Vulnerable Road Users (Hansard, 25 November 1996)

§ 7. Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he plans to implement the recommendations of the third report of the Transport Select Committee of Session 1995–96, HC373, on risk reduction for vulnerable road users. [4008]

§ Mr. Bowis
The Government's response to the Transport Committee's report on risk reduction for vulnerable road users was published on 12 November.

§ Mr. Flynn
The Committee strongly recommended that the Government publicise the dangers of aggressive bull bars and specifically recommended that the Department write to all owners of fleets of vehicles on which they are fitted, not only to warn them of the dangers to other road users with whom the bull bar vehicles might collide but to emphasise the added dangers to the drivers and other occupants of the vehicles on which they are fitted. Have the Government done that?

§ Mr. Bowis
I share the hon. Gentleman's and the Committee's concern about aggressive bull bars. I should like to go much further than he suggests and have aggressive bull bars banned. I tell the hon. Gentleman that straight. The way to achieve that is to do as we are doing now—work with the European Commission to design a directive on standards for such items. We are making good progress in that respect. Britain is leading the way and I hope that, before long, we shall achieve what the hon. Gentleman and I both want.

§ Mr. Matthew Banks
Following publication of the most recent report by the Transport Select Committee on risk reduction for vulnerable road users, may I congratulate my hon. Friend on the meetings that he has held with motor cycling organisations and the Motor Cycle Industry Association? Given the importance of increasing car and lorry drivers' awareness, will he give his continued backing to the recommendations in the "Think Bike" campaign in Motor Cycle News?

§ Mr. Bowis
Yes. I am grateful to my hon. Friend for his kind words about my meetings with representatives and journalists from the industry and I pay tribute to his work in ensuring that those issues are kept before us, as he rides around on his bright red motorbike. We must continue to pay attention to this matter. Motor cycling is an effective way of reducing congestion on our roads, but it must be done safely. We are tackling that by ensuring that motorbike riders ride safely, are properly trained and are capable of coping with the power with which they deal at different stages in their biking careers, and by 10 ensuring that other road users are aware of motor cyclists' needs, particularly by observing them. Being seen and seeing are part of the package that we seek to achieve.

§ Mr. Donald Anderson
Did I overhear the Minister say that he was in favour of banning bull bars? Has he thought of pressing the Government on that issue?

§ Mr. Bowis
I said clearly that I want to move towards a ban on aggressive bull bars. I believe that the House would support that. I also said that the way to achieve such a ban was by reaching agreement on a European directive, which is necessary if we are to tackle these matters. We have made good progress and I hope that, before long, we shall see the desired result.