It has been a long time since we provided an update for this campaign but please read this update and then take action to help us make this happen.
On 9th May, Grant Shapps, UK Government Transport Secretary, announced that active travel (cycling and walking) was going to be put at the heart of the transport infrastructure agenda. There was a pledge of £2 billion for England to be spent on making the roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
Alongside infrastructure, there was also mention of introducing “legal changes” to protect the most vulnerable. He didn’t specifically say ‘presumed liability’ but we believe this was what he was referring to.
Chris Boardman has also called for this legal change to be implemented.
The emphasis for change now is to look at a “green” recovery from Covid-19 and to help ease pressure on public transport while social distancing measures are in place to protect public safety.
Scotland’s Transport Secretary, Michael Matheson, similarly announced £10 million worth of funding for “a new infrastructure programme for pop-up walking and cycling routes or temporary improvements to existing routes.” However, he made NO mention of legislative change.
Since ‘lockdown’, there has been a considerable rise in the number of people taking up cycling. For the most part, it seems that the roads do not appear to be the same threat they were pre-23rd March. With motorised vehicle use significantly reduced, people seem to feel far safer on their bicycles.
This change illustrates that there are plenty of people who would be willing to use cycling as an alternative means of transport if they felt safe and secure once ‘normality’ resumes. The benefits of cycling are extensive and well documented. Benefits to health, the environment, mental health are to name just a few. The main benefit in the post Covid-19 world is the ability to socially distance on a bicycle when directly compared to the use of public transport.
The Road Share campaign introduced the call for Presumed Liability in Scotland back in 2013. Seven years on with almost 11,500 signatures, the Scottish Government has consistently failed to consider this change in law by following our European neighbours.
In order to keep up the pressure and focus in both England and Scotland, we need your to write to your local MP and MSP and encourage them to keep asking the question of our respective Governments. Just go to WRITE TO MY MP/MSP , pop in your postcode and the rest is easy. The time is right, the time is now, let's not miss this golden opportunity to rectify what should have happened years ago.