New Fund to encourage Safe Cycling

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Published: 23 January 2008

New Fund to encourage Safe Cycling

Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Transport has announced a £140m fund in cycling to help half a million children cycle safely and a generation of adults rediscover their bikes.

This new drive to boost cycling is intended to 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 made available 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 & 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 3 million people will have the chance to benefit from best practice & promotion of cycling

Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Transport said:

"Cycling brings many benefits, both for the individual in terms of health and fitness and for the local community as it helps tackle congestion and improve local air quality.

Being able to cycle safely is an important life skill and I want to give more children the opportunity to do it and encourage more adults to reach for their bikes.

By 2012, I expect 500,000 more children to have been able to learn the necessary skills so that they cycle safely and responsibly. This will give parents reassurance that their children are suitably equipped to use the roads and enjoy their bikes.

The results of both Bikeability and Cycle Demonstration Towns are hugely impressive and prove that by providing the right facilities and support more people are willing to get on their bikes.

For example, Darlington has quadrupled the proportion of children cycling to school. Aylesbury has also seen a five-fold increase in residents using a bike as one of their two main means of transport in the last two years.

That is why think it is right to expand this project so we encourage healthier lifestyles and more sustainable communities."

The funding package will go to Cycling England, the body set up by Government to promote cycling, to continue their successful work.

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 today's announcement 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.

The bicycle really does have a role in helping meet England's transport challenges. It is now taking its place as a proper mode of transport."

Of the £140million total funding, only £110m is new as Government funding for Cycling England is already £10million a year. The package includes a contribution from the Department of Health in recognition of cycling's role in helping build the recommended levels of activity into people's daily lives (which means their budget is cut).

The full breakdown of funding over the next three years is:

· 2008/09 - £20million

· 2009/10 - £60million

· 2010/11 - £60million

The Cycling Demonstration Town programme costs £2.8m a year for 6 Cycling Demonstration Towns (Aylesbury, Brighton, Darlington, Derby, Exeter and Lancaster with Morecombe) to showcase best practice in promoting cycling for other areas to learn from.

Cycling England will be seeking bids for the new Cycle Demonstration Towns and City in spring 2008/9. Following a period of planning, the major investment will begin the following year.