Cyclists are more likely to suffer injuries in Canterbury than anywhere else in Kent prompting calls for 20mph speed limits across the city.

A report commissioned by Canterbury City Council has outlined a number of recommendations to promote safe cycling in the district including signing up to the 20’s Plenty campaign following authorities in Portsmouth and Islington.

The campaign has been adopted by 33 local authorities across the UK with a further 12 committing themselves to introducing more 20mph zones in residential areas.

Any changes to the speed limit would have to receive approval from Kent County Council.

In total, 13 recommendations have been issued in Canterbury including producing up-to-date district cycle routes, teaming up with universities to promote cycle use and the city council designating a senior officer and member to act as a ‘champion for cycling.’

Cllr Bill Oakey, who led the review, said Canterbury had the worst record for cycling accidents and said he personally wanted to see more speed restrictions.

He said: "We tried to look at every aspect of cycling in Canterbury.

"We have the worst cycling accident record throughout Kent which is nothing to be proud of.

"Possibly because we have a large number of cyclists, a large student population and we have a medieval city which was never built for cycling."

In the past three years, there have been an average of 43 cycle crashes a year with five people killed or seriously injured every 12 months.

Figures presented to the council did not include two cycle deaths including 29-year-old Graham Epps who was killed on the A2 in August and 57-year-old Stephen Vanhinsbergh on the Thanet Way 10 days later.

All recommendations received unanimous backing the city council’s executive with members congratulating the team behind the report.

However, Brian Macdowall, from the Association of British Drivers, said enforcing 20 mph zones would do little to cut the amount of accidents arguing that bad driving was the main cause of fatalities rather than speed.

He said: "We totally disagree with a blanket 20mph zone which is none other than a futile political gesture.

"Speed limits are not the main cause of accidents and if they are really serious about promoting road safety they need to include all road users."

Council leader John Gilbey said he expected the recommendations to be heard at the council’s next joint transportation board meeting.

Would you like to see more 20mph zones in Canterbury? Is cycling unsafe in the city? Leave your comments below