This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/bristol/7462791.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Bristol named UK's 'cycling city' Bristol named UK's 'cycling city'
(about 1 hour later)
Bristol is to be the first place in the UK to share in a £100m government scheme aimed at encouraging cycling. Bristol has become 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.
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.
Advertisement
Commuter Stephanie Wardle shares her experience of cycling
The local area will match this funding to bring the total investment package to about £23m.The local area will match this funding to bring the total investment package to about £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. "Bristol is leading the way," she said. "I hope that many more will follow its excellent example."
"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 the scheme would help tackle growing levels of obesity in the UK.
The Public Health Minister and Bristol South MP Dawn Primarolo said: "I'm delighted that Bristol is Britain's first Cycling Demonstration City. "For most people, a great way to keep healthy is by building physical activity into everyday life, such as cycling to work or school," she said.
"Tackling obesity is the most significant public and personal health challenge facing our society. 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 first step in persuading people to leave their cars at home is to offer them a real choice.
"For most people, a great way to keep healthy is by building physical activity into everyday life, such as cycling to work or school." Phillip Darnton, chair of Cycling England, agreed, but said it was important that proper training was given.
"Nobody is suggesting you dump somebody, particularly a young person, on a bike," he said.
"We don't drop them in the deep end of swimming pools, you've got to learn properly, there's a national standard called bike ability and that's what we're urging people to do and we have some funding to help."
Councillor Helen Holland, Leader of Bristol City Council, said: "Our aim is to make the bicycle a real alternative for many more people travelling to and around Bristol.
"This award, and the funding that it brings, will enable us to progress with a raft of off and on-road improvements which will encourage more people to chose pedal power to make a real difference to their own and our city's health and environment."
Among the city's innovative proposals are the creation of the UK's first on-street bike rental network and setting up a scheme to repair bikes and provide them free of charge to people in deprived communities.
Are you a cyclist? Do you think the plans will increase the number of cyclists? Send us your comments using the form below.Are you a cyclist? Do you think the plans will increase the number of cyclists? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your cycling pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions Send your cycling pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name
 Name