AQW 26330/11-15

Mr Peter Weir
Democratic Unionist Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 26/09/2013
Answered On Date: 08/10/2013
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Regional Development to outline the strategies being pursued to increase the number of people using cycling as a means of transport.

Answer:

The Active Travel Strategy which I launched in January aims to put walking and cycling at the heart of our local transport arrangements, encouraging a healthier, less stressful and, increasingly, lower cost alternative to the car for many shorter daily journeys.

This was followed by my Department’s publication of an Action Plan for Active Travel which covers the period up to 2015. The plan which is published, along with the Active Travel Strategy, on my Department’s internet site sets out initiatives and strategies that will be taken forward by government departments, local authorities and voluntary bodies to encourage more cycling and walking and less dependency on private cars.

Also I am establishing a new cycling unit to ensure cycling issues and initiatives are progressed in a more coherent and coordinated manner across my Department, in partnership with local government, voluntary bodies, public transport operators and the health and education sectors.