British roads unsuitable for cycling, say commuters

Date: 1/5/2012

The majority of commuters think most roads in the UK are unsuitable for cycling, new research has revealed.

Conducted by road safety charity Brake and solicitors Bolt Burdon Kemp, the study found 66 per cent of respondents were of this opinion.

While 35 per cent claimed they would cycle to work if the route was less dangerous, 46 per cent would make local journeys on a bike if safety measures were introduced on roads.

The majority of the 1,550 people interviewed thought 20mph speed limits were the way to do this in their area.

Julie Townsend, Deputy Chief Executive of Brake, said: "We're calling on the authorities, employers and the driving public to act upon this, to enable people to take to their bikes without fear."

The government is taking some steps to encourage cycling and make it safer in the UK, as last month it allocated £11 million to a scheme called Bikeability to help young people learn how to ride bikes properly on the roads.

Posted by Sarah Bailey