New funding supports cycling in Devon

The funding from Cycling England's 'Finding New Solutions' initiative will help the county to promote leisure cycling and to find out if this encourages more people to cycle more regularly.

The council is proposing to create cycling “hubs” across Devon which would be easily accessible by various modes of transport, and would serve local cycle networks.

These centres include Exeter, Exmouth, Barnstaple and Tavistock, and any increase in cycling trips would be monitored in these locations.

The project will also seek to establish what has inspired people to cycle.

Devon County Council will be looking to introduce people to cycling who may not otherwise consider taking to two wheels, as well as making cycle hire more affordable for families, and improving accessibility to routes for people with disabilities.

Cycle access to holiday parks and tourist accommodation will also be improved to make it possible for visitors to cycle, as well as exploring how to upgrade links to the railway network to encourage people to take their bicycles on trains.

The funding will be used to improve cycle routes and cycle facilities such as cycle route signing, secure cycle parking and bike hire.

A promotional campaign highlighting leisure cycling routes in Devon will also be supported.

Cllr Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “This is an ambitious project but we’re fortunate in Devon to already have hundreds of miles of family-friendly cycle trails.

“We already have a sizeable investment in place to improve cycle routes across Devon as part of our new cycling strategy, and this additional funding not only recognises what we have already achieved but will ensure we’re well placed to become a cycling county.”

The funding adds to Devon County Council’s £25 million investment up to 2012 as part of a new cycling strategy to make Devon a premier destination for cycling tourism.