Shadow transport minister Bernard Jenkin pedalled into action as he launched a new Conservative policy aimed at encouraging more people to leave their cars at home and get on their bike.

Yesterday (Monday), outside Conservative Central Office in Westminster, Mr Jenkin, MP for North Essex, unveiled a series of proposals to improve the safety and attractiveness of Cycling as an alternative form of transport.

An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Mr Jenkin, said: "It is well-known that the Conservatives are the party of the motorist. We are also the party of the cyclist."

A spokeswoman at Conservative Central Office said Mr Jenkin would certainly be "practising what he preaches".

"Bernard cycles everywhere and is well known around these parts as a keen cyclist. In London, with all the traffic, a bike is so much quicker."

The new proposals build on the achievements of the National Cycling Strategy, the London Cycle Network and widespread introduction of cycle lanes and Mr Jenkin described them as "ambitious action".

"We will set targets for the reductions of cycling deaths and injuries on our roads. We will also encourage ways of segregating cycles from traffic and educating all road users in awareness of the dangers cyclists face," he said.

Mr Jenkin said in countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, bikes were used for many more journeys than they were in the UK, where only one per cent of all passenger journeys were by bike.

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