INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cyclists Welcome Road Safety Package

Published: Wed 25 Sep 2002 08:35 AM
Cyclists Welcome Road Safety Package
The Cycling Advocates Network (CAN), the national group representing cyclists as road users, today welcomed the Government's road safety package.
CAN Campaigns Secretary Robert Ibell stated that "The proposals are a significant improvement over the status quo, and we offer our qualified support. We're disappointed, however, that the Government has not committed itself to working towards a vision of zero fatalities."
"Given that around 20% of trips are undertaken on foot and by bike, we appreciate the increased focus on the safety of these modes", Mr Ibell said. "The commitment to undertake annual monitoring of travel will give valuable planning data for walking and cycling."
CAN welcomes the increased focus on Safe Routes programmes that aim to improve access to the road network for pedestrians and cyclists, but regrets that these are linked to injuries. "There are places where people won't walk or cycle because it's seen as too dangerous, so they don't show up in injury statistics", said Mr Ibell.
CAN is also concerned that there are no specific targets for a reduction in urban travel speeds and speed limits, despite these potentially having greater benefits overall than providing cycle facilities.
CAN also hopes that some of the proposed programmes will encourage motorists to share the road with cyclists in a more equitable way. "We look forward to continue working with LTSA on these issues to 2010 and beyond", Mr Ibell said.

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media