Investing more heavily in cycle infrastructure would lead to great savings for the National Health Service according to the Health Minister Anna Soubry (pictured).

She told the ‘Get Britain Cycling’ parliamentary inquiry last week that she was “wildly enthusiastic” about travelling by bike and added that schools should do more to promote cycling.

But she acknowledged that the perceived risks of cycling are a problem for some people and added she did not let her own children out on the roads because of fears for their safety. Ms Soubry said she has worked with Transport Minister Norman Baker on cycling initiatives but admitted that Whitehall “needs to show leadership” to promote cycle use.

Another witness giving evidence to the inquiry said Government departments needed to work together to get more Britons cycling. Conservative MP Sarah Wollaston said: “We need the education department to work with health and transport if we want to form habits for a lifetime.”

And Lord Berkeley urged the Department for Transport to consider ‘health benefits’ when appraising transport schemes.

President of cycling group CTC and broadcaster Jon Snow told the inquiry that Government should make it compulsory for cycling provision to be included in all new road schemes. Transport Minister Stephen Hammond agreed it would be “sensible” for cycling to be incorporated into plans for new roads.

The Get Britain Cycling inquiry was convened by the All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group and a report with recommendations will be published on 24 April. The group’s co-chairman Julian Huppert MP said: “We need joined up thinking at all levels of Government if we are to really make progress in promoting cycling.”

But pedestrian group Living Streets warned that cycle initiatives must not come at the expense of those on foot. Chief executive Tony Armstrong said: “Policy makers need to remember that everyone is a pedestrian while cycling makes up a tiny fraction of overall journeys. The safety and comfort of people on foot must be given the highest priority in policy and investment decisions.”

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