Cyclists fear ban from A-road may be prologue to wider restrictions
CYCLISTS could be banned from using A-roads if a proposal by Highways England gets the go-ahead.
The government-owned agency wants to ban cyclists from a stretch of the A63 near Hull in a move that riders fear will set a precedent and lead to similar moves across the country.
The road is popular with racing cyclists as a time-trial route. Sir Bradley Wiggins attempted a British 10-mile record there in 2015.
Julie Harrington, head of British Cycling, and Gary Verity, in charge of the Welcome to Yorkshire tourism group, oppose the plans.
In a joint statement, they said: “If speed and density of traffic was accepted as a reason to ban cycling, cyclists would be banned from the vast majority of our roads.”
The only other road with a similar policy is thought to be an eight-mile stretch of the A19 on Teesside, where cyclists were banned in 2015.
Highways England said that six accidents in five years involving cyclists – one of which was fatal – had prompted the move. Humberside Police support the proposal.
Ms Harrington said: “British Cycling does not, as a matter of principle, believe that the correct way to address the safety of cyclists is by banning it altogether. The successful implementation of this Traffic Regulation Order could have far-reaching implications for cycling, which are contrary to Highways England’s own Cycling Strategy.”
Published in January 2016, it commits the organisation to creating cycle networks, improving conditions for cyclists and taking their needs into account when planning new routes.
A spokesman for British Cycling added that Highways England had improved its attitude to cycling in recent years and the A63 proposals appeared to be a “unique situation”.
But he added: “One fatality in the last five years is actually incredibly low, particularly when you take into account that there have been 300 car accidents on the same stretch of road in the same time period.”
Cycling UK also opposed the plan, which they said was “unreasonable and lacks both evidence and analysis”.
Duncan Dollimore, head of campaigns, said: “It’s not surprising cyclists can’t keep up with motor vehicles on an A-road, but it is ludicrous to use that as one of the reasons for banning them.”
Andrew Charnick, Highways England’s emergency planning manager, said: “The safety of everyone who uses our roads is our highest priority.
“The A63 is a busy road and a large number of HGVS leave the docks and use the route to join the M62. There are alternative, safer routes available for cyclists.
“In the last five years, there have been six accidents involving cyclists, including one fatality. We have been working closely with Humberside Police and the local authority on this issue and both fully support the plan.”
A consultation period ends on Feb 19.