‘Serious money’ needed to transform Britain into a nation of cyclists, say campaigners

Cycling groups today welcomed Downing Street’s bike boost plan but said more money is needed to “transform” Britain.

Boris Johnson has announced bicycles will be made available on the NHS as part of the Government’s “biggest and boldest plans” to boost active travel.

The plans will be funded by a £2 billion investment announced in February.

Cycling campaigners hailed the move as a “step in the right direction” but added: “What we need is the money.”

Donnachadh McCarthy, co-founder of campaign group Stop Killing Cyclists, told the Standard: “This looks from what we can see that there is no real new money from what they’ve announced already.

“What they always do is they multiply what they were going to spend by either five or 10 years so it sounds like a big number. What we need to be doing is spending £2 billion to £6 billion a year — not £2 billion over five years. We welcome today’s announcement but if we are going to be serious about it we have to put the money in.”

He suggested that pop-up cycle lanes used during the pandemic could serve as a “blueprint” for future permanent routes. He added: “It allows communities to see the benefits before they are made permanent. They are real-world trials.” Simon Munk, from the London Cycling Campaign, added: “Some of the  cycle lanes will need changes to make them better, but they have been great at showing people what is possible.” 

 

Matt Mallinder, director of charity Cycling UK, said the Government’s plan “places cycling at the heart of our towns and cities” but called for more funding “to truly shift gears so that everyone can feel the benefits of cycling”.

Official figures show there has been a surge in cycling following the coronavirus outbreak. However, the number of vehicles on London’s roads has also increased in recent weeks as commuters shun public transport.

Under the Government’s plans, GPs in areas with poor health will be encouraged to prescribe cycling and patients will able to access bikes through their local surgery.