Cycling is the way forward
The government is to spend a record £140million on getting young and old back on their bikes.
The government investment in cycling, announced by Ruth Kelly, secretary of state for transport, is set to help half a million children cycle safely and a generation of adults rediscover their bikes.
The government hopes its ambitious plan will help to tackle road congestion and improve air quality, as well as create more opportunities for exercise. It fulfils a commitment to increase investment in sustainable transport initiatives, outlined in the recent strategy document, Towards a Sustainable Transport System.
The money will be invested over the next three years and forms part of the government's forthcoming strategy to tackle obesity.
The six-fold increase in funding will:
• Allow an extra 500,000 10 year-olds across England to take part in Bikeability cycle training by 2012, equipping them to cycle safely and responsibly.
• Build another 250 Safe Links to Schools, connecting around 500 more schools to the National Cycle Network. Many schools with links have already doubled the number of pupils cycling to school.
• Create up to a further 10 Cycling Demonstration Towns in England, as well as the first large Demonstration City. This will mean nearly three million people will have the chance to benefit from best practice and promotion of cycling.
Phillip Darnton, Chairman of Cycling England said: "Cycling England has produced compelling evidence to show that increased and sustained levels of investment in cycling can make a substantial impact.
"We are delighted that the government has acted and believe this will make a real difference to the way we travel - to school, work and the station. The expansion of Bikeability training will give the next generation the skills and confidence to ride on today's roads."
