POLITICIANS are lobbying for cycle laws to be tightened after seven people died on Notts roads this year, compared to two cyclist deaths last year.
Nottingham North MP Graham Allen and a delegation of councillors will travel to Westminster on Monday to meet with Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport Stephen Hammond.
They will be calling for changes in the law so that all cyclists must wear helmets and all bikes must be fitted with lights.
The delegation also wants all new bike sales to include helmets, reflective clothing and lights, and to ban BMX bikes on public roads as some do not have brakes or lights fitted and are only suitable for tracks.
A call will also be made for more training, particularly in schools, and more money for dedicated cycle paths.
Of the seven deaths in the county, three were children, the youngest was just 12.
Mr Allen said: "These figures are just not acceptable. Cycling may be a green means of transport but steps need to be taken to ensure that cyclists are safe.
"I don't want to discourage cycling and we have some excellent cycle facilities in Nottingham. I want to see more dedicated cycle paths which are traffic-free and safe.
"I believe that we must all be responsible road users; motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. There must be greater awareness among motorists that there are other modes on the roads and they must drive appropriately. Cyclists must be seen. I think these four points coupled with an awareness campaign will have a big impact."
He added: "Our generation used to do the cycling proficiency course at school. We were issued with the Highway Code, tested and got a badge. Whatever happened to that?"
He will be joined by three Ashfield District Council, including Councillor Ian Morrison, who started the campaign after the deaths of two teenage cyclists in Hucknall earlier this year.
He said: "I was as shocked as were the rest of Hucknall residents when not just one but two young lives were lost in a matter of a few weeks this year. I and my fellow councillors from Ashfield District Council have vowed to explore all avenues to raise awareness about cycling safely and road safety issues county wide. We have met with county councillors and a number of very good points were raised at that meeting.
"I learned that there was only a small number of the 350 primary and secondary schools in Nottinghamshire that offer any sort of cycle training. These figures are not nearly good enough and county council recognise that more must do more to support pro active initiatives to get schools on board with the bikeability scheme.
"Manufacturers have a lot to answer for. The latest trend to sell fixed wheel bikes without brakes is simply immoral."