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Bristol named UK's 'cycling city' Bristol named UK's 'cycling city'
(20 minutes later)
Bristol is to be the first place in the UK to share in a £100m government scheme aimed at encouraging cycling.Bristol is to be the first place in the UK to share in a £100m government scheme aimed at encouraging cycling.
The city intends to double the number of cyclists over the next three years with a series of innovations.The city intends to double the number of cyclists over the next three years with a series of innovations.
Other areas involved will be York, Stoke, Blackpool, Cambridge, Chester, Colchester, Leighton, Shrewsbury, Southend, Southport and Woking.Other areas involved will be York, Stoke, Blackpool, Cambridge, Chester, Colchester, Leighton, Shrewsbury, Southend, Southport and Woking.
Among the features in Bristol will be the UK's first major bicycle rental network modelled on a scheme in Paris.Among the features in Bristol will be the UK's first major bicycle rental network modelled on a scheme in Paris.
Trail blazing BRISTOL'S CYCLING PLANS Create the UK's first on-street bike rental networkEstablish a 're-cycling' scheme that repairs bikes and provides them free of charge to deprived communitiesBuild state-of-the-art facilities for cyclists commuting to the city centreCreate a dedicated cycleway to link the suburbs with the city centre More than double the number of children receiving cycling trainingDevelop a Personalised Travel Plan programme, focusing on changing the way people conduct short journeys to work The government is giving Bristol £11.4m to transform cycling by creating dedicated cycle lanes, better facilities and more training for children.
The government is giving Bristol £11.4m to transform cycling by creating dedicated cycle lanes, better facilities and more training for children.
The local area will match this funding to bring the total investment package to around £23m.The local area will match this funding to bring the total investment package to around £23m.
Transport secretary Ruth Kelly said: "I am delighted to appoint Bristol as the UK's first ever cycling city. I am sure that Bristol's bold and ambitious plans will support cyclists and encourage more people to get on their bikes, get fit and beat the traffic.Transport secretary Ruth Kelly said: "I am delighted to appoint Bristol as the UK's first ever cycling city. I am sure that Bristol's bold and ambitious plans will support cyclists and encourage more people to get on their bikes, get fit and beat the traffic.
"The first step in persuading people to leave their cars at home is to offer them a real choice."The first step in persuading people to leave their cars at home is to offer them a real choice.
"Bristol is leading the way. I hope that many more will follow its excellent example," she said."Bristol is leading the way. I hope that many more will follow its excellent example," she said.
The Public Health Minister and Bristol South MP Dawn Primarolo said: "I'm delighted that Bristol is Britain's first Cycling Demonstration City.
"Tackling obesity is the most significant public and personal health challenge facing our society.
"For most people, a great way to keep healthy is by building physical activity into everyday life, such as cycling to work or school."