Chris Boardman: We have a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform cycling
Chris Boardman was speaking at a cycling summit in Bristol where Nick Clegg announced the Government's £214m investment in cycling across Britain
Chris Boardman says there is a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity to transform cycling following a survey of British Cycling members that shows nine in 10 riders do not feel safe on the roads.
Boardman, BC’s policy adviser, spoke at a cycling summit in Bristol today where Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced the government’s new £214m investment in cycling.
“Obesity is not only killing 37,000 people in the UK every year, when all the effects are factored in, it’s costing us almost one billion pounds every week,” Boardman will say. “A large part of the solution to this problem – not to mention pollution, congestion and social issues – is glaringly, frighteningly simple.
“For these problems to be solved, the solution needs to be invisible, built into our everyday lives, unnoticed. The solution is in how we move. British Cycling’s member survey highlights that, in this present moment, even regular cyclists are concerned for their safety on our roads. We have a long way to go.
“Last week the government’s own studies confirmed that investing in cycling gives a 5:1 return. I’m not exaggerating when I say that now is a once in a lifetime opportunity to change this country for the better for us and our children.”
The survey of BC’s 100,000 members showed that 93% of responders are concerned for their own safety while on the road, with the main reason being that drivers are not careful enough.
The survey also showed that members think unsafe road surfaces and vehicles overtaking too closely are the top hazards members encounter on the roads.
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The Government’s £214m investment will go towards making British roads safer for cyclists, with Clegg saying that the country needs to learn from examples in Denmark and the Netherlands.
Campaigners called Clegg's announcement an "interim victory", but say more investment is still needed.
Government announce £214m investment in cycling
Nick Clegg spoke in Bristol today to announce the single biggest investment in cycling
Campaigners hail "victory" in fight for funding, but say more is needed
The Government's £214m investment in cycling is described as an 'interim victory' by cycling charity CTC, but they will still
Chris Boardman hits back at critics after riding without helmet
Helmets "not in the top 10 issues affecting cyclists", says BC policy advisor
Chris Boardman says he doesn't let his eight-year-old daughter ride on local roads
British Cycling policy adviser Chris Boardman highlights issues of road safety relating to lack of cycling infrastructure
Motorist flashes fake police ID at cyclist after near miss (video)
A motorist in Aberdeen claims he is a policeman when a cyclist confronts him about his dangerous overtaking move.
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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
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