HC Deb 08 July 1996 vol 281 cc12-3
11. Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cyclists were killed or injured last year in the United Kingdom. [34693]

Mr. Norris

Cycle fatalities are at one of their lowest levels since records began in 1927. Last year, 217 cyclists were killed and 25,081 were injured.

Mrs. Campbell

Is the Minister aware that those of us who have used bicycles as a means of transport for the past 30 years or so welcome his recent conversion? Is he aware also that many people are discouraged from cycling because it is a hazardous activity, as the figures demonstrate? What action will he take to ensure that the number of cycling accidents is reduced and, therefore, cycling becomes more attractive to more people?

Mr. Norris

The hon. Lady is right, and I commend her. I am sure that she was a cyclist long before me. I did not mean to imply that she is older than I am—few hon. Members are older than me. I am sorry, Madam Speaker. not a word will pass my lips. I may not have long to go, but I am going to stick with what I have got.

A key feature of the national cycling strategy, which will be produced on 10 July, will be to try to make cycling safer in respect of the mileage travelled. The hon. Lady is right; people will be prepared to cycle only when they feel safe on the roads, especially in a city such as London. There is still much that we can do to make cycling safer. We are spending money on it and we will no doubt be able to afford to spend a lot more in future because the programme is still in its infancy.

Mr. Robathan

My hon. Friend will know from his experience of cutting up and down the roads of London on his bicycle that the attitude of motorists is the biggest cycle safety problem. Will he therefore consider raising the profile of explaining to motorists the danger that they create for cyclists? Will he consider using my 1993 Cycling Safety Bill as one way—and only one way, and possibly not the best—of ensuring that motorists pay due regard to cyclists, who are their fellow road users?

Mr. Norris

It is kind of my hon. Friend to mention my cycling experience, although all I seem to get is obscenities from London taxi drivers. He is right; the major problem is the attitude of motorists. We must tackle that not only by physical measures on the road but by education—-not only of cyclists but, more important, of drivers.