Campaign Theme

Safe Drivers and Vehicles

Introduction

Urban cyclists

Cycling's health benefits far outweigh the risks, so anything that puts people off has to be tackled. Hostile road conditions are a major deterrent, but the good news is that the 'safety in numbers' effect means that more and safer cycling are perfectly capable of going hand in hand.

Cycling is essentially a safe activity, causing little risk either to cyclists themselves or to other road users. Moreover, there is good evidence that cyclists gain from ‘safety in numbers’, with cycling becoming safer as cycle use increases.
However, fear of road traffic is a major deterrent, despite the health, environmental and other benefits of cycling. Actual cycle safety in the UK lags behind many of our continental neighbours, because of poorly designed roads and junctions, traffic volumes and speeds, irresponsible driving, and a legal system that fails to respond adequately to road danger.
National and local government should therefore aim for ‘more’ as well as ‘safer’ cycling – the two aims can and should go hand in hand.
Despite scare stories about cyclists jumping red lights or riding on pavements, other road users are far more likely to be hit by a motor vehicle than by a cycle.

Latest News

London takes a step towards risk-based approach to road safety

TfL's new Road Safety Action Plan has been published

A new road safety plan for the next 7 years has been launched for London. CTC was critical of earlier drafts for failing to include the means to measure the risks of cycling, rather than simply the...

Careless driving fixed penalty welcomed

More traffic police are needed to make best use of the new FPN

CTC welcomes the fixed penalty notice for careless driving and the associated 50% increase in all motoring fixed penalties to £90, but urges that dangerous driving still needs to be dealt with by the...

CTC launches Road Justice campaign

CTC has launched its Road Justice Campaign, which will take to task the police, the prosecution services and the judiciary over the way they treat bad driving and bad drivers.

CTC welcomes decision to appeal sentence for Audrey Fyfe's killer driver

CTC and the family of cyclist Audrey Fyfe have welcomed the decision by the Crown Counsel in Edinburgh to refer Gary McCourt’s sentence for appeal, following a campaign by CTC and other organisations...