BELLS ON BICYCLES

That this House notes that bells are currently required to be fitted to bicycles at the point of sale but that there is no obligation to retain the bell when the cycle is being ridden; welcomes the concerted effort on the part of this Government to encourage the use of bicycles in place of other forms of vehicular transport, especially in urban areas; recognises however that increased cycle usage places heightened demand upon public footpaths and bridleways and exposes pedestrians to an increased risk of injury; and therefore urges the Government thoroughly to review its current policy on cycle construction and to introduce a requirement that bells be retained on bicycles and used as a warning measure to pedestrians and other traffic at all times while the cycle is in use.