To ask the Minister for Regional Development what action his Department is taking to reduce cycling casualties.

My Department’s Roads Service is committed to providing safer roads for vulnerable road users, including cyclists and pedestrians, by utilising a range of measures, such as road safety engineering, traffic calming and enhancement of the pedestrian and cycling network. The overall objective is to maximise the resources it has available for cycle initiatives.

In the 10-year period, including this financial year, my Department will have invested almost £9 million in the provision of 200km of cycle lanes.

My Department also works closely with the Department of the Environment and the Police Service of Northern Ireland in the promotion of Road Safety to all road users through its Travelwise initiative. This initiative aims to increase the number of commuters who choose to cycle to work, and as part of its promotion of cycling, encourages all road users to consider the needs and safety of others.

In addition, my Department has designed a leaflet entitled ‘Sharing Space on the Road’ to encourage safe behaviour among road users. The leaflet sets out tips for motorists and cyclists on sharing the roads with others. The leaflet was distributed to 120,000 motorists with motor tax renewal forms in March of last year and has been made available at various government and local government locations as well as cycling outlets. A copy of the leaflet can be found online at http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/sharing_space_on_the_road.pdf or from Travelwise NI (telephone 0845 378 0908).

In recent years, cycling has benefited from capital investment, and the cycling infrastructure in Northern Ireland is well established. It remains my intention to continue to improve this network, in so far as available resources permit.