THE ‘Smart Oxford’ initiative (Oxford Mail, August 31) is to be welcomed as sensible new technology that would contribute towards traffic reduction.

But it would be just as valuable to Oxford and Oxfordshire if we were able to increase cycling levels to the same as those in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire.

Comparing these local authorities, the percentage of adult residents cycling at least once a month in 2013/14(1) were: Cambridge 57%; Oxford 39%; South Cambridgeshire 33%; Oxfordshire 24%.

Oxfordshire’s Green Party county councillors are concerned about these figures and will be taking the county council to task at their next meeting.

Among the items they will be raising is the question of how many dedicated cycling officers there are in transport infrastructure planning teams.

Additionally, they will be pressing the county to indicate what plans it has to bring up the Oxfordshire level of cycling to the Oxford city level.

Apart from the obvious gain in reducing air pollution, the health benefits of more cycling would without doubt assist people in living longer, more productive lives in our county.

Reaching the Dutch level of investment in cycling infrastructure could reduce NHS spending by £1.6bn per year, allowing this money to be allocated to other major health needs.

Spending about £1bn a year on cycling in the UK would actually pay for itself through health improvements, as the All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group has argued. Increasing cycling is an essential priority for our county council and for all district councils in Oxfordshire because of the combination of traffic congestion, air pollution and an ageing population.

STEVE DAWE
County press officer
Oxfordshire Green Party