§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy in respect of bicycle bans in city centres; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ChopeDecisions on whether to prohibit bicycles or any other class of vehicle from town centres or other roads are for individual local authorities. The Department has issued advice in our local transport note publication LTN 1/87 on pedestrian zones, "Getting the Right Balance". This refers to the need to consider exempting cycles from vehicular prohibitions in pedestrianisation schemes, if satisfactory alternative routes do not exist or cannot be created. We have further advised, in local transport note 1/89 "Making Way for Cyclists", that when a right of way for vehicles is removed from a road, a continuing right of way for cyclists should be provided unless there are overriding reasons not to do so.