Notts politicians ask for stricter bike laws

On Monday a delegation of politicans from Nottinghamshire will lobby Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport Stephen Hammond for stricter cycle laws.

Their campaign comes in light of seven cyclist deaths in Nottinghamshire so far this year - the highest number of cyclist deaths in a single UK county.

The Notts politicians will call for all cyclists to be compelled to wear helmets and all bikes to be fitted with lights. They also want all new bike sales to include helmets, reflective clothing and lights, and they want to ban BMX bikes on public roads.

Nottingham North MP Graham Allen, who will be leading the delegation said: "These figures are just not acceptable. Cycling may be a green means of transport but steps need to be taken to ensure that cyclists are safe."

However, the subject of Nottinghamshire cyclist deaths is far more complex than it first seems on the basis of this campaign.

Cycling Weekly's Matt Lamy has spent the last six weeks investigating just why Nottinghamshire has seen so many riders die this year.

To read his in-depth report pick up Cycling Weekly next Thursday (November 8).