Cycling (Hansard, 20 June 1988)

§ 10. Mr. Roger King
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new efforts his Department is making to encourage cycling.

§ Mr. Peter Bottomley
Safer cycling is a high priority. We have a continuous programme of research, and undertake advisory and promotional activities. We helped sponsor the Cyclists' Touring Club's new guide "Positive Cycling". I have just opened a major new cycle route in Exeter and innovative cycle schemes are being opened in Cheltenham and Darlington.

§ Mr. Harry Greenway
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has had any communication with the European Commission over the implementation of the European Parliament report, "The Bicycle as a Means of Transport"; and whether his Department has taken any steps itself to fulfill the recommendations of the report, particularly with regard to paragraph 6 of the report concerning cycle tracks.

§ Mr. Peter Bottomley
The Department has had no communication from the European Commission over the implementation of a report from the European Parliament over cycling. We recognise cycle tracks as a means of enhancing the safety of cyclists. Other techniques, engineering treatments at danger spots such as some junctions and roundabouts, offer more generally applicable ways of helping cyclists.

§ Mr. Harry Greenway
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps have been taken by his Department to ensure that Eurotunnel complies with its statutory responsibility to make provision for the conveyance by means of the shuttle trains of pedals cycles in the vehicles that will use the Channel tunnel.

§ Mr. David Mitchell
Eurotunnel is drawing up plans for the conveyance of pedal cycles on Channel tunnel shuttle trains. For safety reasons, it intends to transport cyclists in minibuses towing trailers carrying their cycles. The detailed arrangements will be submitted for approval by the intergovernmental commission.

§ Mr. Harry Greenway
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on providing cycling facilities in the last financial year for which figures are available; and how much local authorities have spent during this time.

§ Mr. Peter Bottomley
We spend much time on cycling.
The Department spent £160,000 in 1987–88 on its programme of experimental cycling facilities. Figures are not collected centrally on the amounts spent by local authorities on cycle facilities, or on the Department's continuing expenditure on cycle elements in its trunk road improvement schemes.

§ Mr. Harry Greenway
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many miles of cycle track have been provided as a part of new and improved trunk roads during the last year for which figures are available.

§ Mr. Peter Bottomley
This information is not held centrally. I shall write to my hon. Friend.