PLANS to get more people cycling as part of the legacy of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games have been given a £2million boost from the Department for Transport.
The aim of Cycling for Everyone is to work with communities across the region’s most disadvantaged areas to encourage and enable more people to get on a bike to improve their health and the environment, as well as providing access to employment and education.
Funding for the Cycling for Everyone programme has come from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Active Travel Legacy package.
As well as being a healthy and enjoyable way to get about, cycling is an affordable way to access employment, education and training and contributes to the region’s net-zero carbon targets and health challenges.
Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), which is part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), will now work with partners to develop Cycling for Everyone projects ready to roll out ahead of next year’s Games, linking to the broader Birmingham 2022 Physical Activity and Wellbeing legacy.
Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “I’m delighted we have been able to secure more cash from the government to promote cycling.
“We know cycling is great for people’s health and for reducing air pollution as we tackle the climate emergency, that’s why we are putting unprecedented investment into cycling and walking – from the Starley Network of safe cycle routes to the West Midlands Cycle Hire scheme.
“Now, with this further investment we can target key areas and provide communities who wouldn’t usually get the chance to reap the benefits cycling offers.”
Cycling for Everyone will take action to address barriers to cycling such as not knowing how to cycle, low confidence, access to pedal cycles and knowing others who cycle.
Activity could include cycle training, led rides, community hubs or clubs, free or subsidised pedal cycles, travel support for businesses, schools and communities, encouraging people-powered health.
