IDEAS aimed at banishing Bournemouth's reputation as one of England's most dangerous places to cycle were welcomed by riders.

As reported in Tuesday's Daily Echo, Lindley Owen, a consultant in public health, produced a report for Bournemouth Cycling Forum.

Members welcomed his recommendations to give urgent consideration to allowing cyclists more road space, making all residential areas 20mph - enforced with average speed cameras - and consulting on the proposals only after a 12-month pilot.

He was applauded after presenting his report to the meeting at Bournemouth Town Hall on Tuesday evening.

“20mph zones have to come quickly, but they have to be part of a system of getting children to school,” he said.

Bournemouth council's cabinet member for transport, Cllr Michael Filer, spoke to the forum for the first time.

He said the council had reached the stage where he could show a plan of what was going to be done over the next two years, including more cycle lanes.

It is also hoped to offer bike hire around the town.

He added: “What's essential is to modify and reduce the number of cars on the roads and encourage the use of cycling.”

Jason Falconer, who works to promote cycling safety, said: “I would urge the engineers to look at the experience of London's cycling superhighways and the best examples they can to go forward with it.

“There has to be more cycle training and telling people to use the roads better as part of this package.”

Mike Chalkley, former chairman of the forum, welcomed the ideas but said they should go further by blocking off side roads to stop them being used as rat runs.

Forum chairman John Hayter added: “There's been a general warmth in the discussions towards the proposals and we hope to see it rolled out.”

The council was awarded £4.6million last year by the Government's Local Sustainable Transport Fund and is sharing £12.1m with Poole and Dorset councils to improve travel through the conurbation.