§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what practical steps he has introduced to encourage the use of bicycles as an alternative to cars in urban areas.
§ Mr. AtkinsBoth car use and cycling are matters of personal choice. Cycling remains one of the least safe modes of transport, so our main role must be to help make it safer. People will then feel freer to cycle and will be more prepared to allow their children to do so.
My Department continues to promote safer cycling through the publication of technical advice and guidance based on our research and application studies. We have announced recently changes in the criteria for transport supplementary grant under which local highway authorities will be able to bid for grants for local safety schemes, which can include cycling provision. This is in addition to the cycle elements of major highway and traffic management schemes which will still be eligible for grant.