Steve Brine will join colleagues from the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group this week as it hears its first witnesses on Wednesday 23rd January in a unique Westminster inquiry.
Sessions will examine the aspirations for cycling in the UK, safety, business and health benefits, planning and design as well as legal implications for accidents involving cyclists.
Mr Brine, who is Vice-Chair of the group, said: "This Inquiry is backed by the major cycling organisations, and really is great news for cyclists everywhere. It will seek the views and experiences of both groups and individuals on how the government can really help get more people cycling by making it safer and easier. This area has made really good progress with cycling in recent years; including work on the National Cycle Network, commitments to the Hockley Viaduct repair and the appointment by Winchester City Council of a cycling champion in Cllr Mike Southgate."
The annual Winchester Cycle Cavalcade is now an established event locally and will be led by the MP on Saturday 15 June.
The first session will be attended three panels of witnesses from groups including British Cycling, CTC, Cyclenation and Sustrans. The witnesses will present evidence on the ambition and resources needed to increase cycling levels in the UK, the need for cross-department co-ordination, infrastructure and behaviour measures, training and the role of the media. Also attending will be representatives from the national press, including The Times, which is currently running a safer cycling campaign backed by many local cyclists and local organisations.
Alongside Steve on the panel will be fellow members Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Lord Hoffmann, Ian Austin MP, Julian Huppert MP and Sarah Wollaston MP.
Co-chair of the All Party Group on Cycling, Ian Austin MP said: "We're launching this inquiry to build on the momentum created by the Times' brilliant campaign which has given cycling safety a higher priority than ever before. It's great that all the political parties have expressed support for the campaign, but the time has come for the government to commit to real change in the way Britain's transport system is run to make cycling safer and get more people on their bikes."
Steve Brine added: "The Inquiry will look into the full range of issues affecting cycling in the UK, including road safety, urban design and how public transport and cycling can work together better. Our aim is to present a robust report in the Spring which Government cannot ignore. It's an exciting thing to be involved with at this time."
Further sessions will be held throughout January and February, culminating with a final hearing on 6th March. The group will produce a report of the Inquiry's findings, which will be presented to government in April 2013.
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