Today’s Guardian reports that a cross-party group of MPs has advocated spending £1bn a year to increase cycling in the UK, since this would pay for itself many times over, boosting the economy and the health of the nation by reducing pollution, congestion and inactivity. Because the benefits are so widespread, it should be funded not just by the Department for Transport but health, education and business. The co-chairs of the group say that the country needs "a fundamental cultural shift in how we think about the way we travel." Too right. The committee recommends a legal requirement for the needs of cyclists and pedestrians to be taken into account at the start of all development schemes, including for housing and business as well as roads. Other recommendations include the extension of urban 20mph speed limits. The report notes that “such goals hinge on strong and consistent leadership from the top of government.” Do we hold our breath?
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