Norman Baker, junior transport minister with responsibility for cycling, has told the Times that the government is set to unveil its largest ever investment in cycling, a series of initiatives, projects and fundings totalling £62m. £7.5m of the investment – plus a further £1.5m from rail operators – is to be set aside for some 20,000 additional cycle parking places at train stations, which sees their number rise from 50-70,000. Close to £30m will be assigned for bids from towns and cities looking to improve local cycling infrastructures. Although the mechanisms and criteria for the bidding process have yet to be announced it is thought that the process should be underway by summer.
Whilst Baker has been, naturally, vocal about his portfolio and is set to be amongst those appearing at an all-party inquiry into the future of cycling, he has dismissed calls for ‘Dutch standards’ to be adopted as ‘unrealistic’.
