The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) welcome today's Transport Select Committee report on cycle safety.  The report calls for investment to rise from an estimated £2 per person to £10 per person by 2020 and suggests that there is a need for a cultural change in relations between cyclists and drivers.

The Committee conclusions included:
•    Road safety measures should aim to curb the number of cycling casualties while increasing the overall number of cyclists on the road.
•    Central government, regional and local authorities, should use all the tools at their disposal to promote the safer sharing of the road between drivers and cyclists.
•    Safe cycling should be made an integral part of the design for all new infrastructure projects.
•    The HGVs industry must improve its road safety record.
•    Cycle training should be available to all cyclists.
•    DVSA must ensure that drivers are tested on their approach to sharing the road with cyclists.
•    Government should reassess its approach to road safety awareness and ensure a clear and consistent message of mutual respect between all road users and compliance with the law by cyclists and drivers.
•    Government should consider amending the Highway Code to promote cycle safety.

CIHT have met recently with three other professional bodies (CILT, ICE & IHE) to discuss the important role of cycling and the need to provide safe, comprehensive, comfortable and attractive routes for cyclists.  This group recognise that cycling has an important role to play in reducing pressure on road space and improving health through physical activity, and making city environments and public spaces better places to live.

The needs of cycle users, particularly in terms of providing comprehensive, comfortable and attractive routes and how traffic management can best be adapted to accommodate them, is of increasing importance.

The range of issues involved is complex, but their resolution is at the heart of allowing all users of our highway and transport networks to make more effective and safer travel choices.

The four professional bodies in the sector, CIHT, CILT, ICE and IHE, have agreed to collaborate in highlighting the need for enough skilled, professional input to address the issues. The range of qualifications, training, continuing professional development, guidance, best practice and standards available will be promoted by the four organisations.

CIHT’s response to the Select Committee inquiry can be found here.