Report of Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) attached

The Cabinet considered a report of the Executive Director (Neighbourhoods and Environment) responding to the Notice of Motion, presented at the last meeting of Council, concerning the safety of cyclists on the roads within the Borough.

Resolved:-

1.  That support for the SEAT project and any successor DfT funded project is continued and to encourage and champion sustainable transport within all appropriate engineering project designs, following the principles set out in the Highway Code:

a.  Rule 163 states, “give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car”.

b.  Rules 59 and 60 place an onus on cyclists to wear appropriate light and reflective clothing and to use lights at night. Both these messages are conveyed by the Forward Motion and Road Safety teams as well as advising cyclists how to position themselves on the road.

2.  That the use of variable message signs to regularly remind all road users of the Highway Code obligation to be aware of each other’s presence and share the road responsibly, be approved.

Reasons for Decisions

To respond to the Notice of Motion

Other Options

The decision in 2 above covers the use of the electronic signage system to encourage safe driving by all vehicles. The installation of additional signage is not recommended as this can often be distracting or confusing for drivers, putting cyclists at additional risk.

Note: This is an Executive Function

Referred direct to Place Scrutiny Committee

Cabinet Member: Cllr Woodley

Notice of Motion attached

Resolved:

That in accordance with Standing Order 8.4 the following Notice of Motion, be referred to the Cabinet:

‘Safer Passing signage

This Council has declared a Climate Emergency and has agreed that it must take action to tackle carbon emissions emitted in the borough. Although this Council recognises that the use of the car is important to the economy of the Borough we also recognise that we should encourage other means of transport to reduce carbon emission, including cycling.

One of the main reasons residents do not choose to cycle around the borough is a fear of being harmed whilst riding on the road. One notable concern are cars passing too closely when overtaking.

This Council proposes:

1) To install signage encouraging a safe passing distance of 1.5 meters on all signs as they are replaced or newly installed;

2) To use the borough’s electronic signage systems to encourage a safe passing distance of 1.5 metres:

3) To review the use of mats on the road surface to encourage a safe passing distance of 1.5 metres.’

Proposed by: Councillor Cox

Seconded by: Councillor Buck