Cyclist pressure group calls for roads to be made safer

May 19 2008 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

A GROUP of cyclists, gathered in Liverpool on Friday to highlight the problems non-car users face in the city.

The event, known as a “Critical Mass”, saw the group travel through the city centre past the Town Hall.

Alex Jones, of the Critical Mass Movement, said: “Critical Mass is a celebration of non-polluting transport as well as a protest against very poor provision for cyclists and other non-car using road users, and an environmental protest against traffic pollution.

“The event was also to highlight the danger posed to other road users and pedestrians by what appears to be increasingly aggressive drivers.

“We had drivers dangerously trying to force their way through us but by far the most dangerous incident was a bus driver by Lewis's who was in the lane to turn left but turned right instead without indicating and went through the middle of us.”

The group claim there is a lack of cycle lanes and safe cycle routes in Liverpool and say police do not take seriously enough incidents involving cyclists.

Other issues they were highlighting included the lack of care given to cyclists by road users.

Alex added: “Most people who want to cycle but don’t say it is because they don’t feel safe. We want people to use there cars more sensibly.

“There were no skateboarders or BMXs on Friday but we also want places where they can practise their sport safely without harassment.

“We also want improved facilities for those that use wheelchairs and mobility scooters.”