Cycling 'will be at heart of government local transport strategy'

Date: 25/2/2010

The government has revealed plans to put walking and cycling at the centre of its local transport and public health strategies.

It released a report this week called Active Travel Strategy, which states proposals to give every child access to cycle training and other initiatives to make cycling easier and safer.

Included in the plans are proposals to ensure there is sufficient cycle parking at every rail station and within reach of all public buildings.
It would also like to see every major public sector employer signed up to the Cycle to Work Guarantee.

If the plans go ahead, 20 mph zones could be introduced by local authorities into more residential streets so that the safety of cyclists and pedestrians is improved.

Transport minister Sadiq Khan commented: "Instead of automatically reaching for their car keys, I want to see people feeling confident enough to jump on their bike or pull on a pair of trainers.

"I am confident that this strategy will achieve this, making active travel a genuine and viable option for everybody."

The government has also announced it is to invest £12.5 million into securing cycle training for half a million additional school children by 2012.

In related news, the government has announced today (February 24th) that the scrappage scheme is entering into its final stage.