Cycling gets safer the more cyclists there are.
That's the message of CTC's Safety in Numbers campaign (see brochure, 5MB pdf) which explains that the more people cycle, the safer it is for each individual cyclist.
Possible reasons for the "Safety in numbers" effect are:
- Drivers are more aware of cyclists
- Drivers are more likely to be cyclists themselves
- There is greater political will to improve cycling conditions
We want to halve the risk of cycling by doubling the numbers.
The Government has already adopted a target to halve the risks of cycling in its draft Road Safety Strategy, A Safer Way. This is exactly what CTC proposed in our "New Vision for Cycling".
However, apart from some welcome proposals to introduce more 20mph zones and limits, the draft Strategy says little about how they will achieve this target. We believe the best way is to double the levels of cycling. This will benefit our streets, our health, our communities and the environment, as well as improving safety for all road users.
How do we do this?
By tackling the fears which prevent people from cycling more:
- Improve driver behaviour
- Make the road environment more welcoming for cyclists
- Fund schemes that promote cycling positively and improve confidence
For more information, see CTC's Safety in Numbers brochure (5 mb pdf) - or longer Word version with references (152K PDF). You can also read CTC's initial response to the Government's draft Road Safety Strategy, A Safer Way.
