A new report commissioned by The Bikeability Trust and Living Streets, ‘Safer Streets for All: The Upcoming Government Road Safety Strategy‘, recommends the most radical reforms to road safety since mandatory seat belts.
Launching in London as the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Cycling and Walking (APPGCW) debates the Government’s upcoming road safety strategy, the report calls on the Department for Transport to shape its reforms with input from the people most likely to be killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads.
The report shows:
- People who cycle at least weekly were 21% more likely than the national average to answer the Highway Code question correctly*
- Poor awareness of the Highway Code is creating conflict on Britain’s roads
- Pavement parking is risking pedestrian safety and jeopardising active travel targets
The report, Safer Streets for All, recommends a default 20mph speed limit in all urban areas, an immediate ban on pavement parking, and the creation of a new Safe Routes to School Fund. It also calls for 10% of all transport funding to be spent on walking and cycling, alongside long-term, fully funded programmes – including Bikeability cycle training for every child and the expansion of Living Streets’ Walk to School outreach.
Emily Cherry, Chief Executive, The Bikeability Trust, said:
“The opportunity to create a new Road Safety Strategy is a green light for the Government to make bold, historic changes that protect and enshrine the rights and safety of every road user, now and for future generations. Britain’s roads could become the gold standard for promoting active travel and protecting vulnerable users – our report recommendation has been informed by our work with parents, young people, children, teachers, experts, partners and delivery riders. We welcome the opportunity to work with Government on reforming road safety as a significant contributor to the Government missions”
Click HERE to red the full report.
(Pic: Bikeability Trust)
