Agenda item
Promoting Cycling Safety in Oxford
Proposed by Councillor Wolff, seconded by Councillor Upton
Green member motion
Council notes with great sadness of death of cyclist Claudia Comberti on Oxford’s roads earlier this year.
In response to this tragic event, Claudia’s friends, colleagues and local cycling campaign groups have come together to create “The Claudia Charter for Safer Cycling in Oxford”. The desire of those producing the Charter is to see it adopted by organisations and individuals right across the city, and in so doing help drive forward and focus efforts to significantly improve cycling safety.
Council recognises and welcomes this initiative.
This motion therefore calls on Council:
a. to become the Charter's first signatory and to formally adopt the Charter, and
b. to refer this motion and the Charter to the relevant officers and Scrutiny Committee so that it may inform future policy and action and that delivery against the Charter can be effectively monitored.
The Charter is attached.
Minutes:
Councillor Wolff proposed his submitted motion as set out in the briefing note.
Councillor Upton seconded the motion.
After debate, and noting that the City Council had limited powers as this area was the responsibility of Oxfordshire County Council, and on being put to the vote, the motion was declared carried.
Council agreed the following motion:
Council notes with great sadness of death of cyclist Claudia Comberti on Oxford’s roads earlier this year.
In response to this tragic event, Claudia’s friends, colleagues and local cycling campaign groups have come together to create “The Claudia Charter for Safer Cycling in Oxford”. The desire of those producing the Charter is to see it adopted by organisations and individuals right across the city, and in so doing help drive forward and focus efforts to significantly improve cycling safety.
Council recognises and welcomes this initiative.
This motion therefore calls on Council:
a. to become the Charter's first signatory and to formally adopt the Charter, and
b. to refer this motion and the Charter to the relevant officers and Scrutiny Committee so that it may inform future policy and action and that delivery against the Charter can be effectively monitored.
Charter as presented to Council as part of this motion:
THE CLAUDIA CHARTER FOR SAFER CYCLING IN OXFORD
VISION: FEEL SAFE
This charter sets out a vision for feeling safe and being safe when cycling in Oxford. No loss of life or serious injury is acceptable. Let’s make cycling here an everyday reality for all ages and abilities.
WE NEED TO SEE...
1) GREATER RESPECT FOR VULNERABLE ROAD USERS
Everyone needs to move around safely. Let’s recognise that some road users are more vulnerable than others and we all have Rights and Responsibilities when using the roads.
We all deserve to be heard. Reporting all near misses, close passes, and aggressive interactions to the authorities will raise awareness of the conditions faced by those who choose to cycle.
All road users are people. Let’s progress the conversation: cyclists are people on cycles and drivers are people in vehicles, and lots of people do both. Let’s all get home safely.
2) A DECISIVE POLITICAL COMMITMENT TO INCREASE CYCLE SAFETY IN AND AROUND OXFORD
Commit to spend a minimum of £10 per head, per year, on cycling safety.
Commit to teaching the three levels of Bikeability in all Oxfordshire schools and update current cycle training in schools to Bikeability standard.
Implement Cycling UK’s “Space for Cycling” and “Too Close for Comfort” campaigns across Oxfordshire.
3) FAR SAFER HIGHWAYS FOR CYCLE USERS
Build continuous, segregated cycle ways that are at least as good as in the Oxford Transport Strategy and the Design Guide for Cycling in Oxfordshire.
Build high standard cycle provision at junctions (see Design Guide for Cycling in Oxfordshire).
Properly prioritise vulnerable road users in all parts of Oxford, not just the centre. Previous step changes in regulating motor traffic a quarter of a century ago noticeably benefitted the centre. Comparable step changes are now long overdue.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
- Report: incidents to the police, bus and taxi companies, and local authorities
- Chat: with someone who doesn’t cycle regularly about your experiences
- Share the space: every road user is a person, pedestrians are people on foot, cyclists are people on
- cycles, and drivers are people in cars
- Speak up: on social media, engage with local politicians, your voice matters
- Join: a cycling club (Condors, Wheels For All), advocacy group (Cyclox, CyclingUK), or
- community workshop (Broken Spoke).
- Ask: for Bikeability cycle training from your employer or your school.
- Cycle!
This charter is one response to the death of Claudia Comberti, who was killed on Botley Road while cycling on 9th May 2017. Our intention is to spark conversations, support dialogue, and create positive change - things that Claudia was always working towards.
Created by friends of Claudia and members of:
- Broken Spoke Bike Co-op
- Cyclox
- Oxford City Council
- University of Oxford
Supporting documents:
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