Calls for protected cycle lanes this Cycle to School Week

Transport charity Sustrans is calling on government and local authorities to install protected cycle lanes this Cycle to School Week.

The annual event, organised by Bikeability Trust and supported by Sustrans, encourages families to try cycling and scooting to school to improve children’s health, as well as the local environment and air quality.

Sustrans says protected cycle lanes are needed on main road routes to schools to ensure road safety, so families will keep up the habit in the long term.

CEO Xavier Brice said: ‘Engaging this generation of younger school pupils with cycling and teaching them the importance of travelling actively, will only have a lasting impact if we all strive to make sure children and families feel safe and welcome on the road.

‘That’s why this Cycle to School Week, Sustrans calls on local authority leaders and the Government to show real ambition and commit to installing protected cycle lanes along main road routes to schools.

‘Enabling and encouraging families across the UK that are suffering financially to choose to travel actively would demonstrate commitment to a new transport hierarchy in which the car is not king, for the sake of our wallets, our health and our planet.’

The charity is campaigning for cycling, wheeling and walking to become the main forms of transport in the UK, as it says active travel can address a variety of issues.

This includes improving health by increasing activity, reducing air pollution from motor transport, and helping people to access cheaper travel.

Mr Brice added: ‘With new leadership from Prime Minister Truss, there is a fresh opportunity to renew our transport priorities for what the UK people need.

‘It is vital active travel is embedded into our transport system and that roads are safer for all.’

Photo by Mark Stosberg