PM 'Embarrassed' by Transport Secretary Says Boardman

1st April 2015

The Prime Minister has been 'embarrassed' by the Transport Secretary's inaction on cycling, British Cycling's policy adviser Chris Boardman said today in response to the government's publication of its cycling delivery plan consultation.

British Cycling's policy adviser, Chris Boardman, said:"After the triumphs of London 2012, the Prime Minister promised a 'cycling revolution' and, even though today's announcement has been almost two years in the making, we are still waiting for his government to produce a clear strategy on cycling.

"The Department for Transport's own figures show that they've spent a pitiful £2.20 per head per year on cycling over the last five years - this is 10 times less than is being spent in popular cycling countries abroad.

“The mountains of evidence assembled by their own people showing that more cycling would have an immeasurable impact on the country is effectively being filed at the back of a cupboard gathering dust.

“We're just days away from the election period and the timing of this response says it all. The Transport Secretary has embarrassed David Cameron by failing to deliver on the Prime Minister's promise to make cycling an accessible and attraction option.

“The next government now has a legal obligation to produce an investment strategy for cycling. It is crucial that the thousands of responses received by the department - plus the letter that big businesses have sent to party leaders – are listened to and that swift action is taken to implement our recommendations."
http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/bc_files/campaigning/016_-_CHOOSECYCLING_JOINT_LETTER_FINAL.pdf

About British Cycling

British Cycling is the national governing body for cycling as recognised by the UCI – the international federation for the sport. Based in Manchester at the National Cycling Centre, British Cycling works across all levels and six disciplines of the sport (BMX, Mountain Bike, Cyclo-cross, Road, Track and Cycle Speedway), from providing the support and encouragement people need to get riding their bikes for the first time, to being home to the hugely successful Great Britain Cycling Team. Continued success at the highest level is inspiring a boom in participation across the nation. There have never been more opportunities to ride a bike, be it for fun or sport, and British Cycling is at the heart of this growth. British Cycling also works hard to represent cyclists' interests at all levels, including campaigning on important issues including road safety. As a membership organisation, British Cycling provides a suite of benefits and support to its members who currently number over 104,000. All membership revenue is invested back into cycling.

For more information, visit www.britishcycling.org.uk