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Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly has announced Bristol as the UK's first official Cycling City, and a further 11 Cycling Demonstration Towns across England: Blackpool, Cambridge, Chester, Colchester, Leighton/Linslade, Shrewsbury, Southend on Sea, Southport with Ainsdale, Stoke, Woking and York.

The 12 towns have succeeded in winning a share of the record £100m investment package to pioneer innovative ways to increase cycling in their areas. Proposals include improving cycling infrastructure such as dedicated cycle lanes, increasing bike parking provision and cycle training and promoting the benefits of cycling. The aim is to encourage 2.5 million more adults and children to take up cycling, improve their fitness and beat the traffic.

Bristol wants to double the number of people cycling over the next three years, by:

• creating the UK's first on-street bike rental network, modelled on the successful Paris scheme;
• establishing a 're-cycling' scheme, providing free bikes to those in deprived communities;
• building a state-of-the-art facility for cyclists in the city centre providing showers, bike parking and lockers so commuters can have a wash and brush up before starting work;
• creating a dedicated cycleway to link the suburbs with the city centre opening up new, safer options for commuters who currently rely on their cars;
• more than doubling the number of children receiving cycling training.

Ruth Kelly said: "The UK's first ever Cycling City and 11 new Cycling Demonstration Towns will pioneer new ways of encouraging people to get on their bikes. A quarter of journeys made every day by car are less than two miles. Cycling is an alternative that could bring real health benefits to millions of adults and children, as well as helping them save money and beat congestion. The first step in persuading people to leave their cars at home is to offer them a real choice. Providing a step change in cycling facilities, dedicated cycle lanes, more training and information will have a big impact on how people choose to travel. I look forward to seeing these towns and cities put their plans into action and urge other communities across the country to follow their lead."

Phillip Darnton, Chairman of Cycling England, added: "We have learnt from our European neighbours, such as the Netherlands, that increased and sustained investment is the key to getting more people enjoying the benefits of cycling. The funding that Bristol and the other 11 towns have been awarded is designed to create a real step change in levels of cycling, starting in 2008 and for years to come. Beyond well co-ordinated, consistent investment in cycling, and the introduction of policy measures to encourage it, cycling crucially needs determined and persistent high-level leadership. We are delighted that the Government has championed this and Cycling England's other projects which aim to increase national cycling levels by 20 per cent overall by 2012. "

A Development Plan for the Cycle Campaign Network has been issued by the CCN Board and approved by its AGM. It sets out CCN's aspirations for greater influence in cycling over the coming years.

Feedback is sought from groups on the document and how they can assist in implementing the plan. Please send comments to CCN Chair, Andre Curtis .

There will also be an open Board Meeting on 19th July at Friends of the Earth, 54 - 57 Allison Street, Digbeth, Birmingham, B5 5TH (see map), to which representatives from all CCN groups are invited.

Read the Development Plan here

Will all CCN groups please note the following important administration changes.

Cherry Allan has now taken over responsibility for both membership matters (renewals, queries, etc) and newsletter distribution. With immediate effect, please send membership renewals and copies of your newsletters for distribution to other groups (65 copies if possible, but as many as you are able) to:

Cherry Allan, 80 George Road, Farncombe, Surrey, GU7 3LX

Simon Geller is now Company Secretary of CCN Limited.

John Pritchard remains CCN Treasurer, but will no longer handle mailings.

The world manufactured approximately 130 million bicycles in 2007, according to the Earth Policy Institute. This is more than double the number of cars manufactured. The research shows that the cycle industry is currently growing at twice the pace of the automotive industry.

Bike Biz

Transport Minister Jim Fitzpatrick, MP, has backed calls for more traffic police on the streets to protect cyclists and pedestrians.

Bike Biz

The Danish Cyclists Federation has produced, under contract, a comprehensive manual about cycle parking. Denmark may be famous as a cycling country but, according to the manual's author, little thought is often given to how and where cycle parking is provided and the resultant parking facilities are often very poor. The manual is in three parts. The first comprises guidelines and recommendations on what constitutes good cycle parking. Second, there is an in-depth description of all aspects of the planning, construction and running of cycle parking facilities, with illustrations and photos of the various issues, processses and solutions. Thirdly, there is 'inspriration': a collection of examples from Denmark and other countries of effective cycle parking solutions that support some of the issues described in the manual. There is also a comprehensive index and a list of references. An English version of the manual has been published. It can be viewed and downloaded here or a printed copy ordered free of charge (while copies remain). Send an e-mail to pablo@celis.dk with the following information: your name, position, organisation, full postal address and e-mail address.