Bristol is named first cycling city

Greater Bristol has been chosen as England's first official Cycling City - making it the country's premier national and international showcase for promoting cycling as a safe, healthy and practical alternative to the private car for commuting, education and leisure journeys.

Government funding totalling £11.4 million has been awarded to Bristol and South Gloucestershire to transform cycling and to pioneer innovative ways of making cycling a real alternative to the car.  This funding will be matched by Bristol and South Gloucestershire councils and their partners, creating a total project of £22.8 million over the next two and a half years.

Following the announcement of our successful bid, the council has set up a project management team to start the detailed development and delivery of this project. The three main headlines of the bid are:

• Infrastructure
• Smarter Choices
• Bikeability

A comprehensive programme of schemes and activities is being developed in association with our partners and Cycle England, with the aim of doubling cycling numbers in Bristol. One of the early priorities for the team is to promote the projects and programmes that the council is already working on and to bring these forward. A broad range of initiatives are currently being considered (see cycle demonstration plan):

New off-road cycle routes

• Improving safety and links to the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, and
• Creating a new north/south cycle path between Lockleaze and Hengrove

New on-road cycling routes

• Integrating cycling provisions into the development of quality bus corridors
• Improving cycle routes on quieter roads
• Improving difficult road junctions for cyclists
• Providing more cycle parking throughout the city
• Introducing bike hire schemes, such as Hourbike and ferry bike hire
• Developing further cycle resource centres (where cyclists can park safely, shower, and get their bike fixed)
• Improving cycle routes, facilities and parking at schools 

New cycle paths are planned

• Linking the city centre with Nailsea in North Somerset
• Providing a waterside route from Temple Meads to Cabot Circus

Awareness raising

• Giving every Year 5 and 6 pupil the opportunity for Bikeability cycle training (8,000 pupils)
• Refresher training for those who need support in taking up cycling again
• Personalised travel plans - helping households plan their cycle journeys
• Employer travel plans - to encourage businesses to promote cycling as a viable commuter alternative
• School Travel Plans - to introduce more measures to improve the number of children cycling to school  
• Publication of more free maps and guides from a cyclist's perspective, including developing the new web-based journey planner
• Promoting cycling events such as Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride 
• Surveying residents and employers on what cyclists need

If you are interested and would like to be kept informed on what's going on, please e-mail your contact details to cycling.city@bristol.gov.uk

With rising fuel prices and growing congestion, cycling is also a good way of keeping fit and healthy. The new initiatives that will be introduced through Cycling City status will play a key role in providing healthier communities throughout Bristol.  

[back to top]