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DfT's Red Tape Challenge - Keep Racing on the Roads!

Today is your last chance to feed back on the regulations you would like to see changed or removed is also a chance for you to help Keep Road Racing on the roads in the UK.

The DfT have already told us they have had more submissions on the 1960 Cycle Racing on the Highways Regs than any of the other 400 odd regs they put up for review - so thankyou and a big well done to everyone who has helped. It has definitely helped our case to get the redrafting of them prioritised.

THE RED TAPE CHALLENGE

The government's "Red Tape Challenge" is currently running with a Road Transport Theme. All road transport regulations have been placed on the Red Tape Challenge website, a Government-wide site aimed at reducing bureaucracy. They will remain there for 4 weeks (until 17 June), during which the government are inviting the public and businesses to tell them what's working and what's not, what can be simplified and what can be scrapped.

WHAT WE'D LIKE TO CHALLENGE

One of the cornerstones of British Cycling's ongoing "Keep Racing on the Roads" campaign is the need to amend 50 year old regulations which cover cycle racing. The "Cycle Racing on Highways Regulations 1960" are, not surprisingly, very out of date and in need of revision. This is an ideal opportunity to underline this message and for you to help British Cycling's campaign.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Simply follow the links below and click on the Road Safety and Cycling option:

Link: Red Tape Challenge Website - Road Transportation Page

Or go straight to the Road Safety and Cycling page

We'd suggest posting something along the lines of the following message:

"My response relates to the Cycle Racing on Highways Regulations 1960 which provide for the authorisation of cycle racing events on the public highway. These regulations are more than fifty years out of date and no longer fit for purpose. They are overly complicated and impose restrictions and cost burdens that are leading to less and less cycle road racing taking place."

"Many of the rules in these regulations need removing and others streamlining so that the procedure starts from the position that Road Racing is a legitimate sporting activity that should be encouraged. We want the government to give more power to race organisers and the police to work together so that expert volunteers can contribute to the marshalling of races. This will reduce the financial burden on race organisers and free up police resources for other important activity. Transport Minister Norman Baker has previously said such action is a priority and I urge Government to continue working with British Cycling for the modernisation of these regulations. "

Thank you for your help and support!

HOW OUR FRIENDS ARE SUPPORTING US

Parliamentary Bike Ride: Transport minister pledges to speed up the process in Westminster

Sport England Back us - Sport England have been pushing our campaign on our behalf on their website and on Twitter - many thanks for that!

Ian Austin's support in Westminster: Shadow Sports Minister Ian Austin, the MP for Dudley North and a British Cycling member has continued to support Cycling in Parliament, by encouraging Transport Minister, Mike Penning, to review all road regulations from the perspective of cyclists and include a representative for the sport on the expert panel for the 'Red Tape Challenge'.

Ian Austin's message to British Cycling members: "I'd really encourage all British Cycling members to respond to the DfT's Red Tape Challenge and help keep cycle racing on the roads. I know from my time in government that ministers really do pay attention to public feedback. So make your opinions known by June 17 and let's make these outdated regulations fit for purpose."