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Boris Johnson to say protesters are 'scaring cyclists' | Boris Johnson to say protesters are 'scaring cyclists' |
(35 minutes later) | |
Cyclists who staged protests over the deaths of six people in London risk scaring people off switching from cars to bikes, Boris Johnson is set to say. | |
The Mayor of London will speak at an event for cycling and haulage experts which was arranged before the deaths, which happened over a two-week period. | The Mayor of London will speak at an event for cycling and haulage experts which was arranged before the deaths, which happened over a two-week period. |
He will say he understands the "anger and concern" over the fatalities. | He will say he understands the "anger and concern" over the fatalities. |
Mr Johnson is also expected to reaffirm his £913m commitment to improving cycle safety, in the City Hall speech. | Mr Johnson is also expected to reaffirm his £913m commitment to improving cycle safety, in the City Hall speech. |
'Redouble' efforts | 'Redouble' efforts |
He will say: "Of course I accept that people want to create pressure for action to get more Londoners cycling. | |
"But the risk is that the association of cycling with death may be doing the opposite. It may be scaring people away." | "But the risk is that the association of cycling with death may be doing the opposite. It may be scaring people away." |
It is understood Mr Johnson will use the event to examine the case for a ban on HGVs on some London roads and set out deadlines for improvements to dangerous junctions. | It is understood Mr Johnson will use the event to examine the case for a ban on HGVs on some London roads and set out deadlines for improvements to dangerous junctions. |
But he will also point out that the number of deaths is the same as at this point last year, and lower than the year before. | But he will also point out that the number of deaths is the same as at this point last year, and lower than the year before. |
It is anticipated Mr Johnson will say: "The lesson I take from these tragedies is not that we should draw back from our hugely ambitious cycling programme - but that we should redouble our efforts to achieve it." | It is anticipated Mr Johnson will say: "The lesson I take from these tragedies is not that we should draw back from our hugely ambitious cycling programme - but that we should redouble our efforts to achieve it." |
Plans to improve safety in the mayor's Vision for Cycling include a new network of cycle superhighways and back-street "quietways" for cyclists not wanting to ride on main roads. | Plans to improve safety in the mayor's Vision for Cycling include a new network of cycle superhighways and back-street "quietways" for cyclists not wanting to ride on main roads. |