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Following the news that Cycling England is to be abolished, the CTC has voiced its concerns over the future of cycling projects in the UK, including Bikeability.
The national cyclists organisation, which boasts 67,000 members, cautioned that the £20 million funding for Bikeability training, the Cycling Towns programme, workplace cycling schemes, cycle-rail projects and other efforts to promote cycling, could be lost in the Governments cuts.
Over 300,000 schoolchildren receive Bikeability’s National Standard cycle training every year. Despite Transport Minister Norman Baker’s assurances that Bikeability is ‘safe’, the level of the funding – and who will look after the brand, promotion and accreditation of thousands of cycle instructors – has yet to be revealed by the Government.
Kevin Mayne CTC chief executive – and Cycling England board member – said: “At a time when the Government is asking for programmes that use ‘Big Society’ approaches to cut the deficit and promote economic recovery, it is crazy to put all of Cycling England’s programmes in jeopardy.
"These cycling projects demonstrate how the public, private and voluntary sectors can work together to achieve results and amazing value for money.”
The CTC calls joins those of Sustrans, asking for clarification on the Local Sustainable Transport Fund promised by the Government.
Earlier this year, DfT studies proved that for every pound spent by the Government on cycling, cycling pays back by three pounds.
For more on the abolition of Cycling England click here.
