New laws to support cycling will make Wales a 'World leader'
Welsh Government is to introduce a Cycling Bill making it a legal duty for local authorities to provide cycle routes. It comes as a result of four years of campaigning by Sustrans Cymru.
Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones announced the Bill yesterday [Tuesday 14 June, 2011] as one of the Welsh Government's priorities over the next five years. It is a first for any Government, both in the UK and World-wide.
Lee Waters, Sustrans Cymru Director, said; 'There has long been a legal duty to build and maintain roads, but this is the first time that highways authorities will have had a legal obligation to create new walking and cycling routes. It has the potential to make Wales a World leader in sustainable transport.
'Creating town and city spaces that support walking and cycling is a crucial part in enabling more active and healthy lifestyles. Hearing the Welsh Government commit to the Bill is an astounding achievement after years of hard work. Now we begin the important process of developing the detail. We'd like to see it include the needs of walkers as well as cyclists, commit to routes both on and off-road, and place a duty on Highways Authorities to maintain the quality of routes.'