How many more Bradley Wiggins? How many more kids? How many more “Sorry, I didn’t see you!”s? How many more times do cycle helmets and fluorescent lycra have to not protect cyclists? How many more hit and runs? How many more broken ribs? How many more Olympic cyclists and head coaches? How many more teachers, builders, council staff? How many more kids?
How many more before people realise that it doesn’t have to be like this? How many more before cyclists and county councils realise that there is another way of doing things? How many more before the highways agency realises there is another system and infrastructure? A system that is demonstrated to work safely every day of the year. A system that allows a million cycling journeys to be made safely each day, every day? Safely. A way that allows the nation with the highest cycling rate in the world, to be the safest cycling place in the world, for cyclists and pedestrians. A system that segregates bicycles and motor vehicles whenever and wherever it needs to. A system that segregates car bumpers and lorry wheels from cyclists’ limbs and heads.
How many more before they realise that Holland in the 1970s had a similar road structure and accident rate that Britain has today? How many more before they realise that the Dutch people knew how many was enough? How many more before they realise that the Dutch government and councils listened, and acted. How many more before they realise that the Dutch government and councils developed good quality cycle lanes and cycle paths, with junctions and roundabouts that work, that give priority to cyclists, that cyclists use. Everyday. Safely. A system where cycling isn’t just a sport, it’s every day transport for millions of people for work, shopping and leisure.
Please see :- http://www.dutchcycling.nl/; http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/; http://www.cycling-embassy.org.uk/
Please don’t say “Sorry, I didn’t see you!”
Mike Akester
Bielby Drive
Beverley.