A motion supporting reversing government cuts to cycling and walking in England at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference passed during this morning’s debate on transport.
Cycling UK has reacted to support the commitment, but urged the Party to be bolder in its ambitions.
Ministers cut the dedicated budget for cycling and walking by 75% in March 2023, despite the National Audit Committee finding funding levels would not be enough to meet the government’s modest targets to double cycling by 2025. Currently fewer than 2% of journeys are cycled in England, reports Cycling Industry News.
“The Liberal Democrats’ recognise the damage done by cutting funding for cycling and walking and have pledged to reverse these, which is a good start – but in their next manifesto, they must be bolder if they are to reap all of the many environmental, health and wellbeing benefits that come from more people cycling,” said Sarah McMonagle, Cycling UK’s director of external affairs.
“Getting more people out cycling and walking is a worthy ambition, but restoring a level underinvestment this government previously had in place will not achieve it,” she added.
