Even though the United Kingdom has the best overall road safety record in the EU, its performance in terms of protection of vulnerable road users, particularly cyclists and pedestrians, is less satisfactory. Children represent a highly vulnerable group. Evidence suggests that child pedestrian and cycling accidents peak in the early years of secondary school when children begin to go to school unassisted. The main reason people do not walk or cycle more often is fear of being hit by a car. This can have potentially harmful effects as traffic becomes heavier and health problems caused by a more sedentary life increase. It must be stressed that the promotion of cycling and walking and the provision of better protection for cyclists and pedestrians, particularly children, are interrelated issues and cannot be thought of independently. (Author/publisher)
Abstract