Cycling UK expresses ‘alarm’ on cycling and walking investment debate

Cycling UK, the national cycling charity, has expressed its ‘alarm’ following yesterday’s Westminster Hall debate on cycling and walking investment.

It said the Government did not explain how it would address its current projections that it would fail in its target to double cycling by 2025.

Duncan Dollimore, Cycling UK’s head of campaigns, said: “Parliament has declared a climate crisis. The debate was the chance to explain how the Government would enable more cycling and walking to tackle our growing transport emissions and achieve the Government’s targets of doubling cycling by 2025.

“Unfortunately, we heard nothing new on how this would be done, which is alarming given the transport secretary Jesse Norman’s admissions in May. When asked about current levels of investment he accepted that achieving those targets would require a dramatic increase, and potentially doubling, the current rate of intervention.

“Cycling UK agrees with the MPs at the debate calling for dedicated ring-fenced funding for local authorities to build ambitious cycling and walking facilities for everyone. We believe investment in cycling and walking should reach 5% of transport spending as soon as possible and rise to 10% over the next five years.”