HC Deb 01 August 1956 vol 557 cc156-8W
94. Vice-Admiral Hughes Hallett

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement about the Report on Child Cyclists, submitted to him by the Committee on Road Safety.

Mr. Watkinson

Yes. I should like to express to the Committee my appreciation of the work it has done on this important and difficult problem.

I agree with the Committee that we must expand as far as possible schemes for training and testing child cyclists. I do not think, however, that it would be desirable to form a corps of paid instructors and testers. I propose, as the Committee recommends, to appoint a small working party to prepare a practical scheme, and I shall consider what further action I can take in this matter when they have completed their work.

I also agree that child cyclists should not be subject to any legal restrictions on the classes of road that they can use, but I am convinced of the need to direct suitable propaganda to other road users and to parents with the object of reducing child cyclists' casualties. I propose therefore to collaborate with local road safety committees and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents in a three-month campaign this autumn for the safety of children generally on the roads, in which much of the effort will be directed towards the safety of child cyclists.

Below is a statement on the other recommendations of the Committee.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is in agreement with these conclusions and proposals so far as Scotland is concerned.

Following is the statement: While I recognise the potential value of well-designed and maintained cycle tracks I agree with the Committee that they should not be built alongside new motor roads and that their provision elsewhere is not a simple matter. In view of the many practical difficulties I consider that the diversion of additional funds to develop them would not be justified at the present time. It is of course desirable that existing cycle tracks should be adequately maintained. I have carefully examined the proposal to mark lanes reserved for cyclists at the edges of roads, but have concluded that the consequent reduction in vehicle capacity, the requirements of vehicles loading and unloading, the difficulty of enforcement and the possibility of giving cyclists a false sense of security are overriding objections. I agree that the edges of roads should be maintained in good condition, and I am arranging for the attention of highway authorities to be drawn to this point where necessary. I am not convinced that fully satisfactory rear-view mirrors for cycles are practicable, but I will keep this point under review in the light of experience. I know that many manufacturers already provide instructional material with their machines, and I have no doubt that the Committee's recommendation on this subject will be carefully considered. I have no doubt, too, that vehicle manufacturers will take due note of the recommendation about sliding doors. I have decided not to make an external mirror compulsory on private cars, but the possibility of doing so for certain other vehicles is being discussed with interested organisations. The expansion of general road safety education in schools is a matter for local education authorities, managers or governors and the teachers. I am, of course, aware of the good work already being carried on in many schools to teach road safety to the children.