Half of people in UK fear our roads are unsafe for cycling
Issued on: Monday 20 February, 2012
More than half (56 per cent) of us fear urban roads are unsafe to cycle on and 70 per cent want residential speed limits to be dropped to 20 miles per hour to make them safer, according to a new survey released today by the charity Sustrans.
The survey is released ahead of a Parliamentary debate on cycling safety on Thursday 23 February. Politicians are facing mounting pressure to act on the increase in cyclists dying on the road following a campaign by the Times newspaper.
Sixty five per cent of those that don't cycle regularly would be more likely to cycle on the roads if they were made safer through changes like lower speed limits, more marked cycle lanes and more care taken by drivers and other cyclists, according to the new survey.
Malcolm Shepherd, Chief Executive for Sustrans, says:"People shouldn't have to feel they're taking a risk when they travel on two wheels in our towns and cities.
"This is yet another wake-up call for politicians who must act now to save lives and take the fear out of everyday journeys.
"People want to cycle more for every day journeys and they want a twenty miles per hour speed limit in their neighbourhood.
"Ministers must invest in making our streets safer for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers."
ENDS
Notes to editors
The full survey results are available on request from Sustrans press office - 0117 927 7555. The survey was conducted by GfK NOP via a nationally representative telephone omnibus survey. Fieldwork was conducted 10th – 12th February 2012. Weighting was applied to the data to bring it in line with national profiles.
20mph briefing sheet available at http://www.sustrans.org.uk/assets/files/policy/0212_Summary_of_arguments%20_for_20mph.pdf
Scared to cycle case studies and Sustrans spokespeople are available for interview.
Sustrans is calling on UK governments to invest in doubling the number of journeys under five miles made by foot, bike and public transport to four out of five by 2020.
Sustrans believes every child deserves to be free range, with freedom from their front door to explore, play outdoors, and make their own way to school and beyond. Find out more, join in and speak out for Free Range Kids at www.sustrans.org.uk/freerangekids
Sustrans is the charity that's enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day. It's time we all began making smarter travel choices. Make your move and support Sustrans today. www.sustrans.org.uk
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