Make Manchester a safer Cycling City!
Photo opportunity: 8.30am Exchange Square, Friday 28th January.
On Friday 28th January, the Love Your Bike campaign is inviting people in Greater Manchester to join in the Bike Friday led cycle rides and help encourage local authorities to introduce 20mph speed limits in residential areas across Greater Manchester.
Research published earlier this week, by the North West Public Health
Observatory, not only documented the shocking number of road traffic
casualties in the North West, but also highlighted how there was
compelling evidence that introducing 20mph speed limits in residential
areas would save lives and reduce injuries. The research found that
introducing 20mph speed limits could reduce the number of pedestrians
of all ages killed or seriously injured by 26% and the number of
cyclists of all ages killed or seriously injured by 14%. [1]
The recent government announcement of the £560 million Local
Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) clearly indicated that the plans for
20mph speed limits in residential areas would be favourably considered
by the Department for Transport.[2]
Evidence from Portsmouth has shown that introducing 20mph speed limits
is a cost-effective way to reduce traffic speeds [3] and the British
Social Attitudes Survey has suggested that nearly three quarters of
people support 20mph speed restrictions in residential areas,
including 72% of drivers questioned. [4] Community-wide 20mph limits
also provide better value for money that 20mph zones. [5]
Love Your Bike is calling on the Greater Manchester Integrated
Transport Authority (GMITA) to introduce a policy of 20mph speed
limits for residential areas in the Local Transport Plan (LTP3) to
reduce traffic speeds and encourage more people to start cycling.
Catherine Thomson, from Manchester Friends of the Earth said:
“20 mph makes sense. The safer communities flourishing as a result of
the measure would mean more people walking and cycling in their local
areas- better for the health of Manchester residents and the
environment.”
Bike Friday combines a range of cycle rides into the City Centre from
various locations as well as working with companies and local
authorities in Greater Manchester to promote cycling, improve cycle
facilities and to encourage more people to continue cycling to school,
work and for leisure all year round. [6]
CONTACTS FOR COMMENTS
Pete Abel, Manchester FoE Mobile: 07951 642858
Catherine Thomson, Manchester FoE Mobile: 07956 577206
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
[1] Page 89, “Road traffic collisions and casualties in the North
West of England” published on 24th January 2011. See
www.nwpho.org.uk/RTCs_NW/
[2] http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/statements/baker20101213
[3] See Interim Evaluation of the Implementation of 20 mph Speed
Limits in Portsmouth, Final Report – September 2010
www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/speedmanagement/20mphPortsmouth/pdf/20mphzoneresearch.pdf
[4] www.amazon.co.uk/British-Social-Attitudes-Report-Survey/dp/0761942793#reader_0761942793
[5] See www.20splentyforus.org.uk/BriefingSheets/20mphLimits_7_times_more_cost_effective_than_20mph_zones.pdf
[6] The Bike Friday cycle rides start at 8am from Chorlton Library,
Levenshulme Station, Prestwich Pizza Express, Stretford Mall and
Withington Library and finish at approx 8.30am at the Triangle,
Corporation Street, City Centre. The Worsley ride starts at 7.40am.
The Bike Friday cycle rides take place on the morning of the last
Friday of every month (except December). The rides go a moderate pace,
have experienced ride leaders, are entirely law-abiding and can help
people develop more confidence in their cycling abilities.
For details of the routes see: www.bikefriday.org or join the Bike
Friday Facebook group www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=99198337652
Bike Friday is part of the Love Your Bike Campaign.
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