To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the trend in casualties among cyclists on roads; and what steps he plans to take to improve road safety among cyclists. (101884)

Trends in pedal cycle casualties are published by the Department in “Road Casualties Great Britain: 2005”. The statistics can be found in table 1K in the article ‘Review of progress toward the 2010 casualty reduction targets’ and in tables 2, 6, 9, 10 and 52. Copies of this publication are available in the Libraries of the House.

Measures to improve road safety for cyclists include providing better infrastructure, promoting cycle training, improving training and testing for motorists and encouraging cyclists to protect themselves by making themselves conspicuous, and by wearing a safety helmet.

We concentrate our cycle safety publicity on teenagers and younger children, as these are the most vulnerable groups. ‘Cycle Sense’ encourages teenagers to wear cycle helmets and provides advice on technique; cycle maintenance and visibility are also addressed. The campaign consists of a series of posters, a website and a supporting TV Filler film. Earlier this year, the Department also ran a new cycle safety campaign aimed at teenagers with Emap magazines and TV channels, featuring a website and a comic to support it. ‘Cycle Smart’, which includes a comic, website and posters, is aimed at younger children and uses Disney characters to communicate simple cycle safety messages.

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research his Department has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on a whole route approach to road safety; and if he will make a statement. (101885)

The Department for Transport has not commissioned or evaluated any research on a whole route approach to road safety.