Government announce £214m investment in cycling

Nick Clegg today announced the biggest single investment in cycling in the UK, with £214m of funding being made available to make cycling easier and safer.

Mr Clegg made the announcement at a dedicated summit in Bristol, having declared in July that he wanted to see the number of journeys made by bike to double by 2020.

Cycling campaigners have hailed the announcement as an "interim victory", but say more is still needed.

British Cycling policy adviser Chris Boardman joined the Deputy Prime Minister to announce the new investment, with Mr Clegg stating that Britain needs to follow the lead of its European neighbours.

“I want to bring cycling down from the Alps and onto British streets,” Mr Clegg said.

“The inspiration and legacy of the 2012 Olympics and the Tour de France starting in Yorkshire this year has started a revolution in cycling for everyone, not just in velodromes, not necessarily in lycra, but for going to school or to work or to the shops.

“I’m committed to helping our dream of becoming a cycling nation, similar to places like Denmark and the Netherlands, become a reality.

“The rewards could be massive. Billions of pounds in savings for the NHS, less pollution and congestion, and a happier and safer population. In Government, we’re putting the money down, now we need the public and local authorities to jump on their bikes and get us to the finish line.”

Boardman called this a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to improve cycling.

The investment will be split into two strands, with £114m supporting the Cycling Ambition Cities Programme for the next three years. The programme will see Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich and Oxford accelerate the development of their cycling networks.

The remaining £100m will focus on the Strategic Road Network, which will improve conditions for cyclists and pedestrians travelling alongside and crossing Britain’s busiest roads.

The £214 investment brings the total invested in cycling by the Government to £588m.

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