HC Deb 20 April 1983 vol 41 cc272-3
5. Mr. Stuart Holland

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to gather the information necessary for a comprehensive assessment of the effects on energy conservation of encouraging cycling.

Mrs. Chalker

Any realistic assessment depends upon information about the potential scale of transfer to cycling from private cars rather than from public transport. It is planned to collect such information during the monitoring of certain larger urban cycling projects which the Department is now considering.

Mr. Holland

Will the Minister clarify which projects and when, as it has been a clear principle of transport economics and cost-benefit analysis for a long time that one should be able to evaluate the difference between travelling by car and by bicycle? If it is Government policy that we should get on our bikes, will the hon. Lady consult her right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Energy and for Employment on this matter so that she can get it straight?

Mrs. Chalker

I shall limit my reply to the real question, which is about progress on the larger scale urban projects. I have received proposals from eight local authorities for these larger scale projects where we can assess how the traveller on his or her bicycle used travelling time before. It is essential to know whether they were travelling previously on public transport or by private car and, if by private car, whether with others or singly. We shall be able to do that with the larger scale urban projects.

Mr. Greenway

Is my hon. Friend aware of the danger and discomfort to the cyclist from cycling, particularly in London, where the GLC completely fails to maintain roads, so that one hits potholes and kerbstones and everything else that is strewn across the road? Will she bring pressure to bear upon the GLC to maintain roads properly so that cyclists can have a proper run for their money?

Mrs. Chalker

I am well aware of the dangers of potholes and certain types of drains, but I assure my hon. Friend that they exist not only in London. The maintenance of the sides of roads is extremely important for cycling. I do not think that local authorities are in any doubt about that now, because regional cycling officers have been making them well aware of their responsibilities to cyclists.

Mr. Dormand

I support my hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Mr. Holland) on the subject of energy conservation, but are not there two other equally important matters relating to cycling? First, it does not pollute the atmosphere, and, secondly, it is important for general health and physical fitness. Would it not be a good example if hon. Members were to cycle? Applications should be made to me as the man in charge of the House of Commons bicycle pool.

Mrs. Chalker

I believe that the hon. Gentleman will have many more people joining the All-party Friends of Cycling, of which I am proud to be a member. I can say that it helps one's health to cycle, particularly because of the unpleasant hours we work here.

Mr. Porter

Is my hon. Friend aware that tolls are still payable by cyclists on bridges over estuarial crossings? Is she further aware that an all-party group is being established in the House to press for the abolition of tolls for cyclists and others?

Mr. Speaker

Order. I think that the hon. Member is stretching things. This question is about conservation. I know that he missed his question, but we shall try to fit him in on another one.

Mr. Porter

I cannot be blamed for trying, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Would it not help to gather the necessary information if there were some full-time regional officers? They are all part-time. Will the hon. Lady encourage full-time regional cycling officers?

Mrs. Chalker

I thought that the hon. Gentleman was aware that I do not restrict interest in cycling to the regional cycling officers. We have made it clear to all our staff, particularly engineers designing roads and so on, that they must think about the needs of the cyclist. The regional cycling officer must have good links with other aspects of the Department's work, which is one reason why I believe that it is better to have an all-rounder who can dive into all circumstances about cycling which need his expert help rather than to restrict someone to full-time work on cycling.