§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will carry out a study of the Dutch Government's bicycles first master plan and publish an assessment of what lessons apply to strategic transport planning in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleI have seen the Dutch bicycle master plan, which forms part of a range of traffic and transport policies.
The bicycle master plan contains a considerable number of proposals aimed at increasing cycle usage. These are not all new. Indeed, some reflect current United Kingdom policy and practice, such as measures to increase safety, and to improve the range and quality of facilities for cyclists.
I have no plans to publish an assessment of the bicycle master plan, but its contents will clearly influence our ideas on how cycling should develop in the United Kingdom.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list details of all his Department's expenditure in 1992–93 designed to improve safety for cyclists.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleAlthough no separate figures are available, much of my Department's expenditure on road safety will improve safety for cyclists, for example that on publicity aimed at preventing drinking and driving, and on new technology to help catch and prosecute bad drivers. Every trunk road bypass that the Department funds and every local road bypass that they support through transport supplementary grant improves road safety for all vulnerable road users, including cyclists.
§ Mr. BowisTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will instigate a public information campaign on the dangers of and penalties for riding a bicycle across a pedestrian crossing and through red traffic lights.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisle[holding answer 19 October 1992]: The Highway Code includes good advice for cyclists on road behaviour and the need to obey the law. This advice will be expanded in the revised edition of the code and I shall draw particular attention to this when it is published early next year.