SIR: In response to your correspondent's claims about cyclists being second class citizens (W Kelly, February 24) I would like to make the point that the council is concerned to improve conditions for cycling and that some results are now evident on the ground. We have introduced a Cycle Audit procedure which involves extensive site visits. This aims to ensure that engineering design guidelines and advice to enhance cycling provision are included where possible. It is a slow process but the length of cycle lanes, the level of off road provision, and the number of advance stop lines at junctions has grown in recent years.

In the increasingly fierce competition for road space it is difficult to satisfy all the demands of those who wish to use the roads but there is Government pressure on all local authorities to improve the figures for cycle usage and it remains the only form of transport which we have firm targets to achieve. If these are met and cycling does increase by a factor of four in the next 10-15 years, then it will hopefully become easier to continue to improve the infrastructure that people need to cycle safely.

It is not surprising that the safety issue prevents most people from making use of their cycles. Indeed, there are probably more bikes than cars in Bolton and their under use is actually a significant waste of resources. However, in this context I would strongly support recent calls for traffic speed reductions.

It seems to me that a good goal for the Millennium would be to reduce the danger we all face on the roads, as part of the increasingly urgent pressure we are under to develop new policies and priorities for transport.

Councillor Stuart Murray

Broad o'th' Lane

Astley Bridge

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