A63 bike ban consultation extended due to “high volume of interest”
- Bike ban proposed by government body on public road
- Cycling UK points out ban is contrary to Highways England’s own strategy
- Charity will deliver all objections to Highways England’s offices on 12 March
The consultation was scheduled to end on Friday, 16 February, but will now run until Monday 12 March.
The proposed ban has cited safety concerns for cyclists, stating that they are unable to keep up with the motor traffic and therefore at risk. This argument has not been backed up with proper risk analysis nor suitable alternatives considered for people whose journeys will be affected should the ban be implemented.
Cycling UK is arguing the government company’s approach is unreasonable and lacking in both evidence and analysis. Furthermore, the charity points out by proposing banning cycling, Highways England’s decision runs contrary not only to its own cycling strategy and design guidance but also the government’s.
“It’s nonsensical to ban bikes from a road because they can’t keep up with the motor traffic,” said Cycling UK’s head of campaigns Duncan Dollimore, “Where does it stop if that’s accepted as a valid argument?
It’s nonsensical to ban bikes from a road because they can’t keep up with the motor traffic.
Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK's head of campaigns
“This is one of the main reasons Cycling UK is objecting to Highways England’s proposed ban of cycling on the A63,” continued Mr Dollimore “But also because it contravenes their own strategy and guidance.”
Cycling UK is encouraging everyone who cycles or intends to cycle in England to register their objections with Highways England. However, as the public body will only accept objections submitted as paper copies sent through the post, Cycling UK is urging people to register their complaints at www.cyclinguk.org/a63, which the charity will then deliver in time for the March deadline.
“Cycling UK has been inundated with concern from the wider cycling community about the ban and what it means for cycling on England’s road.” said Mr Dollimore, “With Highways England making it difficult for objections to be submitted in a simple time and cost efficient fashion, Cycling UK has had to create a tool for people to log their objections.
“We appreciate that costs a fair bit in postage, so we’ll collate all the objections and deliver them to Highways England’s Leeds office in person on 12 March –doing so by bike of course.”
To register objections online head to: www.cyclinguk.org/a63
The number of people who have registered their objections with Cycling UK so far:
Notes to editors
- Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, inspires and helps people to cycle and keep cycling, whatever kind of cycling they do or would like to do. Over a century’s experience tells us that cycling is more than useful transport; it makes you feel good, gives you a sense of freedom and creates a better environment for everyone. www.cyclinguk.org
- Cycling UK’s submission and addendum is available at: https://www.cyclinguk.org/sites/default/files/document/2018/02/a63_tro_… and https://www.cyclinguk.org/sites/default/files/document/2018/02/180216_c…
- Details for Highways England’s proposed Traffic Regulation Order are available at: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/2954064
- To see the amount of collisions along this stretch of road, search for “A63” using the webtool here: http://www.crashmap.co.uk/Search
- See p2 of Highways England’s Cycling Strategy for their Cycling Vision: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fi…
- The Department for Transport’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/fi…
Press contact information
For more information contact the national Cycling UK Press Office on 01483 238 315, 07786 320 713 or email [email protected]
