Government outlines vision for an active England

The Government wants to see access to cycle training for every child, creating a generation of new, safe cyclists according to Transport Minister Sadiq Khan.

This is one of the aims of the 'Active Travel Strategy' - published today - which outlines plans to put walking and cycling at the heart of local transport and public health strategies over the next decade.

The other aims of the strategy include:

- Every major public sector employer to be signed up to the Cycle to Work Guarantee

- Cycle parking at or within easy reach of every public building

- Sufficient secure bike parking at every rail station

- Local authorities introducing 20mph zones and limits into more residential streets to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said:

"Active travel means a transport system where walking and cycling become the norm.

"Instead of automatically reaching for their car keys, I want to see people feeling confident enough to jump on their bike or pull on a pair of trainers.

"I am confident that this strategy will achieve this, making active travel a genuine and viable option for everybody."

Public Health Minister Gillian Merron said:

"Walking and cycling are two of the easiest ways for people to build regular physical activity into their daily lives – whether it's riding to work, walking to school or simply having fun.

“This strategy demonstrates that even making small changes can bring about significant health benefits, and helps reinforce the message of the Government's Change4Life movement, which is helping people to eat well, move more and live longer.”

Today's announcement is supported by a £12.5m package of investment which will secure cycle training for half a million additional school children by 2012.

The funding - which is part of the Government's £140m cycling budget over three years - will be provided to Local Authorities, the Government's Cycling Demonstration Towns, Youth Sport Trust, School Sports Partnerships and cycle trainers.

Also published today are results from an evaluation of the Government's Sustainable Travel Towns project, which aims to showcase towns that put walking, cycling and public transport firmly in the spotlight. Across three towns - Darlington, Peterborough and Worcester – there have been:

- 7% to 9% reductions in car trips

- 26% to 30% increases in cycling trips

- 10% to 13% increases in walking trips

Posted Monday February 22^nd 2010
By Department for Transport