Govt announces new cycling infrastructure

Date: 29/11/2012

The government has announced its biggest ever investment in cycling infrastructure across the UK, with a large number of brand new cycle lanes due to be built.

A total of £20 million has been pledged by Whitehall as more people take up cycling.

Unfortunately this has led to an increase in casualties, with more bike riders  killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads in 2012 compared to last year. The number of deaths has reached 108 so far.

With a 16 per cent rise in casualties, the number of those being hurt is higher than the figure for new cyclists taking up the activity.

Robert Gifford, Executive Director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, said: "This shows that cycling is becoming a more dangerous activity.

"We need substantial investment to make sure more people can cycle more safely."

The distribution of the investment fund will be carried out by officials at the Department for Transport, who will assess bids from individual councils.

This means that various different types of schemes will benefit from the money including dedicated cycle lanes being created, traffic-free routes set up and improving junctions for cyclists.

Rail companies will also be able to submit bids for cycle parks to be built at stations, which should create a network and make it easier for commuters to incorporate cycling into their daily routine.

Anna Soubry, Public Health Minister, said: "Cycling is a great way for adults to get their recommended 150 minutes of physical activity each week and this funding will help encourage more people to get involved."

It is also thought that more people are turning to cycling during the economic downturn as a way to cut the costs associated with running their cars.

A spokeswoman for British Cycling said: "We now need to see real leadership right across government to get Britain cycling.

"If cycling is put at the heart of transport policy – so that all decisions are made with cycling in mind – we can create a cycling nation to rival countries like Denmark."

Posted by Mary Treen

Transport News and Transport Consulting News