- £114m secure funding to support Cycling Ambition Cities Programme for the next three years (in Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Norwich and Oxford) to accelerate their development of local cycling networks, increase protection for cyclists at junctions and traffic hot spots and help prevent accidents.
- £100m investment to improve the conditions for cyclists and walkers travelling alongside and crossing Britain's most important and busiest roads.
This new money brings the total amount invested into cycling by this government to £588m.
Commenting, Nick said: "I want to bring cycling down from the Alps and onto British streets. The inspiration and legacy of the 2012 Olympics and the Tour de France starting in Yorkshire this year has started a revolution in cycling for everyone, not just in velodromes, not necessarily in lycra, but for going to school or to work or to the shops.
"I'm committed to helping our dream of becoming a cycling nation, similar to places like Denmark and the Netherlands, become a reality.
"The rewards could be massive. Billions of pounds in savings for the NHS, less pollution and congestion, and a happier and safer population. In Government, we're putting the money down, now we need the public and local authorities to jump on their bikes and get us to the finish line."
In addition to the new funding, Nick has also launched two new initiatives to help inspire a new generation of cyclists. These are:
- A new scheme from Halfords which will recondition and donate bikes and helmets to primary school children in disadvantaged areas.
- A new pilot scheme to enhance the Bikeability cycle training programme to provide extra training to schools and parents, each designed to address a specific barrier to cycling.