A CHAMPION of cycling in Worcestershire has warned that the perils of the county's roads are putting off younger and female cyclists.

Keen cyclist Gerry Taggart of Powick, a former lieutenant colonel in the Royal Engineers, who has performed charity cycle rides for Help for Heroes has called on more to be done to make Worcestershire's roads safer.

Thomas Goodwin, 72, from Colwall, near Malvern was riding his bicycle when he was in collision with a silver Ford Ranger on Walywyn Road at around 10.40am on Saturday, January 3.

He was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham with serious head injuries but died the following Monday.

Mr Taggart said: "Many studies show that it is an ideal way to maintain fitness and give people a longer life. But, where are the children and the women? Why are they not riding? Well, the answer is straightforward.

I have asked many women why they don't cycle and why they don't like their children cycling. They say, "It's simply too dangerous: I feel intimidated by cars and other vehicles".

But is it really dangerous or is it the perception of the risk, which deters cycling? However, It doesn't matter whether it's real or perceived if it's preventing people from doing it.

"In comparison to enlightened countries such as Holland, Denmark and Germany, a very tiny proportion of women and children are cycling in Britain. There's less cycling here because of lack of separation between cyclists and other traffic.

"Cyclists have a 100 per cent right to ride on any road. In fact it was the National Cyclists' Union and the Cyclists' Touring Club who first fought for roads to be properly surfaced.

The national government and the county have brought out strategies, visions, campaigns and local transport plans but there is very little spent on improving cycling for all users. It's mostly talk and reams of paper."

Mr Taggart says cycling also cuts obesity and pollution. He said: "Let us lobby our politicians at local and national level to actually build better cycling routes, which are safely separated from heavy vehicles; bikes and cars don't mix easily on our roads.

One of the busiest roads is the A449 between Malvern and Worcester. That has a pathway running nearly all the way. Simple engineering can turn it into a great shared cycle and foot path."

Cllr John Smith, cabinet member for Highways, said: "Worcestershire County Council has a strong working partnership approach with public, private and third party sector partners with the intention of developing active travel, including cycling.

Walking and cycling have a critical role to play in tackling the twin challenges of enhancing accessibility and tackling obesity.

"Development plans are legally required to prove a multi-modal approach to develop walking and cycling networks to support structural and economic growth.

"During 2013-14, £3.6 million was spent on schemes which contribute to the cycle infrastructure, safety and training. Over the last five years more than £4.5million has been spent on improving infrastructure for cyclists and walkers as part of the successful Connect2 project, the flagship of which is the hugely popular Diglis Bridge.

A number of other schemes have taken place across the city to improve signage, safety and links for cyclists. This will continue with planned works on Worcester's riverside, between Portland Walk and Navigation Road, along with improvements to the Cotswold Way orbital cycle way.

"We have also worked with the transport charity SUSTRANS to promote the national cycling network across Worcestershire and walking and cycling route maps have been distributed to residents.

"We plan to revisit our cycling policy and strategy this year which will include looking again at our aspirations for cycling as well as infrastructure."