Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins is certain to encourage even more people to take up cycling. Already, our Olympics and World champion cyclists, such as Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton, have inspired greater numbers of Brits to get on their bikes. But there is still a lot of hesitation from would-be cyclists because of a perceived road danger.

Now another top cyclist, Olympic medal hopeful Andy Tennant, is backing a new campaign for safer streets for bike riders. The campaign calls for action to protect cyclists in the UK – and to helping to foster more world-class cyclists, as well as improving the health of families through cycling.

A survey by road safety charity Brake, one of the groups behind the campaign, has revealed widespread fear among parents about letting their children cycle. Ninety per cent of those asked aid they would support 20mph speed limits in their community and 92 per cent backed cycle paths linking local facilities.

More than three-quarters of parents said they would cycle with their children if they felt roads were safer.

Call for safer cycling

The Cycle for Life campaign is calling on the Government and local authorities to promote safe cycling by investing in measures to protect cyclists, such as traffic-free and segregated cycle paths and more 20mph speed limits.

They are also calling on drivers to pledge to slow down to 20mph in built up areas, as well as getting them to take more care when driving near cyclists.

Andy, a British track and road cyclist, is reported as saying: “As a kid I cycled everywhere I could and it helped me to become the athlete I am today. That’s why I’m backing Brake’s campaign to make our roads safer for cycling to help more families get outdoors and get active.

“We need more safe routes for cycling but drivers can also play a key part in making our streets safer, and help nurture the future of British cycling by always looking out for cyclists and driving below 20mph around homes and schools.”

Julie Townsend, Brake deputy chief executive, said: “You don’t need to cycle to Olympic standards for it to change your life. Cycling makes you feel amazing: you get fitter and spend more time outdoors, and it’s an environmentally friendly way to get around.

“The best way to encourage cycling to and protect existing cyclists, is to make it safer through widespread 20mph limits where people live and segregated cycle paths connecting homes and community facilities.

“We need the Government to provide more funding for safety features like these, and we need more local authorities to make safe cycling and walking a priority.

“We’re also appealing to drivers to help make roads safer for young cyclists by pledging to slow down to 20mph in residential and urban areas.”

The Government recently announced £15m funding to address cycle safety at junctions on top of the £15m announced in March for cycle routes, storage facilities and repair centres.

Who reckons the new safe cycling campaign is a good idea?