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9 Jul 2025

A recent BBC Breakfast segment has sparked backlash from the cycling community over its portrayal of e-bikes, with critics accusing the broadcaster of conflating legal e-bikes with illegal,...

8 Jul 2025

More than 30 locations across Scotland have seen a major rise in the number of people cycling, according to newly released data.

7 Jul 2025

Sixteen illegally upgraded e-bikes capable of speeds up to 40mph have been seized and disposed of in a joint enforcement operation in Birmingham city centre.

7 Jul 2025

Bristol-based Cytech training provider and ACT member Life Cycle has launched its award-winning Bikes Beyond Bars programme at HMP Bullingdon, expanding a project that has already impacted lives...

4 Jul 2025

New data from Strava reveals a major surge in cycling across the UK, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge.

3 Jul 2025

Shimano has launched an urgent investigation into what it describes as a “critical” shortage of skilled bike mechanics across Europe, warning that the situation threatens to...

2 Jul 2025

MPs have called on Amazon and eBay to tighten controls after e-bikes and chargers flagged as serious fire risks were found for sale on their platforms.

25 Jun 2025

The E-Bike Positive campaign has seen major success in the first half of 2025, with its message reaching nearly 8 million people across the UK through high-profile media coverage and growing...

20 Jun 2025

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has asked the ACT, and its parent company Bira, to help them reach out to small business retailers across the country, for their quick input on...

20 Jun 2025

Activate Cycle Academy has reopened its Cytech training facility in Darlington, offering a full range of courses from Home Mechanic up to Cytech Technical Three.
 

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Active Travel England announces £101 million investment to boost cycling and walking nationwide.

Posted on in Business News , Cycles News

Communities across England are to be given access to £101 million of government funding for high-quality walking and cycling routes, improving the quality of local public engagement for new walking and cycling schemes, free e-cycle loans, expanding trials of side road zebra crossings and developing new active travel routes in National Parks, government agency Active Travel England (ATE) has announced.

park life

Image: Stan Petersen from Pixabay

The funding will enable local authorities to deliver walking and cycling schemes and dedicated funding has also been issued to help councils undertake proper consultation with local communities. The ATE says that, together, these measures will unlock sustainable transport options for millions more people across England and give people the choice to travel safely on foot or by cycle. It will particularly benefit people living in deprived or rural areas with almost half of funding going to deprived communities.

The schemes, funded by ATE, have been designed to benefit all communities, and local authorities will work closely with residents to ensure they are attractive and inclusive for all. Safety and accessibility are at the heart of the newly funded projects to give even more people the choice to travel by walking or cycling.

National Active Travel Commissioner, Chris Boardman, said:

“This funding is not only going to give millions of people safer and more enjoyable ways to get to school, the shops and workplaces but it will also help local authorities to work with communities to come up with plans for future projects that will make the most difference, providing excellent value for money.

We’re not just talking towns and cities. A lot of the funding is going to rural areas, and we’re funding National Parks to develop new walking and cycling routes. This money is about innovation, too, and we’re excited to work with the West Midlands and Greater Manchester to trial and assess simpler zebra crossings and technologies to assist visually impaired people.”

Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said:

“We’re committed to ensuring people can travel in the way that works best for them, which is why we’re investing over £100 million for over 100 kilometres of new walking and cycling routes, improved access to our national parks, and e-cycle loan schemes.

This funding is not just an investment in new infrastructure, but in communities that will benefit from the social mobility and health benefits that improved and new walking and cycling routes will bring.”

Local authorities will receive funding for projects in areas from Southampton up to the North-East. Investment from Active Travel Fund 4 Extension alone will deliver almost 70 miles of new or improved walking and cycling routes, 154 new crossings and 47 safer junctions. This will give millions more people the option to walk, wheel or cycle, improving their health, reducing air pollution and making streets safer for all. 

The £101 million funding package is made up of:

  • £45.7 million of capital funding awarded to local authorities as part of Active Travel Fund 4 Extension funding
  • £51.5 million of revenue funding awarded to local authorities as part of the annual Capability Fundfor 2023/24 and 2024/25
  • £2.4 million to local authorities and Cycling UK for e-cycle loan programmes.
  • £1 million to National Parks
  • £200,000 to West Midlands Combined Authority to trial simple zebra  crossings on side roads.

Four authorities will also receive a share of £2.4 million funding to pilot free e-cycle loan schemes in their areas, following a national trial which saw people take out a free month-long e-cycle loan. This will give people and businesses the opportunity to try e-cycles in South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Leicester and Luton and Dunstable. Removing the cost barrier helps people see if an e-cycle works for their lifestyle or their business.

A further £1 million will support the development of walking and cycling routes in England’s National Parks. This will enable authorities to develop plans for better links between rural towns and villages, with an aim of unlocking better transport choice for people living in and visiting rural areas.

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