PRESS RELEASE FROM BRISTOL CYCLING CAMPAIGN
Date: 24th August 2015
Embargo: None – for immediate use
BRISTOL CYCLING CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS THE E-PETITION IN FAVOUR OF 20MPH SPEED LIMITS IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS
The Bristol Cycling Campaign today wholeheartedly supports the current e-petition in favour of maximum 20mph speed limits in residential areas and urges everyone who cycles and walks to back this vital safety measure.
Reducing speeds on Bristol’s roads makes it far safer for people to walk and cycle and also increases mobility for children and older people. 20mph speed limits in residential areas help reduce the rate and severity of road traffic injuries, and streets with lower traffic speeds have a positive impact on cycling.
“20mph speed limits in residential areas clearly work – they make the roads safer and so encourage more people to cycle”, said Bristol Cycling Campaign’s Spokesperson, Sam Saunders. “Studies show that fear of fast road traffic puts people off cycling, and lower speeds make it demonstrably safer for people to get out and about on their bikes, especially children. They also make it safer for pedestrians and drivers themselves. Thanks to 20mph speed limits, cycling is more pleasant and much safer, and cycling with small children is possible”.
“We fully support 20mph maximum speed limits in residential areas as part of Bristol’s modern transport plan and urge everyone who cycles and walks, or has children and grandchildren, to support the petition at http://epetitions.bristol.gov.uk/epetition_core/view/pro20mph.”.
Half of pedestrians killed by vehicles are hit at speeds of 30mph or less. The
risk of killing a pedestrian rises with speed. 20mph speed limits markedly reduce this risk for pedestrians and for people who cycle.
More and more people are taking up cycling and walking and discovering how effective they can be for getting around locally and into the city centre. If we make it safer and stress-free, more people will take up cycling and so help reduce traffic congestion and pollution. Giving more people the freedom to cycle benefits everybody and is common for other European Green Capitals.
Most other major British cities are introducing 20mph limits. These are also commonplace on the Continent (18mph).
Let’s keep and extend the freedom to ride.
Contact: Sam Saunders,
Notes for Editors
1. Bristol Cycling Campaign was formed in 1991 and works to improve conditions for people who cycle in Bristol. Members come from all walks of life and all kinds of cyclists – from weekend enthusiasts to regular commuters. As well as lobbying local politicians and making the case for cycling, we run popular weekly rides exploring Bristol and around, and open to all.
2. BCyC was one of the very first groups to call for 20mph speed limits in Bristol’s residential areas, to help make it safer for people who want to cycle. Cycling is now growing in Bristol and is a key part of the city’s identity.
3. A study of road casualties in London between 1986 and 2006 found that 20mph zones reduced road casualties by 42%, and the reductions were far greater for younger children and serious or fatal injuries (source: British Medical Journal Online First, 339. Authors: Grundy, Steinbach, Edwards, Green, Armstrong and Wilkinson; “Effect of 20mph traffic speeds on road injuries in London, 1986-2006: controlled interrupted time series analysis”.
4. A 2010 report “Value for Money: An Economic Assessment of Investment in Walking and Cycling” by Dr Adrian Davis showed that in the UK the median economic benefits of investing in cycling and walking were 19:1. The foreword described this as “astonishing…The typical cost ratios are many times greater than the threshold of 2:1 which is considered by the Department for Transport as ‘high’ value for money”. Promoting cycling and walking pays big dividends for decades in better public health, reduced congestion, reduced pollution, and greater personal wellbeing.