London, UK
One year ago, as we reported here, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced £2 billion (A$3.64 billion) in new funding over the next five years to accelerate the growth of cycling and walking in the UK.
To mark the first anniversary of this program, the UK government has just released this new report, ‘Gear Change: One Year On’.
A key point from the Prime Minister’s forward to that report is that funding for the next year will increase by 30% from the previously announced £257 million (A$484 million) to £338 million (A$637 million).
“This funding will help see the construction of hundreds of miles of new high-quality cycle lanes and aid the delivery of new schemes to encourage walking,” said Boris Johnson.
In addition to funding infrastructure, the UK government are revising their Highway Code, which should come into effect in early 2022. Changes include:
- A hierarchy of road users which ensures that those road users who can do the greatest harm have the greatest responsibility to reduce the danger or threat they may pose to others;
- Strengthening pedestrian priority on pavements and that drivers and riders should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road;
- Establishing guidance on safe passing distances and speeds and ensuring that cyclists have priority at junctions when travelling straight ahead.
