What will get unsure cyclists back on the saddle?

Rising fuel prices and concerns about the environment are pushing some people towards getting on their bike instead of behind the wheel. However, not everyone feels confident in doing so. What challenges do they face in Suffolk?

Gala Fraser Lim, 18, was riding home from her job at the Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich when she was knocked off her bicycle by a car earlier this year.

It destroyed her set of wheels and damaged her confidence.

"I did suggest we swap numbers but, sadly, I was given a fake number," she says of the car driver. "I called the police, but never heard back."

Despite her passion for cycling, the experience put Fraser Lim off getting back on the saddle.

"I was really shocked and scared to go on the road again," she adds.

Up to 11% of people in Suffolk cycle at least once a week, according to the county council.

Chris Grover, its transport, travel and safety manager, believes that number will only increase if riders are safely kept away from busy traffic.

Mandy Ginn, a chef, agrees. She was struck by a car while biking over the St Matthews Street/Civic Drive roundabout in Ipswich town centre.

"A car just didn't see me, even though I was wearing a helmet and bright protective clothing," she recalls.

"I reported the crash to the police but, sadly, no-one followed up."

Ginn says having more segregated routes would help to build cyclists' confidence.

"If there was a way to offer tax relief and financial benefits to cyclists, perhaps this would encourage more people to get out of their cars too," she adds.

A spokesman for Suffolk Police says cyclists involved in a collision or close pass should always report it.

"They have just as much right to get home safely as anyone else," Ch Insp Gary Miller adds.

About 5% of people cycle to work regularly in Ipswich, Grover says.

He believes there is an appetite for the activity, but adds "we don't always feel safe and we are not necessarily confident cyclists".

Of the concerns raised to the council, cars driving too close was the most prominent.

The authority, now led by Reform UK, plans to tackle this issue with wider space for walking and cycling, improved crossings and changes to tricky junctions.

Routes in Nacton Road, Woodbridge Road and between Ipswich Hospital and the waterfront have all been earmarked for improvement, boosted by £12.5m funding from Active Travel England.

Louise, from Bury St Edmunds, says they need to be properly maintained if people are to stick to the habit.

"With the nights closing in, it's going to be more dangerous with low-hanging trees," she says.

"I think the cycle paths need to be nice and clear to encourage people to go out and cycle."

While the council holds the keys, could people power be the real catalyst for change?

Ian Small, of charity Cycling UK, says people often point to the Netherlands as a great place to cycle, but that it has not always been this way.

"It all changed in the 1970s [when] major protesting erupted due to people being sick of motorists and angry about regular accidents," he explains.

"It became a tipping point and brought the changes that we see today."

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