Cyclist casualty rates have risen every year since 2006 and the London Assembly Transport Committee has revealed that more than two thirds of London Cyclists feel less safe now, than six months ago.
Most cyclists feel squashed between cars and buses and need more space at critical junctions.
Over one-fifth (22%) of worried two-wheeled commuters report making fewer journeys by bike in the last six months because of safety concerns.
The report ‘Cycling in London – An Update’ was released by the Committee this morning.
It has identified several issues which need attention much sooner than the Mayor and Transport for London (TfL) were planning.
Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, Valerie Shawcross AM said;
“Segregation is the biggest issue for cyclists and they believe that better traffic junctions are critical to their safety. The Mayor and TfL can’t keep stalling – they need to make short-term improvements for cyclists by this summer.”
Deputy Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, Caroline Pidgeon AM said;
“There is a big gap between what cyclists want and what is being delivered. It is imperative that money is spent wisely to correct the mistakes of the past Cycle Superhighways. Cyclists have been at great risk of accidents and their safety needs to be prioritised as soon as possible.”
6,300 people responded to a cycling survey conducted by the Transport Committee in November/December last year.
As a result, the Committee has made nine recommendations to the Mayor and TfL. The recommendations include;
- Stop underspending the cycling budget. If there is underspending on the cycling budget in one year, TfL should spend the underspend on cycling in the following year
- Deliver improvements to the cycle superhighways and to at least 10 traffic junctions by 2015; and
- Publish details of the plans for more enforcement of road safety for cyclists
Notes to editors
1. Cycling in London – An Update (attached)
2. London Assembly Transport Committee
3. Valerie Shawcross AM, Chair of the Transport Committee and Caroline Pidgeon AM, Deputy Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, are available for interview. See contact details below.
4. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 020 7983 4228. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.