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Integrated
Transport White Paper
The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions'
Integrated Transport White Paper "A New Deal for Transport: Better
for Everyone" signalled a major change in transport policy. It
recognised that the National Cycling Strategy highlighted the
potential of cycling as a flexible, relatively cheap and environmentally
friendly way to travel with important health benefits for people
of all ages. The Government has a target to increase cycling and
expects local authorities to provide the necessary facilities
to make this happen.
Cycling, however, has been in decline nationally, even though
more people own a bicycle than ever before. But this doesn't have
to be the case if we make it easier and safer to cycle.
Road Safety Strategy
The Government has taken many steps to ensure that the roads are
made safer for cyclists. A whole range of initiatives, including
improved signing, increased use of traffic calming, local speed
limits and a review of enforcement and penalties for speeding
were presented in the recently published Road Safety Strategy.
Above all, local authorities in urban areas are urged to use the
increased powers they now have to introduce 20 mph zones where
appropriate, especially in areas such as schools where there are
likely to be many vulnerable road users.
Local Transport Plans
Your local authority's plans for cycling will be described in
its Local Transport Plan. Government advice to local authorities
states that cycling should be an integral part of the plans and
every authority should establish a local strategy for cycling.
Local Authorities are expected to take steps to increase cycling
in their Local Transport Plans.
School Travel
It is an objective of the NCS to increase the amount of cycling
to school. Cycling is therefore promoted through the Government's
work on School Travel Plans. Cycling is discussed in two recent
guides on school travel plans:
Travel Plans for Employers
The Government encourages employers to develop travel plans, aimed
at reducing car use for travel to work and for travel on business.
Cycling is an important part of most travel plans. Everyone
will benefit from increased cycling!!
- Health
- cycling can improve health by lowering the risk of heart disease,
shedding excess weight, and increasing fitness. Tests have shown
that after 4 to 5 months of regular cycling, aerobic fitness
improves by an average of 13 % and body fat falls by an average
of two to three kg. Regular exercise reduces stress and contributes
to mental well being
- Environment
- increasing cycling benefits the environment by cutting CO2
emissions and reducing noise
- Congestion
- promoting cycling can have benefits in reducing traffic congestion
- Education
- the establishment of safer routes to schools and cycle training
should increase awareness of road safety issues and improve
road safety. Up to date knowledge of what schools, colleges
and universities are doing to provide facilities for cyclists
forms a valuable part of the overall picture
- Social
Inclusion - safer cycle routes and more people using them can
help build stronger communities
- Access
to Employment - by making it easier for people to get to work
by bicycle employers increase the potential labour force available
to them Sustainable Tourism - The development of more widespread
cycle routes will enhance access to the countryside and open
up new opportunities for tourism. Rural economies will benefit
from the increase in passing trade
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