If The Governance Of Sport Bill is passed in The House Of Lords today, then Coventry could get its own cycling commissioner.
The Bill, in its section on Improved Safety For Cyclists will oblige every city, including those without an elected mayor, to appoint a cycling commissioner who shall ensure cycling reforms within such city, including delivering measurable targets for boosting cycling, ensuring cycling networks for commuters and auditing road projects in order that they be "cycle-proofed".
The Bill also calls for The Secretary of State for Transport to —
(a )carry out a national audit of cycling in order to ascertain — (i) the number of people who cycle in the United Kingdom and how regularly,and (ii)the major causes of injury or death to cyclists; and
(b)make regulations to promote the safety of cyclists.
(2)In particular, the regulationsreferred to in subsection (1)(b) shall—
(a)require lorries entering city centres to be fitted with sensors, audible turning alarms, extra mirrors and safety bars in order to prevent cyclists from being thrown under the wheels of the vehicle;
(b) put in place a system for identifying dangerous road junctions and— (i)redesigning them,or (ii)fitting themwith priority traffic lights for cyclists and mirrors that allow lorry drivers to see cyclists on their near-side;
(c) require that two per cent of the Highways Agency budget be earmarked for next generation cycle routes;
(d) provide a means for cities to be graded annually with regards to the quality of cycling provision within such city;
(e) promote improved training for cyclists and drivers, including making cycle safety a core part of the driving test;
(f) amend the default speed limit to 20 miles per hour in residential areas where cycle lanes are not provided;
(g) set out a procedure inviting businesses to sponsor cycleways and cycling super-highways; and
(h) oblige every city, including those without an elected mayor, to appoint a cycling commissioner who shall ensure cycling reforms within such city, including delivering measurable targets for boosting cycling, ensuring cycling networks for commuters and auditing road projects in order that they be "cycle-proofed".
(3) The Secretary of State for Transport shall also make regulations to promotethat the needs and safety of cyclists and pedestrians are taken into account when an improvement or change toroads or highways is contemplated.
To see the Bill in full, please click on http://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/sites/default/files/contentfiles/private_members_bill_-_the_governance_of_sport_act_521446024.pdf