A landmark report on the future of cycling in Britain calls for a national cycling champion to lead a drive for 10 per cent of all journeys in Britain to be by bike by 2025.

More of the transport budget should be spent on supporting cycling, at an initial rate of at least £10 per person per year, increasing as cycle levels increase, says the report by British Parliamentarians.

The report of the influential All-Party Parliamentary Cycling Group inquiry ‘Get Britain Cycling’ also calls for 20mph speed limits to become standard in urban areas and lower speed limits on many rural roads. It also says that all children should be given the chance to learn the skills of road cycling, at primary and secondary school.

The group’s report, published today (24 April) follows extensive public evidence from over 100 individuals and organisations, including cycling organisations, the Automobile Association, and a wide range of government departments and ministers.

It is both possible and necessary to expand the role of cycling in the nation’s transport and social life, says the group. This will lead to reduced congestion, environmental benefits and healthier citizens.

The aim is increase cycle use from less than 2 per cent of journeys in 2011, to 10 per cent of all journeys in 2025, and 25 per cent by 2050.

For this to happen, leadership is needed right from the top, the MPs and Peers conclude. They call on the Government to appoint a National Cycling Champion to advocate for cycling across all departments and externally.

Key recommendations include:

• More of the transport budget should be spent on supporting cycling, at a rate initially set to at least £10 per person per year, and increasing as cycling levels increase

• Cycling should be considered at an earlier stage in all planning decisions, whether transport schemes or new houses or businesses

• More use should be made of segregated cycle lanes, learning from the Dutch experience

• Urban speed limits should generally be reduced to 20 mph

• Just as children learn to swim at school they should learn to ride a bike

• The Government should produce a detailed cross-departmental Cycling Action Plan, with annual progress reports

Julian Huppert, MP for Cambridge and Co-Chair of the group, said: ‘Cycling has huge advantages – it is fast, safe, healthy, efficient, reliable, environmentally sound, and fun. We all benefit when people choose to cycle.

‘One of the most consistent points made was that lower speed limits reduce the number and severity of collisions for both pedestrians and cyclists – we should heed that advice. It will improve safety and reduce the fear of cycling that too many feel.

‘This generation of politicians has the chance to be long remembered for having a vision for cycling that includes us all. Put simply, Britain needs to re-learn how to cycle. This report sets out how this can be done.’

Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North and Co-Chair of the group said: ‘Too often, cyclists are just an afterthought. When collisions happen, the police and courts let the victims down, with sentences that do not fit the harm caused – this must be changed.

‘The real test of whether something is taken seriously in Government is who leads on it – and that means the Prime Minister has to take that lead.

‘With the excitement of the Olympics and Tour de France last year, cycling has captured the public imagination and is ready to grow. Our proposals will make that happen, and get Britain Cycling.’

Dr Sarah Wollaston, MP for Totnes and treasurer of the group said: ‘Cycling saves you money, improves your fitness and your quality of life. Please help us to make it safer for everyone by lobbying your MP to support cycling and most of all by joining us on your bike to Get Britain Cycling’.

Meg Hillier, MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch and vice chair of the group said: ‘In Hackney strong political leadership has shown what can be done with Hackney topping the league tables for journeys by bike in London. We now need that leadership nationally.’

Journalist and broadcaster Jon Snow said ‘At last Parliament is pedaling the talk and recognising the urgent need for political leadership on actions for cycling. Whichever Party Leader now seizes this opportunity, will reap dividends.

Cycling is no longer an eccentric past time, but an urgent day to day need with massive potential, and positive outcomes for transport, health, and economic efficiency. Dare we think Ministerial action on this excellent report?’

The President of the Automobile Association, Edmund King, said ‘If the recommendations in Get Britain Cycling are followed through it should be the catalyst for change to put cycling on the front foot. The clear vision is to change cycling from a ‘minority sport’ to a mainstream mode of travel.

Currently 18% of AA members cycle regularly but if these recommendations become reality we could see these numbers double. We now need leadership to match this vision. Drivers and cyclists are often the same people and they should all welcome this report.’

British Cycling’s Chris Boardman, said ‘The benefits of getting more people to cycle in terms of health and improving the places in which we live are clear. We need to be ambitious and set ourselves quantifiable targets to increase the number of people on bikes. Only then will we have a yardstick against which we can measure our every action and policy. This is how we go about winning gold medals at British Cycling because we know it is the only way to be successful.’

