UK Spends Billions to Make Life Easier for Cyclists and Pedestrians

In the first stage of a £2 billion investment, England is using its £250 million emergency active travel fund to set up bike lanes, widen pavements, and create cycle and bus-only corridors and safer junctions in its largest ever boost for cycling and pedestrian space.

From creating 150 miles of protected bicycle tracks in Greater Manchester to a “bike Tube” network in London, the government is working with local authorities across the nation to improve access to bike travel and to offer residents bicycle repair vouchers in an encouragement to start reusing their old cycles again. It’s also implementing a Cycle to Work scheme giving employees a discount on their new bicycle purchase.

“If ever there was a good time to get on your bike, it’s now,” says Team Principal of Team INEOS Sir Dave Brailsford, adding that green transport benefits everyone’s health as well as the environment. “Let’s all get pedaling and help Britain on the road to recovery.”

The fund was launched this month by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and is part of a £5 billion in new funding announced for cycling and buses earlier this year in a drive to increase green and active transport. This summer will see additional measures on green transport through a revised Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy launched by the Prime Minister in the summer, complementing the government’s plans to double cycling and boost walking by 2025.