‘Value for money’ cycling gets £10m funding allocation

The funding – which is the remaining allocation of the Government’s £60m cycling budget for this year – will deliver new parking provisions, designated routes and a range of other enhancements aimed at encouraging more people to cycle.

Results from an evaluation of the original six Cycle Demonstration Towns (Aylesbury, Brighton & Hove, Darlington, Derby, Exeter and Lancaster) show that “they are working,” said a statement from the DfT.

A survey found a 27 per cent increase in the number of cycle trips as well as strong evidence of new cyclists taking to the road and demonstrable health benefits.

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said:

“The new money for the Cycling Demonstration Towns and the Peak District National Park represents a great opportunity for people to join the cycling revolution. By getting more people cycling, we can help tackle congestion and pollution, as well as helping to promote health and fitness.

“I have been hugely pleased with the Cycle Demonstration Town project and these results prove that when you provide the right facilities and support, more people will get on their bikes.

“I am also pleased to announce that we will be providing Sustrans with £6m this year to install cycle parking and build cycling and walking links to schools, making it easier for children, and others living nearby, to travel on foot or by bike.”

Phillip Darnton, Chairman of Cycling England, said:

“This is fantastic news for our demonstration programme. Cycling England and the Department for Transport set out in 2005 with six cycling towns to show that investing in cycling can deliver real impact – in tackling congestion and pollution, and improving health. The results from the original six towns, and the promise shown by the new wave of 11 additional cycling towns and one cycling city alongside other cycling demonstration projects such as the Peak District National Park, give us great confidence we can make a real difference to the travel culture of the UK.”

Also announced today by the DfT was a best practice guide for local authorities. The guide covers a wide range of sustainable travel initiatives that authorities can consider bringing forward as part of their third Local Transport Plans. It also aims to help them choose and deliver measures which are carefully tailored to specific locations and achieve sustainable transport goals.

The full breakdown of funding for Cycling England is:

· 2008/09 – £20million

· 2009/10 – £60million

· 2010/11 – £60million

The DfT said: “The programme of funding has been influenced by the very good value for money which cycling projects exhibit.”

In 2007, Cycling England commissioned independent economists SQW to evaluate the economic benefits of cycling.

SQW argued that through improvements in health, reductions in congestion and by enhancing the ambient environment, a 50% increase in the number of trips by bicycle would generate benefits worth £1.3bn by 2015.