Cyclists are told to pay attention (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Cyclists are told to pay attention

THE number of pedestrians and cyclists injured on Swindon's roads has increased and it's because they are not paying attention.

Swindon Council's Local Transport Plan annual progress report reveals that the number of cyclists killed and seriously injured on the roads has risen from 10 in 2003 to 14 in 2004 and blames this on their "disregard of the rules of the road".

The number of pedestrians slightly injured has also risen from 53 in 2003 to 77 in 2004 and the reports states that this "has highlighted that inattention on the part of pedestrians is a common theme." It describes how 39 of the accidents involving pedestrians involved them running, stepping or walking into the road.

And it blames cyclists for failing to stop at junctions.

Because of these finding the council is planning to launch more pedestrian awareness publicity aimed at motorists and an awareness campaign aimed at cyclists urging them to take care at junctions.

Ivor Read runs Red Planet Bikes in Wood Street, Old Town and organises weekly group cycling trips in Swindon.

He said: "I am quite surprised that the number of cyclists being killed or seriously injured on the roads has increased given that far more of them now are buying cycling helmets.

"At the end of the day cyclists are small and not so easy to spot and cars are big and heavy.

"The onus is on cyclists to be aware of the fact that road users are less aware of them.

"But I also think there should be an awareness campaign aimed at motorists they need to be more aware of cyclists."

Ian Marshall from the Swindon and District Advanced Motorists Association said: "Apart from those who have passed a cycling proficiency test cyclists don't have to pass a test to be on the road. And people are in such a rush to get from A to B these days that they often don't pay attention to what is going on around them."

The report reveals that the number of deaths and serious injuries on the roads has dropped from 104 in 2000 to 80 in 2004.

The number of pedestrians killed and seriously injured has fallen from 23 in 2003 to 15 in 2004.

Swindon Council has reached its target of reducing congestion on the streets of Swindon, achieving a traffic flow of 84,463 cars, which is below the 1999 to 2000 figure of 84,510.

There has been no increase in HGVs on the road and bus passengers have increased for the third year running. Cycle trips in the town have increased by 1,100 trips per day. But the number of walking trips in the town has decreased and this is blamed on the decline in trade in the town.

Bernie Maguire, Swindon town centre manager, said: "I think we have to admit that we have a town centre that is not in keeping with places like Bristol. But there are regeneration plans in place and there will be improvements."

Roderick Bluh (Con, Dorcan), Swindon cabinet member for transport planning, said there was still a lot more work to be done.

Transport plans

Public transport

Bus passenger journeys increased from 9.4m in 2000/1 to 10.6m in 2004/5. The target for 2005/6 has therefore been moved to 10.8m.

Cycling

Cycling trips increased from 2,482 in 2003/4 to 3,584 in 2004/5 but is still below target. The council will concentrate resources on filling in the missing links in the cycle network. Transport Direct is working with Swindon for a pilot scheme for an electronic cycle journey planning system.

Road safety

The number of deaths and serious injuries fell from 104 in 2000 to 80 in 2004. The number of children killed or seriously injured was halved from 14 in 2003 to seven in 2004.

Congestion

The percentage of council staff sharing cars on their journeys to work has remained at 17 per cent. The percentage of council staff travelling to work not by car is at an all-time high of 34 per cent.

The percentage of school children walking, cycling or travelling by bus to school has not improved in line with the council's targets.

The number of bikes parked at the station has increased from 43 in 2000/1 to 63 in 2004/5

Park and ride usage has dropped to 314,000 passengers in 2004/5 from 351,000 in 2003/4.

Diana Milne