AQW 25716/11-15

Mr Daithí McKay
Sinn Féin
North Antrim

Tabled Date: 16/09/2013
Answered On Date: 30/09/2013
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Regional Development what steps he is taking to encourage Departments and Local Authorities to work together to ensure that the Cycle to Work scheme assists in implementing sustainable transport objectives.

Answer:

My officials engage with Departments and Local Authorities to develop and implement workplace Travel Plans promoting sustainable travel and to promote cycling especially during Bike Week in June each year. The Travel Plans encourage workplaces to make the scheme available to their employees and to support them in using their cycles for the journey to work while Bike Week partnerships with Local Authorities encourage them to promote cycling to work.

I launched the Active Travel Strategy in January 2013 and I undertook then to publish an action plan which sets out measures that will be taken by government departments, local authorities and voluntary bodies to encourage more cycling and walking and less dependency on private cars. In preparing the Active travel strategy representatives from local authorities and other departments were consulted.

The Action Plan which was published at the beginning of August lists all of the initiatives planned between 2012 to 2015.