Cycling UK: “We hope positive words translate into firm cycle spending commitments”

Today the new Transport Secretary Louise Haigh told The Guardian that the government will invest “unprecedented levels of funding” in cycling and walking to improve health and inequality.

The positive words come less than a year after the former government was keen to pit motorists versus the rest of the country and criticise “sinister” local councils for pursuing active travel policies. It wasn’t all one-way traffic – the establishment of Active Travel England was a solid high point under Conservative stewardship of the nation – but the final years and months leading to the last General Election are generally not considered vintage in terms of active travel.

Cycling UK has welcomed the cycle spending commitment of the new Transport Secretary but was keen to see the intention translate into reality.

“We are thrilled that the Transport Secretary has made a firm commitment to ‘unprecedented levels of funding’,” said Sarah McMonagle, director of external affairs at Cycling UK.

“By embracing a shift towards active travel, the government has begun to lay the foundations for a future where everyone has access to clean air, safer streets, and a more sustainable way of getting around.

“For decades, Cycling UK has stressed the potential for cycling to not only improve public health, but address the climate crisis head-on, boost the economy, and help to ease the cost-of-living crisis for everyone. Research by the IPPR, supported by Cycling UK, revealed that at least 10 percent of the total transport budget should be dedicated to active travel within five years to ensure that these benefits are realised.

“We know from working with communities that public support is strong, and we have a clear roadmap to create happier, healthier, greener lives through cycling. We hope to see the government translate these positive words into firm spending commitments for active travel in the forthcoming Autumn Budget.”

The investment case for active travel is, in 2024, pretty tight. Giving the population more opportunity to cycle and walk safely boosts health (and other) outcomes and therefore considerable returns for governments sage enough to follow through with them.