Public transport accessed by cycling and walking is the sensible answer to yet more cars crammed onto already gridlocked roads. But. our roads are just so neglected that cycling is simply too dangerous, even for experienced cyclists. In Blackburn where I live the main roads are very narrow, double parked, potholed and parking in cycle lanes is ignored by the authorities; in short, treacherous. I'd love to cycle but daren't.
Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman is too scared to allow his daughter to cycle on roads in his locality. He's not alone. This generation is going to be amongst the first to have a life expectancy shorter than their parents for want of exercise. Yet here is a beautiful opportunity to solve future transport problems and to promote better health. It's not going to happen without planning and investment though. We need to look at the achievements of our European neighbours as regards integrated cycle systems and plan, build, our own.
Cycling is such fun! But playing Russian roulette with heavy vehicles is not. It's time that we had dedicated cycle systems throughout this country - if we invest then people will very quickly take advantage and switch to a fun, healthy and viable alternative to the car. One thing is for sure though and that's no one in their right mind is going to regularly cycle on British roads as they are now because the odds of survival are very poor.
Join with me in asking Patrick McLoughlin to begin creating a viable transport infrastructure based on safe, dedicated, cycling networks coupled with public transport.