The Summary & Recommendations: Get Britain Cycling

Phil Goodwin’s full report: Get Britain Cycling_Goodwin Report

Greater investment in cycling infrastructure would have benefits for public health and could provide savings for the health service, Health Minister Anna Soubry told the Get Britain Cycling inquiry today.

Soubry, who told the inquiry she loved cycling as a child and that her husband bought her a mountain bike for Christmas, described herself as ‘wildly enthusiastic’ about cycling and said that cycle training and cycling as a sport should be taught in schools: “I see no reason whatsoever that cycling shouldn’t be part of sport in schools … I distinctly remember doing my cycling proficiency and it’s stayed with me for life.” Soubry warned that the perceived risks of cycling are standing in the way of progress, adding that she didn’t let her own children out on the roads due to safety fears.

The Health Minister was the first government minister to speak at the Get Britain Cycling inquiry. When questioned about the lack of a joined up approach on cycling, Soubry said that she has worked with Transport Minister Norman Baker on cycling initiatives but admitted that Whitehall “needs to show leadership.” Other witnesses and panel members at the inquiry agreed and said that the key to getting Britain on bikes is true cross-departmental working. Dr Sarah Wollaston MP said: “We need the education department to work with health and transport as well if we want to form habits for a lifetime.” Lord Berkeley asked if the Department for Transport can incorporate health benefits as a marker used when appraising a transport scheme.

Summing up the third session, co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group, Ian Austin MP, said:

“The issue that stood out for me today was the need to get departments working together both nationally and at local authrotiy level. It’s obviously good news we’ve got a health minister who say she’s passionate about cycling but we need to make sure her enthusiasm is shared across government so that a cohesive plan can be worked up to get Britain cycling. Without this, we’ll continue to have a piecemeal approach. That sentiment needs to be shared across local authorities – we saw some great examples today of what can be achieved.”

The fifth session of the All Party Cycling Group’s Get Britain Cycling inquiry also focused on local authorities and their responsibilities for providing improved road conditions and promoting cycling. Representatives from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), Leicester City Council and Devon County Council all gave evidence about their experiences of promoting cycling in their areas. Leicester’s Andy Salkeld was honest about the challenges being faced: “We’ve spent the last 50 years building cities for a car culture. We can’t change that overnight.” TfGM’s Dave Newton agreed “We’re starting from a low point but we are determined to get better.” The Local Government Association agreed that “political will is vital” and added that “every council should have a cycling champion.” The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England said that a major barrier is that the majority of planners “don’t ‘get’ cycling.”

The lessons that can be learned from London were also a focus of today’s session. Transport for London’s Ben Plowden said that “strong leadership, partnership working and sustained investment” is key. The London Cycling Campaign’s Tom Bogdanowicz agreed and said that demand for cycling in London is high – 1 in 4 people want to cycle. Transport for London also talked about the benefits of limiting HGV movements to night hours only throughout London 2012 as a way to reduce the risk of conflicts during rush hour.

Commenting on the session, APPCG Co-Chair Julian Huppert MP, said:

“It was really good to hear today from local campaigners and local authorities – the people who really do the work on the ground. It makes a world of difference if local authorities are backing cycling in their towns and cities. It was also good to hear the Public Health Minister say so clearly that cycling was a healthy thing to do, and that public health benefits from cycling investment. We need joined up thinking at all levels of government if we are to really make progress in promoting cycling. In cities where local authorities are on board, more people are cycling; it’s as simple as that.”
The inquiry provoked a lot of activity on twitter – #getbritaincycling was once again one of the top trending hashtags in the UK.
Representatives from the Local Government Association, Transport for Greater Manchester, Leicester City Council and Devon County Council all gave evidence at today’s inquiry. There was a special focus on lessons learned in London – Transport for London, the London Cycling Campaign and the Borough Cycling Officers’ Group all presented at the inquiry, alongside Caroline Pidgeon MBE – a Chair on the London Assembly Transport Committee. Cyclenation, Cambridge Cycling Campaign and the Campaign to Protect Rural England covered the campaigning perspective and public transport integration was covered by the Association of Train Operating Companies. Health Minister Anna Soubry MP also appeared at the inquiry.

The next session of the Get Britain Cycling inquiry, exploring Leadership from Government will take place on Monday 4th March from 2pm in The Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House. Witnesses include Norman Baker MP, Stephen Hammond MP, Jon Snow and Andrew Gilligan.

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