Put people before cars in our towns and cities

1 August 2012

01 August 2012

People sitting their driving test could also have to sit a cycling proficiency test as a way of improving people's mobility and making cycling a safer way of getting around.

That's one of the options put forward by Friends of the Earth Cymru in their response to proposed new Welsh legislation, answering the call by the Minister for Transport for radical ways to change the culture of transport in Wales[1] [2].

Other suggestions include a default 20mph speed limit in built-up areas and giving pedestrians right of way at most road junctions.

Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said:

"The cost of petrol is increasing week by week with no end in sight. And greenhouse gas emissions from transport in Wales are just as high now as they were more than two decades ago.

"We have to totally change the way people think about moving around Wales and beyond by putting people before cars in our towns and cities. We need to make walking and cycling the natural choice for local travel - this would reduce the devastating toll of people killed and seriously injured on our roads and bring down transport emissions.

"Cycling proficiency tests for all new drivers and 20mph speed limits would make cycling and walking much safer and more convenient ways of getting around. These are exactly the sort of transport policies that are needed in Wales if the Minister is to achieve his vision of a cultural change to build a healthier, stronger and wealthier Wales."

NOTES

1. Friends of the Earth Cymru submission to the Active Travel (Wales) Bill White Paper
2. The Welsh Government consultation closes on 14 August. Friends of the Earth Cymru would encourage people to send in their own responses

For further information, please contact Friends of the Earth Cymru on 029 2022 9577