Chiming precisely with the aims of the Cycle Summit, Britain’s returning Olympic cyclists have written to Theresa May telling her that the best way to honour their achievements in Rio would be for the government to invest heavily in everyday bike-riding:
“The best way to honour the achievements of our athletes would be a legacy of everyday cycling in this country – a place where cycling is the choice form of transport for people to get around in their daily lives.”
The letter goes on to say:
“Investment in cycling as a form of transport isn’t purely an investment in cycle lanes, it is an investment that will pay off for the nation’s health, wealth, transport infrastructure and the vibrancy of our towns and cities. It has the added benefit of just making it easier for ordinary families to get to work and get to school.
As cities like Copenhagen and New York have shown, cycling also creates better places to live and work. More cycling cuts congestion, reduces noise pollution and fuels local economies. Small businesses in New York have seen a 49% increase in business where cycle lanes have been installed.”
You can read the full text of the letter here.