October 2013
• Cycling City – ambition investment – The above two reports have created considerable political pressure on the Coalition government to announce new programmes for cycling. The first of these actually relates to a £42 m. fund announced last November the results of which are to be published in the next two weeks. It is likely that four major cities and up to four national parks will receive funding to improve cycling facilities and to be the “pilots” for a longer term scheme (see below). • Prime Ministerial announcement? – An announcement regarding the strategic importance of cycling was expected to be made by the Prime Minister last Friday. However, because of security issues, that has been deferred, although it is still promised within the next four weeks. The contents of this have not been disclosed but it is reported that major investment in infrastructure to link cycling to stations on the route to the new high-speed train (HS2) will be among the plans. Additionally, the AA (Automobile Association) and the British School of Motoring (BSM) who between them train very large numbers of learner drivers, have announced that they will significantly increase the emphasis in driving lessons on how to cope with vulnerable road users, particularly cyclists. In addition to this momentum to get government action on cycling, there are also two high-level events in the cycling calendar which will further promote cycling in the UK. The first of these is called “Ride London” – a two day event, of which the first day will be for enthusiastic cyclists following the Olympic marathon route, and the second day will be a popular mass ride for everyday cyclists in London. The other major cycling event will be the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire in 2014. Already several large Authorities are working on major programmes to ensure that this event is not just for one day but really does transform their towns in terms of safe infrastructure; promote Bikeability training; and the encouragement of cycling as part of door to door journeys.
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