Support for cycle safety inspired by Cambridge graduate in coma

Cambridge City Council is backing The Times’ cycling safety campaign, after a graduate student remains in a coma following a bicycle accident last November

by Siobhan Coskeran

This article is 13 years old

Wednesday February 22 2012, 11:51am

Cambridge City Council is set to back a national cycle safety campaign inspired by a graduate of the university who is fighting for her life after a bicycle accident.

Mary Bowers, a journalist for The Times who was editor of Varsity during her time here, was knocked off her bicycle by a lorry in November of last year. Since the accident, she has remained in a coma.

Sparked by this tragic event, The Times launched the Cities Fit for Cycling campaign. Among the improvements called for in their eight-point manifesto are better safety features at dangerous road junctions, the appointment of a cycling commissioner in every city, and a £100 million annual budget for the development of cycling routes.

The Times' campaign is being backed by Cambridge City Council

The council motion, submitted by Market’s Councillor Colin Rosenstiel, calls on the Government to reduce cycling casualties.

Cllr Rosenstiel said: “I’ve long felt there are lorries on our roads that are too dangerous to mix with cyclists and pedestrians.”

With approximately one in five journeys made by bike, cycling is a constant feature of Cambridge life. Anyone who cycles around the city is aware of their often vulnerable position when faced with the combination of narrow, winding streets and large vehicles, but recently safety measures have been suffering.

Last year, the City Council cut back the position of Cycling Officer and the County Council has stopped subsidising adult cycle training for the city. Support for the Cities Fit for Cycling campaign would be a welcome step forward for cycle safety.

The campaign has already won the backing of Cambridge Cycling Campaign, whose website provides helpful safety information for cyclists. Co-ordinator Michael Cahn said: “Distracted driving, drunk-driving, and aggressive driver behaviour is too common on our roads, and enforcement is often lacking.

“Cyclists too should be offered more training programmes, as they can effectively help to avoid and deal with intimidating traffic conditions.”

You can pledge your support by visiting www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/contact/

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