David Cameron announces major cycling investment

Prime Minister David Cameron today announced "the biggest single injection of cash for the country" for cycling, with £94 million confirmed investment to improve safety and "cycle-proof" our roads.

Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bristol, Cambridge, Oxford and Norwich will together receive £77 million, while the New Forest, Peak District, South Downs and Dartmoor will share £17 million National Parks funding.

With local contributions the total cash injection for cycling will be £148 million between now and 2015.

The Prime Minister said: "Following our success in the Olympics, the Paralympics and the Tour de France, British cycling is riding high - now we want to see cycling soar.

"This government wants to make it easier and safer for people who already cycle as well as encouraging far more people to take it up and business, local government, developers, road users and the transport sector all have a role to play in helping to achieve this."

The announcement included the intention to put Britain on a level footing with countries like Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.

Councils and the Highways Agency will be expected to "up their game", making sure cycling is taken into account from the design stage on trunk road and traffic schemes like road widening and junction improvements.

Brian Cookson OBE, President of British Cycling, said: "It is very encouraging that Mr Cameron has shown leadership by recognising that better provision for people who want to travel by bike is fundamental to modern transport policy."

Chris Boardman, British Cycling's policy advisor, produced a video www.britishcycling.org.uk. He said: "Put simply, cycle-proofing is about ensuring that cycling is designed into all new roads and junctions. The goal should be to make any new infrastructure safer for cyclists, more convenient and make it a more desirable thing to do."

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