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SUMMIT: Southwark Cycling Crisis

by Anood Al-Samerai on 27 February, 2012

It is great that cycling is finally properly on the political agenda although sad that it comes after too many tragic accidents and fatalities.

On Thursday 8th March at 7pm, Southwark Liberal Democrats are bringing together our local communities to discuss cycling in Southwark and London, and how our streets can be made safer and more appealing to cyclists.

Deaths and injuries on our streets are unacceptable and there have simply been too many in recent years. Cycling is a healthy, cheap and environmentally friendly form of transport and should be encouraged. Southwark has huge potential for increasing cycling numbers but more must be done be the council to support cycling in our borough. The council’s current target for increasing cycling levels from 4% to 5% by 2025 is pathetic, and alongside proposals to remove cycle lanes from 20mph zones, it’s a pretty dim picture.

Liberal Democrats know the importance of cycling and cycle safety. That’s why in Southwark we’ve been campaigning for more protected cycle lanes, more 20mph zones, safer junctions and more cycle parking. Our recent motion to Council Assembly included these ideas and more, and our councillors spoke passionately for cycling and cycle safety.

But we are determined to be more effective on this issue. That’s why we want to hear your views on improving cycling and cycle safety. We hope to share ideas and create policies to apply more pressure locally, regionally and nationally.

I am delighted that elected representatives from every level of government including Simon Hughes MP, Caroline Pidgeon AM from the Greater London Assembly and local Liberal Democrat councillors will be joining us to share ideas and to listen to your views.

So please, come along to an evening of interaction and ideas-sharing, and help us make progress together on this vital issue. Please invite others who may be interested. To give an idea of numbers, please do drop me an e-mail if you are able to join us.  And if you aren’t able to make it but have any specific thoughts, suggestions or comments on our current policies then please don’t hesitate to contact me.

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