The Times newspaper has today launched a campaign to change the experience for cyclists in the UK urban environment. More details of the campaign can be found here 

CIHT has pledged its support to the campaign in a letter sent to the editor. A copy of the contents is below.

Dear Editor

I write on behalf of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT). 

I do not know if it was planning or pure coincidence that on the day the Department for Transport releases the last figures (Q3 for 2011) on road casualties, the Times launches a campaign to improve cycle safety. The latest figures suggest that overall road deaths will rise in 2011 the first time this has occurred since 2003. This is concern enough but a worrying trend in the statistics is the steady rise in killed and seriously injured cyclists (ksi). KSI rose 7% compared to the same quarter in 2010.

CIHT welcomes the spotlight you have placed on the plight of cyclists, as the profession encourages healthier and more sustainable forms of transport and tries to ensure risks to walkers and cyclists are minimised. The British Government drops clear stretching targets for road casualty reduction, unlike other countries around the world, even those with better safety records than the UK, who see the positive benefits accrued by a national target.   

CIHT recognise the particular vulnerability of cyclists who can easily be unseen by drivers and hit as vehicles change lane or turn at junctions and accesses.  When they are involved in an accident, cyclists - like motorcyclists - are less protected from injury than other vehicle users. 

Cycling continues to grow in popularity, for reasons of economy, journey time reliability and health, with benefits including reduced vulnerability to cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes.  Increased cycling rates therefore reduce healthcare costs as well as reducing congestion and vehicle emissions with local and wider benefits to air quality and sustainability. 

CIHT welcomes The Times' raising the profile of cycle safety which is vital for the continued growth in cycling and the associated benefits, and we broadly support the Times' manifesto, which echoes long standing good practice.  Last year in its annual best practice awards,

CIHT highly commended a pilot initiative by Ringway to mount innovative cycle detection and warning systems on some of their fleet to improve safety when large vehicles turn left.  We would like to see such systems become more widespread, and we welcome Transport for London’s consultation with the construction industry whose vehicles are involved in a significant proportion of collisions with cyclists when turning.  Other cycle safety initiatives are in place such as training, campaigns for driver awareness, 'Trixi' mirrors to improve visibility at junctions, and enforcement action against drivers and cyclists when they break the law, but they require wider implementation.

We call for all road users to act within the law; and for increased coverage of safety measures to sustain and build on increased rates of cycling for all ages.

CIHT has a long association with road safety and is world renowned for its good practice guidelines on the subject. We would be keen to look at how we could assist the Times in taking the ideas in its manifesto and encouraging local highway authorities to integrate them into their own road safety delivery plans.

Yours Sincerely


John Smart BSc C. Eng FCIHT MICE
Director of Professional & Business Development
The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation