2010 press releases

Local MP calls for action as figures show rise in accidents involving cyclists in Lewes constituency

Lewes MP Norman Baker has called for the government to act after figures uncovered by the Lib Dem MP - also his party's Shadow Transport Secretary - showed that there has been more than a 50% rise in accidents involving an injury to a cyclist in the Lewes constituency since 2004.

In 2004, there were 21 accidents involving injuries to cyclists in the Lewes constituency, but by 2008, this figure had risen to 32 - an increase of 52%.

Similarly, there was an increase in the number of accidents involving an injury to a motorcyclist during the same period, from 35 to 51 - an increase of 45%. However, the total number of road accidents where someone was injured decreased, from 346 in 2004 to 316 in 2008.

Norman Baker commented:

"It is very worrying that there has been such a marked increase in accidents involving motorcycles and cyclists in the Lewes area over just a few years.

"While it is encouraging that the total number of road accidents in which someone has been injured has decreased since 2004, the dangers for motorcyclists and cyclists are increasing.

"The government should be encouraging people to cycle, but to do that, they need to ensure that it is safe to do so. Creating more designated off-road cycle paths, as the Lib Dems have proposed to do, will make cycling safer for people in the Lewes constituency."

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