increasing rapidly and making roads safer for them and other motorists should be a top priority, which means implementing new schemes and initiative to improve road safety, as well as investing more money in cycling infrastructure. <br/> <br/>“Cyclists are extremely vulnerable to serious injuries when they come up against other forms of transport on the roads and we hope that calls for further funding will be taken seriously by the government. <br/> <br/>"Road safety charity Brake’s Road Safety Week is urging road users to look out for each other and it is vital people take this message on board and take action to reduce the number of accidents on the UK’s roads.”
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