Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he has taken to improve safety for cyclists since his appointment.

The Government is fully committed to creating a safe environment for all road users, and in particular vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

In September we launched a cycle safety campaign targeting both cyclists and lorry drivers to raise awareness of the dangers of being alongside a lorry turning left. The campaign ran in London and Manchester – cities with the highest number of cyclist fatalities involving a lorry.

We are also working on wider cyclist safety in other ways, including changes to vehicle design, mandatory training for HGV drivers and optional training for cyclists, including extending the Bikeability programme of cycle training. Bikeability provides trainees with riding skills suited to the road, but also explains the importance of obeying the Highway Code, the correct use of safety equipment, and sharing the road with other people.