§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the existing provision of secure cycle parking areas; and what steps are being taken to increase the provision of urban cycle routes. [49680]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe responsibility for on-street cycle parking rests with individual local authorities. Parking can also be provided at destinations such as schools, transport interchanges and workplaces by those responsible for the sites. Good-quality cycle parking is essential to overcome the fear of theft that is an important factor deterring more people from cycling. We have issued advice to practitioners to assist in the choice of the best locations for cycle parking in our Traffic Advisory Leaflet 7/97, "Supply and Demand for Cycle Parking".
13WThe provision of urban cycle routes is also the responsibility of local authorities. We give advice on the design and construction of cycle facilities in our Local Transport Note publications on cycling and in our Traffic Advisory Leaflets which are issued to all local authorities.
We are encouraging all local authorities to provide better facilities for cycling as part of our support for the National Cycling Strategy and its objective of increasing cycling fourfold by 2012.