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The Welsh assembly has revealed an ambitious plan to get Wales cycling and walking.
At the end of last month the body unveiled its four-year blueprint at the Millennium Centre, which aims to incorporate cycling and walking into the everyday lives of Welsh citizens.
Initiatives and new policies will help the Welsh assembly achieve its aims, including tripling the number of people who bike to work.
Cycling and walking will be prioritised in public transport investments, employers will be given more incentives to offer employees – including a tax-free bike purchase scheme, a new National Standard for cycle training will be introduced, and local authorities will be called on to provide and maintain high quality routes and facilities for cyclists.
Welsh double gold Paralympic cyclist Simon Richardson MBE and Australian Paralympian cycling medallist Jayme Paris attending the official unveiling of the WAG Walking and Cycling Action Plan 2009-2013. The event also highlighted that the Australian Paralympic team will base their holding camp in Wales for the 2012 Olympic games.
Welsh deputy first minister Wyn Jones launched the plan at the Centre: “More walking and biking in Wales is a win-win situation on all fronts. It will ease congestion, lower emissions and address growing obesity levels.
“If levels of activity increase we will have a healthier nation. Surveys show that 57 per cent of adults in Wales are either overweight or obese. We can transform this through making changes to our daily lives.”
