Cycling (Safety) (Hansard, 23 February 1987)

§ 5. Mr. Dormand
asked the Secretary of State For Transport if he will convene and attend a meeting of representatives of cycling organisations to discuss safety and related matters; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Peter Bottomley
I am looking forward to opening the Conference on International Innovations for Safer Cycling, organised by Southampton city council and the Southampton Cycling Campaign on 23 May as one of the main events of National Bike Week 1987. The Department will be playing a full part in this event.

§ Mr. Dormand
I welcome that announcement from the Minister who I know has a genuine interest in cycling. However, as 350 cyclists are killed and more than 6,000 seriously injured every year, is there not now an urgent need to reconsider what must be done in such a serious situation? I am not blaming any particular section of road traffic, but will the Minister consider three aspects of the problem? First, will he attempt to increase the awareness of motorists about cycling? Secondly, will he improve facilites for cyclists at turning places and crossing points? Finally, and this is important, will he institute a major campaign among school children about cycling and safety?

§ Mr. Bottomley
I pay tribute to the work done for cycling by the hon. Gentleman, not only among Members of Parliament, but throughout the country. He rightly emphasises three aspects. I will do what I can on training, but will require much help from schools, local authorities and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. The hon. Gentleman will be aware of the advisory leaflets produced by the Department, which have been well received in cycling circles. As for awareness, I hope that when the new "Highway Code" is issued on 4 March the hon. Gentleman will welcome many of the changes, most of which are addressed not to cyclists but to others road users who cause so much danger to cyclists.

§ Mrs. Virginia Bottomley
My hon. Friend will be aware that the headquarters of the Cyclists Touring Club is in my constituency—[Interruption.]

§ Mr. Speaker
Order. I want to hear about the Cyclists Touring Club.

§ Mrs. Bottomley
Before attending any meeting, will my hon. Friend read the club's 1987 manifesto, which was prepared for this European Year of the Environment? What has he done during the past year to publicise the fact that motorists and cyclists are fellow and responsible road users?

§ Mr. Bottomley
I recall an Adjournment debate introduced by my hon. Friend, which was answered by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the former Minister of State, Department of Transport, following which we made 18 changes to the "Highway Code" which provide greater protection for cyclists. I shall consider the CTC '87 manifesto. During the past year, I thought that I earned one brownie point by visiting CTC headquarters with my hon. Friend on a tandem, and I thought that I deserved a second brownie point for not telling the press.