More investment is needed to encourage people to cycle on the district’s highways, according to road safety charity Brake.

Its research, published today, found that more safe cycling facilities could persuade an extra 20 per cent of adults to get on their bikes.

Latest accident figures show cyclists accounted for five per cent of deaths and 11 per cent of serious injuries on Britain‘s roads despite only making up 0.5 per cent of traffic.

In Bradford, 92 cyclists were injured in accidents in 2009. Twelve cyclists died between 1994 and 2009.

Julie Townsend, campaigns director of Brake, said: “Cycling is an enjoyable, sustainable and healthy way of getting around and Brake wants to encourage more people to get on their bikes. However, it’s vital that the Government is committed to making cycling as safe as possible and reduce the unacceptable number of cyclist deaths and serious injuries that occur each year.

“This research shows that if we want more people to cycle, we need to invest in safe cycle routes and schemes that protect cyclists.”

Ginny Leonard, Bradford branch community cycling development officer for CTC, the national cyclists’ organisation, said the CTC, the British Cycling Association and Sustrans were active in Bradford to encourage safe cycling.

She said: “The facilities we have for safe cycling may be varied in terms of infrastructure but we have a strong network of people who are fighting the cause of cycling in Bradford.”

Further sections will be added to the Great Northern Trail and a ‘Connect 2’ walking and cycling bridge across Manchester Road are planned through the West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan 2011-2026, he said.

  • Read the full story in Thursday's T&A