Olympic cyclists back calls to make the streets safer

Leading cyclists have called for a redesign of cycle lanes
Leading cyclists have called for a redesign of cycle lanes
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER, RICHARD POHLE

Four Olympic champion cyclists have called for urgent action to make cycling safer on Britain’s streets.

Victoria Pendleton, who won gold and silver in the Velodrome at London 2012, called for cars to be banned from driving and parking in cycle lanes. Joanna Rowsell and Dani King, her fellow gold medallists, said that Britain should take inspiration from the cycle lanes in the Netherlands and Belgium, where they train.

Jason Kenny, the double gold medal-winner, called for more people to take to their bikes to provide safety in numbers.

Pendleton also admitted that a fear of being knocked off her bike made her cycle less and drive her car more in the build-up to the Olympics.

“I think cycle lanes should only be cycle