Mark Harper Archives

Mark Harper

On your bike! How did the politicians who made questionable comments about cycling get on at the general election?

More than a few familiar faces will now be searching for something to fill their time

Sat, Jul 06, 2024 10:00

LTN protest outside County Hall, Oxford (Emily Kerr)

MPs should be punished for spreading disinformation, think tank says, after “crackpot conspiracy theory” prompted government to slash active travel funding in “dangerous dereliction of responsibility”

The Demos report also found that a “democratic chasm” and lack of information has pushed people towards toxic social media debate on issues such as low traffic neighbourhoods

Mon, May 27, 2024 20:16

Cyclists in London at night stopped at red light – copyright Simon MacMichael

Government agrees to introduce tougher laws for “dangerous cyclists” who kill or injure, as Transport Secretary says “it’s only right tiny minority who recklessly disregard others face full weight of the law”

Ministers back an amendment to Criminal Justice Bill, put forward by Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP, to introduce the offence of ‘causing death by dangerous, careless or inconsiderate cycling, and causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate cycling

Wed, May 15, 2024 19:59

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Floating bus stop (CC0 1.0 DEED/RawPixel public domain)

Warning government considering ban on floating bus stops “could stop new protected cycle lanes”

London's Walking & Cycling Commissioner Will Norman said a ban on the bike lane design risks "putting lives at risk across the country"

Fri, May 10, 2024 16:24

Transport Secretary says tougher laws for dangerous cyclists “under review” and will be considered “with an open mind”

Comments come after Conservative MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith tabled a series of amendments to the Criminal Justice Bill calling for stricter penalties for cyclists who kill or injure pedestrians

Thu, May 09, 2024 15:52

Cyclist LTN planter, Hackney London (by Adwitiya Pal)

Government continues “angry rhetoric” against low traffic neighbourhoods despite its own report showing more people support LTNs than oppose them

Rishi Sunak’s Government was previously accused of attempting to bury the report which shows that LTNs have proven to be popular and largely effective

Sun, Mar 17, 2024 12:27

Cotham Hill LTN in Bristol (picture Adwitiya Pal)

Government falsely claimed it blocked low-traffic schemes, documents suggest

Papers obtained by a campaign group taking legal action over cuts to active travel budget show Active Travel England deemed council applications to be insufficiently ambitious to receive funding, and transport secretary Mark Harper had no role in decision

Mon, Feb 05, 2024 11:20

Cyclists and pedestrians in Doncaster (Doncaster Council)

High Court grants legal challenge to government’s cycling funding cuts – as ministers forced to concede they were aware of “devastating” impact of decision to slash active travel budget

“It’s obvious that ministers are no longer serious, whether about their commitments to cut congestion, improve travel choices, address climate change, or clean up our air”

Fri, Oct 27, 2023 12:23

Cycling signs (copyright Simon MacMichael) (17)

“When was the last time we heard of bus users against tram users?” Brompton Bike Hire chief blasts Rishi Sunak’s “cyclists versus drivers” rhetoric as “an artificial construct”

The hire bike company’s managing director says he hopes the prime minister’s pro-motoring “wedge politics” will “blow over given time”

Sun, Oct 08, 2023 16:49

Cycling signs (copyright Simon MacMichael) (23)

Cycling charity accuses Conservatives of “ill-fated attempt to win” votes with pro-motoring policies “undermining” active travel success

Cycling UK reacted to transport secretary Mark Harper's party conference speech by calling on the government to create a plan which includes all modes of transport, describing the proposal as "like trying to complete a jigsaw with half the pieces missing"

Mon, Oct 02, 2023 14:16