Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Krebs (Crossbench). It was answered on Thursday, 16 October 2008.

Walking and Cycling

Question: My Lords, I thank the Minister for that most helpful Answer and I am delighted to hear that the Government, with local authorities, are encouraging walking and cycling in urban areas, especially in light of last year’s Foresight report, which emphasised that tackling two objectives of government policy, namely obesity and climate change, will involve encouraging people to walk and cycle more. The Minister will of course be aware that last year’s report from the Commission for Integrated Transport showed that Britain has a long way to go. We are bottom of the European league table for walking and fourth from the bottom for cycling. We have a lot of catching up to do. What does the Minister intend to do about local authorities such as Oxfordshire County Council which are removing cycle lanes and footpaths to make more space for cars and buses? Does the noble Lord agree that this is contrary to government policy, and what does he intend to do about it?

Answer: My Lords, I am at one with HG Wells, who said: "““Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race””." I take that to be a view which the noble Lord shares, and I hope that it is one which Oxfordshire County Council will take close to heart. I cannot comment on its particular plans, but I can tell the noble Lord that my department is never wanting in the advice that it gives to local authorities. We are just about to send them an 86-page document, Cycle Infrastructure Design, which advises on how they can give proper priority to cycling in their areas. Its opening paragraph states: "““Encouraging more people to cycle is increasingly being seen as a vital part of any local authority plan to tackle congestion, improve air quality, promote physical activity and improve accessibility … by bringing together relevant advice in a single document, this guide will make it easier for local authorities to decide what special provision … is required to encourage more people to cycle””." A huge amount of good advice is given. I will give a copy to the noble Lord, so that he can pass it on to Oxfordshire County Council.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 704 c818
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: 1st Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Cycling Pedestrian areas Walking Oxfordshire Cycleways Finance Local government Urban areas
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk