FEARS FOR CYCLISTS' SAFETY REVEALED
The number of people who feel it is too dangerous for them to cycle on the roads is growing, according to a Government survey.
As many as 61% of those polled reckoned roads were too dangerous for them to venture out on two wheels compared with a figure of 59% in a similar survey a year ago.
The latest Department for Transport survey, of 3,244 people, showed that 48% of cyclists and 67% of non-cyclists agreed that it was too dangerous to cycle on the roads.
Females in total (69%) and female cyclists (55%) considered the roads more dangerous for cycling than men, with 53% of all males and 43% of male cyclists concerned about the dangers.
Those aged 18-24 were least concerned about possible safety fears, with 47% considering roads too dangerous for cycling.
Those aged 65 and over were most concerned, with 76% saying roads were too dangerous.
The survey, indicating public attitudes towards transport also showed:
:: The number who consider traffic congestion in towns and cities to be a problem had increased from 39% in last year's survey to 45% in this one;
:: Those considering motorway congestion to be a problem had risen from 23% to 28%;
:: Some 6% did not believe that climate change was taking place, compared with 5% the year before and 7% the year before that.
