Thought you might be interested to read the response I got from Joan Ruddock (local MP), asking her to support to The Times cycling campaign.

"Thank you for contacting me regarding the safety of cyclists following the launch of The Times' 'Cities Fit for Cycling' campaign. I am sorry for the long delay in responding to you. I receive a huge volume of post and emails and this can lead to a delay in my reply. I have signed the Early Day Motion in support of the campaign, but unfortunately I cannot attend the debate in Westminster Hall on Thursday, please accept my apologies.

I agree that we have got to do more to prevent cyclists being killed or seriously injured on our roads and The Times is absolutely right to raise awareness and launch a campaign for cycle safety. Despite the importance of cycling proficiency and awareness, we must never give the impression that the responsibility to prevent collisions simply rests with cyclists. That is why The Times is right to highlight the importance of measures such as improving road junctions, creating alternative cycle routes and improving safety equipment on HGVs.

I know that the shadow Labour team is now looking seriously at each of the ideas that have been proposed in The Times 'Cycling for Cities' cycling safety campaign, including new rules on HGVs, improvements to dangerous junctions, the wider use of 20mph speed limits and how much of our spending on roads is designated to ensure they are safe for cyclists to use.

As a result of a Policy Review, Labour has immediately backed three specific proposals that could make a major difference to the safety of cyclists, particularly in our towns and cities:

* First, a proportion of existing government funding for roads should be set aside to be spent on building new cycle ways, improving junction design and installing traffic light phasing to give cyclists a head start.
* Second, the government's trial of longer HGVs should be axed and income from the proposed HGV road charging scheme used to support the road haulage industry in upgrading safety measures and training.
* Third, the national targets to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Britain's roads, axed by the government, should be reinstated."

Great that she, and her party, are supportive of this initiative. Would like to have heard about pro-active steps rather than "Axing" but appreciate that this is a new initiative and there is an element of party politics.