‘Get Britain Cycling’ jeopardised by Prime
Minister David Cameron’s refusal to provide Cabinet backing
LEADING transport
commentator Christian Wolmar says it will be an “utter cop-out” if Prime
Minister David Cameron’s refusal to provide Cabinet backing for the report ‘Get
Britain Cycling’ - when it was published in April – sees cycling development
left to Local Authorities.
Now, less than a
month to go before the e-petition to trigger a parliamentary debate – which is still
short of the 100,000 signatures this requires – I asked Wolmar, CTC Ambassador
and a candidate for Mayor of London, what this report needs.
“It needs a lead from
central government to take responsibility, to provide inspiration and
initiative,” he replied.
“We need a strong government impetus behind
this. When Holland changed its policy and went over to encourage cycle use that
was a national policy brought about by protests about death in the 1970s. (now 27 per cent of all journeys are by bike
in Holland, compared to less than 2 per cent in Britain)
“You really need a
government to draw out strong guidelines for the LA’s to channel money in the
right direction. A lot of these levers are in government hands.
“I think it is an
utter cop out to leave to LA’s. The tone and rules are set by government.”
However, CTC Campaigns Chief Roger Geffen says
don’t give up on the ‘Get Britain Cycling report yet.
The CTC has had high-level talks with Transport Secretary
Patrick McLoughlin, building the economic case for substantial investment for
cycling in George Osborne’s forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review.
Geffen says, “The DfT’s cycling team are working on getting
other government departments to line up behind it, and (hopefully) securing
backing from No. 10.”
*The Get Britain Cycling Report wants roads made safe for cycling and
calls for
spending to increase from the current £2 per head of population to
£12.50 per person. The Dutch spend £24 per person per year.
