To: UK Government
Stop Carspreading: Make Cars Fit Britain
Introduce a Right-Sized Vehicle Standard for new passenger vehicles in the UK, with evidence-based limits on their size and weight and stronger requirements for pedestrian and cyclist visibility, direct vision and protection.
Why is this important?
I’m increasingly concerned that Britain is sleepwalking into an American-style arms race in vehicle size. Cars are getting bigger, heavier and taller, while our roads, parking spaces and neighbourhoods aren’t getting any bigger.
This isn’t about telling people what car they should drive. It’s about deciding how large and heavy a vehicle should be before everyone else has to accommodate it. Larger vehicles take up more public space, can create greater risks for pedestrians and cyclists, and put additional demands on roads and parking infrastructure.
What we are asking for
We are calling on the UK Government to introduce a Right-Sized Vehicle Standard for new passenger vehicles sold in Britain.
We are calling on the UK Government to introduce a Right-Sized Vehicle Standard for new passenger vehicles sold in Britain.
The standard should establish evidence-based limits and requirements covering:
- maximum vehicle width, length, height and mass;
- pedestrian and cyclist visibility, including direct vision from the driver's position;
- protection of people outside the vehicle in collisions.
These limits should be based on independent evidence covering road safety, public space, infrastructure and environmental impact.
What we are NOT asking for
This is not a call to ban SUVs, ban cars, or take existing vehicles away from their owners. Nor is it about preventing people from buying vehicles that genuinely meet their needs.
This is not a call to ban SUVs, ban cars, or take existing vehicles away from their owners. Nor is it about preventing people from buying vehicles that genuinely meet their needs.
It is about stopping the continued supersizing of new vehicles and ensuring that cars sold in Britain remain appropriate for the roads and communities they share.
We should decide what size of vehicle is appropriate for Britain — before the market decides for us.
How it will be delivered
I will present the petition to the Secretary of State for Transport and request a meeting to discuss introducing a Right-Sized Vehicle Standard. As support grows, I will seek backing from MPs and relevant road-safety, transport and environmental organisations, and organise a public petition hand-in to generate media attention. We will keep the petition open and continue campaigning until the Government commits to reviewing and addressing the growing size and weight of new vehicles.
