AQO 829/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 24/09/2020
Answered On Date: 06/10/2020
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Infrastructure what assessment her Department has made of the viability of implementing a scheme similar to the Big Bike Revival in England.

Answer:

The Big Bike Revival, which the Member refers to in his question, is a programme developed by the cycling charity Cycling UK, formally the Cycling Touring Club or CTC.

The programme was trialled in England in 2014 and started in March 2015 with annual funding of around £1 million from the Department for Transport in London. The programme was extended to Scotland in 2016.

For many years my Department has worked with the Public Health Agency in delivering joint programmes such as the Active School Travel programme. The Agency provides funding annually for a number of programmes in the community which include elements of the Big Bike Revival. The ‘Leading the Way’ programme (which my Department participates in) has many similarities to the Big Bike Revival, such as on-road cycle training, bike maintenance and led bike rides.

I am keen to work in partnership with other Departments and statutory agencies to deliver projects and programmes which will enable more people to walk and cycle as part of their everyday activity.