Protection, not bicycle lanes, priority for cyclists

A survey by the Bicycling Advocacy Group shows that the main priority for respondents is legal protection

The Bicycling Advocacy Group put forward 15 suggestions including better enforcement of road regulations, cycling protection laws, and better cycling infrastructure
The Bicycling Advocacy Group put forward 15 suggestions including better enforcement of road regulations, cycling protection laws, and better cycling infrastructure

The local bicycle commuting community is calling for political parties to reconsider their plans for bicycle commuting after survey results indicated that cyclists where more concerned about legal protection than infrastructure.

A survey run by the Bicycling Advocacy Group yielded that 41% of respondents wanted increased safety and protection of cyclists, while 31% and 28% responded that their main priority was cycling infrastructure and cycle to work schemes respectively.

“Minimum passing distances and presumed liability were high on the agenda of the bicycle commuting voting public. Clearly, it’s not just about cycle lanes,” group spokesperson Jim Wightman said.

The group has put forward 15 suggestions to reduce congestion, pollution and physical inactivity, including better enforcement of road regulations, cycling protection laws, and better cycling infrastructure such as contraflows and bicycle priority routes.

The Bicycling Advocacy Group described the suggestions as “key changes that could be easily met at a fraction of the cost of more ambitious projects like metro’s and train systems.”

The group also pointed to “potentially massive health benefits, like reducing obesity and heart disease,” in support of their arguments.