Cyclists should only be given ‘small place’ on the road to hand streets back to motorists

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Cyclists should be given just a “small place” on the road which would “free up road space”. Mr Freeman adds that this would help get rid of any road issues such as air pollution and road wear as cars would not be sitting idle.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, he said: “I’m not saying we should disbandon cycle lanes but I suggest they have a place.

“It should be a very narrow place ideally in a protected environment by a kerb or by bollards.

“It doesn’t need to be wide, they can cycle in a single file and lets hand the roads back to motorists who urgently need it.

“They basically [make up] about 96 percent whether they be buses, lorries or cars.”

He made the remarks while discussing Low Traffic Neighbourhoods which have caused widespread controversy among many local residents.

Earlier this week, Conservative MPs wrote to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps demanding that the schemes were scrapped.

The 14 MPs claimed the schemes have led to more congestion and damaged small businesses through a loss of footfall.

The group said that there had been an “over-emphasis” on cycling initiatives despite just four percent of road users travelling by bike.

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The government has spent around £250million on the scheme in a desperate bid to cash-in on increased demand for cycling and walking during the pandemic.

However, Mr Freeman added that roads should focus on motorists with councils moving to get rid of any obstacles which stop cars from moving.

He also made a bid to ensure all cyclists were properly regulated and identifiable which could reduce the number of drivers prosecuted in the event of an accident.

Speaking to Express.co.uk, he adds: “The concentration needs to be simply let’s keep that traffic moving.

“Let’s get rid of everything that prevents that traffic from flowing.

“I don’t say at a vast speed but just at a constant steady flow.”

“To do that you need to free up road space and by doing that you’re going to get rid of so many different problems.

“For example the pollution, the mental health, the constant wear and tear of our roads which is caused by constant stopping and braking, the damage to the vehicles, the cost to the economy because of the delays.

“People will still be allowed to cycle but they should have a place and it should be a small place because they represent a tiny minority.

“They are entitled to a space in my view only if they are properly regulated. We should be able to identify them.”

His comments come amid new Highway Code changes which could give extra freedoms to cyclists and pedestrians using UK roads.

A consultation has just closed which could see a new hierarchy of road users system introduced.

This would ensure that drivers who could do the greatest harm such as cars and lorries would be responsible to reduce the danger to others.

The Highway Code changes would also clarify rules on pedestrian priority on pavements which will see drivers urged to give way at all times.

Drivers will also be advised to give priority to cyclists at junctions as well as given established safe passing distances.

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