Cyclists could be better protected if councils were granted stronger powers to target dangerous drivers, leaders have said.
Warning that ‘very little’ is being done to tackle inconsiderate drivers, the Local Government Association (LGA) has called for councils to be allowed to enforce cycle lanes and crack down on illegal U-turns and box junction offences.
Town hall leaders said they would target notoriously congested junctions and stretches of road if ministers implemented Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004.
Key cities including Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle and Nottingham have given their backing to the LGA’s proposals, while the Welsh Government has already handed its local authorities Part 6 powers.
While Transport for London has been using similar powers for years to cut offences by 50%, police outside the capital often do not have the resources to enforce them – according to the LGA.
Before giving evidence to a Parliamentary inquiry into cycling safety today, Cllr Mike Haines, of the LGA's economy and transport board, said: ‘Very little is currently being done to stop the minority of inconsiderate and dangerous drivers who block cycle lanes and bus lanes, pull up in cycle boxes at traffic lights and clog box junctions.
‘If the Government is serious about championing cyclists, then it must hand councils outside London greater powers to tackle moving traffic violations.
‘Granting councils the power to tackle impatient drivers who break the law and put cyclists at risk in an effort to shave seconds off their journey would undoubtedly also help ease congestion, reduce pollution and make roads safer for everyone.’
Research from Cambridge University has today revealed the NHS could save at least £250m in treating inactivity related illnesses per year if 10% of trips in England and Wales were made by bike.
British Cycling’s policy adviser and Olympic gold medallist, Chris Boardman, said: ‘Britain is now one of the most successful cycling nations in the world. How can we be getting it so right in terms of elite success but still be failing to truly embed cycling as an everyday part of British culture?
‘Local and national government needs to wake up and realise that cycling is the solution to so many of the major problems Britain is now facing.’
